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Bridgeford’s Upcoming Industry Events: March and April Bridgeford is looking forward to connecting with friends and colleagues at a number of upcoming events across the country in March and April. From hosting and co-hosting gatherings to speaking and sponsoring leading industry conferences, these events provide valuable opportunities for engagement across the industry. We value the opportunity for meaningful conversations around trust planning, including the advantages of South Dakota’s modern trust laws and Bridgeford’s independent, conflict-free approach. If you’ll be attending any of the events below, we would welcome the opportunity to meet, so please reach out if you’d like to schedule a time during the events! Bridgeford Trust Company, in collaboration with the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and Trusted Advisor, is pleased to host Women Shaping Business Today: Perspectives That Matter, an evening dedicated to celebrating the impact of women in business. The program will feature a moderated panel discussion led by Sydney Warren, Managing Director at Bridgeford, with accomplished women leaders including Lisa Neal (Partner at Rutan & Tucker), Charlene Reynolds (Airport Director at John Wayne Airport), and Annette Walker (President of City of Hope Orange County), who will share insights on leadership, career growth, and navigating today’s professional landscape. A networking reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres will follow the discussion. Date & Time: Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 5:30 PM Bridgeford Trust Company, along with Trusted Advisor, Schroders Wealth Management, and Global Citizen Solutions, is co-hosting a private breakfast and discussion ahead of the STEP NY Institute. The program will feature insights from speakers, along with time for networking with fellow attendees. David Warren, Co-Founder & Chairman, and Doug Mikkonen, Senior VP & Senior Trust Officer, will share perspectives on onshore and offshore asset protection strategies, as well as privacy considerations under U.S. trust law. Date & Time: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Bridgeford Trust Company is proud to once again sponsor STEP New York’s 21st Annual International Estate Planning Institute, taking place at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. This premier event brings together leading professionals to discuss cross-border planning developments with a U.S. component. David Warren and Doug Mikkonen will be in attendance throughout the conference, including the pre-institute cocktail reception, and will be available at our table during the event. If you’re attending, be sure to stop by to connect with us. Bridgeford Trust Company and Affinity, a global corporate services provider supporting private wealth and asset structuring, are hosting a networking reception during the Palm Beach International Boat Show. Sydney Warren will be attending along with the Affinity team and looks forward to welcoming guests for an evening of conversation during this exciting week in Palm Beach. Date & Time: Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Bridgeford Trust Company is pleased to sponsor the 4th edition of the International Private Client Conference (IPCC): Miami Global 2026, which is held at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel and brings together professionals focused on international private client, tax, and cross-border wealth planning. Sydney Warren and Ozzy Martinez, Trust Officer at Bridgeford Trust Company and Managing Director of Bridgeford Global, will be at our exhibit table throughout the day. We would welcome the chance to meet if you are planning to attend. We always value the opportunity to spend time with the advisors and professionals we work with across the country and internationally. If you’ll be attending any of these events, or will be in the area, please feel free to reach out to coordinate time to connect. Follow Bridgeford Trust Company on LinkedIn for event updates, or reach out directly at (605) 224-9189 or via our contact form. The post Bridgeford’s Upcoming Industry Events: March and April appeared first on Bridgeford Trust Company. International trust planning has become a prominent focus for advisors as global families navigate an increasingly complex cross-border environment. Citizenship, residency, business interests, and beneficiaries often span multiple jurisdictions, each with its own legal, tax, and regulatory considerations. As a result, families and advisors must consider how both domestic and foreign trusts are structured not only to achieve objectives, but to function reliably across borders over time. As global families’ personal, financial, and geographic ties become more interconnected, cross-border considerations increasingly arise in trust discussions, including: As these scenarios become more common, advisors are increasingly focused on trust solutions that offer flexibility and stability. One structure frequently used in international planning is the Foreign Grantor Trust (FGT). For U.S. tax purposes, a trust’s classification as “foreign” depends on satisfying both the court test and the control test as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. When properly structured, a South Dakota Foreign Grantor Trust may be treated as a foreign trust for U.S. tax purposes while remaining a U.S. trust from a legal and administrative standpoint. This distinction plays an important role for international families, including foreign-born individuals living in the U.S., foreign persons holding U.S. assets, and families addressing repatriation, reporting, taxation, or privacy concerns. The ability to combine offshore-equivalent tax treatment with the stability and clarity of U.S. trust administration can be a compelling planning tool. At the same time, maintaining the intended status of a Foreign Grantor Trust requires more than thoughtful drafting. Long-term success depends on disciplined fiduciary processes, consistent administration, and a clear understanding of both U.S. tax requirements and the legal framework governing the trust. International families often face a choice between domestic and offshore asset protection, but effective asset protection strategies frequently incorporate elements of both. Domestic trust jurisdictions with progressive modern trust laws can offer stability, strong governance frameworks, and predictable fiduciary oversight. Offshore structures may also play a role in certain asset protection or international planning scenarios. South Dakota law provides a framework that allows domestic and offshore asset protection strategies to be integrated within a single trust instrument. This approach allows families and their advisors to preserve the benefits of U.S.-based administration while maintaining access to offshore protections when needed. For international families navigating an evolving regulatory and transparency landscape, coordinated asset protection strategies offer a way to balance flexibility with control and long-term reliability. At Bridgeford, international trust planning has continued to grow as advisors and families seek fiduciary partners with experience navigating both the technical and practical realities of cross-border structures. That growth has been driven by client needs and by the recognition that international trust work requires dedicated focus, specialized expertise, and consistent execution over time. Bridgeford Global was established to support this expanding international footprint and the evolving needs of global families with cross-border trust structures. Operating as the worldwide planning entity within the Bridgeford family of companies, Bridgeford Global promotes the power of U.S. modern trust law, and South Dakota-based fiduciary solutions in particular, through its sister company, Bridgeford Trust Company. The team brings together professionals with experience in foreign trust administration, governance, and coordination, helping ensure that these structures are implemented thoughtfully and administered in a manner consistent with their long-term objectives. For additional insight into the advantages of South Dakota trust law—including asset protection, privacy, directed trusts, and more—explore our educational brochure, which provides a deeper overview of important modern trust law concepts for international families and their advisors. If you have questions about foreign trust structures, domestic and offshore asset protection, or Bridgeford’s approach to international trust planning, please reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189. The post International Trust Planning for Global Families appeared first on Bridgeford Trust Company. Episode 55 is now available on Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction and Control podcast! In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Steve Rosansky – President and CEO of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce – for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, community commitment, and what it takes to build (and rebuild) a thriving business organization. Steve shares his personal path from real estate law and entrepreneurship to public service, serving nine years on the Newport Beach City Council, including a year as mayor, and how that experience shaped his approach to relationship-building, advocacy, and long-term community investment—values that closely align with Bridgeford’s own commitment to independence and community engagement as we continue to grow our presence in California. The conversation then turns to one of the most compelling chapters of Steve’s career: stepping into Chamber leadership at a moment of real financial distress and helping guide a full turnaround while simultaneously reinventing programming and events to keep members engaged and ensure the Chamber remains relevant in a changing business landscape. You can listen to our latest episode on Bridgeford’s podcast page, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and SoundCloud—or watch it on our YouTube channel. As mentioned in this episode, Bridgeford Trust Company is proud to collaborate with the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce on our upcoming event, Women Shaping Business Today: Perspectives That Matter, taking place on March 19 at the Lido House in Newport Beach. The evening will feature a moderated panel discussion with accomplished women leaders sharing candid insights on leadership, career growth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Learn more and register by clicking here. If you have questions on any of the topics discussed in this latest episode or our upcoming event with the Chamber, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189. The post Podcast Episode 55 – Leadership, Community, and Reinvention with Steve Rosansky appeared first on Bridgeford Trust Company. Bridgeford Trust Company, in collaboration with the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and Trusted Advisor, invites you to Women Shaping Business Today: Perspectives That Matter, an evening dedicated to celebrating and lifting up women in business. This event will feature a moderated panel discussion with accomplished women leaders from across the legal, public, and nonprofit sectors. Panelists will share candid insights on leadership, career growth, and challenges in today’s workplace, along with the paths they have navigated to lead with impact and resilience. Together, these leaders bring diverse perspectives shaped by decades of experience leading complex organizations, navigating evolving professional landscapes, and driving meaningful impact within their fields. Following the discussion, guests are invited to continue the conversation during a networking reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Date & Time: Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 5:30 PM Whether you are an established professional, an emerging leader, or committed to supporting women in business, this evening offers a thoughtful and engaging opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting evening in Newport Beach! If you have any questions, please contact info@bridgefordtrust.com. The post Women Shaping Business Today: Perspectives That Matter – March 19 in Newport Beach appeared first on Bridgeford Trust Company. Bridgeford Trust Company recently had the opportunity to join the Newton Knowledge Podcast, hosted by Newton One Advisors, a national life insurance planning firm and member of the M Financial Group. Their podcast is designed to provide practitioner-focused insight for advisors and professionals navigating sophisticated insurance, estate planning, wealth transfer, and executive benefit strategies. In the episode, David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford, joins hosts Mark Singer and Steve Target of Newton One Advisors for a wide-ranging conversation on modern trust planning, jurisdictional strategy, and why independence has become one of the most critical issues facing families, founders, and advisors today. David shares the personal and professional journey that led him from practicing law and leadership roles at large financial institutions to building Bridgeford as a purpose-built, independent trust company. Along the way, he explains what initially troubled him about the traditional “bundled” financial services model, where banks act simultaneously as trustee, asset manager, lender, and insurance provider, and how those conflicts ultimately inspired a fundamentally different approach. The discussion explores why trust situs matters, how modern trust statutes—particularly in leading jurisdictions like South Dakota—have reshaped asset protection, privacy, and fiduciary administration, and why directed trust structures have become essential tools for families operating in an increasingly complex and uncertain environment. David also addresses broader industry trends, including consolidation, private equity ownership of trust companies, and why he believes true fiduciary alignment requires long-term independence and clarity around succession and control. Throughout the episode, David weaves in the mindset that shaped Bridgeford’s culture, from entrepreneurial influences like The 4-Hour Workweek and Think and Grow Rich to his belief that modern trust planning is not just about documents, but about building durable structures that can withstand disruption, regulatory change, and generational transition. You can listen to this episode of the Newton Knowledge Podcast through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. If you have questions about any of the topics discussed in this episode, including trust situs, directed trusts, asset protection, or independent fiduciary solutions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189. The post Importance of Trust Planning and Situs: Bridgeford Featured on the Newton Knowledge Podcast appeared first on Bridgeford Trust Company. | |
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