Trust, Fiduciary, and Custody Activities — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 66% of trust, fiduciary, and custody activities businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 8.0%.

66%
5-Year Survival Rate
+5.0%
Net Growth Rate
52,814
Total Firms
4,532
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Trust, Fiduciary, and Custody Activities a Good Business to Start?

With a 66% five-year survival rate, trust, fiduciary, and custody activities has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 8.0% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)11.0%
Exit Rate (closures)8.0%

Net positive: more businesses opening than closing (+3.0 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

15.6%
Job Creation Rate
10.7%
Job Destruction Rate
+5.0%
Net Job Growth

The industry is adding jobs faster than losing them — a positive sign for both workers and new business owners looking to hire. Total employment: 648,132 workers across 52,814 firms.

Want to know how much trust, fiduciary, and custody activities businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Trust, Fiduciary, and Custody Activities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of trust, fiduciary, and custody activities businesses fail?
Approximately 34% of trust, fiduciary, and custody activities businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 8.0%, with 4,532 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the trust, fiduciary, and custody activities industry growing or shrinking?
The trust, fiduciary, and custody activities industry is currently growing with a net job creation rate of +5.0% per year. New businesses are entering at 11.0% while 8.0% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.