CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Coral Gables Trust Company, a leading provider of investment management, trust and estate services, has opened its third South Florida office in response to exceptional growth in its business. CGTC’s new office on Las Olas Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale joins the firm’s main office in Coral Gables and its trust representative office in West Palm Beach. The expansion builds upon Coral Gables Trust’s proven business model, bringing comprehensive, local, independent, flexible, and responsive services to its clients.

“This office is a direct response to the strong growth we’ve experienced in Broward County and across the region,” said John W. Harris, Managing Director, Chief Wealth Advisor of Coral Gables Trust. “Our new Las Olas office fills a demand in the market and provides our clients with easy access to the talents of two seasoned professionals from the Coral Gables Trust team who will be based there.”

Michael Carris, SVP, Relationship Manager, has more than 44 years of fiduciary/trust advisor and investment/wealth management experience including, development and management of Special Needs Trusts, Trust and Estate Planning, and Trust, Credit and Investment Management services. Michael has extensive involvement with community and charitable organizations such as, Corporate Fiduciary Association of Southeast Florida, Broward Estate Planning Council, West Broward Estate Planning Council, Greater Boca Raton Estate Planning Council, The Financial Planning Association™ and the Estate and Gift Planning Advisory Board/University of Miami.

Diana Batchelor, VP, Relationship Manager, has more than 16 years of trust administrative and trust advisor experience including, Special Needs Trusts, Personal Trusts, Individual Retirement Accounts, Investment Agency Accounts and Estates. She has a very value based and collaborative approach to working with Private Wealth Managers. Diana has extensive involvement with community and charitable organizations such as, the Broward Estate Planning Council and Florida Voice for Development Disabilities.

“Our management team and our business model allow us to provide expert advice that is personally tailored to the best interest of each of our clients,” said Jim Davidson, Chairman of the Board and President of Coral Gables Trust. “This new office will enhance our ability to continue building these close relationships with our clients that are the hallmark of Coral Gables Trust.”

Coral Gables Trust’s Broward County office is located at 401 E Las Olas Blvd, Suite 1400, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301.

About Coral Gables Trust

Coral Gables Trust Company is a leading provider of wealth management, estate and trust services in South Florida. Founded in 2004 as a locally owned and operated independent trust company, CGTC serves a client base, ranging in size from $1 million to over $50 million; which includes affluent individuals and families, small to medium sized companies, foundations, and pension and endowment funds. The Firm strives to provide totally conflict-free services to clients, combining personalized advice and service, open-architecture (no proprietary products), asset based fees, and a culture totally devoted toward putting our clients’ interests first. Coral Gables Trust was voted Best of Miami by Miami Today. In 2012, for the third consecutive year, Coral Gables Trust was selected Best Trust Company in Coral Gables by the United States Commerce Association (USCA) and in April of 2013, for the second consecutive year, as a “Top Florida Trust Firm” by Florida Trend, placing Coral Gables Trust among the sector’s elite.

NOTE: Hi-Res photos are available on request.