About us

Our mission

At Bering Financial, we specialize in arming clients with knowledge and awareness about their money that empowers them to make better financial decisions for their family and their legacy.

Our story

Patrick Smith started his career in financial planning in 1972, believing that everyone deserves honest, comprehensive guidance to build the retirement they’ve worked so hard for.

Back then, finding true financial planning wasn’t easy. So Patrick trained with the only firm in the U.S. offering complete financial planning. He learned that real financial advice should be balanced, personalized and focused on the long game.

In 1980, E.F. Hutton recruited Patrick to become a financial planner in Fort Worth, where he served 6,000 clients who trusted him with their futures. But he realized he could better serve his clients by going independent. So he founded Bering Financial in 1986.

For over 50 years, we’ve helped families and business owners across Texas and the U.S. grow their wealth, protect what matters most, and build legacies that last. Our story isn’t about chasing trends or selling products.

We build relationships. We listen. We care. Because your financial plan isn’t about numbers. It’s about the life you want to live and the people you want to take care of. That’s the center of everything we do.

Our focus

Our approach is simple: teach you what can work, question what doesn’t, and help you make smarter choices.

Educate

Know your money

Challenge

Question convention wisdom

Empower

Make confident & informed decisions

The Bering advisory team

Patrick Smith

President & Senior Advisor

Patrick Smith founded Bering Financial in 1986 with a clear mission: help families and business owners protect their wealth through smart, tax-efficient retirement planning. With more than five decades of experience, Patrick specializes in tax-mitigation strategies that reduce your tax burden, maximize income, and preserve your legacy.

Patrick began his career in 1972 with Investors Diversified Services and later served 6,000 clients with E.F. Hutton before establishing Bering Financial. He is passionate about financial education, having taught retirement planning courses at North Lake College and appearing as a featured guest on Believers in Business (100.7 FM, KWRD). He holds a Series 65 license, as well as life and health insurance and annuity licenses.

Outside the office, Patrick enjoys time with his wife Carol (married 50+ years), their seven children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. You’ll find him on the golf course, fishing, or simply enjoying the outdoors.

Patrick believes retirement isn’t just about money—it’s about living the life you’ve worked so hard to build.

Jonathan P. Smith

Office Manager & Marketing Manager

After 16 years in various ministry and administrative roles—both as a church staff member and volunteer—Jonathan rejoined the Bering family in June 2024 as Office & Marketing Manager. He oversees all marketing, operational, and administrative functions. With his warm demeanor, sense of humor, and attention to detail, Jonathan puts prospects and clients at ease, whether scheduling an initial discovery appointment or assisting with paperwork on a service call.

Born in Kansas but raised in the DFW area since age four, Jonathan considers Fort Worth his hometown. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in English from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. He enjoys singing, playing acoustic guitar, writing and recording songs, and leading worship for church small groups. He also volunteers on multiple ministry teams at his church and, when time allows, enjoys hiking and fishing—especially in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. If you notice a family resemblance it is because Jonathan is also Patrick’s oldest son.