Business Details
30 Years
experience
Trusted Fiduciary Services in Pittsburgh
Smithfield Trust was founded in 1996 with a clear mission: to prioritize client interests through fiduciary excellence. Our legacy began with Robert Y. Kopf Jr., whose vision established a trust company free from institutional conflicts, focusing solely on personalized wealth management. As a Pennsylvania-chartered trust company, we operate under rigorous fiduciary standards, offering tailored solutions in trust administration, investment management, tax planning, and estate services. Our team of seasoned professionals brings decades of collective experience, ensuring continuity and deep client relationships. We distinguish ourselves through a boutique approach that eliminates bureaucratic barriers, providing transparent, flexible strategies aligned with each client's unique goals.With global reach and Pittsburgh roots, we serve families, institutions, and advisors worldwide, safeguarding assets while minimizing tax liabilities. Our commitment to integrity, ethical stewardship, and multigenerational planning has earned us enduring client trust. We collaborate closely with legal and tax professionals to deliver comprehensive solutions, emphasizing long-term legacy preservation. This unwavering focus on client needs, combined with our regulatory expertise and personalized service model, positions us as a leader in fiduciary management.
Services
Trust & Fiduciary Services
Investment Management
Tax Planning
Estate Administration
Charitable Planning
Executor Services
Wealth Preservation
Fiduciary Tax Preparation
Legacy Planning
Global Asset Management
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- Established in 1996 with continuous leadership and institutional knowledge
- Boutique firm offering non-bureaucratic, personalized fiduciary solutions
- Regulated under Pennsylvania's strict trust company standards
- Transparent fee structures and investment strategies
- Specialized in multigenerational wealth transfer and tax optimization
Associations and certifications
- Pennsylvania Department of Banking
What people say
Personalized attention
Expertise in estate planning
Transparent fee structures
Long-term reliability
Specialized fiduciary knowledge
Services
Trust & Fiduciary Services
We provide comprehensive trust administration services including trustee responsibilities, fiduciary discretion, and beneficiary coordination. Our team serves as Trustee for revocable/irrevocable trusts and retirement accounts while maintaining strict compliance with regulatory requirements. We specialize in complex trust structures requiring court accountings and charitable trust administration.
Investment Management
Our customized investment solutions combine tactical strategies with holistic wealth planning. We develop tax-efficient portfolios aligned with individual goals, managing both trust assets and personal investments. Our approach integrates market analysis with client-specific risk tolerance assessments to optimize long-term growth and capital preservation.
Tax Planning
We offer complete tax preparation services for individuals, corporations, and trusts. Our team specializes in fiduciary tax returns, estate tax planning, and charitable giving strategies. We develop customized tax mitigation approaches that align with broader wealth management objectives while ensuring full regulatory compliance.
Estate Administration
Our estate administration services include executor support, asset management, and probate compliance. We guide clients through complex estate settlements, handling tax filings, creditor claims, and asset distribution. We collaborate with legal counsel to implement estate plans while maintaining transparency with beneficiaries throughout the process.
Charitable Planning
We specialize in creating strategic charitable giving plans that maximize tax benefits while achieving philanthropic goals. Our services include establishing private foundations, managing charitable trusts, and structuring donor-advised funds. We help clients balance charitable intentions with wealth preservation strategies for both individuals and institutions.
People
Elizabeth J. Poggi
President & CEO
As President & CEO, Elizabeth leads Smithfield's team of fiduciary experts with over 25 years of trust management experience. She oversees strategic operations while maintaining direct client relationships, ensuring adherence to the company's founding principles of integrity and personalized service.
Timothy D. Rice
Chairman & Chief Investment Officer
Timothy directs investment strategy and portfolio management with expertise in market analysis and asset allocation. His leadership ensures Smithfield's investment approach remains aligned with client objectives while maintaining rigorous fiduciary standards.
Robert Y. Kopf
Founder
Robert established Smithfield in 1996 with a vision for conflict-free fiduciary services. His legacy continues through the company's commitment to personalized wealth management and ethical stewardship, serving as the foundation for our client-first philosophy.
Kimberly Jackson
Chief Fiduciary Officer
Kimberly oversees trust operations and fiduciary compliance with extensive experience in complex estate structures. She ensures all trust administrations meet regulatory requirements while maintaining Smithfield's high service standards for client asset protection.
Thomas R. Kopf
Executive Vice President
Thomas manages trust and estate services with specialized knowledge in multigenerational wealth transfer. He implements customized solutions for high-net-worth clients, focusing on legacy preservation and tax-efficient asset distribution strategies.
Questions
What distinguishes Smithfield Trust Company from other financial institutions?
We operate exclusively as a fiduciary, prioritizing client interests without conflicts. Our boutique structure allows personalized service while maintaining institutional-grade compliance and global reach.
How does Smithfield approach estate planning?
We collaborate with legal counsel to create customized estate plans that minimize taxes, protect assets, and implement client wishes through tailored trust structures and succession strategies.
Can Smithfield manage international assets?
Yes, we administer trusts and investments globally, leveraging Pennsylvania's favorable trust laws while accommodating clients' international tax considerations and asset locations.
What investment management approach does Smithfield use?
We develop customized, tax-efficient portfolios based on individual goals rather than using standardized models, integrating market analysis with long-term wealth preservation strategies.
How does Smithfield ensure transparency?
We maintain open communication about investment decisions, fees, and strategies through regular reporting and direct access to relationship officers, ensuring clients understand all aspects of their accounts.
What charitable planning services are available?
We help structure charitable trusts, private foundations, and donor-advised funds that align with philanthropic goals while optimizing tax benefits and legacy preservation.
