May 2006

Building Your Business

Not enough advisors in Alberta city in which unsophisticated investors make high incomes — matched only by the high cost of living

Cigars are the grey area — allowance may be made on some policies for a non-smoker who smokes a cigar on special occasions

As older advisors retire, younger advisors will need to learn the subtleties of serving older clients

While clients see income and tax benefits for their children and themselves, tax experts see too many bumps in the road

Undisclosed debt, total family income and whether to leave children an inheritance can be minefields

It may take more than three years for a prospect to become a client, Doug Lachance writes

Computers will perform thousands of tasks day and night, as long as you keep them uncluttered

The cardinal rule is that all e-mail should be cleared out of your inbox by the end of the day

A company improves when employees believe in their company, their work and their own capabilities

Knowing his product and his clients, and serving his profession, has allowed him to change with the times

Only 12% of financial advisors have a succession plan. And while most view their book as a nest egg for their golden years, they are…

Don’t cast a shadow on your client’s ball, get to the first tee on time and brush up on cart etiquette

Barriers to success fall after team members’ responsibilities are matched with each person’s “mental horsepower”

Comment & Insight

The greening of the financial services industry isn’t a moral issue — it’s strictly business. The fact that a more environmentally conscious industry can help…

Premier Danny Williams is being chastised for his handling of the Hebron-Ben Nevis affair

Tharg’s bad grinder tooth gives us a glimpse into caveman dentistry and Doc Grok’s practice

The Conservatives’ proposed changes would benefit investors

It seems to me there are two types of people: those who love to dance and those that don’t. At least, it certainly looked that…

There’s a potential windfall for both Canada and the U.S. in freely trading securities

B.C.’s provincial government has set a good example for spending its excess money

Investment research

As valuations climb, uptrends appear uncertain

The VIX is an appealing asset class, but its unique characteristics impact the way options are valued

But for speculators betting on a downturn in interest rates, long bonds are appealing

Biggest challenge is hiring high-quality people to sustain the brands

Next-generation enterprise telephony market has emerged — and a few players offer investment opportunities

Focus on Products

Toronto-based Fairway Advisors Inc. has filed a preliminary prospectus for Long Reserve Life Resource Fund. The closed-end fund will invest in a range of commodities,…

The strategy offers investors protection against a rising C$, but works best over the short term and against a single currency

TD Asset Management Inc. plans to merge 10 portfolios with their corresponding RRSP portfolios. Effective Aug. 4, 2006, these changes will take place: TD Managed…

Managers still like oil, natural gas producers

Royal Mutual Funds Inc. has eliminated sales charges on third-party funds sold through its retail branch network. “Enhancing our third-party offerings demonstrates our focus on…

Morningstar Canada should rethink plans for independent fund classification

Regulators let shareholders down by requiring annual information requests

Resources, infrastructure, domestic consumption and exports are key areas of concentration

Winnipeg-based Sarbit Asset Management Inc. has introduced a deferred sales charge purchase option for Sarbit U.S. Equity Trust. “We have created a DSC schedule option…

Toronto-based Caldwell Mutual Funds has ended its relationship with New York-based Strategy Asset Managers, which had been providing investment advice for Caldwell Balanced Fund and…

Trimark Global Balanced Fund and Mackenzie Cundill Global Balanced Fund both boast impressive long-term records

CIBC Asset Management Inc. will move forward the financial yearends of five families of mutual funds it manages. Pending regulatory approval, the yearends of Renaissance…

News

Desjardins financial Security has hired critical illness insurance expert Sean Long as its individual insurance health products specialist. The subsidiary of Desjardins Group wants Long…

Company president Murray Taylor says it’s a mistake to focus on one group

Supreme Court decides it won’t review earlier rulings on art flips; CRA now expected to move aggressively

The Bank Act comes up for review later this year, and the players know they’re better off pursuing goals that are more attainable

RS Bell helps match up high net-worth clients with professional money managers

Hub financial is teaming up with Empire Life Insurance Co. to establish an insurance advisor training school, with the goal of bringing new blood into…

Although the business community is very concerned about Canada’s productivity problem — and wants to see an extensive strategy to fix it — there are…

The industry had a healthy RRSP season, but billions of dollars are still looking for a home

There are a number of new faces — and a key departure — among the executive ranks of Dundee Wealth Management Inc. and its several…

More than a year after it halted trading, Crocus Investment Fund is still a major headache for Bill Watchorn.The president and CEO of ENSIS Growth…

Investors challenge financial services firms on consumption, investments

Quebec sets bar with new system; others lower corporate taxes

Study shows 40% of online Canadians don’t pay bills online because of privacy, security concerns

Two credit unions take on the war against fraud

BCSC has trouble collecting from scofflaws

The super-regional bank sees country-wide expansion if bank mergers are allowed. But for now, it’s not resting on its laurels

An aging population will create demand for various goods and services

Overall sales are down at many of the big firms in the LSIF sector

Union Securities Ltd. and its principals reach series of settlements with regulators over a host of trading infractions

Brokerage Report Card

Independent firms rack up higher scores for corporate culture than their bank-owned competitors

But firms are stepping in with strong, supportive compliance departments and strategies

Canaccord Capital takes top marks for a company, while Wellington West’s Spiring starts to walk the talk

But firms are setting consistently higher goals for selling managed products

And freedom to sell a book to a buyer of choice also a key consideration

Brokerages with branches across Canada face challenges in making advisors feel part of their corporate community

But advisors say their companies’ mentorship and training programs could be greatly improved

Although all-expenses-paid vacations are great perks, brokers who receive a stake in their firms tend to be a happier bunch

Client rosters grow as brokers stop paring away smaller clients and open the doors to new investors

Conversely, advisors show their displeasure with firms that have revolving door in executive suite

Although the two boutiques scored highest, the other brokerages still had lots going for them