October 2025 Financial Bullet Points

Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on September 23rd, 2025

The Bullet Points for October are:

1. 1. RMD Season is Here: If you have not heard from Clayton or Mariah about your RMD this year, you will hear from them shortly. We prefer to complete all RMDs by early December to meet the year-end deadline.
   2. Fed Lowers Interest Rates: On September 17th, the Federal Funds short-term interest rate decreased to 4.25%. Ironically, the 10-year treasury rate increased the same day, just like last year, after a short-term decrease. The 10-year treasury is generally what determines mortgage rates; therefore, the Fed can lower the short-term interest rate, but it may not affect mortgage rates and can actually have the opposite effect. Lowering the short-term rate also hurts savers who use CDs and money market accounts. On the other hand, it lowers the cost of borrowing for many small companies, which should help earnings going forward.
   3. Cash as an Investment Strategy: Occasionally, when markets get overheated, much like a car engine that has been running at too high an RPM for a while is about to overheat, we back off for a while to allow the markets/engine to cool down. This is a contrarian move from the “herd” mentality, where everyone always wants to get in at the peak of the markets versus the bottom. This cash allows us to buy low and sell high, and taking the cash raised from a portfolio takes away the opportunities that eventually always present themselves. Bob has seen this repeatedly in his 41 years of investment experience, so the next time you see a lot of cash in a money market account in a portfolio we manage for you, please know there is a reason behind it. It’s all part of a long-term investment strategy.
   4. Tariffs in the Supreme Court: The legality of President Trump’s global tariff policies will be decided in the Supreme Court, with a hearing scheduled for November 5. The decision could affect our country’s stock market, global economies, and the administration’s longer-term plans for the United States.
   5. Biblically Responsible Investing: Support the good, avoid the bad. In the last few years, one of the biggest companies on Wall Street has been Nvidia for its ongoing development of Artificial Intelligence. But, did you know Nvidia knowingly violates biblical principles through its sponsorship of sex changes, hormone therapy visits, hormonal shots, voice lessons, and the LGBTQ+ agenda? It goes above and beyond legal requirements to both celebrate and sponsor these services, which are destructive and immoral. Scripture calls us to separate ourselves from sin and companies like this; therefore, we strive to avoid them.
      
      2 Corinthians 6:17 – Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; do not touch any unclean thing, and I will welcome you.
   6. Continuing Education and Scriptures. This month’s programs for Christian Financial Perspectives are listed below along with our Scriptures for the month:
      • Ep 232 – 10/14/25 – The Dangers of Large Inheritances
      • Ep 233 – 10/28/25 – Stewarding Your Child’s Education
      • Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

If you would like further explanation of any of the bullet points mentioned, please call or text (830) 609-6986 during business hours or email us by clicking here.

Bob Barber
Senior Wealth Advisor & President

Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®
Senior Wealth Advisor

Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor

Christian Financial Advisors^®