Fiduciary Trust International of the South Elects Three New Members to Board of Directors

CORAL GABLES, FL--(Marketwired - Aug 16, 2016) -  Fiduciary Trust Company International, a leading wealth management firm and wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Templeton Investments, today announced that Brett Abess, Thad Adams and Susan Strickroot Adams have been elected to the board of Fiduciary Trust International of the South.

"All three of our newly elected board members are long established Floridians with significant ties to the community, and their appointments reflect our continued commitment to South Florida," said Gail Cohen, chair and general trust counsel at Fiduciary Trust Company International. "As one of the largest Florida trust companies, we continue to emphasize our focus on client service and are fortunate to have Brett, Thad and Susan join our board. Their experience and proven business leadership will enable us to make a greater impact on the community."

Mr. Abess is a Miami native with community roots going back four generations. He is a partner at ThinkLAB Ventures, his family office formed in 2008 after the sale of his family owned City National Bank of Florida. Mr. Abess earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Miami.

Mr. Adams is a senior vice president responsible for leasing and investment sales at Allen Morris Company headquartered in Coral Gables. He specializes in creating and managing strategic relationships and alliances with regional and national companies, as well as assessment of marketing and business development opportunities for the 58-year old full service commercial real estate firm.

Mr. Adams was named the winner of the Real Estate Achievers and Leaders Award in the office category by The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce in 2013 and was awarded the Public School Achievement Award by The Education Fund that same year. He is a Chairman's Circle member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Board of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, is an active member of The Orange Bowl Committee and is a board member of Baptist Health's Doctors Hospital. He is also a founding board member of the Miami Herald's Silver Knight Alumni Legacy Organization. A life-long Coral Gables resident, Mr. Adams attended the University of Florida on a full football scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

Ms. Strickroot Adams is a partner in the Coral Gables law firm of Adams & Adams, P.A., concentrating her practice in the areas of estate planning and probate. Prior to entering the private practice of law, she served as senior vice president and trust counsel of Fiduciary Trust International of the South. Ms. Adams earned an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Miami School of Law, and a J.D. from Tulane University Law School, and is a graduate of the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University. A lifelong resident of Greater Miami, Ms. Strickroot Adams is active in her community, currently serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Philip's Episcopal School and of the University of Miami Citizens Board, and as a sustainer of the Junior League of Miami.

About Fiduciary Trust

Fiduciary Trust Company International, a global investment management firm, has served individuals, families, endowments and foundations since 1931. With over $75 billion in assets under administration and management as of June 30, 2016, the firm specializes in strategic wealth planning, investment management and trust and estate services, as well as tax and custody services. The firm and its subsidiaries maintain offices in New York City, Coral Gables, FL, Boca Raton, FL, St. Petersburg, FL, Los Angeles, San Mateo, CA, Washington, D.C., Wilmington, DE, and London. For more information please visit fiduciarytrust.com.

About Franklin Resources

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN) is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management to retail, institutional and sovereign wealth clients in over 180 countries. Through specialized teams, the company has expertise across all asset classes--including equity, fixed income, alternative and custom solutions. The company's more than 600 investment professionals are supported by its integrated, worldwide team of risk management professionals and global trading desk network. With offices in 35 countries, the California-based company has more than 65 years of investment experience and over $739 billion in assets under management as of July 31, 2016. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com.

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