Argent Financial Group, a leading independent fiduciary wealth management firm, announced today that it has formed Argent Foundation, a public charity through which clients can create donor-advised funds that support their charitable giving. Newly promoted Vice President of Philanthropic Services Blair Hull will also serve as president of Argent Foundation.
An IRS-recognized charity, Argent Foundation makes it easy for an individual or family to start a donor-advised fund. Donor-advised funds allow donors to receive a tax deduction in the current year and then recommend grants from the fund at their own pace.
Clients may choose from one of seven investment pools administered under the stewardship of Argent Financial Group, each designed to provide donors with sensible, well-diversified long-term investment strategies to help maximize contributions to their favorite organizations. Donors also have access to Argent’s experienced team of compliance, governance, and charitable-giving experts.
“Since CEO Kyle McDonald founded Argent more than 30 years ago, our company has been dedicated to serving in the best interests of our clients, and that includes helping them support organizations that are near and dear to their hearts,” said Donald H. “Dut” LeBlanc Jr., executive vice president for Argent Financial Group and lead for Argent Family Wealth Services, the company’s specialized focus on services for ultra-high net worth clients. “A donor-advised fund is an ideal, tax efficient strategy that takes considerably less effort to manage than a personal foundation or charity, so our clients have more time to help worthy organizations.”
“Individuals and families who start donor-advised funds are looking for simple solutions to distribute much-needed contributions to organizations that are making our world a better place,” said Lucius McGehee, executive vice president of institutional services who manages
Argent Trust Company’s Governmental and Philanthropic services division. “And Blair Hull is exactly the right person to help our clients achieve their charitable-giving goals.”
“It is an honor to serve as president of Argent Foundation,” said Hull. “Each client can sleep well at night knowing that our expert team is providing superior investment, governance, compliance, and strategic insights to help them build a legacy of supporting a wide range of organizations that are making a positive impact locally and nationally.”
Hull has served as associate of philanthropic services for Argent Trust, working with families and individuals to plan and organize their philanthropic efforts. She also helps bring value, governance, and a holistic asset management approach to current foundation and other tax-exempt clients. Before that, she was chief compliance officer for Argent Advisors. Prior to joining Argent, she worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Washington, D.C., as an auditor in the company’s Federal Advisory Practice division. Hull holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi.
For more information about the Argent Foundation and donor-advised funds, please contact your local Argent professional.
About Argent Financial Group
Argent Financial Group (Argent) is a leading, independent, fiduciary wealth management firm. Responsible for more than $35 billion in client assets, Argent provides individuals, families, businesses and institutions with a broad range of wealth management services, including trusts and estate planning, investment management, ESOPs, retirement plan administration and consulting, funeral and cemetery trusts, charitable organization administration, oil and gas (mineral) management and other unique financial services. Headquartered in Ruston, Louisiana, Argent was formed in 1990 and traces its roots back to 1930. For more information, visit www.ArgentFinancial.com.