Mortgage bank and broker NOVA Home Loans branches into security-backed lending services through newly-launched NOVA Financial Services. The move comes as part of an effort to also provide investment planning services, professional portfolio management tools, estate planning and wealth management advice. “NOVA Financial Services is a company committed to providing its clients with sage and sound investment advice in the same way that NOVA Home Loans has provided its customers sound lending advice for 29 years,” says NOVA Home Loans president Ray Desmond in a media statement today. The new business will serve as a broker of National Financial Services, which in ’08 serviced 18.5m accounts representing $1.7trn in assets. The firm brings on an experienced investment advisor, Jacob Kagele, as managing director to oversee NOVA Financial Services as it launches into investment waters. Write to Diana Golobay.