Fly With Smith
Let us help you navigate your financial future.
We Will Tailor An Individual Portfolio
To Help Our Clients Meet Their Goals.
Smith Associates Provides Local, Experienced Advice
Smith Associates has been located in Holland, Michigan since 1992. Smith Associates is again a Registered Investment Advisor in the State of Michigan and the state of Florida. Smith Associates also provides advisory services to the Smith & Associates Financial Fund, LLC. Smith Associates is locally and solely owned by Benjamin A. Smith, III, CEO. Melissa Secor is the VP of Operations and Chief Compliance Officer.
Our Focus Is On Building Long-Term Relationships
We work closely with our client’s in order to foster and build strong, long-term relationships. We do this knowing that client/advisor familiarity greatly enhances the potential for reaching client objectives. Additionally, in most cases we can work directly with our clients existing bank or broker, eliminating the need to terminate any current relationships.
Our Investment Strategy Is Based On Each Client’s Financial Goals And Objectives
Our success is predicated on the understanding of these goals, and then tailoring individual portfolios that maximize performance while respecting each individual client’s risk tolerance. Blending our asset allocation recommendation with the clients objectives and risk tolerance is one of the most important cornerstones of our investment strategy.
What We Can Do For You
Advisory Services
Smith Associates advisory services are tailored to each client. Smith Associates can work directly with the client’s existing bank or broker, eliminating the need to…
Investment Philosophy
Smith Associates recognizes that individuals have different financial goals and objectives. Our success is predicated on understanding those goals and objectives…
Portfolio Development
The first step in developing a client portfolio is to establish the financial objectives and determine the risk tolerance. A thorough understanding of these parameters enables Smith…
Research
We obtain information from a number of sources, both public and by purchase, including financial newspapers and magazines, research materials prepared by…
About Us
Benjamin A. Smith, III
Educational Background and Business Experience
Benjamin A. Smith III is the Founder and President of Smith Associates. In 1971, Ben was the first Trust Investment Officer with First Michigan Bank, which led to various positions as Senior Vice President of First Michigan Bank Corporation, and the CEO of First Michigan Bank Financial Group. In those capacities, Ben acquired years of experience in investment strategy, portfolio management, and bank acquisitions. He had direct responsibility for management and investment of First Michigan Bank’s trust and bank investment portfolios of over $2.5 billion. In 1992, Ben started Smith & Associates. He was the CEO of Smith & Associates until it merged with Macatawa Bank in October 2006. Ben established Macatawa bank in 1997, serving as Chairman and CEO until February 2009. From December 2006 to January 2014, Ben was CEO of Florida Shores Bancorp Inc, and also held various roles with its bank subsidiaries. Ben is Currently the Managing Member of the Smith & Associates Financial Fund, LLC.
Ben holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Economics from Purdue University, and an MBA specializing in Finance from Indiana State University. He currently holds the Series 65 license
Melissa Secor
Educational Background and Business Experience
Melissa Secor is the Chief Operations and Compliance Officer of Smith Associates. Melissa has been employed by Smith Associates since 2007, first as the regulatory and account administrator. Throughout Melissa’s financial career her experience ranges from being a Corporate Accounting Clerk, Investment Services Sales Specialist, Principal Review Specialist, Investment Operations Manager, and Banking and Investment Consultant. From 2001 to 2007 Melissa was the President and Chief Compliance Officer at Macatawa Investment Services. From January 2007 to March 2014, Melissa was the Senior Vice President of Employee and Investor Relations with Florida Shores Service Company.
Melissa Secor attended Orange Coast College with a Marketing focus. She then went on to complete an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree, focusing in Business & Marketing, from Grand Valley State University. Melissa also has the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute. She currently holds the Series 65 license.