Five industry veterans weigh in on how their roles have evolved over time. Our first CIFPS roundtable participants were: Keith Costello, president and CEO of the Canadian Institute of Financial Planners Tony Mahabir, financial advisor, Canfin Financial Group Naguib S. Kerba, branch manager, Investment Planning Counsel Janet Freedman, president, Finance Matters Ltd. William D. Jack, […]
Participants at this year’s Dollars & Sense roundtable discussion say data from the investor survey contains clues to how advisors can better convey their value propositions to clients. The fact investors ranked “A periodic/annual review of my plans or accounts” as their primary need from an advisor indicates too much focus is being put on […]
After safety, security, and a good night’s sleep, having enough for retirement continues to be the most often articulated client priority, according to advisors participating in our annual Dollars & Sense roundtable. Demographics is largely the driver here, since the baby boomers are now moving through educating their children and are thinking about their own […]
What will help advisors do their jobs better? According to participants in our 2009 Dollars & Sense roundtable, some good places to start would be simpler, preferably sales-friendly, disclosure documents; some tools to help convey value and prevent clients from rushing to the lowest-cost options; and a well-defined product shelf that doesn’t overwhelm their clients. […]
When the Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group was formed, toward the tail end of 2002, the driving force was to take a novel approach to asset management in Canada by creating a structure that allowed for unique cultures within each functional area. Co-CEO Warren Stoddart sums it up as an approach that allows people […]
Since both kids had autism, Carolyn Plummer and her husband needed to drum up as much as $40,000 a year to cover treatment costs. And when they placed one of the kids in a special education class, those costs skyrocketed further. Three years ago, Plummer’s husband – an incorporated business owner – set up a […]
Starting September 28, Canada’s long-awaited consolidated National Instrument 31-103 will come into force, replacing the myriad regulations and policy statements found in different sets of provincial securities acts. Initiated by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), the revised proposals relate specifically to registration requirements for dealers, advisors and investment fund managers, and constitute an overhaul of […]
While Canada’s residential real estate market posted its largest year-over-year gain in two years this July, its commercial real estate sector still faces “trying times” and significant obstacles that could send some owners into creditor protection, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report. The report blames tight industry lending conditions; poor investor appetite for commercial mortgage-backed […]
Reckless risk is out. Guaranteed returns are in. And as more and more recession-ravaged seniors face the reality of depleted portfolios, and uncertain financial futures, products with minimal risk and guaranteed returns are increasingly becoming the flavour of the market. The oft-touted market mantra — buy and hold — has proven dangerous, says Bruce Cumming, […]