Montecito Bank & Trust (MB&T), which is increasing the team members in its Wealth Management Division to support the multi-year, double-digit growth the bank has experienced in the wealth management business, has named Michele Shipp a vice president/senior trust officer.
Shipp, who lives in Santa Barbara, brings 16 years of experience in philanthropic fiduciary work, tax and estate planning, and investment advisory services with a background in legal services related to a variety of areas of the banking industry.
Her expertise in analyzing charitable trusts to identify donor intent and feasibility of administration, mitigating risks associated with successor trusteeship opportunities, and partnerships with attorneys of donors in relation to charitable trusts aligns with MB&T’s high level of client service and trust management.
“Michele is a welcome addition to our exceptional fiduciary team as a vice president/senior trust officer,” said Jeff Pittman, executive vice president, director of Wealth Management. “She has extensive experience working with clients to help them successfully navigate estate planning, manage trusts as the agent or trustee, and dedicating time to clients and their families to fulfill the intentions of owners of trusts.
“Michele will be a valued resource to MB&T’s wealth management clients and internal partners.”
Shipp is a Certified Trust & Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) and a member of the California Bankers Association, California Society of CPAs, the California and Santa Barbara County bar associations, Santa Barbara Estate Planning Council, and the Santa Barbara Council of Charitable Gift Planners.
She is a long-time member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, a performing rights organization founded and governed by songwriters, composers and music publishers, and the world leader in performance royalties, advocacy and service for music creators.
Shipp earned her juris doctor degree from Santa Clara University School of Law, a Personal Financial Planning certificate from UCSB, and a BA in political science and music history from the University of San Diego.