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Know your client’s income — and prove it

Although this question may appear to be a mundane detail in the KYC, it has great importance. This is why

Don’t let the worst-case scenario happen to you

Making life convenient for your clients is important, but protecting your licence and reputation is even more critical

What does spring cleaning mean to advisors?

Ensure you clean up your files properly to avoid exposure to litigation, or regulatory investigations and enforcement

Know your client — but not too well

To know your client is a good thing; to know your clients intimately, however, is not

More than a client’s signature is needed

A signed KYC form is not enough. Advisors need to spend the time and get to know their clients thoroughly

Time to read up on investor education

Investor Education Month only comes every October, but you and your clients should read the material on regulators’ pages year-round

Jack and Jill want to take different routes

What should advisors do when their couple clients want to deal with their finances together but have different risk tolerances and goals?

Advisors must be gatekeepers against insider trading

Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security that clients are not breaching laws or regulations that could lead to regulatory proceedings and litigation

Don’t be haunted, get the POA in writing

Taking the word of a client’s family member that he or she has the power of attorney on the client’s account is a practice fraught…

Advisors are not picking lottery numbers

When your client has a brilliant investment idea, remember that you are a professional advisor who recommends securities based on research, knowledge and experience

Don’t shoot the messenger

Understanding the products you sell requires a lot more than just reading the marketing material

Advisors are not magicians

How to deal with clients who have not saved enough for retirement

Don’t let this happen to you

Understanding the impact that an infraction has on advisors

Who are advisors to protect seniors from?

Although it’s unfair for advisors to shoulder the burden of watching over senior clients’ financial safety, the regulators are leaning on advisors — understand this…

Evidence shows investor-protection system is working

The cases involving advisors who tried to find loopholes to boost their AUA and, thus, remuneration, reveal that the system we have in place is…

Work with engaged clients to reduce risk

You can take a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink. So, make sure you work with clients who are willing to work…

Striped socks and knowing your clients

Changes in fashion are a reflection of how much people change — and why you should meet with clients annually to see what’s going on…

Grow your business with trust

Communicate with clients to ensure you are transparent and have encouraged them to make choices that are in their best interests

A missed opportunity

By not meeting the spouse or children of a well to do client, you’re losing out on growing your business

Figuring out your clients’ needs and wants

You need to understand the products you sell, explain them to clients appropriately, and ensure you chose a strategy that fit clients’ needs best

Protect — and grow — your business at the same time

Watching out for your clients’ best interests, not yours, is paramount