Northern Trust

Northern Trust is a Chicago-based financial group specialising in asset servicing, custody, wealth management and asset management for institutions and affluent families. Rather than chasing volatile investment banking, it earns fees from safeguarding and administering vast pools of assets, a steadier business built on long client relationships and a conservative reputation. Northern Trust has paid dividends for many years and raised them consistently over the past decade or more, supported by fee income and a solid capital base. The yield is moderate and the payout reasonably covered, though like any bank it remains sensitive to interest rates and markets. Overall it offers a dependable, above-average income profile for a financial-sector holding.