Interview with Pierre Saint-Laurent, M.Sc., CFA

Pierre Saint-Laurent Vice-President, Marketing at Nova Bancorp Group and a Director of North American Lifestyle Planning Corporation. Nova Bancorp Group is a Co-Founder of North American Lifestyle Planning Corporation.

What can you tell us about Nova Bancorp Group?

I believe that Nova Bancorp Group is today one of the most innovative financial services firms in Canada. Founded in 1982 in Western Canada, Nova Bancorp Group was launched on the premise that a deep understanding of the individual's needs is the first step to any successful project, whether financial, professional, or personal. This is why we have over the years, striven to maintain and foster this sense of personal care by putting the individual, the human being, before the financial instruments which are designed to serve his or her needs.

But what makes Nova Bancorp Group innovative? First, we offer cutting-edge financial products you won't find anywhere else in the Canadian financial services industry. These products include its unique RRSP-eligible Navigator Managed Futures Fund and its Navigator Canadian Technology Fund.

Secondly, Nova Bancorp Group has launched the Strategic PartnersÔ Program, a one-of-a-kind program that will bring to qualified financial professionals the best in practice management, advanced asset allocation, wrap program training, and tax/estate/small business succession expertise. Financial Advisors who attend the Program are assured to be kept fully up-to-date in the latest advances and tools available in the financial services industry.

Thirdly, lifestyle planning will become a part of the Strategic Partners Program. In fact, we feel that lifestyle planning is the most important component of a comprehensive financial toolkit in the 21st century. Why? Because lifestyle planning leads to a strong and full connection between the individual's needs and wants, and the financial, personal, and interpersonal tools to achieve them.

What do you believe has been the secret of your success at Nova Bancorp?

Clearly, the fact of putting the person first has always been a significant driver and success factor. Thinking about business development, product development, client servicing, and partnering with the individual in mind has led us to where we are today: cutting-edge, forward-looking and value-adding.

What made you decide to get involved with the Enhanced Lifestyle Planner project?

When we were approached with the idea, it was clear that the fit with our own development plans was there. To us, incorporating lifestyle planning into the Strategic Partners Program was our way to add value to the community of financial professionals who service investors. In fact, we had already started to indicate to our top financial partners the importance of lifestyle planning at our conferences and seminars! So it's fair to say that the meeting of minds between David Humes, George Beshara, and ourselves couldn't be a better fit.

What has been the response so far from Financial Planners you have spoken to?

Almost without exception, the financial professionals that we have business relationships with, such as financial planners, brokers, and insurance professionals, have indicated a very significant need for a top-level lifestyle planning process. It's clear nowadays that investors want to take their planning to the next level. They want and need to gain a comprehensive view of their lives and how its financial component represents the toolbox, which they will use to attain lifestyle objectives. Let's face it: Investors want a quality of life, they want to realize their dreams and they aspire to improve who they are. The financial services profession is really here to help individuals reach what they aspire to. And to reach the summit, you need to know the trail to get you there. This is where lifestyle planning is so powerful.

Why do you think Financial Advisors will truly benefit from using this tool?

Financial Advisors become completely focused on their clients' needs when they help them determine their lifestyle needs. This process, in turn means that their level of service - what they truly bring to their clients - is immeasurably multiplied. Clients, as a result of completing the Enhanced Lifestyle Planner, will understand themselves and their lifestyle needs much better, and after meeting with their Financial Advisor, will also understand how the financial services which are at their disposal, will help them realize their objectives, dreams and aspirations.

In the end, Investors want to work with their Financial Advisors to find out what they want - and how to get there. Lifestyle planning, in conjunction with financial planning, delivers this knowledge.

Any other comments?

I would urge anyone in the financial services industry to consider the following questions :

1. How can you better understand the needs of your clients, who rely on your professional expertise to attain their financial objectives?
2. How can you increase investor awareness, participation, and satisfaction?
3. How can you differentiate yourself from other professionals, by significantly and efficiently increasing the service you give to your clients?

Clearly, Lifestyle planning is the answer.