logo
Florida Trust Wealth Management: How 500 Florida families built their future with $5B+ in assets

Florida Trust Wealth Management: How 500 Florida families built their future with $5B+ in assets

Business Journals15 hours ago
The Tampa Bay Trust Company is a division of The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, celebrating 25 years in business this season, and has recently rebranded all of its offices under one new name - Florida Trust Wealth Management.
Florida Trust's origin story begins in 2001 with founder and chairman, S. Albert D. Hanser, who retired and moved full-time to the family's vacation home on Sanibel-Captiva with his wife, Sally. Having already served as a successful leader in the financial industry, Al knew that his neighbors would benefit from a locally based trust and investment firm close to home. The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company opened as the island's first independent, locally owned trust company.
expand
David Parmelee
Today, Florida Trust Wealth Management has more than $5 billion in assets under management. It has grown organically into Florida's largest independent, privately held trust company headquartered in Florida, and cares for some 500 families by remaining steadfast in its sound principles and long-term investment strategies.
The company entered the Tampa market in 2010 after a board member had encouraged Chief Executive Officer, Terry Igo to get better acquainted with the local business environment and identify areas that needed the level of services and the client experience the company had to offer.
expand
By 2014, the Tampa office had grown into a larger office space on Boy Scout Boulevard, and soon after Hood Craddock joined the firm to head and build out the Family Office Services team. This exciting new dimension greatly benefits multi-generational client families, as well as Tampa business owners, with their unique needs for wealth and lifestyle management, legacy planning, and wealth transfer.
In 2016, trust company leaders agreed there was an opportunity to provide high-level wealth management along Tampa Bay's coastal communities, as well. 'We were drawn to the charming area of Belleair, Clearwater, and surrounding neighborhoods where we felt residents would find our services a fit,' said Igo.
Three years later, they expanded further, opening an office in downtown Tarpon Springs - an underserved community when it came to high-level wealth management services. The following year they moved one more time, putting down roots near the visitor center, serving clients from their beautiful, century-old historic home.
Thanks to its loyal clientele and dedicated employees along Florida's Gulf Coast, this employee-owned fiduciary is ready to scale, delivering at a high capacity with the same effective and thorough approach clients have always valued.
Florida Trust has a track record of demonstrating stability and accessibility, especially during challenging times, serving clients well through natural disasters, such as the hurricanes of the last few years, during the real estate downturn and prolonged market volatility that began in 2008, and the uncertainties of the Covid pandemic. There is no doubt about the team's ability to weather any kind of storm.
Additionally, the company was recently recognized as one of the 'Best Places to Work' across all markets including Collier, Lee, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, confirming the caliber of employee and workplace that cultivates such an outstanding team.
The Sanibel office will continue to serve as Florida Trust's flagship location, honoring its 25-year history. Many of the office's current clients have been with the company from the beginning – serving as the impetus for its growth into its additional markets of Tampa, Belleair Bluffs, Tarpon Springs, Fort Myers, Naples, Marco Island, and a marketing office in Cashiers, NC.
Positioned for the future, Florida Trust Wealth Management is comprised of an established team that continues a proud tradition of being a committed member of the communities it serves and always putting the client first.
expand
Tampa Bay Trust Co.
About Florida Trust Wealth Management
Florida Trust Wealth Management is a state-chartered, independent trust company with more than $5 billion in assets under management that provides Family Office and Wealth Management Services, including investment management, trust administration and financial counsel to high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, foundations and endowments. The firm is focused on wealth management services that are absolute-return oriented, and performance driven. Offices in Sanibel-Captiva, Fort Myers, Naples, Marco Island, Tampa, Belleair Bluffs and Tarpon Springs.
LEGAL, INVESTMENT AND TAX NOTICE: This information is not intended to be and should not be treated as legal advice, investment advice or tax advice. Readers, including professionals, should under no circumstances rely upon this information as a substitute for their own research or for obtaining specific legal or tax advice from their own counsel. Not FDIC Insured | No Guarantee | May Lose Value
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Zuckerberg and Chan defend homeschool after Palo Alto zoning probe
Zuckerberg and Chan defend homeschool after Palo Alto zoning probe

San Francisco Chronicle​

time5 minutes ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Zuckerberg and Chan defend homeschool after Palo Alto zoning probe

Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg attend the 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Barker Hangar on April 5, 2025 in Santa Monica. After a city investigation into a home-based school at their Palo Alto compound, the Meta CEO and his wife say their pandemic-era homeschool was legal. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, pediatrician Priscilla Chan, defended their decision Monday to homeschool a small group of children — including their own — inside a residence at their Palo Alto compound, following a New York Times report over the weekend that raised concerns about the legality of the operation. A spokesperson for the couple said in an email to the Chronicle that the homeschooling arrangement began as a pandemic pod during COVID-19 school closures to support childcare and education, and has continued to provide stability for their children. According to the Times, the setup — known as BBS — enrolled approximately 14 children and employed multiple full-time staff members, sparking complaints from neighbors of families dropping off children and 'big vehicles with darkened windows' picking up the children for outings — prompting a city investigation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Emails obtained by the Times show Palo Alto Planning Director Jonathan Lait concluded the operation violated city zoning laws, which prohibit businesses — including schools — from running in residential areas if employees do not live on-site or if the activity significantly increases traffic. Although state filings listed the site as a private coed day school, the couple's representatives said the designation stems from limitations in the California Department of Education's affidavit system. The same form is used for both traditional private schools and homeschool pods, and contains no field to distinguish between the two. 'Mark, Priscilla and their children have made Palo Alto their home for more than a decade,' the spokesperson said. 'They value being members of the community and have taken a number of steps above and beyond any local requirements to avoid disruption in the neighborhood.' Zuckerberg's team said they were unaware the school was in violation, but they have agreed to relocate the children to a different site. No tuition was charged, and many subjects were taught by parents. City spokesperson Meghan Horrigan-Taylor confirmed the home-based school has since shut down. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Parents pick up their kids outside of The Primary School created by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in East Palo Alto on Monday, April 28, 2025. Laure Andrillon/Special to the Chronicle The revelation comes at a sensitive time for Zuckerberg and Chan. In April, the Primary School — a tuition-free private school serving low-income families in East Palo Alto and backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative — announced it would close at the end of the 2025–26 school year. Founded by Chan in 2016, the school aimed to integrate education, health care and family services, and served hundreds of mostly Latino students. While no official reason was given for the closure, the decision followed broader retrenchments from social initiatives linked to Meta and Zuckerberg. The Initiative pledged $50 million over five years to support families during the transition. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As of January, 57 private school affidavits were filed in Palo Alto, more than half for schools with six or fewer students — a common marker of homeschooling, according to the state's education department.

Less than half of student loan borrowers are current on $1.6T debt — and some refuse to pay in protest
Less than half of student loan borrowers are current on $1.6T debt — and some refuse to pay in protest

New York Post

time5 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Less than half of student loan borrowers are current on $1.6T debt — and some refuse to pay in protest

Less than half of student loan borrowers have been making their payments on $1.6 trillion of debt as they struggle to afford housing and groceries – and some are letting the bills pile up as a form of protest. Only 38% of the 42.7 million borrowers nationwide are in repayment and current following five years of leniency measures from the US government following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education said in April. While most borrowers have loans that are less than $40,000, about 3.6 million Americans owe more than $100,000 each in federal loans totaling $656.7 billion – or about 41% of total student debt. 4 Only 38% of borrowers are in repayment and current on their student loans, according to the Department of Education. REUTERS As of May, about 30% of borrowers with a payment due, or 5.6 million people, were at least 90 days behind, according to TransUnion data. At the 270-day mark, the government can withhold tax refunds and order employers to garnish up to 15% of a borrower's after-tax salary. But these consequences may 'feel too abstract to feel motivational for people,' Sarah Newcomb, senior behavioral scientist at Edward Jones, told Bloomberg. About 2.2 million borrowers saw their credit scores tank by at least 100 points in the first quarter, according to the New York Federal Reserve. Kameron Davis, a 24-year-old Uber driver in Miami, recently saw his credit score plunge about 180 points for not paying his student loans – but he's unbothered since he doesn't plan to buy a home anytime soon. After dropping out of college when classes went online during the pandemic, Davis is more concerned with supporting his wife and two kids than prioritizing an $800 monthly student-loan payment. 4 A sign reading 'Cancel Student Debt!' is seen outside the Supreme Court in 2023. AP 'If I have to choose between paying my rent and paying my student loans, I'm not going to pay my student loans,' he told Bloomberg. He and his wife owe about $20,000 and $40,000 in student loans, respectively. Wage garnishment isn't a concern for the couple, since most Uber drivers are classified as independent contractors and Davis' wife is a stay-at-home mom. Some borrowers – like Stephen Jakubowski, a 32-year-old without a job who says he is barely able to afford rent and groceries – claim repayment is the last thing on their minds. 'I just don't even care, it's so far down the radar,' he told Bloomberg. 'It's never been a huge priority.' Jakubowski owes $10,000 from a two-year stint at San Diego Christian College more than a decade ago. 4 Education Secretary Linda McMahon and President Trump at an executive order signing ceremony in July. Getty Images He dropped out of college halfway through his degree to become a firefighter and now feels 'disconnected from the debt.' But the Department of Education is determined to crack down on delinquent borrowers. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in April that 'American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies.' 'The Biden Administration misled borrowers: the executive branch does not have the constitutional authority to wipe debt away, nor do the loan balances simply disappear,' she added. 4 About 30% of borrowers with a payment due were at least 90 days behind as of May, according to TransUnion data. AP Borrowers who were in default before the pandemic will be the first to be targeted with wage garnishment, while freelancers and gig workers likely won't face the same consequences. 'If they can't find the employer, they can't collect,' Alpha Taylor, staff attorney for the National Consumer Law Center, told Bloomberg. Tyler Scruggs, 30, dropped out of college when the pandemic hit. He owes $20,000. Now a freelancer in the film industry, Scruggs said he never checks his credit score and isn't planning to make any loan payments. Explore Student Loan Lenders SoFi SoFi offers student loan refinancing and private loan options with competitive interest rates, flexible repayment terms, and no hidden fees. It's a popular choice for those looking to save on interest or monthly payments. With added perks like career coaching, financial planning tools, SoFi goes beyond lending to support long-term financial wellness. Learn More College Ave College Ave simplifies the student loan process with customizable repayment plans, competitive fixed or variable interest rates, and a quick, hassle-free online application. Whether you're taking out a new loan or refinancing, the company offers flexible terms and helpful tools to fit your budget, making it a smart option for students and parents alike. Learn More Sallie Mae Sallie Mae offers private student loans with a variety of repayment options, no origination fees, and competitive interest rates tailored to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Sallie Mae also provides tools, scholarships, and credit-building opportunities to manage education costs with confidence. Learn More New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click/buy something through our links. 'There are simply more pertinent financial obligations,' he told Bloomberg. 'It's a form of protest — I believe all student debt should be cancelled.'

Tariffs are driving up the cost of saying ‘I do'
Tariffs are driving up the cost of saying ‘I do'

Chicago Tribune

time5 minutes ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Tariffs are driving up the cost of saying ‘I do'

As engaged couples plan their dream weddings this summer, an unforeseen economic force is increasingly impacting their decisions and budgets: the intricate and fluctuating world of global trade. President Donald Trump's tariffs — and the accompanying rate changes, moratoriums and trade deals — are translating into higher costs for traditional wedding components, from floral arrangements to designer gowns and even the celebratory spirits that toast a new union. Small business owners like Brandi Kenison at Lee Floral Design, a small Livonia, Michigan-based floral company that mostly supplies arrangements for luxury weddings, say this year's peak nuptials season has been more financially challenging than the COVID-19 pandemic, when curbs on indoor gatherings crippled many businesses. 'Obviously, during COVID, that made sense. (Now) it's very hard to put into words,' Kenison said. 'Will it (a new tariff) go through? How much will it go through? … It's really difficult for us to be transparent with our clients because we truly don't know. 'What's even harder is when prices on our end jump 25%, but we're contractually only able to raise the price by 10%. That means we absorb the difference, which quickly eats into our margins,' she said. 'It's definitely been a struggle.' According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 80% of all cut flowers sold in the United States are imported, with the primary sources being South American countries, notably Colombia and Ecuador. With current tariffs of 10% on Colombia and 15% on Ecuador, wholesalers, florists and ultimately, engaged couples face higher costs. 'When tariffs are placed on these imports, it inevitably drives up costs — not just for wholesalers and florists, but ultimately for the customer as well,' Kenison said. 'And it's not limited to just flowers. A lot of our day-to-day supplies, like vases, candles, and other staples, are sourced from countries like China, which means those items are also affected by tariffs, further increasing our overall expenses.' Wedding planners say brides are also experiencing higher prices for dresses and facing shipping delays. Meagan McPhail, owner of Mitten Weddings, said in an email that 'prices are up and timelines are longer' for dresses due to rising fabric costs. About 12.2 million wedding gowns are produced each year in China, and 70% of them are exported, according to Deep Wear. 'Even some U.S. designers still source their fabrics internationally, so it all adds up,' McPhail said. Tariffs are adding to already pricey wedding costs that average $300 to $600 per person, according to wedding planners Emma and Rebecca Targett of Meriwether Social. The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based mother-daughter duo planned Sophie Partington and Nicholas Kuchar's Aug. 2 wedding at the Michigan League Ballroom. 'Now, more than ever, that conversation is a part of our everyday planning process with clients,' Emma Targett said. 'Things just cost more right now: food, floral, specifically. Anything that's really commodity-based like that, things that are very supply chain dependent. 'So much of our day-to-day now is explaining to clients that food costs more so these catering bills are higher, a lot of times venue minimums have gone up because they have to account for their increased food cost as well,' she said. According to a survey conducted by The Knot of 741 engaged couples planning 2025 or 2026 wedding receptions, over half of the couples, or 53%, reported that tariffs had already impacted decisions about their celebrations. The survey also found that instead of reducing their overall budget, many couples are hiring professionals to navigate cost challenges, including booking well ahead of time to avoid paying more. Take couple Lydia Karpack, 23, of Plymouth and Alex Winnie, 24, of Belleville, Michigan, who will tie the knot at Detroit's Book Tower on Aug. 30. The high school sweethearts got engaged in downtown Plymouth in May 2024 and sought out Meriwether Social to plan their downtown Detroit wedding that is expected to include 145 guests and cost over $75,000. 'There's definitely things that you see that number that a vendor gives you, it's a big number, you're a little shocked about it. Weddings are becoming such this big thing,' Karpack said. 'You really have to evaluate what you really want to splurge on and what's going to be worth it and what you can find alternative ways to get the same look you're going for. It's about balance.' Since Karpack had the venue, photographer and DJ booked in early 2025, she effectively sidestepped some of the tariff-related price increases from vendors. Still, she was sticker-shocked by the prices of hydrangeas and tulips. 'A lot of florists have minimums. You have to start out at $5,000 or $10,000 for flowers and that doesn't include tax or the design fee,' she said. 'It's like that number, I think, scares people. It's a lot of money to spend on flowers. That was something we realized, 'let's find a different solution here and scale back a bit.'' She said 'no' to a huge arched floral wall but yes to the dress and veil she would wear from Magnolia Laine Bridal – Detroit. Cost for those: More than $3,000. 'My veil was pretty expensive,' Karpack said. 'I had no idea how much veils cost — for a couple yards of fabric, it's like $600. I was very shocked about that. I was going to do an Etsy veil for like $100, but matching the color up to a dress and you're looking at the color on a screen … it just gets way too stressful.' Karpack said trimming the flower budget helped the couple afford their preferred reception site, the Book Tower. 'That was something we really wanted to splurge on and then find other ways to save around,' she said, 'so that we could still have the venue that we wanted.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store