ESOP Trustee
An independent trustee for ESOPs is the principal fiduciary decision maker for an ESOP purchase (from founder/owners) or sale transaction (to strategic buyer or private equity, etc.). The trustee also administers the trust post-transaction in charge of annual valuation, custody and shareholder meeting voting.
Independent Fiduciary
An independent fiduciary can be appointed to a qualified retirement plan including ESOPs in order to carry out the decisions listed under ESOP Trustee. This allows the company as plan sponsor to maintain internal trustees but have the benefit of a qualified, experienced professional handle various discretionary duties and direct the trustee(s).
Retirement Plan Trustee
For any qualified retirement plan where a trustee is required, Fiduciary Services, Inc. can fill the role and carry out the trustee duties as prescribed by ERISA and the subject plan. Fiduciary Services, Inc. as a registered investment advisor can manage investments and select appropriate portfolios for defined contribution as well as defined benefit plans.
“Fiduciary Services, Inc is always striving to provide superior skill and expertise”
DANIEL M. RESER, JD
President, Investment Counsel
Frequently Asked Questions
When a company executive or significant shareholder, who is also a current trustee or fiduciary of a retirement plan, is considering a capital change that affects the shares of stock in the ESOP or other qualified plan then an independent fiduciary is a critical consideration. Common examples of such capital changes are purchases or sale of company stock from or to a plan.
The independent trustee, fiduciary can protect the current ESOP fiduciary by taking on the role of the decision maker. This entry of an independent trustee or fiduciary provides a safe harbor to the executive from violations of the federal law standard business judgment rule, conflicts of interest, prohibited transactions and/or charges of uninformed decision-making.
Then, after the review and decision is made by the independent fiduciary, the executive can resume their role as trustee or fiduciary. This gives necessary protection to current plan fiduciaries who are also company executives without requiring the intervention and long term added expense of a permanent trustee/fiduciary replacement.

FIDUCIARY SERVICES, INC.
DANIEL M. RESER, JD
President, Investment Counsel
Phone: (415) 482-9513
Mobile: (310) 968-7022
Fax: (415) 276-1736
[email protected]
www.fiservinc.com