The Role of Bill Pay Apps in Financial Management for HNWI and UHNWI

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Managing the financial affairs of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) requires precision, efficiency, and discretion. For these individuals, staying on top of high-volume transactions is critical—but it can also be overwhelming. This is where bill pay apps come in, providing tailored solutions to simplify payment processes and enhance financial management workflows.

The Financial Complexities of HNWIs and UHNWIs

High-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals lead complex financial lives. They often own multiple properties, manage philanthropic initiatives, and oversee diverse business ventures, all of which generate substantial financial activity. Effectively managing this intricacy requires financial management solutions that exceed the capabilities of conventional banking tools.

Key challenges include:

  • Tracking multiple payment obligations for mortgages, domestic employees, vendors, and service providers.
  • Maintaining accurate records for tax planning, compliance, and financial reporting.
  • Ensuring discretion and security in financial transactions.
  • Coordinating approvals among family members or trusted advisors.

How Bill Pay Apps Address These Needs

Bill pay apps specifically designed for HNWIs and UHNWIs offer robust features that cater to their unique financial demands. Here’s how they enhance financial management:

  1. Centralized Financial Control
    Bill pay apps provide a single platform to manage payments across accounts, properties, and entities. This centralization simplifies tracking and eliminates the need for multiple logins or disparate systems.
  2. Customizable Workflows
    Sophisticated bill pay solutions enable users to establish tailored workflows, including multi-tiered approval processes for users and their trusted contacts.
  3. Enhanced Cash Flow Oversight
    Real-time dashboards provide visibility into payments, due dates, and overall cash flow, empowering users to make informed financial decisions.
  4. Tailored Reporting and Insights
    Advanced reporting capabilities deliver customized insights into spending patterns, payment history, and cash flow trends, enabling real time and informed decision-making.
  5. Heightened Security Features
    Bill pay apps employ advanced encryption, secure authentication, and fraud monitoring to safeguard the sensitive financial data of HNWIs and UHNWIs.
  6. Time and Cost Efficiency
    Automation of routine and non-routine payments using workflows minimizes administrative workloads, freeing users and their teams to concentrate on strategic priorities. This streamlined approach saves time and reduces costs effectively.

Essential Features to Look for in a Bill Pay App for UHNWIs & HNWIs

When selecting a bill pay app, UHWNIs and HNWIs should prioritize the following:

  • Customization: Flexible workflows and reporting tailored to individual needs.
  • Integration: Compatibility with accounting and financial management software.
  • Data Security: Robust encryption and compliance with financial regulations.
  • Scalability: Ability to accommodate growing complexity as financial portfolios expand.
  • Dedicated Support: Access to expert customer service for onboarding and troubleshooting.

A Tailored Solution: The Plumb Bill Pay App

The Plumb Bill Pay App stands out as a transparent solution specifically designed to meet the unique needs of affluent clientele. Built with an acute understanding of their financial complexities, the Plumb Bill Pay App offers:

  • Financial Transparency: Clear insights into financials and bill payments, ensuring clients maintain full visibility over their finances.
  • Easy Bill Approval: A streamlined approval process allows users to review and approve bills with just a few clicks, ensuring timely payments while maintaining control.
  • New Onboarding Module: A robust in-app onboarding process simplifies the setup process, enabling clients to get started quickly and seamlessly while ensuring accuracy.
  • Bank-Level Security: Industry-leading encryption and fraud prevention measures protect sensitive data.
  • White-Glove Support: Our dedicated Plumb team delivers personalized, concierge-level support to ensure a seamless and exceptional client experience from onboarding to ongoing management.

The Plumb Bill Pay App empowers HNWIs and UHNWIs to streamline their financial management, optimize cash flow, and dedicate their time and energy to what truly matters.

The Plumb Difference

Bill pay apps have become indispensable tools for HNWIs and UHNWIs seeking to streamline their financial management. By automating payments, providing real-time financial insights, and enhancing security, these apps reduce complexity and free up time for strategic decision-making. As digital transformation continues to shape the financial landscape, adopting the right bill pay solution is not just a matter of convenience—it’s a critical step toward maintaining financial efficiency, security, and peace of mind.

At Plumb, we understand the importance of efficient, secure, and optimal solutions. The Plumb Bill Pay App is an extension of our commitment to providing innovative tools and white-glove service that help clients achieve financial clarity and peace of mind.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and Bill Pay App, or simply reach out to schedule a personal demo.

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Plumb Bill Pay Featured in the 2024 US WealthTech Landscape Report

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We are thrilled to announce that Plumb Bill Pay has been included in The Wealth Mosaic’s US WealthTech Landscape Report 2024! This recognition demonstrates our commitment to delivering innovative, high-touch financial services that simplify life for our clients.

The WealthTech Landscape Report highlights leading solutions that empower wealth managers, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals with technology-driven services to streamline financial operations. At Plumb Bill Pay, we pride ourselves on blending technology with personalized support to ensure seamless, secure, and efficient bill payment management.

Our inclusion in this prestigious report affirms the value we bring to the financial management ecosystem. From managing complex financial workflows to providing clear reporting and reducing administrative burden, Plumb Bill Pay continues to be a trusted partner for those seeking financial clarity and operational excellence.

We extend our gratitude to our clients and partners for their ongoing trust and support.

To learn more about Plumb Bill Pay and how we can help simplify your financial life, contact us today at sales@thinkplumb.com.

Plumb Bill Pay App: New Onboarding Module

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Plumb has enhanced its proprietary bill pay and reporting web application by introducing an innovative Onboarding Module. This improvement significantly boosts the accuracy and efficiency of our client onboarding processes, resulting in improved client service.

 

For the Plumb team, this means that the onboarding process can be completed more quickly and accurately, thanks to a streamlined workflow that is aimed at unifying and tracking onboarding tasks, enforcing consistency, and reducing errors. We’re able to focus on delivering exceptional support to our clients, while minimizing delays and inefficiencies.

 

With the new Onboarding Module, clients now can input onboarding-related data directly into the application, further streamlining the process. An easy-to-navigate wizard takes them through each step of the data gathering process, allowing them to save their progress and return at their convenience. Within the system, clients have visibility to all onboarding tasks at their fingertips. By clicking the link in their Weekly Status Report email, clients can access the system to view completed and in-process tasks assigned to them and their Plumb team. A checklist and progress indicator shows clients where they are in the onboarding process and their percentage toward completion. Additionally, with our onboarding data upload feature, clients can securely upload all onboarding-related data in a central location.

 

Our onboarding feature is integrated with the Plumb Bill Pay app, and at the end of the onboarding process the client seamlessly transitions into active client status.

 

Overall, the new Onboarding module represents a significant enhancement to our web application, one that improves our internal processing, and enables our clients to directly engage with the process. Rob Scherer, CEO of Plumb says, “We wanted to create a worry-free workflow, ensuring all aspects of the client onboarding are accurately processed in a timely manner. We also wanted to empower our clients to provide data directly into the process to improve efficiency, while keeping our experienced staff just a click or phone call away if questions arise.”

 

At Plumb we constantly strive for innovation, and we are looking forward to the success that our Onboarding Module will generate!

 

With Plumb you can have access to your bill pay data – anytime, anywhere. Contact us at sales@thinkplumb.com to learn more about our bill pay app and how Plumb can help you and your clients focus on the big picture, while we focus on your bill pay and accounting needs.

Plumb Welcomes George Logemann as New Chief of Technology Officer

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We are thrilled to share that Plumb has appointed George Logemann as our new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). George joins our team with extensive experience in financial technology and a fresh perspective that will drive our company to greater heights. As a key member of our leadership team, George will play a central role in shaping and implementing our technology vision here at Plumb. George will lead software development, focusing on multiple phases of strategic enhancements and innovations aimed at delivering exceptional value to our clients.

plumb new chief technology officer
George Logemann, CTO

With three decades of expertise in building financial technology for investment and wealth management enterprises, George’s background is impressive. Notably, he dedicated over 13 years to Citadel, a leading hedge fund in the US. At Citadel, George held various pivotal roles, including CTO and COO of Global Commodities, overseeing trading and risk technology as well as operational aspects for the firm’s commodities strategies. He also spearheaded the creation of Citadel’s firm-wide back office platform, capable of capturing millions of daily transactions and supporting all portfolio management, operations and accounting processing. Beyond Citadel, George has dedicated several years to crafting cloud-based aggregation and operational workflow solutions for the financial advisory sector.

George’s extensive background in financial technology and operations makes him a valuable addition to Plumb. We anticipate leveraging his leadership and experience as we develop our comprehensive technology strategy and deliver top-tier solutions for our clients. As CEO and President Rob Scherer shares, “George brings such a cool edge and innovative creative process to our team. I am excited to see how he can expand the app and guide our technology team to new levels.”

George has already embarked on this mission by beginning to evolve our Plumb Bill Pay App into a comprehensive, interactive financial data platform. This expansion aims to offer clients not only convenience but also valuable insights and interactive reporting features that empower them to take control of their financial health.

Unlike static reports, interactive reporting will allow clients to engage with their financial data dynamically. Plumb is utilizing a scalable data warehouse, Snowflake, in tandem with the Plumb Bill Pay Application platform to obtain and pull from client data, offering robust reporting and significant insights. The enhanced platform will enable clients to gain intuitive access to their information, customize dashboards, visualize trends, predict future cashflows, and receive real-time alerts and recommendations.

By transforming the app into a multifaceted data insights tool, we are not only enhancing its value proposition but also helping users gain a deeper understanding of their finances. This initiative will set a new standard in the fintech industry, demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to provide meaningful and interactive financial insights.

As we embark on this exciting journey, we are confident that George’s vision and expertise will enhance our technological capabilities, foster a culture of innovation, and propel us toward achieving our strategic goals.

George shares, “Plumb’s leadership team cares about providing a high-quality client experience, and they have outlined an innovative strategy. I am very excited to engage in this endeavor to help shape the future of the application suite and build solutions that will set us apart from other providers.”

We look forward to the positive impact George will make and the advancements we will accomplish together.

Join us in welcoming George to Team Plumb and click here to read more about George and the work he has accomplished already here at Plumb!

Plumb Placements for 2024 Citywealth Magic Circle Awards

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Plumb is proud to announce that we’ve placed in two categories for the 2024 Citywealth Magic Circle Awards:

  • Technology Innovators of the Year (Winner)
  • UNHW Private Client Services of the Year (Runner Up)

The Magic Circle Awards recognize the accomplishments of professionals and firms working with high-net-worth individuals and families. The awards are presented in London in front of an esteemed audience comprised of over 400 professionals representing over 140 diverse organizations.

Following a rigorous submission process, the submissions are assessed and judged by a panel of private wealth advisors. Online voting is also open to the public, and counts for 10% of the final award vote.

Our proprietary Plumb Bill Pay App is a big reason we have been included in these awards. To learn more about our services and our Plumb Bill Pay App, please watch this brief overview video and reach out to schedule a personal demo.

Plumb delivers financial peace of mind by assisting high-net-worth individuals and family offices know where their money is going, so their trusted advisors can effectively manage it. We work in partnership with their team — including wealth, CPA, and other advisors — to provide the highest quality of data and financial reporting to establish a holistic view of their assets and financial holdings. We’d love to help answer any questions you may have. Feel free to schedule time to speak with Anneke Stender, our EVP, at your convenience.

Navigating Security Concerns: Traveling Tips for High Net Worth Individuals and Families

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As warmer months quickly approach, high net worth individuals (HNWIs) and their families are gearing up for vacations and travel adventures around the world. However, amidst the excitement of planning luxurious getaways, it’s crucial not to overlook the paramount importance of security. Whether for business or leisure, jet-setting across the globe comes with its own set of unique challenges, particularly concerning security. From cyber threats to physical safety risks, navigating these concerns requires careful planning and strategic measures. Let’s delve into some essential tips and security considerations to ensure safe and enjoyable getaways.

Cybersecurity Vigilance

In an age dominated by digital technology, cyber threats pose a significant risk, especially for individuals with substantial assets and sensitive information. Summer traveling exacerbates these risks, as individuals often rely heavily on digital devices for communication, navigation, and entertainment while on the move. To mitigate cybersecurity risks:

  1. Secure Devices: Ensuring all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, are equipped with updated antivirus software and security patches to fend off potential cyber attacks.
  2. Use Secure Networks: Avoiding connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, as they are prime targets for hackers. Instead, opting for trusted networks, virtual private networks (VPNs), or utilizing a personal hotspot with robust encryption.
  3. Beware of Phishing Scams: Exercising caution when accessing emails or messages, particularly those containing suspicious links or attachments. Phishing scams often escalate during peak travel seasons, aiming to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
  4. Secure Credentials: Use an online password storage system, like Keeper Security, Lastpass, etc., to store usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information to keep it safe from cybercriminals.

Physical Security Precautions

Beyond the digital realm, physical safety remains a paramount concern for HNWIs and their families. Whether exploring exotic destinations or relaxing at lavish resorts, adopting the following precautions can enhance security:

  1. Personalized Security Detail: Depending on the level of perceived risk, engaging the services of professional security personnel can provide an added layer of protection, especially in high-risk regions or during high-profile events.
  2. Secure Accommodations: Opting for reputable hotels and resorts with robust security measures in place, such as controlled access, surveillance cameras, and 24/7 security personnel. Prioritize accommodations that offer privacy and seclusion without compromising on safety.
  3. Traveling Light and Keeping Low-Profile Travel: Minimizing conspicuous displays of wealth, such as expensive jewelry or designer attire, can help avoid attracting unwanted attention from potential threats. Pack light and only carry essential items to reduce the risk of theft or loss.

Emergency Preparedness

Despite best-laid plans, unforeseen circumstances can arise, requiring swift and decisive action. HNWIs and their families can prioritize emergency preparedness by:

  1. Maintaining Emergency Contacts: Keeping a list of essential contacts, including local authorities, embassy or consulate information, and trusted security personnel, readily accessible can facilitate prompt assistance in the event of an emergency.
  2. Travel Insurance Coverage: Investing in comprehensive travel insurance that extends coverage to medical emergencies, evacuation services, and trip cancellations due to unforeseen events can provide peace of mind and financial protection against potential losses.
  3. Risk Assessment and Contingency Planning: Conducting thorough risk assessments prior to travel, identifying potential threats, and developing contingency plans can enable swift and effective responses to adverse situations, minimizing the impact on personal safety and well-being.

Conclusion

Traveling offers endless opportunities for relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration for HNWIs and their families. However, prioritizing security is paramount to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. By remaining vigilant against cyber threats, implementing physical security precautions, and prioritizing emergency preparedness, HNWIs can navigate the complexities of travel with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, proactive measures and careful planning are the keys to a secure and memorable vacations.

Digital Wallets and HNWI: Balancing Convenience with Security in Mobile Payments

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For high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), while convenience and saving time is valued highly, when it comes to managing their finances, security is one of the most important concerns. Digital wallets have emerged as a popular option for mobile payments, offering a blend of both convenience and security. However, for wealthy individuals, the question remains: do digital wallets offer the right balance of these two critical factors?

 

Let’s first define a digital wallet. According to Investopedia, a digital wallet is a financial application that allows you to store funds, make transactions, and track payment histories on devices like phones and tablets. So, think in terms of Apple Pay, Google Pay, CashApp, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle – to name a few.

 

Digital wallets offer advantages that are particularly appealing to high-net-worth-individuals:

  • They allow users to store multiple payment methods in one secure location, eliminating the need to carry around a bulky wallet full of cards.
  • Payments can be made quickly and easily with just a tap or a click, streamlining the checkout process both online and in-store.
  • Many digital wallets offer features such as loyalty programs and bill pay, further simplifying financial management.

 

Despite the convenience they offer, digital wallets also raise security concerns for HNWIs. Some of these concerns include:

  • Data breaches: If a digital wallet provider is hacked, the financial information of its users could be compromised.
  • Malware: Malicious software can be used to steal data from digital wallets or even take control of them altogether.
  • Loss or theft of devices: If a high-net-worth individual’s phone or other device that stores their digital wallet is lost or stolen, their financial information could be at risk.

 

In light of these concerns, there are a number of steps that can be taken to mitigate the security risks associated with digital wallets:

  • Choose a reputable provider: Use a digital wallet from a well-established company with a strong track record of security.
  • Enable strong authentication: Use strong passwords, PINs, multi-factor authentication (MFA), or even biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) to secure your digital wallet.
  • Keep your software up to date: Make sure your phone and digital wallet app are always up to date with the latest security patches.
  • Monitor your transactions: Regularly review your digital wallet transactions for any suspicious activity.
  • Be cautious about public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi to access your digital wallet, as this could make it easier for hackers to steal your information.

 

The Future of Digital Wallets for HNWIs

 

As digital wallet technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more features and security enhancements designed to address the concerns of HNWIs. However, the bad actors and fraud-perpetrators out there are also becoming more savvy and sophisticated making security vigilance a top priority for high-net-worth individuals and those who help manage their finances.

 

Digital wallets offer a convenient way for HNWIs to manage their finances. By taking appropriate precautions, HNWIs can minimize the risks and enjoy the benefits of this innovative technology.

 

Expense Tracking for Wealthy Individuals: Tools and Strategies for Comprehensive Financial Oversight

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For high-net-worth individuals, managing finances extends beyond simply tracking income and expenses. It’s about gaining comprehensive oversight of a complex financial landscape that may include investments, trusts, real estate, and more. In this context, meticulous expense tracking becomes an essential tool for informed decision-making, optimizing wealth preservation, and achieving financial goals.

 

Let’s start with the basics. Why track expenses?

 

Expense tracking for wealthy individuals offers several unique advantages:

 

  • Identify spending patterns. Track where your money goes, from regular bills to occasional indulgences. This reveals areas for potential cost-cutting or strategic reallocation of funds.
  • Monitor asset performance. Track the specific expenses related to various assets like vacation homes, yachts, or art collections.
  • Inform investment decisions. Understanding spending habits can help to guide investment strategies. If you know how – and how much – is being spent, you can better determine the types of investments you should be making.
  • Catch mistakes before they happen. With exact and itemized expenses, it’s easy to spot something that doesn’t look right.
  • Ensure tax compliance. Accurate expense records are crucial for tax preparation and audits, especially for charitable giving. When expense tracking is set up properly it can help save both time and money with tax preparation.
  • Achieve financial goals. Tracking expenses against set goals, like saving for a second home or philanthropy, keeps you on track.

 

There are also a few effective expense tracking strategies that we suggest to all our high-net-worth clients.

 

  • Set clear goals. Define your financial objectives and tailor your expense tracking to monitor progress towards them.
  • Choose the right tools. Select a tool that aligns with your needs, preferences, and level of financial complexity. For example, the Plumb Bill Pay app is a great tool for providing clarity into finances.
  • Categorize meticulously. Create custom categories to accurately reflect your spending patterns and identify areas for improvement. At Plumb, we create the categories that best suit our clients’ needs so they can see their expenses exactly how they want to see them.
  • Review regularly. Schedule regular time to analyze your spending data and identify trends or areas for adjustments. Plumb provides customized reporting to our clients, as frequently as they need, with as much detail as they want.
  • Seek professional guidance. Consult a financial advisor or wealth manager for personalized recommendations and strategies, and seek outsourced bill payment and accounting support – like the experts at Plumb – to ensure effective management of your expenses.

 

Remember, expense tracking is about gaining valuable insights into your financial behavior, making informed decisions, and ultimately, achieving your long-term financial goals. By embracing effective tracking strategies and utilizing the right tools, wealthy individuals can transform expense management from a chore into a powerful tool for financial empowerment.

 

Take the Next Step Towards Financial Ease and Clarity: Experience the benefits of secure and streamlined expense management. Contact us at sales@thinkplumb.com to discuss how our outsourced bill payment services can enhance accuracy, save time, simplify record-keeping, and reduce stress, and fortify the security of your financial transactions. Your peace of mind is our priority.

Time is Money: The Power of Bill Payment Apps

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Traditionally, bill payment involved manual processes, requiring individuals and advisors to gather bills, write checks, and track payments meticulously. For HNWIs with complex investment holdings, this means dedicating considerable time and resources to monotonous administrative tasks.

 

Enter bill payment apps, which have transformed the landscape by offering intuitive platforms that centralize and automate the entire payment process. These innovative platforms are revolutionizing the way HNWIs and their advisors handle financial obligations, introducing efficiency and automation into a previously cumbersome process. These apps allow users to aggregate bills from various sources, including utilities, credit cards, mortgages, and subscriptions, into a single dashboard. Through secure integrations with bank accounts and financial institutions, bills are automatically retrieved and presented for review, eliminating the need for manual data entry.

 

The Plumb Bill Pay app is the perfect example of a game-changing app, and was developed and built exclusively by Plumb to address the issues and challenges faced by our high-net-worth clients and their advisors.

 

Here’s how bill payment apps, and the Plumb Bill Pay app in particular, save HNWIs and advisors precious hours:

  • Streamlined Workflow: Bill pay apps automatically categorize, prioritize, and schedule bills for payment. This ensures timely settlements without the need for constant oversight, eliminating countless hours spent on paperwork and data reconciliation. Additionally, these apps offer customizable alert systems, notifying users of upcoming due dates, payment confirmations, and unusual activity, thereby enhancing transparency and security.
  • Enhanced Visibility: Gone are the days of scrambling for missing invoices or chasing down overdue payments. Bill payment apps provide real-time visibility into spending patterns and cash flow dynamics, offering personalized insights and recommendations, empowering users to make informed financial decisions. {Read about the Plumb Bill Pay app Commitments module and how it provides clarity and insights.}
  • Reduced Errors: Manual processing is prone to human error. Bill payment apps minimize the risk of mistakes with automated payments, ensuring accuracy and timely payments.
  • Improved Security: Traditional paper-based systems are vulnerable to fraud and theft. Bill payment apps offer robust security measures such as multi-factor authentication and encryption, to safeguard sensitive financial information. {Learn more about just some of the ways Plumb provides the most stringent digital security here.}
  • Advisor Efficiency: For financial advisors, managing bill payments for multiple clients can be a time-consuming burden. Bill payment apps allow advisors to delegate and automate tasks, freeing up their time to focus on strategic financial planning and client relationships.

 

Bill payment apps have emerged as indispensable tools for HNWIs and their advisors, offering unparalleled convenience, efficiency, and security in managing financial transactions. By streamlining the bill payment process, these platforms liberate valuable hours that can be redirected towards more productive endeavors, ultimately empowering individuals to achieve their financial goals with confidence and peace of mind.

 

Plumb Bill Pay + Sage Intacct Use Cases for Multiple Real Estate Holdings

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Many of Plumb’s high-net-worth clients manage diverse portfolios with multiple real estate investments, and we are experts at assisting them with their bill pay and accounting needs. Our team ensures accurate, timely financial management and reporting, allowing clients to focus on growing their investments with confidence.

How do we do this?

  • Property Management:  We understand how pivotal it is to record and track complex financial transactions related to property management.
  • Financial Consolidation and Reporting: We provide crucial consolidated, accurate, and timely reporting needed for clear visibility into each property and overall portfolio.
  • Budgeting and Forecasting: We create budgets and forecasts that allow our clients to make more strategic decisions.

Plumb works with HNWI clients with multiple real estate holdings.

We have decades of experience helping high-net-worth-individuals manage the accounting of their real estate holdings. We’d love to help answer any questions you may have. Feel free to schedule time to speak with Anneke Stender, our EVP, at your convenience.