It is not necessary to have a trust in order to work with Investors' Security Trust Company. Our services range from pure investment accounts, to IRA rollover accounts, to custody accounts. An investment management client will frequently appoint our firm in a fiduciary capacity in their estate plan. We also secure trusts and Wills at no charge where our fiduciary responsibilities only start after death or another triggering event. |
| We offer so much more than an Investment Advisor. With our consultative and fiduciary services we can provide a full range of financial services above and beyond asset management. |
| As a matter of Corporate Policy, Investors' Security Trust Company does not employ nor benefit from “soft-dollar programs” from trading equities. Fees are prorated and charged monthly. Fees for multiple accounts within a family relationship are aggregated and prorated. The schedule does not include any internal fees associated with mutual funds or trading costs incurred in the purchase of individual stocks and bonds.
As the entire staff and management of Investors' Security Trust Company have longevity and experience in the Southwest Florida financial services market, we fully understand the impact of market based fees. We also understand that if you incur a fee, for a professional service, you expect something of value in return. As a result, and as a matter of corporate policy, Investors' Security Trust Company does not and will not impose termination or distribution fees. This policy holds true to all forms of trusts whether an account terminates in the normal course of administration or if a client simply wants to move their relationship. Please contact us at 239-267-6655 to obtain a current fee schedule. |
| Not only can Investors' Security Trust Company act as co-trustee with a private trustee or another corporate trustee, Investors' Security Trust Company can act as co-trustee with a trust grantor or beneficiary. |
| More often than not, brokers are transaction driven, compensated by commissions generated from buying and selling investments within a client account. Obviously, this can result in a potential conflict of interest since a higher level of activity generally means more income to the broker. Further, different investments products offer varying rates of commission, once again creating an environment where what is best for the client is not what is best for the broker. In contrast, a performance based investment manager is typically paid an annual fee based on a percentage of the assets under management (i.e.: 1%). Under this arrangement, the investment manager does not benefit by purchasing one product over another, fostering a more more objective working environment. With the overriding goal of retaining the client, the fee-based advisor is strongly motivated to provide the most competitive returns at the lowest possible cost. |
| Investors' Security Trust Company does not prepare legal documents, as this is the role of the attorney. We do however work closely with your legal advisor to provide information needed to optimize your estate plan. If you do not have an estate planning attorney, we can provide you with a list of local specialists with whom we have worked. |
| Trustee or Co-Trustee: Our firm accepts traditional Trustee and Co-Trustee appointments for revocable and irrevocable trusts under Florida law. We also acknowledge appointments as Successor or Co-Successor Trustee in the event our services are needed at a future date. In establishing these important fiduciary relationships, we work closely with your legal and tax counsel to ensure our duties and responsibilities are well defined.
Personal Representative: We will serve as Personal Representative for formal Florida Probate administrations. In that capacity, we welcome the opportunity to participate in discussions with your attorney and family members to explain our duties and responsibilities. We do not charge for consultations, and will secure your estate planning documents without cost or obligation. The fees for our services as Personal Representative are based upon current Florida Statute. |
Yes. Although we are headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida, we are legally permitted to serve clients in most states. We believe in personalized service, and we will come to you, in Florida or anywhere in the continental United States. In addition, many of our clients choose to visit our offices in historical Fort Myers, the summer home of Thomas Edison. Please contact us at 239-267-6655 to determine if we can act as your trustee. |
| Investors' Security Trust Company is chartered by the State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation. In granting this charter, the State of Florida made the determination that ISTC is a sound organization and properly capitalized to perform trust services. In addition to being examined regularly by the Office of Financial Regulation, our firm commissions an annual outside audit of our operations by a reputable accounting firm. We segregate all client trust account assets from corporate assets and carry the appropriate insurance for errors and omissions, directors and officers insurance, as well as fidelity bonding on all of our employees. |
| Trustee or Co-Trustee: Our firm accepts traditional Trustee and Co-Trustee appointments for revocable and irrevocable trusts under Florida law. We also acknowledge appointments as Successor or Co-Successor Trustee in the event our services are needed at a future date. In establishing these important fiduciary relationships, we work closely with your legal and tax counsel to ensure our duties and responsibilities are well defined. |
| The legal requirements of trust management are difficult and time consuming. Your most important fiduciary decision is choosing a trustee. Improper administration by an inexperienced individual can lead to conflicts, unnecessary expenses and personal liability. Unlike individuals, corporate trustees never die or become incapacitated. Appointing a corporate fiduciary helps to ensure proper and prudent trust administration. |
| Our Commitment To The Client: Our overriding mission at Investors’ Security Trust Company is to serve the financial needs of each client. Above all, we believe our client’s interests and financial well-being come first. Our Staff: At Investors’ Security Trust Company, we believe our most important asset is our employees. With generational roots in Southwest Florida dating back to the 1800's, we have a deep and abiding commitment to our local community. Our staff of professionals has worked together for over 30 years, establishing a proven track record of effectively meeting the financial needs of clients in Southwest Florida. Our Services: Another primary goal of Investors’ Security Trust Company is to build long-term customer relationships that span multiple generations of a family. As an organization, we focus on service, delivering prompt and informed trust and investment decisions to our clients. Our services range from trust and estate administration to personalized portfolio management. We work closely with our client’s outside advisors, including attorneys and tax professionals. Through the trusted relationships we maintain with local banking institutions, we provide clients with a full range of fiduciary services and will tailor investment solutions to meet our client’s specific needs. Our Experience: Combined, our staff of professionals has over 150 years of experience in the fields of banking, trust and investment services. Specializing in estate, trust planning, administration, and portfolio management, we are recognized as leaders in our fields. Our staff is uniquely qualified to deliver state-of-the-art estate, trust and investment management services. Our Objectivity: As an independent, locally owned organization, Investors’ Security Trust Company will always provide objective advice. Since we have no proprietary investment products, our open approach to portfolio construction allows us to search out “best-in-class” solutions for our clients. Our Independence: A fundamental long-term goal of Investors’ Security Trust Company is to remain independent. This ensures that our founding principals and mission statement will remain intact. We believe this fosters the development of long-term multigenerational relationships with our clients. Our Discipline: Serving as a corporate fiduciary, Investors’ Security Trust Company makes decisions in a disciplined, objective environment that considers not only our client’s objectives, but also applicable State and Federal laws. In delivering investment management services, our overriding goal is to provide clients with a comprehensive, personalized investment program, adopting a philosophy based on sound economic and financial principles. Short-term market conditions must be considered in the management of a portfolio. However, the decision-making process will focus principally on long-term investment results, risk management and expense control. Our Fee Structure: As an independent trust company, we are not burdened with the overhead typical of a large bank, where often, less profitable lines of business are subsidized by more productive departments, such as trust and investment management. Therefore, we are able to price our services very competitively. Our Board Of Directors: The organizers of Investors’ Security Trust Company have assembled an exceptional Board of Directors, including a board certified estate planning attorney; certified public accountants, and local business professionals. These individuals provide valuable insight to our staff as to both local and national market conditions. |
The investment philosophy employed by Investors’ Security Trust Company is based on sound economic and financial principles. While short-term market conditions are considered in the day-to-day management of a client’s portfolio, the decision-making process focuses on the following characteristics;
Advocating low turnover, a diversified approach does not mean portfolios are passively managed. Accounts are continuously monitored and changes are made to specific assets as events dictate. Moreover, there are times when investors may wish to increase their portfolio weighting in stocks, for example, when conditions are particularly favorable. Alternatively, during periods of perceived high risk, it may be appropriate to raise cash positions. A diversified strategy, however, will always require a minimum position in each asset category. Therefore, even if the outlook for stocks is poor, investors will want to maintain a minimum percentage of their portfolio in equities, as well as each of the other asset categories. A diversified approach to investment management takes patience. By definition you are rarely in a position to "hit a home run". If truly diversified, an investor will always have a portion of his or her portfolio doing well and a portion lagging, since economic conditions affect various asset classes differently. However, this type of approach tends to produce more consistent returns over the long-term, while at the same time, reducing risk. |
| It is up to you. We offer both Advisory Only or Full Investment Management accounts. |
| Each situation is unique. Our strategy depends on several factors (i.e.: cost basis, capital gains tolerance, restrictions or attachments to the stock). We meet with the client to discuss the various factors and determine the most appropriate action. We may suggest estate planning solutions such as Charitable Remainder Trusts or Family Limited Partnerships. Or we may look at a securities based solutions, systematic sales or family gifting. After meeting with the client and analyzing their estate planning needs we can determine the optimal resolution to a complete estate and investment plan. |
| Each investment management account is established with a link to a proprietary performance measurement system. We provide monthly reports indicating how an account is performing (in total and by sector) relative to predetermined benchmarks. |
| We continuously review stocks and bonds purchased for your account, making changes as warranted. In addition to monthly account statements, we provide a quarterly review to investment management clients outlining not only performance of the account but any change in strategy. |
| We believe that frequent and dependable communication fosters solid client relationships. Investors' Security Trust Company uses state-of-the-art trust accounting to provide you with monthly account activity statements.
A quarterly investment review is performed on all accounts providing not only performance information, but also any change in strategy. You have the option to access your account on-line; at night, on weekends or anytime convenient to you by clicking on the "My Account" icon in our website. |
