Built on EU-regulated fund frameworks – combining transparency, control, and cross-border flexibility.
For decades, serious family wealth structuring often meant trustees, paper-based governance, and six-figure minimums in legacy jurisdictions.
That is no longer the only option.
Today, families and entrepreneurs can achieve trust-like outcomes using regulated investment fund structures – digitally, transparently, and across borders.
This is what we call a Modern Trust.
A Modern Trust is not a product, but it is an institutional-grade governance framework implemented through regulated fund infrastructure.
Explore whether this structure fits your family or mandateFor many globally mobile families, legacy trust setups have become:
Tied to specific legacy jurisdictions, making cross-border use complex.
Restricted visibility into governance and ongoing operations.
Large minimums and fixed cost structures.
Difficult to adapt to evolving strategies and asset classes.
Increasing scrutiny from banks and compliance stakeholders.
Not aligned with how capital is structured and deployed today.
Modern Trust is not a legal form.
It is a practical alternative to traditional trust structures, built using EU-regulated investment fund frameworks. Instead of relying on offshore trust arrangements, families can structure and manage wealth within a recognised European legal system, designed for cross-border use.
This approach combines:
A Modern Trust uses a regulated investment fund structure to achieve trust-like governance, while adding:
Clear legal framework under EU rules.
Defined rights, reporting, and transparency standards.
Onboarding and administration without paper.
Multiple asset classes and bespoke mandates.
Designed for international families and investors.
A Modern Trust structure is built using an EU-regulated investment fund framework. In practice:
A fund vehicle is created to hold and manage the family's assets
The structure is managed within an EU regulatory framework
Investments are not limited by geography or asset class
Roles, rights, and economic interests are defined transparently
A Modern Trust does not rely on secrecy. It operates within a regulated framework, where transparency to authorities and counterparties is ensured while maintaining privacy where it actually matters.
Scroll to see full table
| Modern Trust | Traditional trust |
|---|---|
|
EU-based and cross-border ready
Built under harmonised European legal frameworks for international use. |
Jurisdiction-bound
Often tied to specific legacy jurisdictions, creating complexity in cross-border use. |
|
Structured transparency
Clear reporting standards and defined governance rules. |
Limited transparency
Governance and reporting are often not fully visible to beneficiaries and investors. |
|
Regulated confidentiality
Transparent to regulators, tax authorities, banks, and auditors while remaining private to the public. |
Confidentiality-focused
Often perceived as prioritising confidentiality over transparency. |
|
Digital operations
Onboarding, registry, and reporting handled digitally within a regulated framework. |
Manual administration
Processes are often paper-based and controlled by trustees. |
|
Scalable cost structure
Accessible and adaptable to different mandate sizes. |
High entry barriers
Typically requires large minimum commitments and rigid cost structures. |
|
Asset flexibility
Supports multi-asset portfolios, direct investments, and bespoke mandates. |
Rigid structure
Difficult to adapt to changing strategies and asset classes. |
|
Defined governance
Family committees, investment mandates, and clearly defined roles. |
Trustee-driven control
Decision-making is largely concentrated in the trustee. |
|
Bank and auditor friendly
Designed to meet AML, reporting, and compliance expectations from day one. |
Increasing regulatory friction
Subject to growing scrutiny from banks and compliance teams. |
Modern Trust structures are particularly relevant for:
Planning wealth governance across generations.
Structuring liquidity or exit proceeds.
Family offices seeking simpler, regulated frameworks.
International families with assets and members in multiple countries.
Investment mandates that don't fit retail fund models.
It is a bespoke structure for serious mandates, implemented under regulation.
Find out if this applies to youThree shifts made Modern Trust structures scalable and defensible:
EU frameworks now allow compliant cross-border fund structures.
Onboarding, registry, and reporting no longer require paper or physical presence.
Families invest directly, globally, and across asset classes — not through legacy wrappers.
Modern Trusts are not DIY. They require:
Poolside implements Modern Trusts through regulated fund infrastructure and a digital operating platform. We handle the setup and ongoing operations so families and advisers can focus on the mandate.
Every family and mandate is different. The right starting point is understanding whether this structure fits your objectives, cross-border footprint, and risk profile.
Discuss whether a Modern Trust structure fits your situationYes – implemented under EU-regulated fund frameworks.
No – it is designed for transparency and proper governance.
No – it is built for long-term structuring, not short-term investing.
Yes – private within a regulated framework and visible only to required stakeholders (regulators, banks, auditors).
