Custodial & Trust Services

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry hold or manage assets for the benefit of an individual or business. Major companies include the custodial or trust operations of Bank of New York Mellon, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, and State Street Bank and Trust (all based in the US), as well as BNP Paribas (France), HSBC (the UK), and Royal Bank of Canada.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by demographic and market trends such as the growing population of retirees and the accumulation of wealth and investable assets. The profitability of individual companies depends on the volume and performance of the assets they hold. Large companies have advantages in providing expertise in a wide range of custodian or trustee services. Small companies can compete by focusing on a single service or type of trust. The US industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for more than 85% of revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major custodial services include the holding and safekeeping of assets for a client, collecting interests and dividends, and providing statements of accounts. While a custodian's duties are limited, a trustee typically has a higher level of responsibility to ensure that the trust achieves the goals set by its creators. Trustee services may include managing investments of the trust, paying taxes, and making distributions in accordance with the terms of the trust. Assets held in custody remain in the name of the account holder; assets held in trust are...