Financial Planning
Understanding the needs and goals of each generation
Our approach to financial planning is based on two fundamental beliefs. First, we must truly know our clients and understand the needs and goals of each generation. Second, we believe a complete in-depth dive into all of your assets, personal risk tolerance levels and long-term planning, are a key component getting where you want to go.
When you come to us for investment counsel, we will work with you to determine when and how much you will need to draw on your investment assets. If you’re saving for a young child’s education, you’ll need long-term growth. If your nest is long empty, you’ll need a strong and steady income flow, with moderate growth to combat inflation.
Many of our clients are multi-generational families, with accounts that span the investment spectrum. In these cases, we determine the best strategy for each client as an individual, and for the family as a whole.
Investment Management
Asset allocation, portfolio diversification, risk analysis
At Spinnaker Trust, we recognize the power of compounding wealth through the ownership of equities. But strategic diversification, both within equity allocations and through other asset classes, is a critical component of a well-diversified, comprehensive investment program. We begin by getting to know you, your risk tolerance, investment time horizon, tax, gifting, estate and philanthropic plans, your goals and dreams – and your values.
Once we understand the complete picture, we are able to design strategic asset allocations that align with your situation. To that end, we offer multiple strategies ranging from broadly based, diversified portfolios built with low-cost Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to single stock and bond portfolios, to alternative assets managed both by Spinnaker Trust and third party managers selected and monitored by us. We maintain a particular expertise in the management of private investment funds investing in commercial real estate properties, having successfully managed several dedicated funds on behalf of clients. We also employ extensive expertise in private equity, renewable energy and other specialized investments on behalf of clients.
Across all of our strategies, we bring consideration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors into play with a particular emphasis on sustainability as a key risk factor. We even offer a fossil fuel free portfolio for clients who desire the clear commitment to sustainability represented by such a portfolio.
Our investment team includes multiple Chartered Financial Analysts, MBA’s and alumni of some of the finest money management firms in the United States. They focus exclusively on Spinnaker’s portfolio strategies and the selection and monitoring of third party firms used by Spinnaker. This represents one of the great strengths of Spinnaker Trust.
“Spinnaker Trust offers investment options that are hard to get into at our size, like private equity or real estate.”
Trustee Services
Knowing your wishes; independent and impartial; consistency through generations
Working in concert with our clients’ lawyers, accountants and other advisors, we serve as trustee for a variety of trusts — trusts for young children; marital trusts; credit-shelter trusts for a surviving spouse and children; charitable remainder and lead trusts; grantor retained annuity trusts (“GRAT s”); special-needs trusts for disabled individuals; and irrevocable life insurance trusts.
At Spinnaker, we are committed to helping parents and grandparents manage and transfer wealth in a way that will not compromise their beneficiaries’ drive and motivation. With compassion and sensitivity, we help surviving spouses, many of whom may have had limited involvement with investments, understand their complete financial picture.
Our experienced administration team handles the ins and outs of managing your trust, including facilitating transfers from prior custodians, disbursing funds to third parties, and ensuring administration is compliant with trust terms and state law.
At Spinnaker, client service is our top priority, and no task is too large or small for us to handle.
“Our situation is complicated—our family company has lots of shareholders and there’s lots of technical and administrative work. Spinnaker Trust is always extremely responsive and helpful.”