Ayaz Mahmud

Ayaz brings almost thirty years of investment management experience to West Branch Capital. He serves as the firm’s Chief Executive Officer. Ayaz founded West Branch Capital in 2004 after spending over twenty years as a top wealth advisor at premier global investment banks: Kidder Peabody, Smith Barney and Lehman Brothers. At Lehman Brothers, he helped build the Wealth Management Group in Boston and co-managed the Equity and Fixed Income Middle Market Institutional Trading Desks. Ayaz has managed client portfolios throughout his career. Ayaz holds an M.A/M.B.A and a B.A/B.S from Syracuse University.

Massachusetts Health Connector – Open Enrollment Ends on January 23

This Health Connector expansion could benefit Massachusetts residents who are under age 65 and not covered by an employer health plan.  The income limits for eligibility for a health insurance credit are up to $72,900 for a single person and $98,600 for a couple.   Open Enrollment ends on January 23, 2024.  Please view this MA […]

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US Economic Revival

Market Insights/April 6, 2021 On the third business day of every month, IHS Markit releases a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for more than 40 worldwide economies. The US Services PMI is based on monthly questionnaire surveys collected from over 400 U.S. companies and cover topics like new business, employment and expectations going forward. And since

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Protecting Your Financial Information Online

More consumers are conducting financial transactions online and may become vulnerable to tracking, hacking, identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyberspace risks. While nothing can guarantee complete safety on the Internet, understanding how to protect your privacy can help minimize your exposure to risk. Here are some ways to safeguard your information: Read privacy policies.

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What is Fiduciary Duty?

Fiduciary duty is a legal concept requiring individuals in certain professions – including lawyers, trustees, and investment advisers – to prioritize their clients’ best interests over their own. A fiduciary obligation arises whenever the relationship with the client (often referred to as the “beneficiary” or “principal”) involves a special trust, confidence and reliance on the

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10 Ways the Secure Act Will Impact Your Retirement Savings

With the decline of traditional pensions, most of us are now responsible for squirrelling away money for our own retirement. In today’s do-it-yourself retirement savings world, we rely largely on 401(k) plans and IRAs. However, there are obviously flaws with the system because about one-fourth of working Americans have no retirement savings at all–including 13%

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Retirement Basics: Health Care

When planning for retirement, it is extremely important to understand and account for health care expenses. Typically, these expenses consist of Medicare or Medicare Advantage premiums, supplemental plan premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, copays, coinsurance, etc.). Medicare Most individuals age 65 or older in the U.S. will participate in a Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan.

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Good things come to those who plan for them

Download our free 401(k) primer

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We can help you plan for healthcare in retirement

Download our primer on retirement healthcare options and expenses

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Get Started Saving for College

From opening 529 account to calculating how much to save, we’ll help you create a college saving plan with our free guide.

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Consider a Financial Caretaking Plan

A Financial Caretaking Plan outlines the steps you take to transfer bill paying, investment management, estate planning, and tasks you need to complete to prepare for the day you can no longer manage finances on your own. 

This enables us to help you prepare for transition of financial management to your financial caretaker(s). If portions of the questionnaire are not applicable, that’s ok! We can work on this report together to reflect your plans.

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Do You Need a Trust?

Download our guide which provides a broad overview of some of the most commonly used trusts FAQ. We collaborate with estate planners and can explore with you if a trust could benefit you and your family.

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We're here to help.

Download our guide to understanding long term care expenses and options.

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