Trust Officer - Settlement

Trust Officer

Responsible for the day-to-day management and administration for a wide variety of trust accounts, which may include Settlement, Special Needs, SAM Trusts, Directed Trusts and court supervised trusts, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Role Responsibilities

Trust Administration

• Thorough understanding of trust documents; trust accounting concepts; and tax reporting activities.
• Act as lead communicator with clients regarding strategic financial planning.
• Respond promptly to client distribution requests and make distributions of cash and assets as required, while strictly following department procedures regarding verbal confirmation for electronic distribution requests.
• Understand the needs of and duties to the principals, income beneficiaries and remaindermen.
• Professional advisor to trust beneficiaries, third party administrators and other service professionals.
• Comply with Trust Administration checklists related to opening and closing of accounts; and account reviews.
• Monitor the completion of trust tax returns.
• Complete annual account reviews as required by the South Dakota Division of Banking.
• Prepare appropriate presentations for Trust Committee review.
• Responsible for the administration of a complex book of personal trust accounts which may include supporting the administration of pooled trusts.

Competencies

Communication Skills

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients; interact with beneficiaries, courts and other third-party professionals.
• Be aware of and follow company policies for electronic communications and internet use.

Computer/Technical Skills

• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite of applications.
• Skilled with trust accounting software.
• Able to understand and follow company policies regarding information security including password, multi-factor authentication, and remote access use.

Organization

• Demonstrate professionalism and leadership skills through consistent positive attitude and superior quality of work.
• Coordinate all aspects of fiduciary taxation with third parties.
• Regularly update client interactions in CRM database.

Judgment

• Strong sense of confidentiality.
• Exhibit sound judgment and the ability to make reasonable decisions in the absence of direction.
• Swiftly refer problems/issues to the appropriate person(s) when necessary.
• Demonstrate visible commitment to the Company's core values and guiding principles and achieving results.
• Able to identify common attempts at information security scams, like email phishing.

Role Qualifications

• Minimum one (1) year of technical expertise in the area of settlement or directed trust administration.
• Some travel required for business development opportunities.
• Spanish speaking is a plus.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience.
• Trust and estate or financial background.