A Nod to History and an Eye to the Future

Commentary by Ted Bridges

Ted Bridges, 2024

Bridges Trust is at the cusp of the next chapter in its history that dates to 1945, when the Firm was founded by Marvin W. Bridges, who was the 208^th registrant under the Securities Act of 1940 and the first registrant in Nebraska.

Since that time, the Firm has been led by a member of the Bridges Family.

On July 1, Nick Wilwerding will become the Chief Executive Officer of Bridges Trust, and Jack Holmes will become the Chief Investment Officer of Bridges Trust, positions that I have held for decades.

This transition is the result of succession planning that is designed to position the Firm as a premier investment management and trust services organization – one with talent and experience that can be brought to bear for its multi-generational client base and situate the Firm for growth in the depth and breadth of its service capabilities for generations to come.

The Outlook 

Bridges Trust has seen remarkable growth, with assets under management rising from approximately $2 billion to $9.5 billion, client relationships doubling from 300 to 600, and employees tripling from 25 to 75 since 2017. The firm now offers its most extensive range of investment strategies and client services to date and brand recognition has notably increased. With the firm’s investment performance, robust organizational momentum, and a client-centric culture, we are well-equipped to compete to win large, complex new client mandates. Bridges Trust is poised for continued success as it enters the next chapter in its history.

Bridges Trust has never had stronger client relationships, a stronger service platform, stronger processes, more talent, and more significant growth opportunities than it does today.

I believe the success of Bridges Trust in coming decades will rest on six primary pillars:

1. The support and patience of our client base
2. The talent, creativity, resilience, and work ethic of our people
3. Our ability to effectively help meet client objectives through adroit management of client assets
4. Our willingness and ability to innovate, develop, and successfully implement new investment strategies and ancillary services that meet ever-increasing complexity in both capital markets and client needs
5. Our ability to effectively leverage our most powerful competitive advantages:  our people, our culture, and our long-term approach to investing client capital
6. The ongoing evolution of the Firm’s distinctive culture that places clients’ interests first, always does the right thing, and always seeks to develop our people and grow their skills such that they are empowered to provide exceptional service to our clients over decades

Our success has been, and will continue to be based on our people, and their ability to communicate, build relationships, earn trust, solve problems, allocate capital wisely, and prioritize client and team interests.  

Clients

Bridges Trust has been fortunate to have an extremely supportive and patient client base.

Without clients, there would be no Bridges Trust.

Capital markets are volatile, risky, and inherently unpredictable. Notwithstanding a cogent investment philosophy and a strong investment process, results will inevitably be disappointing at times. Consequently, the patience of our client base, especially through difficult times, is essential to the long-term success of the Firm.

As we move forward, we will enhance our client-centric focus, and will continue to build and broaden our capabilities, refine and improve our processes, and drive our ability to effectively serve our clients across multiple generations.

Culture

I believe Bridges Trust’s culture is a foundational competitive advantage based on our core values of excellence, relationships, growth, service, and diligence. This culture shapes how we serve clients and collaborate internally. With our high client retention rate and a legacy of serving multi-generational families, we feel that our culture deeply resonates with clients, and is the bedrock of the Firm’s identity, a powerful competitive advantage, and a force of attraction for both clients and talented individuals.

Gratitude

I have been incredibly fortunate to work at Bridges Trust for 41 years. Over the past four decades, our team has driven significant business value growth. We have successfully managed client capital through volatility, risk, uncertainty, and change in the global economy, capital markets, and society at large.

I am grateful for the contributions of every person that has been at the Firm over those 41 years. “Bridges Trust” is the ultimate team sport – and I am grateful for the successes that our team has accomplished through a myriad of challenges.

As Co-Chairman of the Bridges Holding Company Board, my focus will be on governance. I will continue to work with clients, work with our investment team, and develop new business opportunities, as Nick and Jack assume responsibility for the day-to-day results of the firm. 

I’ve been privileged to work for clients that are amazingly supportive, and with a talented collection of professionals who are committed to serving our clients to the utmost of their ability. I am excited about the next several decades because of the expansive and promising opportunities for Bridges Trust, and the talented team that we have assembled to address those opportunities.

Let’s turn the page together.

– Ted Bridges

Bridges Trust Company Thought Leadership Disclosure