By Sean Delaney
Vida Financial Group may be a newer presence in Emery Village, but the philosophy behind the firm is rooted in experience, independence, and a belief that financial planning should reflect real life — not just numbers on a page.
Founded in 2022, Vida Financial Group is led by Firm Principal and Founder Kevin Moniz, alongside Financial Advisors Michael Wine and Faith Monkman. Together, the team set out to build a practice focused on long-term relationships, education, and thoughtful planning for individuals, families, and businesses.
Moniz says the idea for Vida grew from seeing too many people feel left behind by the financial system. While much of the industry focuses on large portfolios and high-net-worth clients, many everyday Canadians are simply trying to balance rising costs, retirement uncertainty, and family responsibilities.
“In our industry, it’s very common for people to chase the big fish. What really tugs on my heart is the everyday person trying to save for retirement or protect their family while inflation keeps changing the rules.”
— Kevin Moniz, Firm Principal & Founder
A defining feature of Vida Financial Group is its independence. The firm is not tied to any single bank, insurance company, or financial institution, allowing the team to recommend solutions based on fit rather than obligation. In practice, that often means building plans that draw from multiple providers to meet a client’s specific needs.
Insurance planning is frequently the starting point, helping clients address risk and protect what matters most before moving into longer-term strategies. From there, conversations naturally expand into retirement planning, investments, tax efficiency, and legacy goals.
Michael Wine explains that Vida’s role often extends beyond financial products alone. “It’s not just about what we offer,” he says. “We want to be a steady presence for our clients, and that often means connecting them with trusted professionals — whether that’s an accountant, a mortgage specialist, or another advisor — so everything works together.”
The firm’s name reflects that broader outlook. “Vida,” meaning life in Portuguese, was chosen to represent planning that adapts to changing circumstances. Life is not static, and neither are financial needs. Education, flexibility, and balance are central to how the team works with clients.
That human-first approach is especially important as technology and artificial intelligence become more common in financial services. While Vida embraces modern tools, Moniz and his team are careful not to let automation replace personal judgment and meaningful conversations.
Faith Monkman notes that collaboration is key, both within the team and with clients themselves. “The more we understand someone’s situation, the better we can help,” she says. “Our goal is to walk alongside people as their needs evolve, not just offer a one-time solution.”
For Emery Village businesses, Vida Financial Group provides guidance on employee benefit plans, corporate tax strategies, succession planning, and retention tools designed to grow alongside the business. The emphasis is on ongoing relationships rather than “set it and forget it” approaches.
At its core, Vida Financial Group is about showing up — listening carefully, planning thoughtfully, and staying involved as lives and priorities change. In a community built on trust and long-standing relationships, that approach feels like a natural fit.
Vida Financial Group
1 High Meadow Place, Unit 8, 2nd Floor, North York
www.vidafg.ca647-725-9663