Biz Of The Month: Windsor’s O’Kane Financial Group

OF THE MONTH

O’Kane Financial Group . . . Three Generations Of Trusted, Expert Advice

By Dave Hall

Closing in on 50 years serving the financial and insurance needs of clients across Essex County and beyond, O’Kane Financial Group is among a diminishing breed in that it has been locally owned since it was launched in the mid-1970s.

And, in fact, one of the company’s unique features is its three generations of family continuity.

Established by Bill O’Kane when he moved to Windsor from Toronto in 1975, the firm’s management group now includes son Michael O’Kane, who joined his dad in the firm in 1988, and Michael’s daughters Brianne and Kara who came on board in 2010 and 2016, respectively.

“The different generational values, which we all contribute, have allowed us to cater to different age groups and have also left us with the good fortune of providing service to many generations of families and businesses,” says Michael. “It also allows our clients to feel confident that we aren’t going anywhere.”

The senior O’Kane, who passed away in 2019, had worked in the insurance and financial sector at the corporate level since the mid-1950s and when he moved to Windsor, he decided it was time to strike out on his own.

Michael adds: “It’s always been a family business and we see that being the case for the foreseeable future. My dad was active after his official retirement and loved talking about the business. He’d even drop in every now and then to check on how we were doing.”

The family firm offers retirement and estate planning, investments, life and health insurance, and group benefits, to a wide range of clients, many of whom are the children of long time clients who have been with the O’Kane Financial Group for decades.

“One of the other advantages we offer is that all three of us are fully aware of each client’s file and specific needs, so any one of us can step in if one of us is unavailable at a particular time,” Kara expresses. “We have a very efficient client management system.”

Michael freely acknowledges that his daughters have brought new skills to the

The family team of advisors with the O’Kane Financial Group — Michael O’Kane, Owner/Certified Financial Planner/ Group Benefits Associate; Brianne O’Kane, Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP), Advisor; and Kara O’Kane, Advisor — pose inside their Windsor office. Photo by Rod Denis.

business, including a greater reliance on technology and electronic processes for signatures and transactions.

Much of it was accelerated as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. While the business is deemed an essential service and has been able to remain open throughout the pandemic, more meetings with clients and insurance providers have been held digitally or through Zoom.

“Technology has allowed us to remain flexible in our dealings with clients,” Kara indicates. “Our younger clients expect these technological upgrades and we are on the cutting edge.”

Michael points out that the firm worked hard to make sure it had all the proper security measures in place, which allowed it to perform Zoom and digital meetings, thus allowing clients to complete transactions from the comfort of their own home.

In response to clients spreading out across Canada to pursue their careers, O’Kane is also licenced to practice in Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and British Columbia.

“We’ve always believed that no client is too big and no client is too small,” states Kara. “We’ve grown as our clients have grown, and family relationships are very important to all of us because our name is on the building and our reputation is on the line.”

Michael adds that it’s important the firm sees all products, policies and planning through to the end.

“An example of this would be on the death of a client, because we believe it is just as important to settle a death claim and see it through to the end as it is to write the policy in the first place,” he says. “We are firm in our belief that we owe it to our clients to take care of all claim requirements, especially in a time such as a death or disability.”

The firm holds memberships in the

Canadian Federation of Independent

Business and ADVOCIS (the Financial Advisors Association of Canada) and designations as Certified Financial Planners, Group Benefits Associates and Qualified Associate Financial Planners.

The business is located at 3215 Jefferson Boulevard, Unit 303 in Windsor.

You can see further information about their services online at their website: OKaneFinancial.com.