Our financial advisors | Smit Wealth Management Group | National Bank Financial

We work together to achieve your goals

First and foremost, your service expects provide timely, effective support for your general wealth management needs. They are the cheerful voices who answer your call and the familiar smiles excited to greet you when you walk into our office. Behind the scenes, they are responsible for the wide range of administrative tasks that ensure our operations run smoothly: preparing documentation, booking important review meetings, coordinating the support of our wealth planning specialists and your trusted advisors, helping you navigate our online platform, supporting your tax advisor during tax season with electronic tax slips, setting up or adjusting your registered account (e.g. TFSAs) deposits – and much more.

Our team of experts

Ben Smit B.Com, FCSI, CIM

Senior Wealth Advisor & Portfolio Manager

Works to help successful families facing growing financial responsibilities who need clear, straightforward financial advice in finding the right investments that fit their life’s goals.

Ben is a 25-year veteran in the Financial Services Industry. He received a Commerce Degree from the University of Victoria and attended University in Thailand studying International Finance. Ben is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI) who holds the Chartered Investment Manager designation (CIM) and strives to deeply serve investors.

Ben is goal oriented and is dedicated to helping people when they need it the most.

When not helping clients, Ben feeds his adventurous spirit by Mountain Biking, Paddle Boarding, Skiing, and working out with his family. Ben is an active volunteer who supports and maintains hiking and biking trails with the Friends of the South Slopes Society. Ben spends most of his free time reading about the markets and living a physically active lifestyle with his friends and family.

Ben’s lifelong passion for learning and sports has taught him the importance of dedication in crafting his fundamental skills. If you are in need of assistance with investing, or need a second opinion on your current investments, Ben would be more than happy to sit down with you and discuss your life goals and objectives.

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Paul Cescon, BBA CIM

Wealth Advisor & Portfolio Manager

Paul began his career when he joined National Bank Financial in 2011 and brings 10+ years of investment experience to the team. Clients benefit from his comprehensive expertise in wealth management and his detailed approach to the financial planning process. Paul is passionate about helping clients achieve their goals. He works along side his clients to develop tailored plans to meet their individual needs and objectives. Paul carries his Canadian Investment Management designation and with our Discretionary management platform enables him to actively manage investment portfolios. Paul resides in Kelowna with his wife Nikki, their two kids and two crazy labs. They spend the majority of their spare time in our beautiful mountains fly fishing and skiing.

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Lise Maurier, CIM

Senior Wealth Associate

Lise started in the Investment industry in 1992 and brings 30 years of experience to the team. In addition to being fully securities licensed Lise has completed the Professional Financial Planning Course and carries her Canadian Investment Management Designation. She is dedicated to her continuing education and developing skill set in our ever changing investment industry. As a licenced Senior Wealth Associate, her role on the team is to support and maintain the deep respect and commitment of care to our client relationships. She will be assisting with both the administration of our business and with trading execution. Our in house tax and estate specialist, Lise prepares capital gains loss reports, estate evaluations and liaises with clients tax advisors to provide them with pertinent information on a timely basis.

Lise lives in Kelowna and enjoys everything outdoors. You will find her out discovering new hiking and biking trails and enjoying our beautiful valley. Between playing slo-pitch and to learning to golf there are rare moments of quiet.

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Carol Kofer

Senior Wealth Associate

Carol began her investment career in 1993 and has been a licenced Wealth Associate for over 25 years. She has worked with many different teams throughout the years and provided support and guidance to her many colleagues. She was one of the founding members bringing NBF to the Okanagan and Kelowna location. As a licenced Senior Wealth Associate. Carol encourages all clients to contact her at any time for any administrative concerns. She executes all levels of service and ensures clients have a clear understanding of their investments.

Carol and her family live in Kelowna and take full advantage of the great outdoors, enjoying gardening, fishing, and equestrian activities.

250-717-5522

250-717-5525

carol.kofer@nbc.ca

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Our partners

Our financial advisors | Smit Wealth Management Group | National Bank Financial - Wealth Management

Patrizio Visino, MBA

Premium Banker

National Bank of Canada

Patrizio, Swiss and Italian citizen, joined National Bank in 2020 with over 15 years international experience in South-East Asia and Europe. Patrizio has an MBA degree in Management of Technology from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. Speaking fluently French, English, Italian, German and Spanish, he works closely with Wealth Advisors from the Okanagan, helping clients with their banking and financing needs to achieve their financial goals. His client relationship approach and his professionalism are part of the cornerstone of the clients wealth management strategy success.