Planning for what matters — and the people who matter most.

You’ve worked hard for what you have. Making a plan for it shouldn’t feel overwhelming.

At Ciera Bank, our Trust team helps individuals and families make thoughtful decisions about their assets, their estates and the people they care about. We’ll take the time to understand what matters to you, explain your options clearly and work alongside the advisors you already trust.

Because some decisions deserve more than a form or a phone tree. They deserve a real conversation.

Talk with our Trust team.

Disclosure

Ciera Bank Trust investments are not insured by the FDIC, not a deposit, and may lose value.

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Trust Administration

What is a Trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement that allows assets to be held and managed for the benefit of the people or organizations you choose.

The person creating the trust — often called the grantor — places assets with a trustee, who manages them according to the terms established in the trust document. Those terms can provide direction on how assets should be managed and when and how they should be distributed to beneficiaries.

Ciera Bank can serve as trustee, co-trustee or agent for the trustee, depending on your needs.

Why choose a Corporate Trustee?

Choosing a trustee is an important decision. It means choosing who will be responsible for carrying out your wishes and managing assets that may need to last for years or even generations.

A corporate trustee such as Ciera Bank can provide experience, continuity and an objective point of view.

Our Trust team offers:

  • Experienced trust administration

  • Specialized accounting and recordkeeping

  • Access to professional investment management resources

  • An impartial approach when working with beneficiaries

  • Subject to independent audit and regulatory examination

Most importantly, this is what we do every day. You have a dedicated team to help manage the details and responsibilities that come with administering a trust.

 

Estate Administration

What does an executor do?

When someone dies, an executor is responsible for settling that person’s estate and carrying out the instructions in the will. An executor may be named in the will or appointed by a court.

It’s an important role — and often a bigger job than people realize.

What are an executor’s responsibilities?

Depending on the estate, an executor may be responsible for locating the will and having it admitted to probate, identifying and gathering assets, preparing required inventories and appraisals, paying final expenses and valid debts, distributing remaining assets according to the will, and filing final income and estate tax returns.

There can be a lot to manage, often at a difficult time for a family.

Why choose a corporate executor?

Naming a spouse, child or close friend as executor can feel like an expression of trust. But it can also give someone you care about a complicated and time-consuming responsibility when they’re already dealing with a loss.

Ciera Bank can serve as corporate executor and handle the day-to-day work involved in settling an estate.

Our experienced Trust team brings investment and accounting knowledge to the process and can work with attorneys, CPAs and other advisors to to assist with administering the estate and navigating the probate process in an organized and impartial mannerto assist with administering the estate and navigating the probate process in an organized and impartial manner.

For us, it’s our job. For your family, it can mean one less burden to carry.

 

Financial Planning

Your goals. A plan built around them.

Maybe you’re planning for a child’s education. Buying a home. Preparing for retirement. Thinking about what you’ll leave behind.

Whatever you’re working toward, it starts with understanding where you are today and where you want to go.

Ciera Bank’s Trust team can work with you — and with your attorney, CPA and other advisors — to develop a plan built around your goals, your family and your future.

No one-size-fits-all plan. No unnecessary complexity. Just experienced people helping you make informed decisions about what comes next.

 

Cash Management

Have significant cash balances to manage? Talk with our Trust team about additional cash management services that may be available to you.

 

Let’s talk about your plans.

Trust and estate planning can involve some of life’s biggest decisions. You don’t have to sort through them alone.

Talk with a Ciera Bank Trust professional and start with a conversation.

With you. For you. Since 1890.