September 1, 2010
Trustee Investments
Since the introduction of The trustee Act 2000, trustees now have unique obligations concerning the service and administration of trust funds. The responsibility applies to lay and professional trustees. However higher standards are expected from professional trustees.
A legal duty of care applies to the trustee investment funds that are contained within the trust. For existing and new trusts, the trustees must take into consideration the trusts aims and the suitableness of the investment funds to be held.
Trustees have a responsibility to protect the asset value of the trust fund, whilst providing income for the beneficiaries. It is critical for trustees to think about the suitableness of the investment funds in the trust, funding, the type of trust arrangement and the demands of the beneficiaries.
A diversified portfolio of assets should be used to meet the trusts particular objectives.
This approach can help to reduce the volatility within the trust investment by vesting across several asset categories. It is critical to take into account risk any specific prerequisites of the trustees. This could also include vesting in an ethical or sociably responsible style.
Trustees have an administrative obligation to re-examine the assets held within the trust on a regular basis. This can be a drawn-out and lengthy process, especially if the trust administrators are not knowledgeable investors.
Trusts and Independent Financial Advice.
It is fundamental to seek individual and impartial advice on the assets held within any form of trust arrangement. We continually advise existing and new trustees on acceptable asset allocation investment strategies.
Trustees frequently engage the investor services of a bank or stock-broker. Occasionally the service is not particular to the demands of the individual trust. A 1 size fits all approach may not take into consideration the personal needs of the trust. For example, the demands of a large educational trust would be totally different to a small family trust.
The costs to administrate the investments are an important component. The admin fees charged by banks and stockbrokers for trust investment funds management can be high. This will impact on the returns the trust can accomplish.
Our investment procedure takes into account the charges, as this is a well-known factor when we advocate particular investments.
If as trustees you are considering vesting it is fundamental to remember that the value of the trust investment funds and the income given could possibly fall as well as rise. There is no guarantee you will get back more than you vested.
Consilium Asset Management are based in Chipping Sodbury and offer a unique Trustee investment management service.
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