Category: Finance

Forget judicial reform, Israel’s presence in the West Bank, and whether Netanyahu is innocent or guilty. Israelis will never agree on those or most other issues. But one area everyone can get behind with enthusiasm is the perception that the country’s banks are making huge profits on the backs of its clients. So, what to […]

The district court has rejected a class action against the Israel Tax Authority (ITA) that allegedly made Israeli banks withhold excess tax at source from dividends from abroad (Yaacov Hostatzky vs. ITA, 20739-06-21, handed down May 14, 2023 by Judge Y. Saroussi). Main Facts: The case concerned an Israeli private individual who received dividends on […]

Roth IRA rates are not fixed but rather depend on the performance of the underlying investments you choose One of my most favorite questions that I often get as a financial planner is “What’s your best rates on Roth IRA’s?” Coming in at a close second is, “What’s the best stock to buy right now?” […]

Building wealth takes time and patience, but it also requires you to take real, actionable steps with your money. After all, you won’t get rich by keeping your extra cash under your mattress and hoping for the best. You have to invest your money if you want it to start growing to its full potential. […]

Canceling a life insurance policy is an important decision that can have financial and emotional implications. Deciding whether to continue with your life insurance policy or cancel it is not just a significant financial choice, it can also have profound emotional implications. After all, life insurance isn’t just a monetary consideration – it’s about ensuring […]

Mercantile Bank finished in first place in the Bank Friendliness Index for small and medium-sized businesses for 2022, conducted by the Economy and Industry Ministry.  The index is based on the financial data published by the banks; a business satisfaction survey with the banks; and feedback received by the Agency for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses […]

The shekel weakened more than 2% before regaining slightly to trade 1.4% lower and the main indexes on Tel Aviv Stock Exchange edged slightly down as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition appeared to delay the Judicial Selection Committee vote on Wednesday. The judicial drive, announced in January only a week into Netanyahu’s return to office, […]

After then-prime minister Yair Lapid’s visit to the White House in July 2022, a joint communiqué was issued. Among other things, it stated: “The United States and Israel affirm that among the values the countries share are an unwavering commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the calling of ‘Tikkun olam,’ repairing the world.” […]

An Israeli court has ruled that if a foreign group buys the shares of an Israeli tech start-up, strips out the IP (intellectual property) and terminates the Israeli company, the company must pay tax on the IP stripped out (Medtronic Vs. Kfar Saba Assessing Officer, District Court Civil Appeal 31671-09-18, June 1, 2023). This is […]

The largest US-based Israeli-owned bank is launching a project to support Israeli Defense Force (IDF) veterans experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following active military service – in cooperation with an Israeli NGO. IDB Bank (IDB), a New York-based private and commercial bank, has partnered with Israeli nonprofit organization Invisible Album to raise both awareness […]