Our story begins with a simple observation: the trust industry wasn’t keeping pace with the needs of advisors, beneficiaries, or modern families. In 2008, several of our co‑founders—each with deep experience in fiduciary services—recognized recurring challenges within traditional trust companies: slow response times, limited creativity in problem‑solving, disorganized processes, and a reluctance to challenge long‑standing norms. These issues often surfaced during critical moments such as distributions, tax reporting, and onboarding.
Drawing on our shared history working together at Ernst & Young, our founders saw an opportunity to build something different. Instead of accepting the limitations of a centuries‑old industry, we set out to create a trust company from the ground up—one designed to think differently, operate more efficiently, and put advisors and families at the center of the experience.
In 2015, our innovative approach was recognized when we were named Best New Financial Product by the PAM Awards. Since then, we’ve continued to grow as a leading South Dakota‑chartered trust company, known for our commitment to independence, flexibility, and advisor‑friendly service.
We believe beneficiaries and advisors deserve the freedom to choose the financial solutions that best serve them. That belief drives us to challenge traditional trust company constraints and to build a system of checks and balances that gives families a meaningful voice in the administration of their financial affairs. Our trust services are intentionally designed to be efficient, transparent, and non‑disruptive—supporting the advisor relationship rather than competing with it.
Our employees are the heart of our organization. They embody our core values—growth‑oriented, open and honest, adaptive to change, and committed to a can‑do mindset. These values are not slogans; they guide how we work, how we support one another, and how we serve our clients. We know that excellence is a daily pursuit, and we strive to deliver a better trustee experience every day.
I would like to take this opportunity to share with you why I have chosen Wealth Advisors Trust Company to be my trustees for my clients. They have shown me the utmost professionalism in dealing with my client’s legal documents and their fiduciary responsibilities. Not to mention they have been able to help my client’s portfolios performance because of their domicile favorable tax structure. In closing, they bring you knowledge, experience, and expertise across the broad range of wealth structuring disciplines.”
– Wayne G.
We’ve been thrilled with Wealth Advisors Trust’s willingness to be what we need them to be for our clients to have their best outcomes. We get to be the face the relationship, Wealth Advisors Trust provides the information we need when we need it, and when necessary, will join us in contact with the client as issues arise. We’ve had nothing but positive experiences with Wealth Advisors Trust and see those experiences continuing to improve as they adapt to our needs and preferences.
– Ryan H.
WATC was flexible with their product offering to help me bring in a multi-million dollar client that I would not have been able to do otherwise. Their ability to aid clients while allowing me to maintain relationships is key to my long-term success. Our office appreciates all they help with if we have any questions.
– Jim C.
