Investment Strategies

How many different investment strategies exist? How do I choose a method that fits my level of risk tolerance? Who will manage and monitor the investments and performance of my individual portfolio?

These are very good questions that are directed to Summit Trust on a daily basis, and are therefore, questions that require detailed answers.

Summit Trust's goal is to provide clients with the highest level of service and investment solutions that meet their specific goals. Our study of investment strategies led us to compare both traditional active money management strategies and passive money management strategies.

In fact, the first step of our process was the most determinant. Two distinctly different philosophies were compared in performance and volatility: active management versus passive management methods. The results of our analysis: active management, on average, underperformed passive management with more volatility and higher costs.

We then searched for a firm whose management philosophies fit the requirements in developing true asset allocation models. Our search ended with OBS Financial Services who engineers portfolios on Summit’s behalf utilizing Dimensional Fund Advisors mutual funds.

Until our agreement with OBS, Summit Trust was not able to participate in this very compelling investment approach. We feel this investment strategy has many positive benefits to every type of account.

We encourage you to contact a Summit Trust representative today for further information.


Regarding Investment Advice on these Pages (www.summittrustdfa.com):

This Portion of the Summit Trust Company web site is provided to Summit by OBS Financial Services. This organization is licensed to provide money management services, and as such, they provide this material to Summit Trust Company and for the benefit of the clients of Summit Trust Company.

Investment Advice – Summit Trust Company does not render investment advice. Such advice should be sought from qualified and properly registered investment advisors or securities registered representatives. Summit Trust Company relies upon the advice of such qualified advisors in the selection of investments for portfolios under Summit Trust Company’s management.

Summit Trust Company utilizes OBS Financial Services, which is a qualified broker/dealer and registered investment advisor, to provide money management services for the investments offered through Summit Trust Company. The underlying investments in OBS’s portfolios consist of the Dimensional Fund Advisors family of no-load asset-class mutual funds as its primary investment portfolios.

Summit Trust Company may use certain forms supplied by the Investment Advisor to collect data regarding suitability, in order to assist in the selection of the portfolio matched to the appropriate risk level for the client. Summit Trust Company may rely upon other registered investment advisors to manage certain portfolios, and upon the investment advisor selected by the individual clients.