In this episode, David Warren - Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guests Nancy Golding - Global Chair of STEP – and Ceci Hassan - Chair of STEP Miami (positions held at the time of the recording). During this discussion, we learn more about STEP and STEP Miami and their great success in inspiring confidence in families planning for their futures. David, Nancy, and Ceci go on to discuss global hot topics and the future vision for STEP, both globally and in the U.S.

Episode 16 - Discussion with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Dr. Thomas Dieters – President of Charitable Gift America (CGA) – for a detailed discussion on philanthropic planning, including the complexities and challenges people face, and how CGA’s services and partnership with Bridgeford Trust Company has simplified this elite level of planning.

Episode 17 - Philanthropic Planning with Dr. Thomas Dieters

Understanding the impact and vital importance of true and accurate information regarding the recent release of the Pandora Papers, Bridgeford Trust Company – in an effort to tell the rest of the story and clarify the facts – organized and produced this very timely and informational podcast with Terry Prendergast, one of South Dakota’s leading and most prolific trusts and estates and trust company attorneys with Davenport Evans. 

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Terry for a discussion that cuts through the untruths and hyperbole disseminated by both the Pandora Papers publication and media coverage regarding the South Dakota trust industry.

Episode 20 - Pandora Papers and South Dakota Trusts: The Rest of the Story with Terry Prendergast

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Joseph Kellogg – Partner & Head of Wealth Planning at WE Family Offices – to discuss his take on the evolution of the fiduciary industry and how the U.S. became a jurisdiction of choice. They go on to talk about mandatory information disclosure requirements, including the distinctions between CRS, FATCA, and the Corporate Transparency Act, and the impact of these for those in the international space.

Episode 21 – International Wealth Planning with Joseph Kellogg (Part 1)

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Tate Johnson – President & Chief Operating Officer at Brook-Hollow – to discuss the evolution of Brook-Hollow and their creative and industry leading tax planning and deferral programs for mass tort and plaintiff’s attorneys who receive large contingent legal fee payments. 

As they discuss this unique planning solution, David and Tate explore Bridgeford’s partnership with Brook-Hollow and how the work we do together allows for powerful South Dakota modern trust law concepts, such as asset protection, foreign grantor trusts, directed trusts, and privacy, to be integrated into the planning process, resulting in an even more compelling and sophisticated solution for these attorneys.

Episode 23 – Tax Planning Solutions for Mass Tort and Plaintiff’s Attorneys with Tate Johnson

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guests from Copper Beech Financial Group, including John Parise, Managing Partner, and Michael Parise, Supervisory Principal. 
 
During their conversation, we learn more about Copper Beech’s mission to help families protect, preserve, and grow their wealth. Copper Beech acts as a family CFO and provides family office services that focus on tax efficiency, asset protection, and family governance and our conversation dives into these services and how the shift of paradigm in which Bridgeford and Copper Beech similarly operate in represents the future of wealth management.
 
We also encourage you to check out Copper Beech’s podcast, “The Truth About Wealth” at https://thetruthaboutwealth.blubrry.net/ as John and Michael guide listeners through eye-opening questions to help discover the truth about their wealth.

Episode 24 – Outsourced CFO Family Office Services with Copper Beech Financial Group

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Kimberly Nelson – Advisor at Coastal Bridge Advisors – to discuss the special place that Coastal Bridge has in the wealth management industry and how they utilize the boutique nature of their firm to offer an uncomplicated advisory approach for clients.

David and Kim go on to talk about her specialty in navigating divorce and subsequent financial planning to best support her clients, with a focus on women who are navigating an overwhelming amount of advisors during the dissolution process. Kim explains prenups and trusts and the importance of having them coexist for the maximum benefit of a variety of circumstances, including “financial infidelity” which she highlights during our conversation.

Episode 25 – Prenups, Trusts, and Financial Infidelity with Kimberly Nelson

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, James “Jimmy” Adams – Chief Investment Officer at Lighthouse Wealth Management and author of "Waffle Street: The Confession and Rehabilitation of a Financier."

After the market collapse in the Global Financial Crisis, Jimmy decided to go “back to basics” and wait tables at a Waffle House in 2009, immersing himself in economic history during his off hours. The resulting memoir, "Waffle Street," was published the following year and later adapted into a feature film that received numerous awards, including Best Feature at the 2015 Hollywood Film Festival, and became a hit on Netflix.

Join us for a fascinating discussion that delves into the history and impetus for the market collapse of 2008, and Jimmy’s thoughts around his and other financial professionals’ roles working in the industry at the time. The conversation turns to why Jimmy wrote "Waffle Street," lessons learned from the near total collapse of the U.S. financial market, and how these experiences have shaped his evolution as a financial professional and perception of the U.S. and global financial services industry.

Episode 26 – From Wall Street to Waffle House with Jimmy Adams

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, David James – Advisor & Managing Director at Coastal Bridge Advisors, a wealth management firm built to help uncomplicate clients’ financial lives.

During their conversation, David James discusses how challenging 2022 was for most traditional stock and bond markets due to factors such as rising inflation, rising interest rates, and a strong dollar. As an experienced advisor familiar with the many different types of investments, David James and his team worked with clients to run an extensive diligence process and offer strategies for recommendation, including alternative investments. As 2022 continued, alternative investments were on full display, improving portfolio diversification and providing attractive benefits when combined with a traditional portfolio of stocks and bonds.

As their conversation continues, it’s clear how this “big idea” thinking around portfolio diversification using alternative investments, in conjunction with modern trust law and tax efficiencies found in no income tax states like South Dakota, can result in a proverbial “home run” for families.

Episode 27 – The Benefits of Alternative Investments with David James

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with returning guest, Jonathan Gopman – Partner at Nelson Mullins – and a new guest, Mark Sims – President of Madison Insurance Group. 

The focus of the conversation is Madison Insurance Group’s pioneering risk management strategy, Private Insurance. Mark talks about how this strategy enables businesses and organizations to direct procure insurance coverage for selected risks, transfer high exposure to third parties, and designate an investor to participate in an innovative profit-sharing program. As a result, investors build tax efficient assets to help protect their business and assure their future. 

Jonathan then goes into a sample profile of who could benefit the most from this product as well as the planning opportunities that are not easily seen on the estate planning side to use trusts and different types of financial products with Private Insurance.

Episode 28 – Private Insurance and Estate Planning Opportunities with Jonathan Gopman and Mark Sims

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Geralda Kral – Managing Director & Group Partner at UMA Wealth (Switzerland) AG. 

With over 19 years working with high-net-worth families, assisting with succession planning, asset protection, and corporate structuring, Geralda talks about her transition from a big international trust company to UMA Wealth, which she co-founded. As Geralda explains, this transition to a boutique and more nimble service paradigm was timely in light of the fallout resulting from the Pandora Papers and the introduction of CRS. They go on to discuss how the industry continues to battle the negative connotation around wealthy families who are following legal means of privacy, asset protection, and tax planning.

As they continue their conversation, David and Geralda discuss the various reporting regimes, including the Corporate Transparency Act, that are designed to protect the industry as well as the shift and interest in the United States as a tax, privacy, and asset protection haven and how this evolved from a European perspective.

Episode 29 – Pandora Papers, CRS, and Reporting Regimes with Geralda Kral

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Judge Patrick Riley, who’s impressive career began as a young lawyer in the DA’s office, then started his own law firm where he became a prolific civil and criminal litigator doing both plaintiff and defense work followed by his appointment as judge and finally his focus on trustee services.

During their conversation, Judge Riley speaks about some of the big cases he’s handled and how being a plaintiff’s lawyer and recovering sizable amounts of money for people who didn’t know how to handle large sums of money introduced him to the concept of a financial fiduciary which is really what transitioned him into the trusts and estates world, working as an independent trustee.

As the conversation continues, Judge Riley discusses his judicial time and after his retirement, his subsequent focus on trustee services for families and the corporate world fueled by his tremendous fiduciary training and background. Recognizing the many differences in family needs and structures, as well as the different approaches of processing the trusts, Judge Riley became a resource for someone who is in need of a fiduciary position – not just as a co-trustee, but special trustee, trust protector, distribution advisor – allowing the families that he works with to have pure independence in the choice.

Episode 30 – A Conversation with Patrick Riley: Litigator, Judge, and Trustee

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Tina Lovejoy – Founder & Facilitator at Frameworks Facilitation – who draws from her background in opera, writing, and consulting to facilitate sessions for families and train advisory teams in family dynamic issues impacting estate and succession planning issues through a language-centric lens.

With a track record of facilitating sessions and workshops for over 1,500 high net worth clients and their families, Tina explains Frameworks Facilitation’s dedication to help families confidently navigate the relational complexity inherent in wealth transfer. As the episode continues, Tina shares more about the process of these sessions, choosing the right words and clarifying the meaning of those words to have productive wealth transfer and financial planning conversations with families as well as partnering with advisors, advisory firms, and trust companies to grow the skills involved in the softer side of wealth transfer.

Episode 31 – Little Shifts Are Big Wins: Meaningful Family Dynamic Conversations with Tina Lovejoy

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder/Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guests from Callan Family Office, including Jack Ginter, CEO/Partner; Doug Getty, Investment Management/Partner; and Betty Pettine, Director of Philanthropic Consulting.
 
Callan Family Office delivers independent and objective counsel to families, foundations, and institutions, and during their conversation, we learn more about the Callan Family Office Difference, fueled by innovation, research, technology, and education. Jack specifically talks about the vision of the firm and how they are embracing the opportunity to fundamentally “disrupt” the industry today.
 
As the conversation continues, we hear from Doug on Callan Family Office’s investment management focus with access to sophisticated strategies and technology, customizing portfolios designed to help clients reach their goals. We also learn from Betty why philanthropy is important to Callan Family Office clients and how vital it is to have an advisor that shares values, offers resources, and provides expertise in this rising interest of wealth management.

Episode 32 – Independent Advice, Investment Management, and Philanthropy with Callan Family Office

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Reuben Tylor – Founder & Director of Trustees & Fiduciaries (Cook Islands) Ltd – who has been providing legal services to the offshore industry since 1987 and is a true thought leader in asset protection.  

The conversation begins with a discussion on Reuben’s work and the development of various financial and legislative products – the most important of which was his development of asset protection legislation targeting the U.S. market in the late 1980’s. As the conversation continues, they discuss the Trust Protector concept in the context of Cook Islands law and how Trustees & Fiduciaries (Cook Islands) Ltd can serve in that role when it is beneficial to the client. 

David and Reuben conclude the interview with a detailed discussion on the formation and importance of the Relationship Property Trust (RPT): a solution to a problem Reuben had been experiencing firsthand. When a family with substantial wealth over several generations would go through a divorce, family courts were determining that assets could not be set aside from relationship property matters and were instead brought back into the matrimonial property dispute. In an effort to ensure years of wealth planning for families was not dismantled, Reuben developed the Relationship Property Act (RPA) which identified that the solution was to provide a statutory rebuttal of the need to divide and distribute the assets and Cook Islands passed the new legislation creating the RPT to keep the assets of high net-worth families intact in the event of a separation.

Episode 33 – The Offshore Industry: Asset Protection, Trust Protector and RPT with Reuben Tylor

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with returning guest, William Lipkind – Attorney, Partner, and Chair of Wilson Elser’s Tax Planning & Controversies Practice. Bill concentrates his practice in the areas of wealth preservation, asset protection, and state and federal income taxation and joins David for an intriguing discussion on incomplete non-grantor (ING) trusts and California’s move to abolish them. 

Recently, legislation enacted in California aimed at taxing ING trusts, requiring the income of an ING trust to be reported in a qualified taxpayer’s gross income. Therefore, if you have a non-grantor trust as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, California will treat it as a grantor trust. David and Bill discuss in further detail the legislation and how to interpret it, as well as how clients with existing INGs in California could move forward and retool their trust. As you listen, you’ll understand that “all is not lost” for California residents, as there are still powerful tax planning tools and strategies available in top-tier jurisdictions, such as South Dakota, with or without the use of ING.

Episode 34 – California Income Tax Treatment of ING Trusts with William Lipkind

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Craig Redler – Attorney and Asset Protection Specialist. Craig has over twenty years of estate planning experience and has held positions all over the world including stints with Amicorp in its offices in Auckland, New Zealand and Miami, Florida, as well as Southpac Trust International, Inc. in its offices in the Cook Islands and Tauranga, New Zealand. Craig is the only attorney in the U.S. who has lived in the Cook Islands to work in the fiduciary industry there. These experiences honed his expertise in asset protection, and he now provides asset protection planning services to clients across the country and around the world.

During their conversation, we learn more about Craig’s experiences serving as trustee for domestic and offshore trusts and designing and managing structures on behalf of high-net-worth families worldwide. They go on to discuss why Craig went back into the private practice of law and our shared belief that advisors have a fiduciary duty to research and select the the most sophisticated and powerful asset protection tools for settlors and beneficiaries of trusts.

Episode 35 – Asset Protection, Offshore Trusts, and Fiduciary Duty with Craig Redler

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Steven Zeiger – Managing Director of KB Financial. Steven utilizes the only patented prudent processes for life insurance selection and retention and joins David for an intriguing discussion on the legal guidance on life insurance illustrations from FINRA, the UPIA, adjudicated lawsuits, NYS DFS, the CFP Board and the NAIC. Steven is well known in this area of study and has been asked to educate members of STEP, NAEPC, PLI, NYC EPC, the ABA, the CFA Society, FI 360/Broadridge, and dozens of other groups on the application of prudent investor guidelines to life insurance product selection and portfolio management.

Life insurance illustration comparisons are confusing and misleading according to industry regulators, but independent research can provide the clarity that fiduciaries crave in terms of easing their frustrations related to life insurance: conflict of interest and lack of transparency. Independent research offers the “full story” that is not available with typical life insurance illustration analysis, and research helps advisors understand which policy will lead to a better outcome for their clients. This episode expands on Steven’s life insurance guidance and research as well as Monte Carlo simulations for life insurance.

Episode 36 - The Fiduciary Era for Life Insurance with Steven Zeiger

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Mike Montali – CEO of Harbor Compliance. Listeners will discover the fascinating journey of Harbor Compliance, from inception to their exponential growth in becoming a leading provider of compliance solutions for businesses and nonprofit organizations. Their purpose-built software platform and managed services are designed to streamline the complex landscape of multistate government licensing compliance, allowing businesses and organizations to effortlessly put compliance on autopilot, ensuring seamless operations and peace of mind.

As they continue their conversation, David and Mike take a focused turn towards the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its implications. We learn how Harbor Compliance’s cutting-edge technology securely handles the requirements of the CTA, from information collection to storage and filing, providing a “single source of truth” for those who are affected by the new reporting requirements with absolute minimal disruption to their business.

Episode 37 - Corporate Transparency Act Reporting and a “Single Source of Truth” with Mike Montali

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Stefan Szwarc – Partner at the South Dakota law firm of Halbach | Szwarc Law Firm. Stefan's unique journey from financial advisor to attorney lends him a comprehensive perspective on crafting effective plans for clients. The episode delves into the establishment of Stefan's new law firm, set to mark its first anniversary, highlighting its focus on and commitment to working with international families, as well as its great reputation and early successes fueled by a diverse team of attorneys offering tailored support and innovative legal solutions, including a new solution for clients regarding the ever-evolving Corporate Transparency Act.

During their conversation, you’ll hear David and Stefan discuss the influx of international families seeking U.S. trust solutions, particularly South Dakota due to its robust regulatory framework and emphasis on protecting legitimate family-held wealth in a way that makes sense for the family through innovative tax planning and asset protection. Before they wrap up, you’ll also be the first to hear about STEP South Dakota, its formation with support from many including Bridgeford Trust Company and Halbach | Szwarc Law Firm, and its pivotal role in fostering collaboration and expertise within the trust industry, both domestically and internationally.

Episode 38 - South Dakota as the Preferred Trust Situs for International Families with Stefan Szwarc

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – announces the launch of Bridgeford Global, the newest addition to the Bridgeford family of companies. 
Operating as the worldwide planning entity within our family of companies, Bridgeford Global is poised to meet the evolving needs of international families and their advisors with innovative solutions and unmatched expertise. 

David also introduces Mariano Marco, Global Managing Director of Bridgeford Global, who will spearhead planning and business development initiatives in the international space, particularly Latin America, promoting Bridgeford Trust Company’s expansive fiduciary planning and structuring capabilities.

Listen in as David and Mariano discuss how Bridgeford Trust Company and Bridgeford Global are perfectly positioned to serve families globally as an international fiduciary provider that is big enough to matter, but small enough to care.

Episode 39 - Bridgeford Global with David Warren and Mariano Marco

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with previous guest, Geralda Kral – Managing Director and Group Partner at UMA Wealth (Switzerland) AG, a private client and family wealth consultancy group. Joining them is a new guest to our podcast, Michael Donev – Private Banking Advisor at BFI Infinity Inc., an independent Swiss investment advisory firm.

Together, they offer an inside look at UMA and BFI and the comprehensive wealth planning and internationally diversified investment portfolio services they offer to ultra-high-net-worth families. The conversation takes a deep dive into asset protection and privacy, addressing common misconceptions heightened by recent events like the Pandora Papers and regulatory developments such as Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). 

As the discussion unfolds, listeners gain insights into how Bridgeford, UMA, and BFI collaborate to provide a multi-jurisdictional solution tailored to each client’s unique needs as they look to diversify their wealth planning with a combination of international and U.S. trust structures, as well as attain the truest form of asset protection. Geralda and Michael conclude by offering practical suggestions for families seeking stability and safety through diversification, highlighting the role of Switzerland and the expertise of our combined firms in navigating this process effectively.

Episode 40 – Asset Protection & Multi-Jurisdictional Diversification w/ Geralda Kral & Michael Donev

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest Terry Prendergast – South Dakota trusts and estates and trust company attorney – to discuss what drives South Dakota’s position as a top-tier jurisdiction. David and Terry take a look at aspects of modern trust law and how they have revolutionized the trust industry, including a focus on decanting and how trusts are modernized.

Episode 1 – South Dakota as a Top-Tier Jurisdiction with Terry Prendergast (Part 1)

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest Terry Prendergast – South Dakota trusts and estates and trust company attorney – for Part 2 of a discussion on what drives South Dakota’s position as a top-tier jurisdiction. David and Terry continue their discussion on modern trust law and how it has revolutionized the trust industry, including a focus on privacy and asset protection as well as aspects of South Dakota law that are unique to South Dakota.

Episode 2 – South Dakota as a Top-Tier Jurisdiction with Terry Prendergast (Part 2)

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest William Lipkind – Attorney, Partner, and Chair of Wilson Elser’s Tax Planning & Controversies Practice – for a discussion on Incomplete Non-Grantor Trusts and Community Property Trusts. They also take a look at the favorable Private Letter Rulings that Mr. Lipkind has obtained from the IRS on these and other tax planning strategies.

Episode 3 – ING and Community Property Trusts with William Lipkind (Part 1)

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest William Lipkind – Attorney, Partner, and Chair of Wilson Elser’s Tax Planning & Controversies Practice – for Part 2 of a discussion on Incomplete Non-Grantor Trusts along with the Kaestner case and the concept around undistributed trust income.

Episode 4 – ING and Community Property Trusts with William Lipkind (Part 2)

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest Jonathan Gopman – Partner & Chair of Akerman’s Trusts and Estates Practice at the time of this recording (currently, Jonathan is a Partner at Nelson Mullins) – for a discussion on the Kaestner case, Community Property Trusts, and Directed Trusts.

Episode 5 – Kaestner Case, Community Property Trusts and Directed Trusts with Jonathan Gopman

In this episode, David Warren - Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company - sits down with guest Dr. Daniel Kim - Founder and President of Sweetwater Digital Asset Consulting, LLC - for an intriguing discussion on cryptocurrency, including the history of this asset class and how to identify a quality cryptocurrency project. This episode also includes Dr. Kim’s take on the research and advisory services available that provide investors guidance in considering cryptocurrency exposure for their portfolios.

Bridgeford Podcast Series

Episode 7 – Cryptocurrency with Dr. Daniel Kim

In this episode, David Warren - Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company - sits down with guests from Cresset Capital Management, Avy Stein - Founder & Co-Chairman - and Sarah Simon - Director, Wealth Strategist & Wealth Advisor – for a discussion around Cresset’s vision on reinventing wealth management, and, very much like Bridgeford, embracing a totally new wealth management paradigm. This episode also explores how Cresset leads with planning and surrounds clients with a full team to serve them and offer big ideas such as South Dakota’s trust capabilities in terms of tax planning, asset protection, and modern trust laws.

Episode 11 - Reinventing Wealth Management with Cresset Capital Management

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company– sits down with guest, Jamie Vrijhof-Droese – Managing Partner at WHVP – for a discussion on WHVP’s origins, focus, and services as well as their work with U.S. citizens. David and Jamie go on to discuss the COVID crisis and its impact on their investment approach.

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