FLORIDA TRUST SCHOOL &
FLORIDA GRADUATE TRUST SCHOOL
July 15-20, 2012: Embassy Suites USF, Tampa

Click here to download a brochure for the Florida Trust School

Click here to download a brochure for the Florida Graduate Trust School

Click here to download a Class Schedule for the Florida Trust School

Click here to download a Grad I Class Scheduled for the Florida Graduate Trust School

Click here to download a Grad II Class Scheduled for the Florida Graduate Trust School

Take advantage of the opportunity to sit for the CTFA exam sponsored by the ICB, to be held immediately after the Florida Graduate Trust School, on Saturday, July 21st, 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon, at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Please click here for more information on how to register for the exam.

The 2012 session of the Florida Trust School and the Florida Graduate Trust School is scheduled to be held at the Embassy Suites USF on the University of South Florida Campus.

Please be aware that all students will need to make and pay for their own sleeping room reservations. It is recommended by the School that students stay at the Embassy Suites USF for close proximity to the School and classrooms. The hotel is located at 3705 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33612, 813-977-7066. It is however, the student's final decision as to where to make their lodging accommodations. We highly suggest you make your reservations early to secure your rooms, even if you don't know yet for sure who will be attending from your bank.

The first year Florida Trust School introduces the novice to the world of trust banking. The targeted audience includes the customer service representative and administrative assistant. Personnel with an interest in the trust industry may enroll, whether from the commercial banking side or the trust side. Upon completion of the program the student will receive a certificate. The curriculum introduces students to the trust industry and reviews its history. The establishment, structure, purpose, and general activities of a typical trust department are included.

The Florida Graduate Trust School encompasses two years of study and caters to the advanced trust officer offering graduate level courses. This advanced two year school must be taken in sequence and once students are enrolled, it is presumed that they will continue through the second year, graduate and receive a diploma. The curriculum covers administration of estates and trusts, and offers specialized topics on pertinent issues affecting the trust industry. Students completing both years will receive an excellent education, and will be equipped to contribute to the trust and estate planning team within their organization.

For the past sixteen years an opportunity has been offered to bankers with the Certified Trust Financial Advisor (CTFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations to earn continuing education credits needed in maintaining their certification. This program allows registrants to attend classes from one day to a whole week at either the graduate level I or II of the FGTS. No exam is given and specified CTFA & CFP credit will be received for each class attended. A brochure with a registration form will be available to download approximately 30 days before the school session.

Each year the school experience begins with registration on Sunday afternoon where the students receive their school materials and check into the hotel.

Later that evening the First Year students attend orientation while the Grad II students pose for their class photo. Later everyone enjoys the welcome reception and begins to get to know one another better. After the reception everyone eats dinner at the opening banquet.

After the opening festivities that evening the students quickly put their noses to the grindstone early Monday morning and apply their energies to learning and studying the prepared curriculum.

Each year, the FBA Florida Graduate Trust School presents the Honor Graduate Award to a Graduate Level II student who has been singled out by the directors and staff as the outstanding class graduate. Criteria for the selection of the Honor Graduate includes: scholastic achievement during the two-year course of study, contribution to and participation in class, and overall personal contribution within the student body. The selection is made from the top 10% of Grad II students according to grades. The name of the honor graduate is announced at the graduation on Friday, and awarded a plaque at the next FBA Annual Wealth Management Conference.

2011 Florida Graduate Trust School Honor Graduate
Letitia Washington, GWIM Operations Analyst
U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Tampa

The Florida Trust School and Florida Graduate Trust School could not operate without the dedicated industry professionals that make up the board of directors. These pictured below contribute their talents, skills, knowledge, expertise, and time to assure that these schools are pertinent, timely and give the attending students the tools needed to become valuable assets to their institutions.

2011 FTS & FGTS Board of Directors
(from left to right)
Donald A. Kress, Senior Vice President, Northern Trust, N.A., Miami
Joseph Dionisio, SVP/Wealth Management Consultant,
Wells Fargo the Private Bank, New York
Kerry Edwards, SVP, Wealth Management Division
Lydian Bank and Trust, Naples
Steven Tinkler, S.V.P./Fiduciary Services Manager,
SunTrust Bank, Ft. Lauderdale
Debra M. McCloskey, V.P./Trust Officer, (not in picture)
Comerica Bank Wealth Management, Palm Beach Gardens

Each year the Grad I students select officers to represent them and take the lead on class activities for the following school session.

2011 FGTS Grad II Class Officers
(from rear left to right)
Susan Chicone, Class Treasurer, FineMark Nat'l Bank & Trust, Fort Myers
Cinnamon Fernandez, Class President, Raymond James Trust, St. Petersburg
Elizabeth Hackett, Class Secretary, Lydian Bank & Trust, Naples
Naysa Robinson, Class V.P., Members Trust Company, Tampa

After three years for most students, of studying, attending class, and submitting home study problems, the hard work pays off and graduation is right around the corner. These graduates below would tell you that it was a long grueling process but very much worth the effort. Many friendships were begun and strengthened, skills gained, and they walked away as a more valuable employee with a greater knowledge of their industry.

Florida Graduate Trust School
2011 Graduating Class

The 2012 session will be held from July 15th-20th at the Embassy Suites USF in Tampa. All students are required to make and pay for their own sleeping room reservations. For additional information and registration forms on the Florida Trust School and the Florida Graduate Trust School, please email Angela Foster at the FBA Education Department or contact her by telephone at (850) 224-2265.