Steven Ferneding Northwestern Mutual

03/30/2026

When it comes to taxes, different retirement accounts work in different ways. Please reach out if you’d like to discuss how you can use this to your advantage. If you`re a business owner there are even more areas you have access to when diversifying your asset location.

Smart tax planning can mean having more money in your pocket throughout retirement.

03/17/2026

The continued amplification of the conflict in the Middle East has created heightened uncertainty in financial markets. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management CIO Brent Schutte breaks down the delicate balance the Fed faces at its next meeting as it attempts to address stubborn inflation and increased labor weakness. http://spr.ly/6182B6RCDj

02/03/2026

A perfect storm of high-stakes events including volatile tech earnings and Kevin Warsh’s nomination as the next Federal Reserve Chair fueled large, divergent stock and price movements across asset classes. Here’s what investors need to know. http://spr.ly/6188hHsj2

01/27/2026

The S&P 500 ended in negative territory for the second consecutive week on Friday despite signs of softening inflation, economic growth and a potential deal over Greenland. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management CIO Brent Schutte discusses what’s next for investors. http://spr.ly/6180hBbor

01/02/2026

Exciting news for 2026, our team is expanding! Please welcome Ryan Mullaney. Ryan is a Cincinnati native, born and raised. Originally from the West Side of Cincinnati but spent most of his years growing up in Mason, Ohio. He is a big sports fan rooting for the Bengals, Reds, Bearcats and Ohio State Buckeyes.

He is a graduate of Archbishop Moeller High School where he was involved in courses and clubs that developed his passion for the financial services industry. This interest carried over into college for him at the University of Cincinnati, where he majored in Finance. While furthering his education, Ryan also played for the University of Cincinnati football team. He had the opportunity to be a part of unique experiences and learn a lot while playing football for an AAC and Big 12 program. Some of his memorable experiences were playing in the College Football Playoffs versus Alabama, playing a bowl game at Fenway Park and playing Georgia in the Peach Bowl. He graduated from the Carl H. Lindner College of Business at the University of Cincinnati having majored in Finance and Real Estate for his undergraduate degrees and completed his Master of Business Administration while finishing his 5th year of football eligibility.

He started at Northwestern Mutual after graduating from his MBA program in 2024 and has not looked back. Ryan will be transitioning his role to client services and operations for our clients. We are looking forward to watching him grow professionally and continue to support our amazing clients. Please welcome Ryan to our team.

12/16/2025

Deepening divisions have begun to form at the U.S. Federal Reserve as policymakers confront a “unique” dilemma of a cooling labor market and stubborn inflation. http://spr.ly/6187CMZ8b

12/12/2025

My wife and I attended The Building Industry Association of Northern Kentucky`s annual Holiday party this week and had a great time as always. I appreciate being awarded the 2025 Janis Beard membership award. I`m incredibly grateful for the team we`ve built and the overflowing support from the people involved in driving membership for the organization. The BIA continues to give back and tackle the biggest issues facing the building industry in the region. To be a part of this group is something special.

11/18/2025

With the government shutdown ending, more data could bring some clarity to the economic picture. For now, all signs still point toward elevated inflation and a weakening labor market, with many investors concerned about the possibility of a market downturn. http://spr.ly/618375WjJ

09/25/2025

I tend to disfavor 99.997% of politicians but these two gentlemen represent the .003% I`m thankful represent our region. I had a fanboy moment getting to meet and listen to senator Rand Paul & congressman Thomas Massie this morning at the Building Industry Association of Northern Kentucky center. Thanks again to everyone involved who put this event together.

09/22/2025

09/22/2025

Honored and humbled to be recognized with a great group of people for the Cincinnati Business Courier's 40 under 40 2025 class. Last Thursday was a fun event and a strong reminder that there is still plenty of work to be completed. Congrats to the other honorees and thank you to everyone who wrote in nominations.