Sanlam Trust was established as a trust company on 1 August 1996, using one of the few remaining trust licences bought from the former Boland Bank. This purchase followed a need for a trust company that had arisen in Sanlam. Sanlam acquired the entire estates division of Boland Bank, as well as all its existing wills, estates, trusts and curatorships.

The new company started off with a strong and experienced staff complement, as Boland Bank was established in Paarl in 1900 for exactly the same reason - a need for estate, trust and will services (the company was initially known as Boland Board of Executors). Sanlam Trust thus started with personnel possessing valuable experience in fudiciary services.

The company today has offices in Bellville, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pretoria and Bloemfontein. Since its inception, Sanlam Trust has grown to a competitive trust company with consultants and intermediaries servicing clients countrywide.

That Sanlam Trust's services are of a high standard is clear from independent client surveys conducted in 2007 – the company achieved a satisfaction rating of over 90%!

Sanlam Trust offers the following services:

• estate planning advice
• drafting of wills
• winding up of deceased estates
• trust services, which include the drafting and audit of trust deeds and the administration of the following trusts: testamentary, inter vivos (family/living), umbrella, guardian and charitable trusts
• offshore fiduciary services

Sanlam Trust's vision is to be the client's first choice of a trust company and to be seen as the leader in the protection of wealth and its transfer from one generation to the next.

Sanlam Trust's mission is to reach the above through positive and skilled staff delivering quality service in innovative ways. This must happen profitably, within the framework of Sanlam's values.

Sanlam Trust's focus areas are:

• increased volumes
• operational profitability
• culture and diversity
• new income sources
• a passion for clients
• technology
• to be the employer of choice for its personnel