July 2015

Focus on Products

Toronto-based Invesco Canada Ltd. plans to combine 12 of its mutual funds on Aug. 7: Invesco Select Canadian Equity Class with Trimark Canadian Class; Invesco…

Vanguard Investments Canada Inc. of Toronto is proposing to broaden the diversification of six exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to all-capitalization benchmarks. These ETFs include: Vanguard FTSE…

Toronto-based Mackenzie Financial Corp. has launched Mackenzie Global Tactical Investment Grade Bond Fund. Its objective is to generate income by investing in investment-grade, fixed-income securities…

Toronto-based Standard Life Mutual Funds Inc. and Manulife Asset Management Accord (2015) Inc. (MAM) have made several changes to their investment teams. Terry Carr, head…

The good news is that there are new standards for assessing risk and return

Prices may increase because of recent cuts in production

Front Page

Client protection a key concern

Big increase in AUM and productivity

Regulator plans to expand CE requirements

Report Card on Banks & CUs

How advisors rated their firms

Advisors praise their firms' online platforms, which have significant integration of investment and banking accounts

Advisors have many concerns about their firms' technology, and several firms have much room for improvement

Banks and credit unions need to provide advisors with a variety of training opportunities delivered in various ways

Comprehensive programs matter to these advisors as they can't sell their books of business to fund their retirement

Advisors lauded compliance staff who are approachable and take the time to make sure all regulatory requirements are met

Advisors want their firms to have teams of specialists to help with clients' increasing needs in wealth-management services

CIBC and Meridian received great praise from their advisors, while the other firms in the survey have areas to improve

Building Your Business

Terms such as "vision," "strategy" and "tactics" all have a place in determining how you will reach your business goals. What's important is that you…

As clients become more aware of environmental and social issues, responsible investing is being regarded less as a niche market and more as a sensible…

What sets you apart from other advisors - and low-cost options - should be the tangible benefits your clients receive by working with you, and…

News

Young, striving adults who are tech-savvy but not yet well established can be fertile ground when it comes to adding new clients. Even the boomers…

Horizons' co-CEO Steven Hawkins takes over as the firm continues to expand and build its award-winning ETFs

A wide range of comments recommend that the OSC tackle several key priorities, including advisor licensing

Proposed reduction in income-tax rate for small businesses may be offset by increase in dividend rate

Most financial services firms showed improvement in the first quarter of 2015. But not all the news is positive

Comment & Insight

While financial services firms benefit from public supports, they often are seen as generating inadequate services for customers

Pierre Karl Péladeau is transferring his billion-dollar control block of Quebecor Inc. Class A shares to a blind trust, following his recent election as leader…

It was 13 hours before Vancouver city officials were informed about the recent spill in English Bay - too late for much ocean wildlife

Overplaying development density may hurt Toronto's economic ambitions

Investment research

Transportation stocks, which rose strongly from 2000 onward, have started to decline despite solid corporate results