Ferguson Wellman Capital Management

We've enjoyed spending time with our 2026 college interns this summer and introducing them to different aspects of our business. While their primary focus is investments and wealth management, today they had the opportunity to attend a nonprofit event at the Oregon Zoo and gain a firsthand look at the important role community partnerships play in our work.

Thank you to the Oregon Zoo Foundation for hosting another great event and for welcoming our interns. We appreciate the opportunity to help them better understand the connection between philanthropy, nonprofit organizations and the communities we serve.

Our colleague, Jake Gradwohl, covers U.S.-Iran developments and details about recent Federal Reserve policy shifts under Kevin Warsh in our Weekly Market Makers blog. Click the link in the comments to read.

Three of our colleagues participated in recent graduation ceremonies. In Corvallis, Scott Christianson, CFP®, addressed graduates from the Oregon State University College of Business. Samantha Pahlow, CTFA, AWMA®, spoke at the Portland State University College of the Arts commencement ceremony and Mary Faulkner helped announce awards for graduates at Portland State University's Department of History ceremony. Many colleagues serve on higher-ed boards and a number of our nonprofit clients are university and community college foundations. Through these roles, we understand and support the challenges so many institutions are facing.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and thank you to faculty, administration and donors for their commitment to advancing knowledge and career development.

With 530A accounts, also known as Trump accounts, beginning enrollment on July 4, 2026, it’s important to know how they may fit into your family’s plan for saving. Our colleague, Nathan Putnam, CFP®, reviews the benefits of these accounts, and more, in this month’s wealth management blog. Click the link in the comments to read.

In 2026, analysts expect investment in artificial intelligence (AI) in the U.S. to nearly double. Our colleague, Jason Norris, CFA, gives an update on AI spending in today's Weekly Market Makers blog.

The AI Economy — Ferguson Wellman In 2026, we expect investment in artificial intelligence (AI) in the U.S. to nearly double. This will bring AI infrastructure spending to roughly $760 billion, with spending expected to exceed $1.0 trillion next year, eclipsing the total budget for the Defense Department.

Last week, our colleague Blaine Dickason attended the 4th annual Clays for Conservation event, hosted by the Oregon Wildlife Foundation. As a member of the foundation’s board of directors, Blaine helps advance its mission to support the long-term conservation of Oregon’s fish, wildlife and natural resources.

Thank you to Oregon Wildlife Foundation for another successful event, and to platinum sponsor Hoffman Construction Company and gold sponsors Blair Bubenik, Peggy Bubenik, and Freres Wood for supporting this important work and helping conserve Oregon’s natural resources for future generations.

Yesterday, our colleague Steven Bell co-presented with Peter Koehler of Stronghold Ownership on “Benefitting a Purpose: A New Approach to Business Succession”. This session was featured as part of the Oregon Tax Institute, a two-day conference the Oregon State Bar hosts for tax practitioners.

Thank you to the Oregon State Bar for another informative and thoughtful event.

Over the last two decades, private credit has rapidly gained popularity as a source of financing for small and middle market companies. Our colleague, Brad Houle, CFA, discusses why current stresses in private credit appear to reflect a more selective lending environment rather than a broader systemic risk. Click the link in the comments to read more.

We are pleased to share that our colleague, Joe Herrle, CFA, has been offered, and has accepted, an increased ownership stake in the firm. Joe (pictured second from the left) joined us in 2021, and leads the firm's alternative assets strategy, among other responsibilities.

Congratulations, Joe, on this milestone and the dedication and hard work it took to get here. We look forward to many more years of continued success at Ferguson Wellman.

Click the link in the comments to learn more about Joe.