Trustee Investment
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010Since the introduction of The trustee Act 2000, trustees now have special responsibilities concerning the servicing and admin of trust funds. The duty of care is applicable to professional and lay trustees. Still higher standards are expected from professional trustees.
A legal duty of care is applicable to the trustee investment funds that are held. For new or existing trusts, the trustees must take into account the trusts aims and the suitability of the investments to be held.
Trustees have an obligation to protect the asset value of the trust fund, whilst providing income for the beneficiaries. It is fundamental for trustees to consider the suitability of the investment funds in the trust, funding, the type of trust in place and the requirements of the beneficiaries.
A diversified portfolio of assets should be used to meet the trusts particular targets.
This approach can help to limit the risks within the trust investment by placing across various asset categories. It is important to take into account risk any special demands of the trustees. This could also include vesting in an ethical or sociably responsible way.
Trustees have an administrative obligation to re-examine the assets contained within the trust on a regular basis. This can be a time-consuming and lengthy process, especially if the trust administrators are not knowledgeable investors.
Trusts and Financial Advice
It is essential to seek unbiased and impartial advice on the assets held within any form of trust arrangement. We regularly advise new and existing trustees on suitable asset allocation investment strategies.
Trustees frequently engage the investor functions of a bank or stockbroker. Occasionally the service is not unique to the needs of the individual trust. A 1 size fits all approach may not take into account the specific needs of the trust. E.g., the demands of a large educational trust should be totally different to a small family trust.
The costs to administer the investments are an important element. The admin fees charged by stockbrokers and banks for trust investment management can be high. This can have an affect on the returns the trust can achieve.
Our investing process takes into account the charges, as this is a well-known component when we advocate particular investment funds.
If as trustees you are thinking about 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 Sodbury and offer a unique Educational Trustee investment management service Education trusts.