Fiduciary Trust Company International
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wealth management |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Investment management, wealth advisory, tax planning, custody solutions, trust and estate administration |
| Parent | Franklin Templeton Investments |
| Website | www |
Fiduciary Trust Company International is an American wealth management firm that has provided investment management and wealth advisory services to affluent families, foundations, and endowments since 1931. By 2019, the company oversaw $71 billion in assets spanning 48 countries. Its primary office is located in New York City, with additional branches in various other cities.
Operating as a subsidiary of Franklin Templeton Investments, Fiduciary Trust manages distinct portfolios with global exposure to public equities, fixed income, and alternative asset classes. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes value-driven small and large-cap growth equities alongside a focus on municipal fixed income securities. It integrates a top-down method for sector and currency selection with a bottom-up process for portfolio assembly, all supported by proprietary analytical research.
As a fiduciary entity, the company prioritizes acting in the best interests of its clients, a commitment that has earned it recognition such as being named among the leading trust companies in the United States by Trusts & Estates magazine.
Despite its affiliation with Franklin Templeton, Fiduciary Trust maintains operational independence, including its own leadership team and distinct investment philosophy.
History
Founded in 1931 as Fiduciary Trust Company of New York, the firm began as a multi-family office catering to wealthy individuals during the Great Depression. Its early board included notable figures like Pierre Jay, former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Elihu Root Jr., a distinguished attorney.
The company expanded internationally by the 1960s, inaugurating its first overseas office in London in 1961 to concentrate on non-U.S. corporations. In 1981, it established a presence in the Western and Southwestern United States through an office in Los Angeles. Reflecting its growing global footprint, the firm rebranded in 1987 as Fiduciary Trust Company International.
Throughout the 1990s, Fiduciary Trust experienced substantial growth: it launched an investment management office in Washington, D.C., secured a Cayman Islands trust company charter in 1990, and acquired Miami-based Trust Company of the South in 1992 to create Fiduciary Trust Company International of the South, thereby obtaining trust authority in Florida. By 1998, it had also founded Fiduciary Trust International of Delaware.
In 2001, Franklin Resources, Inc., headquartered in San Mateo, acquired Fiduciary Trust, expanding its presence on the West Coast with an office in San Mateo. On September 11, 2001, Fiduciary Trust occupied floors 90 and 94 through 97 of the South Tower at the World Trade Center. The tragic events led to the loss of 97 employees and contractors. Following this disaster, the firm relocated its operations to Rockefeller Center.
Fiduciary Trust International of the South further extended its footprint in South Florida by opening an office in Boca Raton in 2013 and moving its Miami headquarters to Coral Gables in 2015. In 2016, Fiduciary Trust shifted its New York headquarters to 280 Park Avenue.
Services
Fiduciary Trust provides comprehensive wealth management services encompassing investment management, wealth advisory, tax planning, custody solutions, and trust and estate administration. The firm focuses on risk mitigation and tax optimization tailored specifically to meet each client’s objectives.
Investment Management
The firm delivers strategic investment guidance tailored to high-net-worth individuals, families, institutions, endowments, and foundations. Their services encompass developing investment strategies, global asset allocation, selecting securities, monitoring managers, and conducting risk assessments.
Wealth Planning
Fiduciary Trust develops all-encompassing wealth planning solutions that align investment objectives with wealth structuring, trust management, estate transfer, philanthropy, and sophisticated tax optimization.
Trust and Estate Administration
The company oversees trustee and executor responsibilities, including routine administration, ensuring regulatory adherence, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and comprehensive reporting.
Specialized Services
Additional services offered include master custody with account oversight and asset safekeeping, estate settlement addressing tax, legal, and financial matters, along with tax consulting, preparation, and submission.
Locations
Fiduciary Trust is headquartered in New York City and maintains offices in Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg (Florida), Los Angeles and San Mateo (California), Washington D.C., Wilmington (Delaware), Arlington (Virginia), and Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands).