Pearson Hall Information

Pearson Hall Inc. is a new concept; we started this business in June of 2008 after years working within a large bank system. So, we get a lot of…. just what is it you all do? Given this is the first in a series of commentaries and client up-dates it is probably appropriate to discuss our concept and why we think this is the best way to serve our client and advance our industry. Please consider this our first White Paper. We are a holistic and independent advisor providing advice and guidance to client, client families and their professional advisors on stewardship, management, sustaining and transitioning wealth. We consult in the areas of family governance, asset management and oversight, trust administration and estate planning, philanthropy and business succession planning. First, a brief history of the financial services industry, at least from our experience. 30 years ago banks had trust departments. Those trust departments had a very important role to play within those financial institutions (remember, this is before the mega regional banks and super banks that exist today) and that was to provide objective and independent advice, comfort, control and administrative expertise to the bank's wealthiest and most loyal clients, many of whom were also directors, officers, owners and investors of the bank and its commercial customers. The most basic service was that of estate administration. The traditional concept of the "corporate fiduciary" was to provide stability, permanence and expertise to the client and their families. Now we digress into terminology, but, it's important.