Edward Jones- Financial Advisor: Ariel Castillo

10/18/2026

I wear many hats in the communities I’m part of.

Within my work community, I’m on the event coordinating team at Edward Jones, which also means being part of the regional coordinating team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

I don’t have a personal connection to this disease, but I’ve heard stories that have really stayed with me. Two in particular: parents who lost their daughter at just 44 years old, and a wife who lost her husband at only 55.

I used to think, “If I get this disease, so what?” Not in a selfish way, but because I’d rather it happen to me than to anyone in my family. As if I get to choose.

But now I understand why I walk and why I’m involved. It’s so that one day, we can live in a world without Alzheimer’s, where I don’t have to worry about my wife or my babies ever having to face this disease.

Edward Jones is the national sponsor, and today I was honored to speak in front of thousands of walkers at the East Bay Walk to End Alzheimer’s in San Ramon.

Pretty cool! 💜
Oh and got introduced by, then dapped up by, then took a family photo with the one and only Dan Ashley from ABC7.

10/15/2026

Higher interest rates have created new challenges for investors, but they may also be creating new opportunities. As bond yields reach levels not seen in decades, it may be time to take a fresh look at the role bonds can play in generating income, managing risk and supporting long-term goals.

Learn more in our October Monthly Portfolio Brief: https://bit.ly/4hLcdH4

10/12/2026

This week marks the fourth anniversary of the current bull market. But what makes this bull market different from previous ones, and does it still have room to run?

Angelo Kourkafas, Senior Global Investment Strategist, shares his perspective on what's helping sustain this bull market and what investors should watch next in the latest Weekly Market Wrap: https://bit.ly/4B1TBdr

10/12/2026

Many of the conversations I'm having with clients right now start in the same way – with the news. Clients see market-driven headlines and ask: "How does this affect me and my life?"

In a recent Bloomberg interview, our Managing Partner Penny Pennington discusses how financial planning can help investors look beyond today's market noise and stay focused on their goals.

Watch the full conversation: https://bit.ly/4yOvTzQ

If the headlines have you wondering how all of this affects your financial strategy, let's talk.

10/08/2026

Here’s a condensed version of the speech I made at our very first chapter meeting for BNI Gateway to the Bay. Come check us out!

“A year ago, this was just an idea.

Today, it’s real.

I’m Ariel Castillo — husband, father, financial advisor, and proud Vallejo boy.

Vallejo gave me a lot growing up, and I’ve always wanted to find a way to give back.

That’s what led me to take a chance on bringing BNI to the city where I was raised.

I was already part of a successful BNI chapter. I had a good thing going.

But I left it to build something that didn’t exist yet.

When I spoke with BNI Leadership, they warned me I was leaving a sure thing for something that might never happen.

But if you know people from Vallejo, you know being the underdog is nothing new to us.

So we kept going.

And one year later…

WE DID IT.

The first official BNI chapter in the City of Vallejo. 🙌

One of our members, Cathy, once asked me:

“What made you keep trying? Why didn’t you give up?”

My answer was simple:

“I told too many people what I was doing.”

Once I said it out loud, quitting wasn’t really an option.

But the truth is, I didn’t do this alone.

When I look around at our 21 members, I see exactly why this worked.

THEY DIDN’T HAVE Y’ALL.

21 people willing to believe in the vision.

21 people willing to show up, support each other, bring the energy, and build something together.

That’s what makes BNI Gateway to the Bay special.

It’s more than networking.

It’s a community.

I’m proud to be the first president of BNI Gateway to the Bay.

But even more than that, I’m proud to be a member of this chapter.

This is OUR chapter.

This is OUR community.

And this is just year one.

We started with a vision.
We became the underdogs.
And now we’re here.

LET’S GET ROLLING..”

10/08/2026

Edward Jones has been named one of the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance by Fortune and Great Places to Work®.

Behind this recognition are colleagues whose contributions reach our firm and into the communities we serve. Their talent, ideas and dedication shape a workplace where people champion one another and take pride in what they accomplish together.
A culture that attracts talented people, inspires innovation, and helps us deliver on our commitment to serving clients with care and integrity.

Thank you to our colleagues for making this achievement possible. We're proud of their impact, the workplace they shape, and our place among the best in the industry

Disclosure: 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance, published October 2026, research by Great Places to Work, data as of August 2025. Compensation provided for using, not obtaining, the rating.

https://bit.ly/4Bbe4wy

10/05/2026

With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, investors are once again asking what politics may mean for markets and whether the elections have the potential to disrupt this year's positive momentum. Here's what history says – and what's different this time:

With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, investors are once again asking what politics may mean for markets and whether the elections have the potential to disrupt this year's positive momentum. History suggests that elections often create short-term uncertainty, but they have rarely been the pr...

10/05/2026

Rising rates have grabbed headlines, but they're only one inning in a much longer game. Easing inflation, healthy consumer spending and growing corporate profits point to an economy that remains on solid footing.

Investment Analyst Brock Weimer shares insights from market history, exploring how stocks have performed following sharp increases in bond yields and what those trends may signal for investors in the latest Weekly Market Wrap: https://bit.ly/4ecImow

10/01/2026

AI-powered scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it harder to distinguish legitimate requests from fraud. Understanding common tactics can help you better protect yourself and your financial accounts.

Take a look at these five emerging scam types and practical steps you can take to stay vigilant.

5 AI-powered financial scams that are hard to spot

09/28/2026

Bond yields recently climbed to their highest levels in decades as investors weighed sticky inflation, booming AI investment and robust economic growth. In this evolving environment, higher interest rates are creating new opportunities in fixed income while shifting market leadership across equities.

Senior Economist James McCann shares his perspective on how investors can navigate today's higher-rate environment in the latest Weekly Market Wrap: https://bit.ly/4daofqM