Working in a field where your culture and life experiences give you a direct and more personal connection with your clients is something that New York Life agent Diego Portillo loves about his career.
By Tim Estiloz
Tell me about your job at New York Life and what it entails?
I’ve been with New York Life for two years and I work out of the Boston General Office located at 201 Jones Road, 5th Floor, Waltham, MA 02451 (781- 647-4100). I’m a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC, member FINRA/ SIPC, A Licensed Insurance Agency, and an Agent at New York Life Insurance Company where I can assist with variable products like mutual funds and investments as well as life insurance.
My job is to meet with people and talk with them about the financial goals they want to achieve in life. It’s my responsibility to figure out what combination of products can help them to achieve these goals. Obviously, I help them to achieve their financial objectives, but in many respects, the relationship grows and we have deeper conversations about their values, and what they feel strongly about, and how they want to live their life, and if financial decisions are aligned with their life goals.
What do you enjoy most about your job and working with people to achieve their goals?
I like many aspects, but the two I enjoy most are building long-term relationships with clients and having them feel that they are better off because they met me. Second, I enjoy figuring out what product will help my client; it’s almost like a puzzle. Together, we try to determine what kind of products they need, the outcomes they want, and how we can do it within their budget.
Establishing a level of trust with your clients would seem to be a critical aspect of your job. How do you go about achieving that?
There is absolutely a necessary level of trust that has to be established when finances and money are discussed. People are more likely to describe their personal relationships rather than tell you their financial situation. So, trust is something that needs to be built and it’s an exercise that often takes time; but investing time in my clients pays off because once you build that bond, they refer me to friends and family that are also looking to create a solid financial future.
How does New York Life benefit our Latino community in Boston?
New York Life is growing dramatically here in the Boston area and in the Latino community where we are putting a lot of effort into attracting talent who can strengthen, support and educate our community about the need to have life insurance and plan for the unexpected. It’s a community that has often held life insurance and financial strategies with some level of skepticism. So, it’s a matter of building that trust and making sure that the community feels that I understand them and I am here for them.
How does New York Life see its mission to help its clients?
My mission is to make sure that my clients are financially secure if the unexpected should happen and that I help them to achieve the goals that we discussed. It’s very important that my process be one of discovery and to understand my clients and build a long term relationship; as opposed to simply trying to sell them products. My process includes meeting with my clients annually making sure that the plan they created today is still valid in the future. People’s lives change dramatically from year to year. When clients are involved in a life event, such as having a baby, buying a home or they are getting married, we should meet.
What’s part of your job leaves you with the greatest satisfaction?
Anytime that I leave a meeting where the client has had a chance to think about their situation a little differently or in a way they hadn’t thought about previously, that ultimately benefits them; then, I find myself feeling very happy and fulfilled.
– DIEGO PORTILLO MAZAL –
Financial Services Professional and Licensed Agent with New York Life
781-392-1788
Mr. Portillo prides himself on the close relationships he’s been able to build with many of his clients. One of them is Reinier Moquete, a successful business owner, entrepreneur and active member of Boston’s Latino community. The two have known each other for years and Diego is Reinier’s source for his family’s life insurance needs. I asked Moquete what it’s like to work with Diego.
“I currently work with Diego as a source for my family’s life insurance needs”, said Moquete. “He brings a personal touch, which is critical; particularly when dealing with something that is as intimate and personal as life insurance; it touches many different facets of your life.”
“I consider Diego a friend. You must have trust in the person that you’re buying these types of products from because you’re engaging in personal, intimate conversations regarding your family’s lifestyle and financial situation; and the type of protections that you want to put in place for your family. It requires someone who understands you and the kind of lifestyle that you want for them.”
“Another plus Diego brings to the table”, said Moquete, “is that he’s been in business for a long time and has a strong level of professionalism. For me as a business owner, it’s important to me that he understands my day to day. That’s one of the reasons why he’s able to relate so well to his clients because he’s been an entrepreneur and a business owner, so he’s able to directly understand the types of concerns that I take into consideration.”
