For Mutual Funds Representatives Barb Cooper and Randall Smisko, and Financial Planner Gilles Patenaude, moving to a new location is just another step in the progression of their business.
All three members of the wealth management team at Westview Agencies have settled into offices as First Wealth Management, a new subsidiary of First Credit Union.
“They’ve always been part of the credit union wealth management division, even when they were at Westview Agencies,” explains Kirsty Reid, Vice President of Wealth Management and Business Development at First Credit Union. “This new location gives them a dedicated space and the opportunity to build new relationships.”
The move also brings the entire wealth management team, including Financial Planner Scott Kovacs and Personal Account Manager Katryna Lawry, closer together and under one roof. While Kovacs and Lawry will continue to be located on the main floor of the branch, Cooper, Patenaude, and Smisko will work from the second floor of the First Credit Union building at 4721 Joyce Avenue.
“We’re very excited about our new location,” says Cooper, “and looking forward to getting in touch with more members now that we’re closer to the branch.”
Clients can access the dedicated wealth management space via stairs to the right of the automated teller machine at the front of the building, or use the elevator conveniently located just inside the main entrance.
“Our office is very private with easy access and its own entrances,” says Patenaude. “Clients can walk right into the wealth management area and receive immediate attention.”
While the space is new and the name has changed, the entire wealth management team will continue to provide the same level of advice, expertise and financial planning services it always has in order to help clients achieve their financial goals.
“It’s a new name and a new location, but the same great people offering the same great selection of products and services as before,” says Reid.
In addition to helping clients with mutual funds, segregated funds and other investment products, Cooper, Patenaude and Smisko each provide complete life insurance services as well, including everything from term life insurance to group medical benefits. All three will also continue to represent Qtrade Asset Management.
For Smisko, the move is also a coming home of sorts, as he returns to a building he worked in for six years prior to spending the last 18 months at the Westview Agencies location.
“I still have a lot of clients who first met with me here,” he said. “It’s exciting to move back and bring those clients, and newer clients, along with me.”
While Cooper and Patenaude have set up shop in the building for the first time, they have been part of the First Group of Companies in a subsidiary capacity since moving from Oceanside Financial to Westview Agencies in 2008.
Members of the First Wealth Management team will host an open house at their new location in the First Credit Union building from 11 am-4 pm on Thursday, November 3. Clients are invited to drop in for coffee, check out the new space and book an appointment with one of the team members.
Although the services, products and representatives remain the same, some direct contact information for wealth management team members has changed. Cooper can now be reached at 604.483.8670 or Barb.Cooper@firstwealth.ca; Patenaude at 604.483.8676 or Gilles.Patenaude@firstwealth.ca; and Smisko at 604.483.8682 or Randall.Smisko@firstwealth.ca.
First Wealth Management can also be reached by calling First Credit Union at 604.485.6206.
Mutual funds and securities-related financial planning services are offered through Qtrade Asset Management Inc., Member MFDA.
