Givilancz invests for his clients' future and his own

Mike Givilancz Jr. is accustomed to assessing investment risks and rewards for clients of Givilancz Financial Group.   The company’s office, decorated with quality Mexican colonial pieces grouped  near a copper-hooded fireplace, creates an atmosphere in keeping with a focus on money management, wealth accumulation, estate preparation and retirement planning.   It is also in keeping with Givilancz’s recent expansion into real estate development with Villa Escondida, a planned community of upscale town homes in south Weslaco.

Givilancz, a Weslaco native, has evolved from being a general contractor to opening his insurance agency 20 years ago, and then eight years ago shifting his services to financial management, offering  securities and bonds and providing products that give consistent return for the investor.   Along the way, he has served two terms on the Weslaco School Board and served on the Weslaco Economic Development Board, which presented him with the Chairman’s Award in 2005 for significant investments and contributions to the local economy.

“My basic market is 45-to-60 year-old professionals and business owners in their prime earning years and nearing retirement,” Givilancz said.  He explained that many of his business relationships developed into strong friendships and many friendships led to business relationships.   He typically creates an investor profile which takes into account an individual’s tolerance for risk and the time line for investments with age dictating the most rewarding options.

“I’m leaning my investment portfolios more to bonds, especially in light of the market which I don’t expect to shape up for another year,” he said.   For his clients, he recommends safe, alternative investments with satisfying yields and working through reputable companies to manage risks.  He suggested that an investment portfolio have 15 to 20 % of its assets not tied to the market.

Givilancz himself is not risk adverse.  He admitted a love of design and architecture prompted him three years ago to put together the Villa Escondida development.  The 40 residence project, which he set amid 70 year-old oak trees and designed to evoke Tuscany and Napa Valley, opened this month.  “I decided I wanted to put some of my resources in real estate.  The Valley is such a new area and growing.”

Always an avid sportsman, Givilancz took up a new challenge four years ago on a milestone birthday: long distance bicycling with Team McAllen.   He biked  to San Antonio in July, pedaling 225 miles in two days  with the group, which is mostly riders 15 years younger than him.