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Private trust companies are not a new phenomenon. Rather, over the past 25 years, they have increased dramatically in number, with hundreds of major, family-controlled trust institutions now operating in the United States. This article addresses why the number of private trust companies has been growing; describes a typical private trust company (PTC) organizational structure; and discusses certain legal and practical considerations that a family exploring a PTC should address.

For eight years the Federal Reserve Bank has held interest rates abnormally low. The Fed's dual mandate of moderating unemployment and inflation seems to have morphed instead into keeping stock prices high. That has helped Wall Street tremendously but has punished the average person saving for retirement. What we need now is economic growth, and fiscal and monetary changes from Washington, D.C. to reverse the low return environment.

In this quarterly investment insights report—“The Economic Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”—is an examination of the uncertainty in the financial markets. It identifies and delves into key themes for investing in the current environment. The main concerns for investors revolve around the rising U.S. dollar, monetary policy changes and the probable introduction of fiscal stimulus, and the path of earnings. Deciphering these themes will be important to investors, and only time will tell how they play out.

Some 90 percent of adults over 65 prefer to “age in place,” and even the need for health or mobility assistance doesn’t change their desire to stay in their own homes. It raises issues not just for Baby Boomers, but for those who are responsible for their transitioning through the stages of aging. The “aging in place” trend has also brought with it significantly more options and risks on the continuum of care. Welcome to senior citizenship, 21st Century style.

The earth faces a tremendous challenge when it comes to water due to the supply and demand imbalance, the lack of substitutes, and the United Nation’s declaration that drinking water and sanitation are a human right. Investors are also increasingly focused on water-related challenges, recognizing the market’s potential to provide solutions for this expanding global problem while generating competitive financial returns.

Cybersecurity risk creates a vexing set of challenges for family offices, high net worth families and executives, who, like any other business, would be well-served to make cybersecurity an important part of their estate planning and asset protection strategies. If the family or executive is prominent, a host of other issues related to privacy and identity protection apply. While there is no simple solution to the growing risks posed by cybercrime, there are few steps family offices, high net worth families, and executives can take to minimize the cyber attacks.

This webinar and presentation provides an overview of where we are today and views from the investment management industry on the impact of the election across the US, developed and emerging markets.

In 2015 charitable giving rose to $373 billion in the United States, driven by an almost $10 billion increase in gifts from individuals which represent over 70% of total giving. This year individual giving in the U.S. is poised for even greater growth, thanks to several contributing factors, including a solid economy and robust stock market performance, the extension of the IRA Charitable Rollover provision and the continuing value of itemized charitable tax deductions. Regardless of the election results, there are four reasons why 2016 is shaping up to be a great year to give.

For family offices of all profiles—large and small, established and brand new—there are dozens of technology solutions available. In the first of the Family Office Series report, the focus is on technology, a topic that some families find daunting and neglect at their own risk. To simplify the landscape, the report identifies key reasons why family offices may need technology solutions and offer a review of the leading platforms and solution-providers currently available.

After one of the longest, most volatile and arguably most contentious presidential campaigns in modern American history, Donald Trump has emerged as the president-elect and will be the 45th President of the United States of America. As the immediate shock of the result subsides, the country will begin to sort-out the implications of the election over the coming days. What can you expect moving forward?