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Bell Bank · 1 month ago

SVP/Chief Fiduciary Officer & Fiduciary Legal Counsel

Fargo, ND

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

10+ years exp

Bell Bank is a family-and employee-owned bank headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, known for providing exceptional personal service. The SVP/Chief Fiduciary Officer & Fiduciary Legal Counsel is responsible for overseeing the legal and compliance framework for fiduciary administration within the Wealth Management Division, ensuring adherence to regulations and supporting strategic initiatives.

BankingFinanceFinancial Services

Responsibilities

Serve as internal legal counsel on all fiduciary matters, including trust and estate administration, qualified plan compliance, IRA administration, and investment management relationships

Provide technical guidance and review of fiduciary actions across common trust funds and all WMD-managed accounts

Oversee fiduciary litigation and manage outside legal counsel when the bank is responsible for legal fees

Regularly review and update the Fiduciary Administration Manual and relevant governance documentation

Review and approve all irrevocable trust agreements to determine if appropriate for Bell Bank to serve as fiduciary

Review all state and federal estate tax returns

Lead fiduciary compliance efforts for the Wealth Management Division (excluding Bell Investments), ensuring adherence to applicable state and federal regulations in North Dakota, Minnesota, Arizona, and future locations

Prepare and submit the Quarterly Trust Officer's Questionnaire to the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions (ND DFI)

Serve as the WMD representative to the Corporate Compliance Committee, Financial Crimes Committee, and other enterprise-wide risk management initiatives

Oversee and facilitate fiduciary components of FDIC/DFI examinations, common trust fund audits, and other internal or third-party audits

Assess and advise on fiduciary insurance coverage, including evaluation and renewal of policies

Review of mass marketing materials

Collaborate with the WMD Managing Director and senior leadership on divisional strategic planning and execution of key initiatives

Guide and support enterprise and divisional projects that intersect with legal, compliance, and fiduciary matters

Review Service Organization Control (SOC) reports and assess vendor risk from a legal and compliance perspective

Participate with division leaders in negotiating contract

Assist division leaders with vendor management issues

Participate selectively in client meetings and sales efforts by providing legal and fiduciary expertise, particularly in estate planning discussions with high-net-worth individuals and prospects

Cultivate relationships with key centers of influence (e.g., attorneys, accountants, family offices) to support growth and client retention

Review and approve mass marketing materials and broad client communications for compliance and legal accuracy

Provide fiduciary legal support to the WMD Managing Director on board governance, regulatory reporting, and enterprise alignment

Manage client complaints relating to fiduciary matters and report trends, concerns, and outcomes to Enterprise Risk Management

Handle special fiduciary administration projects requiring complex legal and regulatory oversight

Qualification

Fiduciary LawTrustEstate AdministrationRegulatory ComplianceStrategic PlanningERISA KnowledgeClient Relationship ManagementLeadership SkillsDiscretionCommunication SkillsProblem SolvingInterpersonal SkillsDetail OrientedIntegritySelf-Motivated

Required

Bachelor's degree in finance, business, or related field; or equivalent related work experience

Law degree, eligible to practice and consult on fiduciary matters in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona

Minimum 10+ years of legal experience with at least 5 years focused on fiduciary law, trust and estate administration, or wealth management legal support

Superior working knowledge and experience in Trusts and Estates Planning and Administration, Fiduciary Tax and Accounting Principles and the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to banks with trust powers

Experience supporting business development or client relationship teams in a legal or technical fiduciary advisory capacity

Working knowledge of ERISA and related retirement planning regulations

Strong leadership skills and effective written and spoken communication skills

Ability to resolve problems of complex nature and be able to prioritize

Experience with sophisticated estate planning and high net worth clients

Self-motivated, detail and quality oriented

Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, particularly in cross-functional, client-facing, and enterprise governance environments

High degree of integrity, professional judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive fiduciary matters

Strategic thinker with the ability to align legal strategy with business goals