Wealth Management

Investment Counseling and Trust Services

At First Guaranty Bank, we believe every client is unique. It is our responsibility to help guide you toward the strategies that will help you achieve your specific financial and estate planning goals. First Guaranty Bank's Trust Company is locally owned and operated, so all administrative and investment decisions for our clients are made right here in your hometown. Our trust officers average 19 years trust experience, and 15 years with First Guaranty Bank. This experience and continuity accrues to the benefit of all our clients, and even more so in long standing relationships.

The hallmark of our service is providing the highest level possible of personalized service with ongoing communication to ensure our ability to meet your objectives. Our investment strategy is simple and straightforward - meet your needs and objectives with as little risk as necessary. We have no proprietary mutual funds; whenever possible we utilize high quality stocks and bonds to generate competitive risk-adjusted returns, with more regard for client objectives than outperforming an index. We have no attorneys or accountants on staff; we gladly work with the other professionals you have chosen.

In summary, skilled administration and investment management by First Guaranty Bank can help you accumulate assets, preserve them, and distribute them as you intend. We would be delighted to meet with you to discuss your situation—at no cost or obligation to you. Thank you for keeping us in mind for your money management and estate planning needs.

View your Trust Account Balances

Trust Administration

Trusts hold property you place in them for the benefit of your chosen beneficiaries. And they can solve a variety of estate planning challenges. As trustee of your trust, First Guaranty Bank offers a number of benefits:

  • You and your beneficiaries deal with trust professionals you know... right here at First Guaranty Bank.
  • Professional investment management - personalized for your particular needs, objectives and risk tolerance.
  • Convenience - we're equipped to handle most any chore relating to the proper administration and safekeeping of your assets.
  • Objectivity - as an impartial third party, we represent fairly the interests of all involved.
  • Comprehensive services - including income collection, scheduling distributions, paying bills, issuing tax reports, and responding to the requests and needs of beneficiaries.

We'll help you identify which trust is right for you... A revocable living trust can be utilized to avoid probate and/or guardianship for those assets placed in the trust. It is established during your lifetime generally for your benefit and, at your death, for the benefit of others. As grantor, you may retain the power to revoke the trust or amend its provisions during your lifetime. A testamentary trust is created under your will to hold your assets for the benefit of others upon your death. A credit shelter, or bypass, trust can reduce estate taxes by utilizing your estate tax exemption. A marital trust can defer estate taxes until the death of your spouse while allowing you to control the ultimate disposition of your assets. A charitable trust can permit you to give assets to charity while retaining the right to income, or give income to charity while retaining the right to the assets. A generation skipping trust can save estate taxes by passing assets to your grandchildren, thereby reducing the number of times your assets are subject to estate taxation.

Guardianship

When other estate planning is not appropriate, it may be necessary to establish a guardianship in order to protect and care for a loved one. First Guaranty Bank can serve as guardian of the property, working closely with the guardian of the person to ensure the needs of your loved one are met. In addition to providing the same services available under a trust arrangement, First Guaranty Bank will ensure that all reports about the property required by the court are filed in a timely manner.

Individual Retirement Accounts

IRAs have become an important part of most everyone's retirement plans. Whether you roll over your corporate retirement distribution or transfer your existing IRA, First Guaranty Bank has the investment expertise that will be crucial to your financial security in retirement. As importantly, there are always tax considerations for IRAs. And when the value of your IRA represents a significant portion of your net worth, there may be estate planning considerations also. We have the technical expertise to provide advice about beneficiary designations and distribution requirements... all this in addition to traditional trust services for your IRA.

Investment Management

In today's volatile financial markets, investment success requires full-time supervision, experience and commitment. At First Guaranty Bank, we believe investment success depends on consistency of investment philosophy, knowledge of financial markets, time, and most importantly a thorough understanding of each client's goals and objectives. That's why we begin by learning about you - your objectives, tax status, time horizon, risk tolerance, and income requirements. Then and only then, we draw upon our extensive resources of investment research and analysis to deliver you professional, full-time supervision of your invested funds. When you establish your Investment Management Account with us, we become your agent:

  • We manage the assets you assign to us while you maintain ownership.
  • You receive full custody service - safekeeping of all assets entrusted to us, collection of income, record keeping, tax reports, and distributions upon your direction.

Estate Administration

Your will may be the most important document you ever sign. It allows you to direct who is to receive your property when you die, how that property is to be distributed, and whether your beneficiaries are to receive your property outright or in trust. As importantly, it states who is charged with settling your estate. When named to settle your estate, First Guaranty Bank serves as personal representative. In that capacity, we perform a myriad of duties, among them:

  • Assembling and valuing your estate's assets.
  • Providing professional investment expertise in order to achieve a favorable result for all your beneficiaries.
  • Settling creditors' claims and final expenses.
  • Ensuring all necessary tax returns are properly prepared and filed, including your final personal income tax return, fiduciary income tax returns, and if necessary an estate tax return.
  • Distributing your assets to your chosen beneficiaries in the manner you have directed.

Custody

The routine paperwork and documentation necessary to keep track of your investment portfolio can be time consuming and sometimes daunting. First Guaranty Bank can simplify that problem through a custody arrangement. In addition, the transition from your management control to First Guaranty Bank as a successor fiduciary for your assets can be accomplished much more smoothly if we already serve as your custodian. As custodian, First Guaranty Bank provides the following essential services while you maintain ownership and full control over all investment decisions:

  • Safekeeping of your assets.
  • Collecting all income and principal, from dividends and interest to stock splits, mergers, and called bonds.
  • Timely reinvestment into a money market account for all cash collected.
  • Timely purchase and sale of your assets at your direction.
  • Accurate record keeping.
  • Periodic accountings and statements showing all transactions and current valuations of your assets.

Life Insurance Trust Administration

Life insurance can be a very useful vehicle in your estate plans. And often the estate plan will call for establishment of a trust, with a third party as trustee, to hold the life insurance policy. If that is the case, First Guaranty Bank can serve as trustee. In this capacity, we provide the following services:

  • Safekeep the life insurance policy.
  • Receive contributions to the trust and pay premiums.
  • Notify beneficiaries of contributions.
  • Provide statements and accountings.
  • Receive insurance proceeds and thereafter continue trust administration for the beneficiaries.