Trustee Investing
Since the introduction of The trustee Act 2000, trustees now have special duties concerning the service and administration of trust funds. The duty of care applies to professional and lay trustees. Still higher standards are expected from professional trustees.
A statutory duty of care is applicable to the trustee investments that are held. For new or existing trusts, the trustees must take into account the trusts objectives and the suitableness of the investment funds to be held.
Trustees have an obligation to protect the asset value of the trust fund, whilst providing income for the beneficiaries. It is important for trustees to consider the suitability of the investments held, funding, the type of arrangement and the requirements of the beneficiaries.
A varied portfolio of assets should be used to meet the trusts special aims.
This approach can help to limit the volatility within the trust investment by vesting across several asset classes. It is fundamental to take into account risk any particular requirements of the trustees. This could also include consider investing in an ethical or sociably responsible style.
Trustees have an administrative responsibility to survey the assets contained within the trust on a regular basis. This can be an endless and lengthy process, particularly if the trust decision makers are not knowledgeable investors.
Trusts and Financial Advice
It is fundamental to seek individual and impartial advice on the assets held within any form of trust agreement. We regularly advise existing and new trustees on suitable asset allocation investment strategies.
Trustees frequently engage the investor services of a bank or stock-broker. Sometimes the service is not particular to the needs of the individual trust. A 1 size fits all philosophy may not take into consideration the personal needs of the trust. For example, the requirements of a large educational trust would be totally different to a small family trust.
The costs to administrate the investment funds are an all-important element. The admin charges charged by banks and stockbrokers for trust investment funds management can be high. This could impact on the returns the trust can accomplish.
Our investment funds process takes into account the charges, as this is a recognized component when we advocate special investment funds.
If as trustees you are looking at investing it is essential to remember that the value of the trust investment and the income generated might rise as well as fall. There is no guarantee you will get back more than you invested.
Consilium Asset Management are based in Chipping Sodburychipping Sodbury and offer a unique Trustee investment management service for individual and corporate trusts.
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