Whittier Trust Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wealth management, Investment services |
| Predecessor | Whittier family office |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Founder | Leland Whittier, Don Whittier, Helen Whittier, Paul Whittier |
| Headquarters | Pasadena, California , United States |
Area served | United States (West Coast) |
| Products | Investment advisory, wealth management, fiduciary services, family office services, philanthropic services |
| Website | whittiertrust |
Whittier Trust Company is a U.S.-based independent firm specializing in wealth management and investment services. Originating as a multi-family office, it traces its roots to the family office created by the descendants of Max Whittier, a key figure in the founding of Beverly Hills in the early 20th century and co-founder of Belridge Oil in 1911.
History
Founded in 1935 by Leland, Don, Helen, and Paul Whittier, the Whittier family office was one of the earliest entities in the United States dedicated to managing family wealth and charitable activities. The family’s assets were largely illiquid until 1979, when Belridge Oil was acquired by Shell Oil for $3.6 billion, marking the largest corporate buyout at that time.
Whittier Trust Company was officially established in California in 1989 to provide investment advisory, wealth management, fiduciary, family office, and philanthropic services to clients beyond the founding family. To benefit from Nevada’s advantageous tax and trust regulations, The Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, Inc. was created in 1994. By 2023, Whittier Trust oversees assets exceeding $20 billion for more than 140 foundations, donor-advised funds, endowments, 161 charitable organizations, and 578 ultra high-net-worth families.
The firm’s headquarters are located on the West Coast with additional offices situated in Pasadena, Newport Beach, West Los Angeles, San Francisco, Menlo Park (California), Reno (Nevada), Seattle (Washington), and Portland (Oregon). Staying true to its origins, Whittier Trust emphasizes philanthropic engagement while maintaining active investments in oil, gas, and real estate sectors.
In 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission accused Whittier Trust and an associated fund manager of insider trading involving confidential information related to technology companies. The company settled these allegations by agreeing to pay $1.7 million. Nevertheless, on February 26, 2016, with the SEC’s approval, the charges against Whittier Trust were dismissed and any penalties refunded.