formation of a Bermuda branch, it was announced yesterday.

With branch status, individual members have a collective voice in the development of trust and estate related issues, the organisation said.

STEP is the professional body for the trust and estate profession in the UK and worldwide.

The organisation was founded in 1991 and has over 4,000 members.

STEP's mandate includes maintaining standards, setting examinations, issuing qualifications and organising meetings and conferences.

Research and technical presentations to promote better understanding and improve trust and estate law are other goals.

State House Trust Company Ltd. general manager Marcus Mahy has been appointed the Bermuda branch's steering committee chairman. State House is Cox & Wilkinson's licensed trust company.

With nearly 50 STEP members in Bermuda, "we felt that the time was right'' to establish a branch bringing trust administrators closer together, Mr. Mahy said.

"Our aim is to have as many people as possible achieve their STEP qualifications, in much the same way that the banks have promoted the Chartered Institute of Bankers examinations.'' And with trust business being an important part of the Island's substantial revenue-generating finance industry, branch status sends a clear professional message internationally, he said.

Mr. Mahy also said STEP's role will be complimentary to the Bermuda Association of licensed Trustees (BALT), which focuses on the corporate side of trust companies.

"I would see the local STEP branch as working with BALT for the future of the industry.''