Investment Management:
Cypress Investment Management Services
We’re big believers in transparency for our clients and keeping it real. To achieve this, our Cypress portfolio managers speak fluent “real-life,” meaning, we can translate your financial objectives and vision for your future into sound investment strategies, and an actionable plan.
It may be one-size-fits-all financial planning elsewhere, but here, it’s all about you and your preference for top-of-mind topics like risk tolerance, income, cash flow requirements, and more. For over two decades, we’ve provided individualized plans and delivered results for our clients. Through market ebbs and finance flows, Cypress Bank & Trust, is a trusted partner, committed to your success.
OUR ASSET ALLOCATION PHILOSOPHY
We believe asset allocation is the main determinant of portfolio returns. The centrality of asset allocation stems from its role in determining the optimal portfolio allocations to distinct asset classes based on investors’ time horizon. We periodically re-balance the portfolio to the pre-determined long-term asset allocation target and review the asset policy mix in conjunction with investor’s changing needs, expected returns and type and availability of investment instruments.
Our flexible approach allows us to dynamically manage the asset allocation mix within pre-determined bands to position portfolios in relation to changing market conditions.
OUR EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH
Cypress Bank & Trust employs a team-driven approach to its equity investment selection, using a front-end screening process to focus the research efforts of the investment team on a manageable list of attractive stocks. This approach provides a diverse list of equities with strong quality, value and income characteristics as defined by our proprietary process. This quantitative approach is designed to capture the interaction of fundamental investment concepts in a disciplined, consistent manner. The portfolio managers then research these companies to develop a deep understanding of the company’s long-term dynamics and valuation. In addition to in-house research, third-party research is leveraged in this process. The collective research and views of the portfolio management team are discussed and vetted in Stock Selection Committees. Consensus decisions are reached at these meetings with the output being a Focus List from which portfolio managers construct and manage client-customized portfolios. The approach aims to manage portfolio risk through consistently investing in equities with strong profitability, cash flows, and attractive valuations. Additional risk management rules are in place for diversification purposes such as maximum position size and sensible limits to sub-industry concentration. Portfolio managers determine whether investment in a Focus List security is appropriate for each individual client.
Account Options
CUSTOMIZED PORTFOLIOS
For clients who have specific investment circumstances such as low cost-basis stocks, income needs, restrictions on particular types of investments, directed investments, legacy stock holdings, or investment preferences such as socially responsible investing, Cypress offers customized portfolios of stocks and bonds.
- Cypress Bank & Trust Customized Portfolios:
- Are tailored to each individual client based on his/her goal and preferences
- Are actively managed with a focus on risk management and diversification
- Seek to enhance after-tax returns through tax-sensitive management
SEPARATELY MANAGED ACCOUNT STRATEGIES
For clients with limited or no constraints who are interested in investing in disciplined, focused strategies, Cypress offers a suite of Separately Managed Accounts. These provide an institutional quality investment management solution, along with the ownership and transparency you deserve. The investment professionals of Cypress adhere to the fiduciary standard, working in your best interest before their own.
FIXED INCOME MANAGEMENT
Our philosophy is based on pursuing goal-oriented strategies driven by each individual client’s income requirements, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Income generation and capital preservation are paramount in this approach. We are largely a buy and hold investor and have a low turnover within our bond holdings. When purchasing individual bonds, we emphasize high credit quality, liquidity, and diversification across the government, municipal, and corporate sectors.
In our opinion, fixed income investing represents a trade-off between interest rate risk and credit risk. More often we choose to take credit risk over interest rate risk. We do not believe in the ability to consistently predict interest rates, therefore, we seek to add value by taking credit risk. For corporate bonds, our approach to security selection is based on finding value through credit research and comparable bond analysis. When purchasing municipal bonds we build portfolios with an emphasis on diversifying across maturities, states, and repayment sources.
We also offer ETF-based fixed income solutions which offer exposure to a broader selection of fixed income sectors with the goal of smoothing volatility and enhancing income and liquidity. These portfolios can supplement core individual bond holdings or serve as a complete fixed income solution.
Characteristics of Fixed Income Portfolios
- Diversified, opportunistic strategies. Yield curve optimization.
- Emphasis on quality – Investment-grade securities
- Low volatility
- Liquidity/Marketability
- Undervaluation – Credit analysis and credit spread evaluation attempts to identify attractive sectors/issues
- Taxable or Tax Free
Investment Products are:
- Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency
- Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate
- Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested
Portfolio Manager Contacts
SASCHA RIZZO, CFA, CFP | Senior Portfolio Manager/Market Executive | Senior Vice President

Sascha Rizzo, CFA, CFP, Senior Portfolio Manager/Market Executive and Senior Vice President, works with clients to create asset allocation strategies and construct portfolios to help meet clients’ investment objectives while managing portfolio risk. Sascha’s career in financial services spans 30+ years. Prior to joining Cypress, he worked in the Private Bank offices at Wells Fargo, bank of America, and SunTrust. He graduated Cum Laude from Rutgers University with a degree in Economics and earned a Master of Business Administration from the Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. He holds both the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations. Sascha serves his community through roles on the Maitland City Council, including former Mayor of the City of Maitland, Board member and former Chair of the Orange County Housing Finance Authority, Board Trustee for local public radio station 90.7 WMFE, and Board member of Orlando Shakes, an acclaimed professional theater.
Direct 407-961-6046
Ted A. Libby | Senior Portfolio Manager | Senior Vice President
Theodore A. Libby, Senior Portfolio Manager and Senior Vice President, has over 40 years of investment experience, having held senior level positions with Casco Bank & Trust Company, Bank of New Hampshire, NBD Bancorp (now part of JP Morgan Chase), and the Vero Beach office of U.S. Trust Company, where he spent 7 years as Senior Investment Officer. He is a graduate of the University of Maine and the Williams College School of Banking.
Direct 772-532-3897
JUNE LUNDY | Senior Portfolio Manager | Senior Vice President

June L. Lundy, Senior Portfolio Manager and Vice President, has more than 30 years of experience building customized, diversified portfolios for clients, including 12 years at Wells Fargo Private Bank. June earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida and is a graduate of the Florida Trust School at the University of Florida. She is also a member of the Investment and Wealth Institute, the CFA Society of Jacksonville, the Estate Planning Council of Northeast Florida, Planned Giving Council of Northeast Florida, University of Florida Alumnae Association, and additional philanthropic organizations in Northeast Florida.
Direct 904-310-1728
BRIAN SKARBEK | Senior Investment Officer | Senior Vice President

Brian Skarbek, Senior Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, joined Cypress Bank & Trust in 2004. Mr. Skarbek began his investment career with Barnett Securities in 1995, later joining Harris Bank in Sarasota, where he was a Portfolio Manager and Investment Officer. Brian earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance, from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida.
Direct 941-373-1551
THERESA STRICKLAND | Senior Portfolio Manager | Senior Vice President

Theresa Strickland, Senior Portfolio Manager and Senior Vice President, joined Cypress Bank & Trust in 2004. Prior to joining Cypress, Theresa was a Portfolio Manager for the Harris Private Bank and began her financial services career with Bank of Boston. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Florida State University and earned a Master of Business Administration from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Direct 561-820-2011

Easy Management
Providing for the financial future of family, non-profit organizations, or foundations is an intrinsic value. It is one that creates a sense of accomplishment. We’ll work with you to protect and manage your assets by creating customized investment strategies, serving you during estate settlement, and as an administrative trustee for clients already committed to an investment plan.