Author: Doug English

Doug English, CFP® is the founder of ACT Advisors, a fee-only fiduciary firm with offices in Asheville, NC, and Charleston, SC, serving clients nationwide. Guided by Doug’s deep expertise and proactive approach, ACT Advisors helps clients make informed financial decisions, prioritize wealth protection, and confidently navigate market complexities. As dedicated advisors and advocates, the ACT Advisors team brings an unwavering commitment to transparency, personalized planning, and empowering clients at every stage of their financial journey.

September 2026 Market Update: What Are We Watching After a Strong August?

Doug English reviews August market gains and three planning questions to revisit if markets pull back in September.

How Credit Unions Can Build Digital-First Experiences While Preserving Member Trust

Daniel Arita of First Entertainment Credit Union discusses the strategy behind CineFi and the opportunities and challenges credit unions may encounter as financial services become increasingly digital.

How Credit Union Boards Can Use AI to Ask Better Questions and Strengthen Strategic Planning

Lamont Black and Doug English explore practical ways to bring AI into board preparation today—and how it may reshape boardroom decision-making in the future.

August 2026 Market Update: When Stocks and Bonds Move the Same Way

July brought broad declines across stocks and bonds. Doug English, CFP®, shares ACT Advisors’ qualified outlook, a QQQ Technology Index update, and a secure tax-return upload reminder.

How Credit Unions Can Use Data to Better Understand and Support Members

In this episode of C.U. On The Show, host Doug English speaks with Tansley Stearns, president and CEO of Orsa credit union, and Jamie Jackson, founder and CEO of Arkatechture.

How Credit Unions Are Exploring a Cooperative Approach to AI

Doug English and guests discuss CUltivate AI, a credit union-focused CUSO, and AI governance, transparency, privacy and practical use cases.

July 2026 Market Update: A Quiet June and What ACT Is Watching

Doug English, CFP®, reviews a quieter month for markets and explains what ACT is watching next.

How Credit Unions Are Using AI to Support Board Communication and Strategic Planning

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how credit unions operate, communicate, and plan for the future. In this episode of C.U. On The Show, Doug English sits down with Jeremy Wood, Chief Strategy Officer at Innovations FCU, and AI strategist Kirk Drake to discuss how AI is transforming board meetings, strategic planning, policy development, financial analysis, and day-to-day operations.

How Credit Union Boards May Use AI to Support Better Governance

In this episode of C.U. on the Show, Doug English sits down with Heather McKissick of CUES and Paul Barbato of TruStage to explore how boards can use AI to become more informed, strategic, and effective without losing sight of the human judgment and member focus that define the credit union movement.

June 2026 Market Update: Strong Stocks, Bond Positioning, and Summer Tax Planning

May was a strong month for stocks, while bonds remained much quieter. Doug English reviews the month, portfolio risk alignment, bond positioning, and a summer tax-planning reminder.