Headed by industry veteran Frank Tabar

Santa Barbara, Calif. (May 1, 2017) – Farmers and Merchants Trust Company (FMTC) California’s oldest continuously operating trust company, has opened a Santa Barbara, Calif. office, providing Central Coast residents with full-service personal trust and professional investment management services. The office will be led by Senior Vice President Frank Tabar, who brings nearly 35 years of experience in wealth management and financial services.

“For nearly one hundred years Farmers and Merchants Trust Company has been trusted by generations of families with their assets for personal care, honesty, and utmost professionalism,” said Mr. Tabar. “Our commitment to the financial needs of our clients is based on their goals and built to last for years to come. Our core value is our undivided attention to each of and every one of our clients’ trust and investment needs.”

Farmers and Merchants Trust Company was founded in Long Beach in 1920 by the Walker family. It expanded into Orange County in 2000 and into the South Bay market in 2012, as the company endeavors to further its reach throughout Southern California.

Mr. Tabar, a resident of both Long Beach and Santa Barbara, joined the organization in 2012 and currently holds the title of Senior Vice President and Strategic Risk and Operating Officer.

“Frank is a highly accomplished trust professional who brings a great deal of expertise to Santa Barbara,” said Daniel K. Walker, Farmers and Merchants Trust Company’s President and Chairman of the Board. “We are pleased to bring our services to Santa Barbara with Frank leading the charge to continue providing exceptional consistency, reliability, trust and continuity across multiple generations of investors.”

Mr. Tabar’s extensive experience in financial services includes positions with Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and Bank of the West, among others. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from San Diego, US International University, and his Master of Business Administration in Financial Management from National University, Los Angeles. He has specialized training in trust and fiduciary risk and compliance and is a Certified Trust Auditor (CTA), a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and a Certified Securities Operation Professional (CSOP). Mr. Tabar has also served several years on the boards of Santa Barbara Symphony, Santa Barbara Family YMCA, and Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise.

Mr. Tabar will be joined by Trust Officer Del Rudeen. Mr. Rudeen brings extensive experience in administering and managing accounts for clients in the Santa Barbara area. Together, Mr. Rudeen and Mr. Tabar bring a combined 61 years of wealth management experience to Farmers and Merchants Trust Company.

The Santa Barbara office is located in the historic Folk Mote Music building at 1034 Santa Barbara Street and can be reached at (805) 776-3682.