Trusts and foundations

Flexible solutions tailored to your needs

The future belongs to those who plan for it. When planning to pass on your wealth or protect your assets, it's never too early to consider a trust or charitable foundation. Want to set up a family trust to protect your loved ones, create a profit-sharing scheme for employees or build a foundation for charitable purposes? We have the knowledge and experience to act as your trustee.

Learn more about trusts

What is the definition of a trust?

The trust concept originates in English common law and effectively divides legal ownership (law) from beneficial ownership (equity). Assets held in trust are legally owned by the trustee, but are beneficially owned by the beneficiaries. The trustee must always administer the trust assets in the best interests of the beneficiaries.

A trust is established when the owner of assets, the settlor, transfers or 'settles' assets upon a trustee to hold and administer for the benefit of beneficiaries, who may include family members, other individuals, charities, and/or the settlor.

What is wealth succession planning?

Wealth succession planning governs the transfer of assets upon an individual's death. Trusts have been used for succession and estate planning for centuries and continue to offer flexible and reliable ways to help safeguard your assets and transfer them smoothly to the next generation.

What is a Trust Fund?

The trust fund can in principle hold any type of asset, but will typically consist of a well diversified portfolio of financial assets. At UBS, we specialise in financial assets and focus on these in our trust structures.

What duties do trustees have when investing in funds?

Trustees have a duty to invest unless this is specifically removed by the terms of the trust, aiming for income yield or capital appreciation. They must avoid speculative investments and maintain a balanced and diversified portfolio. If the settlor wishes to engage in more speculative investments, they can strip investment powers from the trustees, appointing others to manage the investments.

What are the trustee's obligations regarding disclosure?

It’s now the norm for trustees to disclose information about trusts to tax authorities. They disclose the fact of the trust, the settlor and the distributions to beneficiaries. Nowadays this is done under the rules developed by the OECD.

What are the tax implications of a trust?

Anyone intending to establish a trust should obtain and understand independent legal and tax advice on the tax implications for the settlor, the beneficiaries and the trustee, and also the reporting consequences.

Learn more about trusts – our video

Why choose UBS as your trustee?

As a leading and truly global wealth manager* we combine global expertise with local knowledge to provide holistic advice for all your wealth management needs. We help you build a lasting legacy for your children and future generations.

As your trustee we advise on estate planning, tax optimisation, establishing charitable foundations, wealth management of trust assets and trust administration. We provide comprehensive solutions tailored to your circumstances so you can protect your family wealth.  

How our trust companies work

We have fully licensed trust companies in Jersey (Channel Islands), the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Singapore. Our trust companies are 100% subsidiaries of UBS AG, with trust professionals based in various locations, and are part of our wealth protection solutions.

Our trustees can hold all forms of cash, securities, structured products and other bankable assets. We can look after your trust needs even when you have more than one banking relationship, by holding bankable assets with third-party banks. In some circumstances, our trust companies can also hold non-bankable assets such as real estate.

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Your benefits of setting up a trust with UBS

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Customised trust solutions

Together with our trust advisors we'll discuss your priorities and concerns, then work with your legal and tax advisors to design and create a suitable trust.

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Legacy that lasts

Your family trust can continue to hold your family's wealth for the benefit of your children and future generations. It can also help you do good – many charitable foundations are set up as trusts. Charitable trusts typically give to charities or perform philanthropic tasks.

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Your assets protected

Your family trust can protect your wealth from events you can't control, such as political instability. It can also control the flow of income to beneficiaries. This is useful for children who are young and can't yet manage money. It's also useful for parents worried about their children divorcing in the future.

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Tax efficient

Your trust may be tax efficient in certain circumstances, subject to advice from a tax advisor qualified in the relevant jurisdictions.

What if circumstances change?

Your beneficiaries’ needs are likely to change over time, and the person who set up the trust (the settlor) can discuss these needs periodically with the trustee.

Trust law in certain jurisdictions allows the settlor to retain some control, such as appointing and removing trustees and managing the trust's assets. Depending on your goals in settling the trust, it may not be appropriate for you to retain certain powers. However, the fact that it's possible to do so means we can make your trusts flexible enough to meet your changing wealth protection or estate planning needs.

Frequently asked questions

Your capital is at risk. The value of an investment may fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount.

UBS does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your independent tax/legal advisor for specific advice before entering into or refraining from entering into any services or investments.

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