Trust Company of Vermont

The Trust Company of Vermont is a state chartered trust and investment management firm for individual investors, corporations and non-profits. Headquartered in Brattleboro,with offices in Burlington, Rutland, Manchester and St. Albans, the Trust Company was chartered as of September 16,1999 and became the state's first independent trust company. The Trust Company has grown from a zero base to more than a billion dollars in managed assets. A company devoted solely to investment management and trust services, the Trust Company is unique among fiduciary and investment advisors for its combination of independence, local employee ownership, expertise, and approach to maintaining long-term relationships. Independent trust companies offer the same services traditionally found in bank trust departments; however, unlike bank trust departments, they are not owned by banks. As a single-purpose and unaffiliated institution, the Trust Company of Vermont has a wealth of knowledge and skill with which to help clients achieve their investment objectives with greater flexibility and control than typically encountered in trust departments, which are dependent upon the bank owner for resources. As an independent, the Trust Company is able to integrate seamlessly with banks or other financial institutions of the client's choice. An employee-owned and locally controlled organization, the Trust Company is structured to remain a Vermont-based company in perpetuity. Immune to the effects of corporate consolidation, the Trust Company provides a stable environment for both its clients and staff. The founders of the Trust Company of Vermont hold firm to the belief that they have created a company offering a distinctly attractive alternative to the services provided by bank trust departments and investment management firms that are facing ongoing mergers and demands for ever increasing corporate profitability. They believe they have restored the balance between the needs of the customer and the corporate owner so that all will be served. "It is our belief that investments, trust/tax administration, and asset safekeeping should not be outsourced, in order to control the quality of our service." A vital strategic partner with its clients, the Trust Company offers a full range of services with a refreshing ability to think creatively and to value customization. Its staff, whose members possess on average 30 years of investment or trust related experience, is uniquely qualified. This exceptional team of trust professionals was attracted to the concepts of independence and empowerment and to the opportunity to design a company that reflects their philosophy. Consequently, they are able to bring all trust services under one roof. It is the Trust Company's belief that this integration only adds to the quality of service. Investment Management services are provided by John Abel, Chris Cassidy, David DeBellis, Todd Gray, Harold Hebert, Bonnie McLellan, Kurt Merrill, Richard Pearce, Steve Singiser, and Nanette Stevens, all of whom are members of the Trust Investment Committee. The Trust Investment Committee brings together managers with a variety of strengths and superior skills who have combined to produce an enviable performance record while specializing in managing customized portfolios. Trust Administration services are provided by Angela Bowman, Deborah Brown, Christopher Chapman, Jack Davidson, Chris Diekel, Lisa Edwards, Bobi Flynn, Jeanne Gilbert, Ashley Ferrone, Susan Fowler, Judy Joly, Sandy Kidwell, Mary Ann McDermott, Kurt Merrill, Sharry Rutken, Stephanie Whitehorne, Anne Straw, George von Trapp and Jane Waysville. This administration team brings together individuals who have extensive experience in taxation, estate planning, planned giving for non-profits and fiduciary law. The Operations system, selected to provide simplified customer reporting and sophisticated back-office accounting, is managed by Andrea Freeman, who has more than 25 years of trust operations experience. Clients have daily access to their portfolios through a secure Internet link. All assets are held at Northern Trust, one of the leading providers of asset safekeeping. "We feel that we have achieved the benefits of intimate, personalized service found in small investment advisory firms while maintaining the benefits of oversight found in larger institutions." As a state-chartered institution, the Trust Company of Vermont is examined and regulated by the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. The Trust Company also employs an internal auditor. Ellen Lowery, a Certified Information Systems Auditor with more than 30 years of trust experience, reports directly to the Audit Committee, which consists primarily of those directors who are not employees of the Trust Company. The board membership is comprised of eight employee representatives and four non-employee members. The non-employee members are Elizabeth Bankowski, George Belcher, Joseph Constance Jr., and Peter Sherlock. The diverse backgrounds and wealth of experience these individuals bring to the company is extraordinary.