Our Services

Governance Briefings & Fiduciary Education

Many engagements begin with a structured discussion of how investment oversight is currently performed—and where governance gaps may exist.

These sessions are designed for trust companies, advisors, and investment committees seeking clarity without initiating a formal consulting engagement.

Topics may include:

• Investment governance frameworks across trust accounts and DC plans

• Default investment (QDIA) oversight and fiduciary considerations

• The role of documentation in fiduciary process

• Aligning Investment Policy Statements (IPS) with actual practices

Sessions are educational in nature and do not include investment recommendations, manager evaluation, or legal advice.

Investment Governance Services

Trust Account Investment Governance

We support trust companies and fiduciaries in structuring and documenting investment oversight across accounts.

This work focuses on:

• clarifying roles and fiduciary responsibilities

• aligning Investment Policy Statements (IPS) with actual practices

• defining monitoring and oversight processes

• establishing documentation standards

• creating consistency across accounts

• defining escalation and review triggers

Engagements are designed to strengthen fiduciary process without altering underlying investment relationships.

Defined Contribution (DC) Investment Governance

With Emphasis on Default Investments (QDIAs)

In defined contribution plans, the default investment often functions as the primary portfolio for participants.

We provide governance support focused on:

• oversight of target-date funds and QDIAs

• glide-path structure and embedded assumptions

• definition and prioritization of risk

• oversight of manager discretion within default strategies

• alignment between plan objectives and default design

• consistency of governance across both default and designated investments

• documentation supporting fiduciary review

Default investment governance remains a central focus of our work.

The FGA Investment Governance Suite

Our engagements are typically delivered through a structured, two-part process designed to support both assessment and implementation of governance practices.

Part I — Governance Assessment

A structured evaluation of current investment oversight practices, including:

• fiduciary role clarity and alignment

• monitoring processes and consistency

• documentation practices

• IPS applicability and usage

• consistency across accounts or plans

This component identifies areas where governance is unclear, inconsistent, or not fully documented.

Part II — Governance Framework

A forward-looking governance framework that:

• defines oversight structure and responsibilities

• establishes monitoring and documentation standards

• outlines escalation and review triggers

• is written in a format suitable for fiduciary use

This component is designed to support a consistent and defensible governance process over time.

How the Two Parts Work Together

Part I identifies governance gaps and areas requiring clarification.
Part II provides a structured framework for governing investment oversight going forward.

Together, they form a complete investment governance record.

Engagement Structure

Engagements are:

• project-based and clearly scoped

• tailored to the specific structure of the organization or plan

• coordinated with advisors, trust companies, and legal counsel where appropriate

Work may be performed independently or in coordination with broader fiduciary consulting engagements.

What This Is — and What It Is Not

To maintain clarity and independence, we are explicit about our role.

We Do:

• define and structure investment governance processes

• align fiduciary roles with oversight practices

• establish monitoring and documentation frameworks

• support consistent and repeatable fiduciary processes

We Do Not:

• recommend or replace investments

• perform manager due diligence or performance evaluation

• act as plan advisor or fiduciary decision-maker

• provide legal or compliance advice

Our role is governance—not investment selection or implementation.

Who This Is For

Our services are designed for:

Trust Companies and Fiduciaries
Seeking to define and document investment oversight processes across accounts.

Advisors to Defined Contribution Plans
Looking to strengthen governance without disrupting client relationships.

Investment Committees
Seeking clarity around oversight responsibilities, monitoring structure, and documentation practices.

Start with a Conversation

If your organization is evaluating how investment oversight is structured or documented, we are happy to discuss.