At Members Trust Company (MTC), President and CEO Ken Lako has cultivated a distinctive approach to wealth management that balances sophisticated data analysis with genuine human connection. This methodology has earned MTC recognition as one of America’s Most Advisor Friendly Trust Companies for 2025, positioning the organization as a leader in the trust services marketplace.
“The financial services industry can sometimes feel heartless,” Lako observes. “Our mission at Members Trust Company is to bring heart back into the equation while maintaining the highest standards of performance and execution.”
Lako’s journey to developing this leadership philosophy began with successful entrepreneurial ventures, including an e-commerce business during the industry’s early days and a law practice. However, it was during his extensive career in wealth management, particularly his 20-plus year tenure at Wells Fargo, where he refined his approach to leadership and client service.
While at Wells Fargo, Lako led teams across multiple markets, including Seattle, Phoenix, San Diego, and Atlanta. With each relocation came the challenge of rebuilding trust and developing high-performing teams from scratch, all while ensuring his family transitioned well. These experiences taught him a valuable lesson that now forms the foundation of MTC’s approach: exceptional financial results stem directly from prioritizing people.
“One thing that sets me apart is my focus on the people element of our business,” Lako explains. “I work hard to ensure my teams are successful professionally and personally. This has allowed me to gain strong followership as a leader.”
As the nation’s first chartered trust and investment management company entirely owned by credit unions, MTC brings a unique perspective to the industry. The organization boasts the capabilities expected from large national firms while delivering the personalized service experience typically associated with local boutiques.
“We have the full breadth of capabilities expected from large national firms, but we deliver a bespoke service experience and relationship that clients crave from a local boutique,” Lako notes.
This balance is evident in MTC’s impressive statistics: $4 billion in assets under administration, relationships with thousands of advisors across multiple platform providers and broker-dealers, and an average account size of $750,000. These numbers reflect the company’s growing influence and the effectiveness of Lako’s leadership approach.
What truly distinguishes MTC from competitors is its accessibility to clients, which larger trust companies often overlook. The firm specializes in making complex trust and estate issues, special needs trusts, and specialty assets understandable and manageable for clients.
“At Members Trust Company, we are a trusted resource for financial advisors and credit unions seeking to expand their client offerings and address diverse trust and estate planning needs,” says Lako. “By providing innovative trustee solutions, comprehensive education, and thought leadership, we empower our partners to deliver unparalleled value to their clients and members.”
The company’s credentialed team includes professionals with JDs, LLMs, CFAs, CFPs, and CTFAs who bring depth of experience and sophistication to helping clients achieve their goals. This expertise is particularly valuable in specialized areas like estate planning for blended families, high net worth individuals, and special needs trust formation.
Lako’s data-driven humanization of wealth management is evident in the company’s fee structure, which is designed to be transparent and value-focused. For directed trusts, fees range from 0.45% for the first $2 million to 0.20% for amounts over $10 million, with delegated trusts adding just 0.05% at each tier. This structured approach ensures clients understand exactly what they’re paying for and the value they receive.
The efficiency of MTC’s operations is another testament to Lako’s execution focused leadership. New trusts are typically accepted within one to three days upon receipt of the required information, allowing clients and advisors to move forward quickly with their financial plans.
“Through all challenges, I focus on execution,” Lako emphasizes. “Execution is often an overused word in business, but in my case, it is a disciplined process that consistently yields positive returns.”
This disciplined approach extends to MTC’s growth strategy. Under Lako’s leadership, the company aims to at least double its assets under management in the coming years through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
“MTC is currently in a growth phase. We want to at least double our assets under management in a few years through both organic growth and acquisitions,” Lako states. “I see the company thriving and continuing to earn brand recognition for expertise, excellence, and having a heart in what can be a heartless business.”
As MTC continues to evolve, Lako remains committed to his core philosophy that has guided him through personal and professional challenges: “We all have good and bad days. Through it all, stay focused on long-term goals and desires. When problems arise, pause and think. There is always a solution or way to improve a situation. Give grace always. You never know what other people are going through in their lives. Study, know the details, but don’t forget to trust your instincts.”
This balanced leadership and wealth management approach has positioned Members Trust Company as a rising star among trust companies and Ken Lako as an influential voice in an industry increasingly recognizing the value of combining data-driven strategies with genuine human connection.
“The true strength of MTC lies in our people,” Lako concludes. “Their commitment and professionalism have driven us to develop strategic initiatives and products that meet the dynamic needs of our clients. As we look to 2025, I am more confident than ever in our ability to create meaningful impact and exceed expectations.”
For financial advisors seeking a trust partner who genuinely understands the importance of numbers and relationships, MTC, under Ken Lako’s leadership, offers a compelling alternative to traditional trust services options.
