Bard Santner, a fast-growing local financial services firm, will this month take part in the Seeff Zimbabwe Diaspora Property Showcase in the United States as part of initiatives to venture into the North American market.
The event, organised by Seeff Zimbabwe, a local real estate giant, will be held in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas at The Westin Dallas-Fort Worth Hotel from April 24 to 27.
At the event potential homebuyers, investors, and industry professionals will get a platform to connect, learn, and explore opportunities in Zimbabwe’s attractive real estate landscape.
It will bring together some top developers, property consultants, financial institutions and other key players to showcase their offerings, share insights, and create business networks.
Bard Santner will be among many powerful Zimbabwean brands, which will be part of the prestigious event that provides a unique platform and opportunity for the local diaspora in the US and Canada to explore investment prospects back home and across the African region.
The cast of exhibitors will also include local companies like CBZ Holdings, Datvest, Nyaradzo Group, WestProp Holdings, Kings City, Fine & Country-Zimbabwe, Masimba Construction, MCM Legal, Fairview Properties, Velda Estates, Borrowdale Valley Estate, Home Pros Realty, Northgate Estates, Broadhaven Construction and Re/max, among others.
The Harare-based Bard Santner, which has offices in New York, US, and also operates from South Africa's financial hub, Johannesburg, is a financial advisory and intermediary firm specialising in asset management, corporate finance and wealth management.
It says participation in the event reflects its growing commitment to engaging Zimbabweans and investors abroad.
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Seeff Zimbabwe managing director Patience Patongamoyo said the event was the beginning of a process to rebuild relationships.
"We are really excited that we can bring the real estate industry to North America to engage in productive dialogue with Zimbabweans and start the process of rebuilding relationships with that market, ensuring that we create a safe environment for them to invest in Zimbabwe,” Patongamoyo said.
“After the spectacular success of the UK Showcase we are expecting a similar result as the industry is now fully focused on creating diaspora-friendly products for those markets."
Bard Santner participated in the United Kingdom event, the Seeff Diaspora Property showcase in Birmingham.
The event connected UK-based Zimbabweans with key investment opportunities back home, while helping Bard Santner’s showcase its expertise, services and dedication to addressing the diaspora community's investment needs.
Tatenda Hungwe, Bard Santner executive director for wealth management, said the Dallas event was a platform for Zimbabweans and US investors to explore opportunities for investments.
“This year’s event in Dallas is yet another opportunity for us to listen, learn, and provide solutions that meet the unique needs of our diaspora community,” Hungwe said.
"We want to be the financial bridge that helps Zimbabweans abroad achieve their plans, dreams and aspirations, whether it’s in property, wealth management, or other investment opportunities back home.”
Analysts say Bard Santner, founded in 2022, has rapidly established itself as a reliable financial firm in the market, where it also provides cash remittance services.
The US event is part of its strategy to provide a platform and channel for Zimbabweans and US investors seeking to come into the country and region.
“Our expansion into New York was a deliberate step to connect more closely with the diaspora community, this showcase reinforces that,” Hungwe said.
“We want to make it seamless, and secure for Zimbabweans living abroad to invest back home and in the region.”
In 2023, the firm launched a gold-backed unit trust through its asset management division, following the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s introduction of the Mosi-a-tunya fold coins.
The product provided diaspora investors with a secure way to invest in physical gold, reaffirming the advisory firm's commitment to financial inclusion and innovation.
In addition to this, Bard Santner played a pivotal role in the inaugural Zimbabwe Capital Markets Conference in London, UK, which brought together government officials and policymakers, corporates, investors, fund managers and analysts.
“Our vision is to be the financial partner that truly understands the aspirations of Zimbabweans abroad and we will use the.
“Dallas event to promote that and create sustainable business opportunities and networks,” Hungwe said.
“We aim to provide solutions that speak directly to their challenges, helping them invest in ways that are meaningful and impactful.”
