On corporate direction
“Our strategic focus is currently being developed. Call me after I see how much they are going to cut my pay.” A CIBC Wood Gundy broker
On corporate finance
“With most of them, due diligence goes out the window. They’re usually good at pricing but hopeless at sizing. They do copycat deals more than anything else.” A CIBC Wood Gundy broker
On payout
“Right now I’m pretty satisfied, but I think I’m going to get kicked in the nuts soon.” A CIBC Wood Gundy broker
Why clients deal with you
“Performance is last. It really is: ‘Did you do your best?’ You don’t have to do a good job.” A CIBC Wood Gundy broker
On moving firms
“We just lost someone because he couldn’t make a living. If I couldn’t make a living, I would go back to a bank.” A Canaccord broker
On back-office technology?
“Do you mean the smoke signals I gotta send out to do a trade?” A ScotiaMcLeod broker
On firm’s strategic focus
“They actually have a mission statement this year. It’s not clear though.” A ScotiaMcLeod broker
On ethics
“There’s such a huge push for fee-based programs. I think that’s an ethical issue. We charge clients three times as much as they would spend otherwise. The performance isn’t enhanced. It’s just so that the advisor can spend more time on the ski hills or the golf course.” A ScotiaMcLeod broker
On legal & compliance
“We call them ‘the sales prevention department’.” A ScotiaMcLeod broker
Do you offer financial planning?
“I think it’s bullshit. I don’t delude mid-income people into thinking I can make them millionaires.” A ScotiaMcLeod broker
“Every time those big boys go play, I get more clients.” A Raymond James broker