July 2012

Building Your Business

Although recent research has found that excessive exercise can lead to permanent scarring of the heart in some people, don't put down your running shoes…

Once you have decided to switch to a fee-based practice, the next question is how much should your clients pay for your services. There are…

To protect your clients, your staff, and your legacy, you must put together a suitable succession strategy years before you plan to make your exit

A key component of a valuable financial advisory practice is a healthy pipeline of prospects. Maintaining that pipeline means reaching out to potential clients who…

Focus on Products

Toronto-based Invesco Canada Ltd. has announced that New York-based Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. has replaced Argyle, Texas-based Halter Financial Group Inc. as the index provider…

Horizons Exchange Traded Funds Inc., along with its affiliate, AlphaPro Management Inc., both based in Toronto, have introduced two new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that will…

Toronto-based CIBC Asset Management Inc. has announced portfolio subadvisor changes for some funds. Kansas City-based American Century Investment Management Inc. (ACIM) will continue to serve…

Toronto-based IA Clarington Investments Inc. has launched IA Clarington Focused Canadian Equity Class Fund, IA Clarington Focused Balanced Fund and IA Clarington Focused Balanced Class…

Proceed with caution on covered call writing

But fund managers say China's large appetite for commodities will be restored over the long term

Report Card on Banks & CUs

Advisors praise their firms' efforts in providing comprehensive product shelves

The high standing of Canadian banks among their global peers is helping advisors attract clients and retain business

Strong branding initiatives were praised significantly by advisors, as were certain marketing support strategies

Financial advisors who work at deposit-taking institutions are increasingly of two minds when it comes to the leadership of their firms

Firms are doing better than ever when it comes to compensation, but advisors still see much room for improvement

Financial advisors surveyed for the Report Card say they like the stability of their firms

How advisors rated their firms

Advisors experience some steep declines in their productivity

Firms in the survey still have some gaps to close

Front Page

Disclosure proposals require dealers to show clients annually what advisors are paid for products and services

"Widest" perspectives on OBAs that regulators have taken

News

Some firms are worried that conflicts in the proposed structure can't be managed effectively

Toronto-based Deloitte & Touche LLP has appointed Frank Vettese managing partner and CEO for Deloitte Canada. Vettese, since joining Deloitte in 2002 and becoming a…

Donald Guloien, president and CEO of Toronto-based Manulife Financial Corp., has been honoured as the 2012 International Business Executive of the Year by the Canadian…

Brigitte Parent has been named senior vice president, individual insurance and investments, for Toronto-based Sun Life Financial Inc. (SLF). Previously senior vice president, client solutions,…

Mark Gordon has been appointed president and CEO of the Toronto-based Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada, effective Oct. 1. He will replace Larry Waite,…

David McKay, group head of Canadian banking for Toronto-based Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), was named Retail Banker of the Year at the annual Retail…

Analyst Brian Belski, who recently joined BMO Capital Markets, expects Canada to do relatively well but with less of a boost from resources

Although the initiative is intended to verify the accuracy of information, some advisors are concerned

Pressure mounts on the country's largest securities commission to move forward on its reform initiatives, both new and old

Insurers and banks contributed significant gains for financial services, but there were soft spots during the first quarter of 2012

Comment & Insight

THE QUEEN CITY’S ON AGAIN, OFF again stadium project is on again. But this time, the project is missing a retractable roof and a couple…

Massive student protests in Montreal over fees might have been prevented with better negotiations

Utility execs party and pull in big raises while beleaguered consumers fight Nova Scotia Power rate hikes

Making nice with other levels of government might help the feds succeed at national securities regulation

Investment research

Finning, Toromont and Wajax are three Canadian firms poised to see big rewards from energy and resources extraction