Steve Bell is Chairman and CEO of the Western Region at Northern Trust. In this position he is responsible for managing the company’s investment management, trust and estate planning, private and business banking and financial consulting business in California, Nevada and Washington.

Previously, Steve served as the head of the Wealth Management Group, a specialized unit of The Northern Trust Company which addresses the complex financial requirements of U.S. and international families who maintain single family offices. During his 27 year career at Northern Trust, he also built and ran the private banking business for Northern Trust Bank of California (1991-1997), served as a commercial real estate lender (1989-1990), worked with Chicago middle market owner/operators (1983-1988), and served as a supervisor in the Financial Analysis Division (1982-1983).

Steve received his A.B. degree with honors in economics from Duke University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. He received his M.B.A. degree from the University of Chicago, with a concentration in Finance. He joined Northern Trust Company in 1982.

Steve has served as an officer and board member with various charitable, civic and educational organizations in Chicago and San Francisco. Currently Steve serves on the boards of SF Jazz and Team Up for Youth. He and his wife Susan reside in Menlo Park. Susan is the Vice President for The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Colter is a Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Northern Trust. In that capacity, he proactively coordinates the expertise of a team of seasoned professionals to meet the financial needs of an ultra-high net worth clientele. This specialized team focuses on providing “high-touch” investment management, fiduciary, private banking and wealth consulting solutions to successful families.

Prior to Northern, Colter managed the investment and financial consulting practice for the Houston office of UHY Advisors, one of the largest accounting firms in the United States. In this capacity he focused on providing comprehensive wealth management and open architecture investment advisory services to many of the firm’s largest clients. Colter began his career with a boutique investment advisory and financial consulting firm.

With 15 years of experience, Colter was recently nominated by his clients and recognized by Texas Monthly magazine as a "Five Star Advisor" in the field of investments and wealth management. He has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) license from the CFP Board of Standards in Denver, Colorado as well as the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation from The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He recently completed the rigourous Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWASM) program at The University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. Developed by the Investment Management Consultant's Association (IMCA) the CPWASM program is the preeminent program for wealth management professionals. Finally, Colter earned his B.B.A. in Accounting from Abilene Christian University.

He is an active member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), The Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA), Houston Estate & Financial Forum (HEFF). Colter has been a frequent speaker on financial planning topics to the general public and the professional community.