First Citizens Bank recently hosted the 42 juniors majoring in trust and wealth management at both their vast Data Operations Center and at the Bank’s corporate headquarters in Raleigh. “Campbell Day” at First Citizens was an eye-opening opportunity for the trust juniors to experience the rapidly growing and dynamic trust and wealth management industry in a real-world setting.
The students were hosted by Senior Vice President and Manager of the Trust Department, alumnus Gene Lewis (’95). One of the many highlights of the day was a panel discussion led by Campbell trust alumni at the Corporate Center.
“The Wealth Management Team at First Citizens was thrilled to host the Junior Class of the Trust & Wealth Management program,” said Mr. Lewis. “This special day gives us a chance to showcase our organization and at the same time give these young professionals an opportunity to experience what the Wealth Management business is all about. Our firm deeply values the great work that is being done at Campbell to prepare the next generation of leaders in our industry.”
Campbell is the only university in the U.S. to offer an undergraduate degree in trust and wealth management. Former Campbell President Norman Adrian Wiggins, who was once a trust officer and expert in trust law, established the program at the university in 1967. Today, 45 to 50 students graduate from Campbell with a trust degree each year – many of whom also graduate with an MBA thanks to the 4/1 program. Nearly all trust majors complete at least one summer internship at major banks such as First Citizens and many also go on to work at one. The job placement rate for Campbell’s trust majors is 95 percent by graduation.
“This is yet another wonderful demonstration of First Citizen’s continuing commitment to the University, to the Trust & Wealth Management Program and, most importantly, to our students,” according to Jimmy Witherspoon, Director of Campbell’s trust program. “It has been an honor for the trust program to partner with our friends at First Citizens Bank for over 40 years. We are very proud to have dozens of Campbell trust alumni, including many of First Citizens Trust’s senior-most managers, serving their clients well.”