May 2010

Comment & Insight

Solid support in the province’s hinterlands is a prerequisite to hold power

Extreme measures are called for when technology bites back

Publicly, the government is backing away from harmonization. But now it seems inevitable

If unaddressed, crucial issues such as health care and productivity will threaten future prosperity

Montreal can’t seem to get its transportation plans into gear

Should individuals be subject to full reviews by both dealers and regulators?

Investment research

Decades of good times for bonds are ending, requiring top-quality management

Capital/consumer-goods stocks have seen some interesting swings over time

Region’s growing strength is evident in the speed of its economic recovery, which was much faster than that of the developed world

Focus on Products

Advisors should reconsider long-term debt in client portfolios

New energy ETFs from BetaPro

Great investment opportunities lie beyond our shores

Some fund managers say that Japan, a long-time laggard, is outperforming other Asian countries

Advisors should look at asset mix, security selection and other factors

News

The CSA’s proposed rule could weaken firms’ accountability to shareholders even further

But will any be carried out? Previous attempts have largely proved futile

A big attraction to locating in the province is the large pool of skilled and flexible workers

Two Ontario-based companies are underwater after failing to match premiums and death benefits

Profit growth continues

Qtrade can expand its fund selection; Meritas gets country-wide exposure for its SRI funds

But while some are raising taxes, most others hope that restraining expenditures will do the trick

Analyst Don Roberts took a year to do the research before pitching CIBC on a new venture

Current regulations regard calls to existing insurance clients differently from calls to investment clients

The Prairie Central — its working title — would have the financial clout to support the borrowing needs of its members

A trio of Saskatchewan credit unions have announced plans to merge and create one of the biggest financial co-operatives in Canada.If approved by the memberships…

Although the financial crisis brought much new activity to a halt, most signs now point to a rebound

Firm touts business model as “way of the future for ultra-high net-worth families in Canada”

Online social media have big benefits, risks

Building Your Business

When it comes to setting salaries and bonuses, it helps to get advice from those who have experience in hiring staff

Advisor focuses on the Muslim community

Planners suggest looking carefully at actual client liabilities and needs before using riders for additional coverage

Some advisors spend months developing a relationship before asking for a meeting

Modest goals, careful planning and tax-sheltered savings can help a single father who is essentially starting over at 50

When it comes to the treatment of seasonal allergies, prevention is the best medicine. Try to avoid the causes of your grief

It’s crucial to prepare for interviews in advance and ensure that connecting with the client, not just landing business, is the goal

Focusing on the Muslim community

When dealing with an irate client, first let them do the talking

Is the world of Facebook friends and Twitter tweets any place for a financial advisor? Yes, say online social media experts, but you have to…

Hiring an assistant is one of the most important decisions you will make for your business

A guide to popular social media sites

The iPad’s attraction is that it bridges the gap between a smartphone and a conventional laptop

Use the subject line, make sure the recipient wants to hear from you and don’t rule out an old-fashioned conversation

The key is to make your exit at the right time, for the right purpose and in the proper way

Brokerage Report Card

Although some pulled through better than others, everyone is relieved to get back on track (<b>includes main chart</b>)

Advisors who raved about their firms’ support services cite quick and direct access to in-house specialists

The best way to support advisors during the recession was to offer increased communication (includes chart)

Having a strong brand name and surviving the recession intact were important elements

Advisors, for the most part, are happy with the many changes that have occurred at their firms

But other advisors criticize their firms for lack of flexibility and for paying more attention to high-producing advisors (includes chart)

Now it its 18th year (includes links to previous years)

Customized tools and specialized support are essential to developing a solid financial plan, advisors say (includes chart)

But while books of business and productivity are on the rise, it appears that some attrition is taking place within the industry (includes chart)

With the average age of advisors rising, so is the percentage of those with a documented succession plan in place (includes chart)

Despite the general dissatisfaction, there were a few bright lights as some firms were commended for their offerings (includes chart)