July 2007

Comment & Insight

There is one thing about having cancer — you need never feel alone. Almost everyone you meet has been touched by cancer, whether it is…

Reforms are aimed at the culture of entitlement that has become deeply ingrained

Federal and B.C. governments call for a better management plan for the Fraser River

The ideal diet? Broccoli and Brussels sprouts, with kale for dessert

Investors are free to decline its recommendations, but not brokerages or mutual fund dealers

There are no certainties in Quebec’s new political triad era. Jean Charest’s Quebec Liberals, unpopular in their first term, nevertheless were re-elected. Even with a…

Ottawa isn’t giving the Canadian Association of Income Trust Investors attention it deserves

Building Your Business

Halifax advisor chose an advice-based business over a transactional practice

Keith Thomson, a partner and financial planner with Stonegate Private Counsel LP in Toronto, has found his most appreciated client appreciation effort is actually not…

From venue to menu, there are a lot of details to take care of when planning an event, and often an event planner can be…

You’ve heard it again and again: diabetes is on the rise in Canada. So, are you at risk? If you carry excess weight and work…

One in three young adults are living with their parents; early education can promote financial independence

With many clients moving from the asset-accumulation stage of life to living off the income from those assets, one question comes sharply into focus: will…

Advisor Brian Himmelman of Halifax says building trust among clients is key to establishing a successful financial advisory business in today’s market.“Credibility is an issue.…

As advisors and clients rush to embrace the Web, so do hackers. Take steps to ensure your site is secure

Good communication is crucial to any business relationship. In conversations with clients — face to face or over the telephone — listening is as important…

Print on both sides of a sheet of paper, replace incandescent bulbs, repair leaky taps, use reusable mugs in office kitchen

When meeting with a client, it’s important to show that you are listening. Michael Garska, president of Novacom International/Success Tool Chest, a leadership program in…

Once you’ve decided to let a staff member go, act sooner rather than later, and prepare an exit checklist

The key to successful client appreciation is to customize and individualize your message to each client

Focusing your practice on a specific client base can make you a market leader

Whether it’s a few days or a few weeks, inform your clients and empower your team

Focus on Products

Don’t ditch the existing system; adjust the rules we now have

Youthfulness of India’s population bodes well for the future, says fund manager Jayesh Gandhi

The new derivative products, first developed in Britain, may appeal to clients who like to game with low margin requirements

Enforcement is a gaping hole in this version of the passport system

Both AGF Canadian Balanced and Trimark Growth & Income get three-star risk-adjusted rankings from Morningstar Canada

Fund managers are confident that the sector’s five-year winning streak is far from over

The bulk of Cardinal’s assets are in Western Canada, with smaller amounts in Ontario and the Maritimes

Franklin Templeton launches energy fundFranklin Templeton Investments Corp. has launched Bissett Energy Corporate Class for clients who want direct exposure to Canada’s energy sector. The…

Investment research

Strong demand, as well as production bottlenecks, may keep molybdenum prices high for the next few years

Covered call writing produces positive alpha at lower cost than hedge funds

There’s a larger small-company stock index and a much revised mid-cap index; the index family covers more stocks

But not all BCE bonds are equal; the bonds’ covenants have turned the issues into “Hell’s Bells” and “Good Bells”

Report Card on Banks & CUs

But executives say their strategy is on target

Scores indicate the challenges ahead for banks and credit unions as they grapple with technology

Financial institutions generally don’t make CFPs and PFPs compulsory, but do reward holders

Researchers for Investment Executive — Marshall Bellamy, Kate Betts-Wilmott, Clare O’Hara and Dalva Potestio — surveyed 306 advisors at six banks and two credit unions…

Scores for back office and advertising take a nosedive; credit unions take the biggest fall

The advantage of the banks and credit unions is their branch networks

Valued client relationships go a long way in attracting and keeping advisors

Royal Bank advisors give in-house funds a thumbs-up; CIBC, credit unions get mixed reviews

While some extoll “great” salary/commission/bonus schemes, many say they’re underpaid

News

Faithlife financial, a 35-year-old Waterloo, Ont.-based fraternal benefit society that provides insurance and investments to 30,000 Christian member-owners across Canada, is looking to expand its…

Some financial servi–ces companies are feeling the bite of the new accounting rules.Under the new rules, changes in the fair market value of financial instruments…

Canadian securities industry is preparing to see if the U.S. will adopt a more open approach

Fund industry says new two-page document is a good start

Although many countries — including Canada — are worried about how their pension systems will cope with aging populations, Britain plans to address the problem…

Bringing virtual bank Ubiquity under its wing is a logical step in ramping up growth

About 60% of the publicly traded financial services companies in Investment Executive’s quarterly profit survey saw earnings increase in the first quarter of 2007 from…

Advisors who feel a strong pull to their Christian faith now have the opportunity to acquire a designation that tells clients they have the education…

Pushing for bank mergers and the ability to sell insurance likely top Hughes Anthony’s to-do list