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 Michael Parker – Managing Director at Insight Consultants, an award-winning communications consultancy in Dublin, Ireland. Michael shares his journey through various senior positions in politics and business, detailing how these experiences shaped his entrepreneurial focus and led to the founding of Insight Consultants.

As David and Michael continue, they explore Ireland’s tax benefits and asset protection opportunities. They specifically discuss the advantages of Ireland’s pro-business environment, including its status as having the world's lowest corporate tax rate and being the fastest-growing economy in the EU driven by trade. These factors contribute to Ireland being known as the "Silicon Valley of Europe." 

The conversation also addresses concerns about stability and security amid uncertainties in the U.S. Many are seeking a "flight to safety," considering moving assets offshore to find a stable and secure atmosphere outside the U.S., and Ireland emerges as a top choice for those seeking a safe haven. As the conversation wraps up, listeners will see a hybrid solution emerge combining Ireland's benefits with the tax, privacy, and asset protection advantages of the U.S., particularly in a jurisdiction such as South Dakota, creating a powerful planning solution and offering a new strategy for advisors to discuss with their clients.

New tracks tagged #trustsandestates