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Wealth management team working with M&T Bank partners to provide wealth management services to area clients
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Sandra Besso Plowinske
Besso Plowinske is the senior private client advisor, specializing in developing strategies for the creation, protection, and efficient distribution of wealth for families.
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Elizabeth Squires
As a fiduciary trust advisor, Elizabeth Squires handles estate and trust administration matters. She works with a range of clients, including individuals and their families, and institutions and foundations.
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Heather Ford
Heather Ford joined the Wealth Advisory team in Albany as a private banker, focusing on the banking needs of the firm’s clients.In 2011, M&T Bank acquired Wilmington Trust, one of the nation's premier wealth management firms, founded in 1903 by T. Coleman DuPont. M&T Bank merged its own investment management arm into Wilmington Trust to create a comprehensive wealth advisory firm serving clients throughout the United States and internationally.
The new Wealth Advisory team in the Albany market includes Sandra Besso Plowinske, Elizabeth Squires, and Heather Ford. The office is located at 327 Great Oaks Boulevard, where M&T Bank has an existing business office. The office phone number is (518)464-6100.
“We’re excited about the opportunities in the Albany market,” said Rich Marsh, Wilmington Trust’s leader for upstate New York. “Together with our partners at M&T Bank, we will continue a long-term commitment to the Albany market and communities throughout New York. This expansion enables us to offer clients comprehensive wealth management services through Wilmington Trust.”
Sandra Besso Plowinske, CTFA
Besso Plowinske is the senior private client advisor, specializing in developing strategies for the creation, protection, and efficient distribution of wealth for families. With a team of specialists, Plowinske provides solutions in investment management, fiduciary services, philanthropic, private banking, and family office services.
Prior to joining Wilmington Trust, Plowinske was a wealth advisor with Key Investment Services. In 2004, she was president and executive financial advisor at Atlantic Private Wealth Management in East Greenbush, N.Y. Earlier in her career, she was vice president in the Private Clients Group at Bank of America, as well as a wealth advisor with Morgan Stanley.
Plowinske holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Siena College and an Executive Fellowship from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She currently holds the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation, New York State Life and Health licenses, and FINRA Series 7, 31, 63, and 65 securities licenses. She is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Eastern New York and a past member of the Parish Advisory Council of the Albany Diocese.
Elizabeth Squires, CTFA
As a fiduciary trust advisor, Squires handles estate and trust administration matters. She works with a range of clients, including individuals and their families, and institutions and foundations. Prior to joining Wilmington Trust, Squires was a senior trust officer at Key Private Bank.
Squires earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Buffalo State College, and an associate’s degree in legal studies from Russell Sage College in Troy, N.Y.
She is a participant in the NYS Estate Planning Council and the Albany County Bar Association. Squires currently holds the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation. She serves on the Board of the Living Resources Foundation, the Joan Nicole Prince Home (Schenectady Community Home), and Union College Annual Business Campaign.
Heather Ford
Ford joins the team as a private banker, focusing on the banking needs of the firm’s clients.
Prior to joining Wilmington Trust, Ford worked for KeyBank as a business banking relationship manager. Before that she was director of business development with the Schenectady Economic Development Corporation. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y.
Ford is active in the community, serving on Siena College’s board of advisory trustees, and the board of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Upstate New York and Vermont. She received the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year award in 2009. She is a former member of the board of directors of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce where she served as the chair of the Chamber’s Women’s Business Council.
“The Albany region is a critical area to the company and one where we have a deep and long-standing commitment,” said Mike Keegan, M&T Bank regional president. “Wilmington Trust’s comprehensive services and personalized approach to each client brings new opportunities for us and local clients. We see this as the best of both worlds, as Wilmington Trust offers clients comprehensive wealth management services in close partnership with the banking capabilities and strength of M&T Bank.”