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WHERE CIT
INNOVATION

TAKES FLIGHT

A legacy of fiduciary heritage; a future of ingenuity

We have the knowledge, experience, technology, and infrastructure to provide client partners dynamic, value-driven Collective Investment Trusts (CITs) solutions now and years from now.

About Us

Who We Are

Great Gray Trust Company is a forward- thinking provider of Collective Investment Trusts (CITs) committed to expanding and evolving in the retirement space. Our fiduciary heritage is the cornerstone for designing and implementing dynamic, value-driven solutions for clients and participants.

How We Started

Our legacy originated with Great Gray's predecessor (Wilmington Trust); a venerable institution steeped in fiduciary heritage. This foundation enabled us to be laser focused on the future of CITs, while delivering industry-leading solutions and service as Great Gray Trust Company. Innovation drives us. While fiduciary strength and expertise is in our DNA, it is our technological strength and innovative thinking that differentiates us from the rest. We take pride in being pioneers in the industry showcasing first of its kind technological advances, such as BoardingPass™. 

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Why We're Different

Great Gray is focused on taking a modernized and fresh approach to developing innovative solutions that drive results for our clients. In fact, the great gray owl itself was meticulously selected to align with our organization-- resilient, powerful, stable, decisive, a bit enigmatic, and a stronghold in the wild.

Our Model

01

The Great Gray Distinction

We offer CITs across platforms representing most investment style categories including target-date and hard-asset funds. CITs are listed on NASDAQ and are valued daily. In fact, our President & CEO Rob Barnett was the first to enhance CIT transparency by listing 625+ searchable tickers through the Nasdaq Fund Network (NFN). Great Gray is a leader in the collective investment trust (CIT) market with over $205.9* billion in fund assets. These assets are spread across funds that are overseen by 82 sub-advisors. Additionally, Great Gray maintains trading agreements with 37 trading platforms that provide access to 200+ recordkeepers (as of September 30, 2024).


*Approximately 14% of total assets reported are held in fund of fund structures for which Great Gray is the trustee or administrator of funds at both levels.

02

Governance

Known for our comprehensive fiduciary guidance structured around banking laws and ERISA guidance, we have a legacy of leadership in CIT governance.

03

Innovative Onboarding Process

Being an industry leader in CITs means always thinking of ways to make managing qualified plans easier and more convenient for you—and the client accounts you manage. Our online approach to participation agreements balances modern-day innovation with a streamlined process so you can access everything you need in one location.  Learn how to start streamlining your approach to participation agreements with BoardingPass.

04

Operations

We pride ourselves on providing comprehensive distribution support. With more than 80 years of fiduciary leadership and experience, we’re empowered by a powerful sales distribution infrastructure with a middle office and relationship management team to help companies prosper and increase their AUM into the future.

05

Holistic and Individualized Solutions

A dedicated team of collective fund product managers and wholesalers work hand-in-hand to understand the unique needs of the clients and develop individualized solutions. 

*As of April 29, 2023, investment funds affiliated with Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC (“MDP”), a leading private equity firm based in Chicago, acquired the Wilmington Trust, N.A. (“WTNA”) collective investment trust (“CIT”) business (“CIT Business”) though the creation and acquisition of Great Gray Trust Company, LLC, a new trust company (“Great Gray”). On that date, Great Gray succeeded WTNA as trustee to the CITs, and the CIT Business’s senior management and staff joined, and continued the CIT Business operations under, Great Gray. Data prior to that date represents the predecessor WTNA CIT Business.

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