Geoffrey Del Bene, Edward Jones Financial Advisor
by Susan Shalhoub
Oviedo Certified Financial Planner Geoffrey Del Bene is celebrating 10 years with Edward Jones Investments!
Originally from Orlando, Geoffrey earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from UCF and his master’s degree in financial planning. He is one of few financial consultants who hold the Certified Financial Planner - CFP® designation, which allows Geoffrey to serve clients in a fiduciary capacity. In addition to his series 7, 66, and 215 licenses, he currently holds more than 6 different financial designations including CFP, ADPA, AAMS, CRPC, CRPS, and more. Geoffrey is joined by his two branch office administrators Renee Quail and Catherine Storm. Together, they are a powerful team managing the Oviedo Edward Jones office.
“I have a responsibility to my clients to always be learning,” says Geoffrey. “Financial markets, estate, and tax laws – in addition to my clients’ needs and goals – are always changing. My clients deserve an advisor who will stay ahead of these changes for them.”
Edward Jones was founded in 1922 and recently celebrated 100 years in business. Edward Jones is one of the world’s largest partnerships managing more than $1.7 trillion in assets. At the age of 32, Geoffrey was made partner with the firm.
“At my age, I feel confident in my knowledge and experience in the industry,” says Geoffrey, “but I am young enough that I won’t be retiring with my clients.”
What It Means To Be An Edward Jones Client
Geoffrey has built his business around relationships and serving his clients’ individual needs. The role of a Certified Financial Planner is far more than just selling a stock or bond. Before recommending an investment, Geoffrey starts by sitting down face-to-face with his clients and uses an established process to help understand what is important to them. Geoffrey takes the time to review and understand an individual’s unique family situation, goals, and desires as well as their current tax, estate, and financial plans. He then builds tailored strategies such as Roth conversions, gifting, qualified charitable distributions, donor-advised funds, portfolio analysis, business succession, college savings, estate, and tax planning to name a few. Geoffrey provides options to his clients to meet those unique goals.
Ultimately, Geoffrey partners with his clients throughout their lives to help keep them on track while celebrating milestone moments along the way. The frequency of communication throughout the year varies based on client preferences from an annual goal meeting, quarterly performance reviews, to joint meetings with a client’s CPA, attorney, or insurance specialist. More specialized meetings may include meeting with real-estate professionals, travel agents, even personal-fitness trainers. Geoffrey’s office regularly hosts client-appreciation and networking events, educational dinners, and lunch seminars, and the office frequently sponsors golf tournaments. A client and community favorite is Geoffrey’s well-attended Christmas party. It’s a celebration for clients and an opportunity for the community to gather and collect toys for local charities.
“Our goal is to help our clients not only find financial success but to feel understood, in control, and enjoy the planning journey,” says Geoffrey. “We take pride in celebrating milestones in our clients’ lives and giving them the first-class experience they deserve!”
Geoffrey’s office is currently accepting new clients who have a minimum of $500,000 in liquid investable assets with an average client investing over $1 million.
Committed to Giving Back
Geoffrey resides in Winter Springs with his family. His fiancée Lauren is a pediatric doctor at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, and his nine-year-old son Luke is a brilliant piano player. Together, they stay active in the Oviedo-Winter Springs community. The Del Bene Family has made it their mission to give back through membership in or sponsorships of a number of service clubs and organizations like HOPE Helps, the Oviedo-Winter Springs Chamber, Kiwanis, Rotary, FSU Alumni Association, Physicians Society of Central Florida, Tuscawilla Homeowners Association, Siemens Golf League, and the Oviedo Jeep Club – to name just a few!
“I love what I do!” says Geoffrey. “God has blessed my family and me in so many ways. To whom much is given, much is expected.”