October 2026 Financial Bullet Points
This monthly communication, “Financial Bullet Points,” will quickly and easily cover the main financial issues we see affecting the markets without being bogged down with a lot of details.
Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on September 23rd, 2026
The Bullet Points for October are:
1. RMD Season is Here: If you have not heard from Clayton or Matt Merrill about your RMD this year, you will hear from them shortly. We strongly prefer to complete all RMDs by early December at the latest to meet the year-end deadline.
2. Fed Reserve Raises Rates: 2026 has certainly confirmed what many of you have heard Matthew say before: “Just when we think we know what is going to happen, we are reminded we have no clue.” What was unthinkable in January has come to fruition in September, as the Fed Reserve unanimously voted to increase the Fed Funds rate 0.25% to a range of 3.75%-4%. The forecast shows a high likelihood of one additional rate hike before year’s end. While both the stock and bond market have reacted to this in recent weeks, this may prove essential over the intermediate-term to prevent a repeat of 2021-2022 era inflation.
3. Inspire Influences LGBT Activism Decline: Inspire’s corporate engagement division meets with leaders across corporate America to be a light for the Lord, and data shows a dramatic shift in LGBT activism in 2026. Reports show a 65% decline in participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, a leading DEI benchmark, amongst Fortune 500 companies, including Walmart, Ford, and Lowe’s (according to CNBC). NPR reported that Pride celebrations experienced notable declines in corporate sponsorship this past June. Please pray for Inspire’s team as they continue to bring Christ to corporate boardrooms.
4. Welcome Back Mariah! As many of you know, Mariah Champness left CFA in February 2026 to accompany her husband on international business. She returned to the USA in early September, and after prayerful consideration, has agreed to rejoin our organization. We believe Mariah is an integral part of the long-term CFA team, and are excited about what the Lord has planned for her future here!
5. Monthly Scripture:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Whether it’s a rate decision none of us saw coming or a teammate finding her way back home, the Lord’s paths are steadier than our predictions — so we keep trusting, and we keep hoping.
Bob Barber, CWS®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor & President
Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor
Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor
The views expressed represent the opinion of Christian Financial Advisors®. The views are subject to change and are not intended as a forecast or guarantee of future results. This material is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice and is not intended as an endorsement of any specific investment. Stated information is derived from proprietary and nonproprietary sources that have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness. While Christian Financial Advisors® believes the information to be accurate and reliable, we do not claim or have responsibility for its completeness, accuracy, or reliability. Accordingly, such statements are inherently speculative as they are based on assumptions that may involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For any discussion of equity securities: Investing in equity securities involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. While equities may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities, they generally have higher volatility. For any discussion of taxes: Christian Financial Advisors® does not provide tax advice and encourages you to seek guidance from a tax professional.