Argent Trust, Independence Trust Company to Combine
MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Brooks Campany
Argent Financial Group, Inc.
bcampany@argenttrust.com
p:615.385.2345 f:615.385.2818
Nashville, Tennessee – Argent Financial Group today announced that its subsidiary Argent Trust Company has entered into an agreement to combine the firm with Franklin-based Independence Trust Company in a move that will significantly broaden Independence Trust’s client service offerings and complement Argent’s trust, wealth management, institutional and ESOP trustee services.
With this addition, Argent Financial Group – which serves 12 states from 25 offices throughout the southeastern US – is responsible for over $16 billion in client assets. In terms of assets and number of offices, it is the largest independent, trust-based wealth management firm in the South. The company offers a broad array of services, ranging from traditional trust and investment management services to specialized offerings like management of timberland and oil and gas holdings.
Independence Trust Company, founded in Franklin 20 years ago, is an independent, privately-owned trust company offering trust administration, investment management, cemetery and funeral trust management, and financial planning. Following completion of the merger, Independence Trust’s professional team, led by Greer Redden and Marshall Bartlett, will join the existing Argent Trust staff at Argent’s offices in Nashville at the American Center, 3102 West End Ave. Clients of Independence will continue to be served by the same professionals.
“This was an opportunity for us to leverage what we have built into a larger platform that can better serve our clients and community, while providing growth opportunities to our employees,” said Greer Redden, President of Independence Trust Company. “We are excited about the additional resources that Argent will bring to our clients and the opportunity to add our unique services to Argent.”
Bartlett added, “Choosing to partner with the Argent family was done after years of knowing each other and watching our respective businesses grow. We share the same values and commitment to clients, and we will be stronger together. Argent understands the value that an independent wealth management firm brings to its clients. Together, we will offer a depth and range of trust and investment services, cemetery and real estate management, and retirement plan advisory services that is unmatched by any other service provider in middle Tennessee.”
“We are very fortunate to add Greer, Marshall and their talented team at Independence Trust Company to our expanding, trust-based Argent family,” said Argent Trust CEO Howard Safer. “Argent prides itself on providing customized solutions to its wealth management clients. The addition of the Independence team enhances our ability to service clients, further emphasizing our core fiduciary principals. We look forward to continuing to grow our presence in Middle Tennessee together.”
Argent CEO Kyle McDonald added, “Argent’s model is to support highly experienced, local professionals by providing the full resources, experience and technological support of a major regional wealth management organization, all from a core based on sound fiduciary principles. The Independence Trust team fits us well and we look forward to growing together.”
About Independence Trust Company
Independence Trust was formed in 1997 in Franklin, Tennessee to offer an alternative to the more traditional bank trust department. This founding created a company with the scope to look at broad financial situations for clients and their advisors, rather than providing a solution that addresses only a part of their needs. With clients throughout the U.S., Independence Trust’s services to individuals, families and institutions may include trustee, agent for trustee, investment management, custody of assets and family office services. For more information, visit www.IndependenceTrust.com.
About Argent Financial Group
Argent Financial Group, Inc. was formed in 1990 and traces its roots back to 1930. Responsible for more than $16 billion in client assets, Argent Financial Group is a diversified wealth management entity providing individuals and businesses in the Southern U.S. with a broad range of services including trust administration and related services, investment management, retirement plan and charitable organization administration, mineral (oil and gas) management and financial, retirement and estate planning. For more information, visit www.argentcares.com.
