STEVE DOWNEY, PFP, QAFP™, DIVISION DIRECTOR, IG WEALTH MANAGEMENT, SUSSEX, NEW BRUNSWICK
STEVE DOWNEY
“Focus on the End Result”
“Our thoughts create our reality,” says Rhonda Byrne in her 2006 bestselling self-help book, The Secret. To do more, achieve more, and have more, Byrne encourages us to focus on the end result, or as hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky once said, “Skate to where the puck is going to be…”
Steve Downey is a Financial Consultant at IG Wealth Management and helps clients build, manage, and protect their wealth. “Much like the Gretzky philosophy described above, an IG Living Plan, allows clients to visualize things BEFORE they happen,” Financial Consultant, Steve says.
He works with Individuals, Business Owners and Professionals; Baby Boomers currently make up the lion’s share of his practice. “To provide great value to each client, I need to understand them, and their specific situation. Each client I work with deserves a personalized approach to their unique and personal goals. I work with each client on creating a comprehensive financial plan to achieve their goals. Client’s goals will change over time and at times become very complex. I work with internal and external experts to provide individual tax and estate planning required for all clients throughout their lifetime. A personalized plan is the starting point, but must be revisited on an annual basis to measure progress and capture any changes required that need to be planned for.
“Steve Downey has been our financial advisor for some time, guiding us through financial planning for retirement and later adjusting to retirement and living on a fixed income. When we decided to downsize and build a small retirement home, he was there helping us through our frustrations and coming up with a mortgage plan which we could manage. His friendly caring personality and financial expertise has made discussing financial concerns easy. He keeps up to date on the financial scene and contacts us regularly to keep us up to date on our portfolios,” one client says.
“I know it sounds like a cliché, but, working for IG is a family affair.” Steve’s father, Paul, was a financial advisor with London Life and joined IG Talent Acquisition Team when he retired. His brother, Jason, is IG’s Senior Vice President for Atlantic Canada. “I guess you could say that designing financial plans that enhance clients’ lives has been ingrained in me through the 30+ years my family has been serving others in the financial industry,” Steve adds.
Steve joined IG in 2007 right before the market crash. He saw this as an opportunity to learn how people should be invested and the actions they needed to take to move forward. In 2009, Steve decided he would join a Canadian bank and enjoyed the continued experience in working with clients in helping them achieve their financial goals. “After spending six years at the bank, I made the decision to move back to IG Wealth Management to build a financial planning practice and make a long-term commitment to clients and the community.”
"Since being back at IG, I am very proud of the team that I have to support me in working with my clients. It is a team of experts that I can count on when it comes to Insurance planning, Estate planning, Tax planning and a Mortgage Specialist. I currently have an associate and an assistant on my team and looking to continue to build this great team moving forward."
Philosophy & Approach
Steve focuses on educating and empowering my clients to visualize and plan for the future. I am committed to ensure their financial decisions are synchronized, customized and explained in everyday language. “I am extremely appreciative for the faith and trust clients put within me and it’s rewarding when they experience achieving their financial goals.”
“This business is based on trust and relationships. I truly make an impact on my clients lives and generations to follow with the proper planning. Clients not only trust me with their financial wealth, they trust me with their hopes and dreams. I want to be worthy of that trust and to be there for them, as their coach, confidante, and friend. I have followed a quote that has stuck with me since starting in the financial industry and it is “ People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care”. I feel that my caring approach, is one of the reasons clients continuously refer me to their family members, colleagues and friends.”
“When our investment advisor retired, we were introduced to Steve Downey…We were very impressed with his professional knowledge concerning the world of investments, so we handed our portfolio over to this man. He has since always given us different options with our investments and has provided very sound advice and has allowed us to make our own decisions based on our own circumstances. Steve is available at all times to address any concerns that we may have, he returns our phone calls promptly and answers all of our silly questions. We have a high degree of confidence in his professional role and would recommend him to handle anyone’s portfolio,” says another client.
Steve is always working on creating unique experiences for his clients. Recent initiatives included “Front Porch Pictures” where he hired a professional photographer to take pictures of clients on their front porches, and a “Family Kitchen Party.” An online concert is in the works. If you want to participate in future events, simply email Steve at (Steve.Downey@ig.ca).
Up Close & Personal
After spending eleven years in the retail business, my father and brother encouraged me to consider a career in the financial services industry. My learning began with my mutual fund and insurance licenses. Whether retail banking or financial services, my success is grounded in three principles – “Ask people what is important to them, understand why and provide a roadmap to achieve success.”
Steve has earned his Personal Financial Planner (PFP), Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP™) and Life Licence Qualification Program designations. “All of these designations require that I put clients’ interests first. I am currently working on my Certified Financial Planner® credentials.”
Steve is very proud to be heavily involved in his local community. These include, being on the Board and a sponsor of Sussex SummerFEST for the last two years (summerinsussex.ca). Steve is also the Treasurer of the Sussex Downtown Business Association, and the Chair of the Investment Committee for the Sussex Community Foundation.
For eight years now, Steve has been on a Heart & Stroke New Brunswick Hockey Heroes team; he has also captained a team for the last four years. As well, he financially supports local hospice, the Sussex Skating Club, the Sussex Vale Transition House for abused women, the Snowmobile Club, and also sponsors a hole at the Sussex Golf and Curling Club and the Sussex Fish & Game Association.
Steve, and his wife, Kim, have been married for seven years. They have two healthy, happy and active young children, daughter, Allison (5) and son, Will (2). Allison loves to skate and dance, and Will likes to do boy things like playing with his trucks and bugging his sister. The family enjoys travel and outdoor activities and own a trailer. In the winter Steve plays hockey on a men’s hockey league. He golfs in the summer and enjoys going to see the Patriots play in Foxborough in the Fall.
As a last word, Steve says, “I love being part of a team, learning about what’s important to the people in my life, and working towards a shared goal. If you were to ask me to describe my dream job I would talk about my current career at IG. Whether hockey, wealth, or life, I agree with Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” I want to help you focus on taking your best shots and living your best life.”
Suzen Fromstein is the author of Suits and Ladders, Ten Proven Ways to Keep Your Job Safe - with a few jokes thrown in. Suits and Ladders was an Amazon Best Selling Book in the Career Guides Category.
Steve Downey, PFP
Consultant
27 Winter Street, Sussex, NB E4E 2H9
Tel (506) 433 1935 | Mobile 506.639.3277 |
steve.downey@ig.com
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
Member of the Power Financial Corporation Group of Companies