June 2008

Focus on Products

Advisors using only simple assessment methods are asking for trouble

Locking in gains made along the way to maturity may appeal to clients sitting on a heap of cash

But funds that charge redemption fees can soften the impact

Investors should examine transaction and management costs carefully

Worries of recession caused by the credit crunch and the subprime mortgage mess have been factored into the market

RBC Canadian Equity Fund boasts a lower MER than BMO Equity Fund

Hartford launches new DCA seriesToronto-based Hartford Investments Canada Corp., manager of Hartford mutual funds, has launched a new, six-month Series 4 of dollar-cost averaging units…

News

While resources drive prosperity for some, Ontario could become a have-not

But gap between fixed mortgage rates and short-term interest rates is in line with historical levels

Lorne Harper wants to use the brokerage firm’s parent’s strong name to attract new clients

Clients could lose out on a key income-splitting technique if the interest is not paid by the end of January

Deal follows Foresters’s acquisition of Unity Life of Canada

Economies have been built on the availability of cheap credit

Despite falling from a peak established in 2006, private-equity transactions remain on solid footing

Although the size of the overall market has more than doubled in the past year, Canada is nowhere to be seen thus far

The firm is readying to launch a new guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit product — and it’s setting lofty targets

The niche fund company is aiming to become more mainstream

Jean St-Gelais, beginning his second term as head of the AMF, says the regulator is “taking flight” after a rocky start

Credit unions fear losing what sets them apart

But Transamerica Life Canada is pulling back on that business to focus on manufacturing life insurance and annuity products

Managing wealth for a single family can make an advisor’s life easier on many fronts

McFeetors moves to the chairman’s office, while three other execs take over the firm’s Canadian, U.S. and European divisions

Enforcement staff atthe B.C. Securities Com-mission in Vancouver last month cited former NDP member of Parliament Nelson Riis for making false and misleading representations about…

Clients like them because they provide the “sleep well at night” factor; advisors like them because they are easy to sell

Investment research

Although there are opportunities in this sector, fuel price increases and slow economic growth pose risks

The 11 industries in the resources and financial sectors that have the largest earnings are setting the trend

Despite depressed prices, the long-term fundamentals remain sound for companies mining the radioactive metal

It can dampen volatility, but seldom enhances long-term performance

Even in a low-return environment, some of these funds manage to shine

Comment & Insight

It pays to be aware of the “how and why” when damages are calculated

Federal bureaucrats are facing off more often with the government

The intergovernmental buck-passing in British Columbia over where to dump millions of tonnes of Metro Vancouver’s garbage is a modern version of Nero playing his…

Charest wants to loosen mobility rules to make it easier for workers to come and go

Editor's letter

The Nova Scotia government is hoping green energy will help power it to another term

The upside of becoming a have-not province

Building Your Business

A client advisory board is an excellent tool for getting client feedback to help you make decisions about how you conduct your business. Topics can…

Smartphone technology, once widely available only in the U.S., is becoming more accessible — and versatile — in Canada

Sandra Genereux was an investor as a child

Couple who sold the family business need advice on retirement income and estate planning. Two advisors weigh in

Sandra Genereux, an advisor with National Bank Financial Ltd. in Kelowna, B.C., is passionate about the importance of education.Genereux believes that if she educates her…

From podcasts to blogs, marketing guru says online world offers a host of effective tools

Your client advisory board can provide feedback and input on important decisions from clients’ perspective

If you don’t offer SRI, your clients may go looking for it from another advisor

Advisors can help resolve tensions among siblings while building a trusting relationship with the family

Many new arrivals know little about the programs available to them; learning a new financial services culture is a challenge

Given recent markets, it can be challenging to obtain candid assessments

Jake jumped at the chance to take over a retiring colleague’s clients. But was it the right move for his business?

A variety of new therapies and technologies are available to treat sports and other injuries

Managing client events, seminars and prospecting campaigns is a full-time job — and not an advisor’s job

Some small and medium-sized companies are looking to self-insurance and third-party administrators as an alternative to the sometimes murky world of group insurance experience.When small…

Jake Smithers was excited about the prospect of taking over a retiring colleague’s book of business. Jake needed to learn that there are a number…

As employers compete to attract talent, they create opportunities for advisors

Dealers’ Report Card

But firms’ support efforts vary greatly, from full-service teams to external referrals

Succession planning takes care of aging advisors, and also adds recruiting muscle for firms

Although Desjardins advisors are thrilled with their firm’s direction, DundeeWealth advisors are not so enamoured

Advisors say having a solid advertising campaign, support for their own practices and an easy-to-use consumer Web site are key

Regulators still require dealers to keep paper documents, but electronic documents make process easier

Although some firms have improved back-office offerings, many are still not meeting advisors’ needs

But firms that also have such experts are seeing lower scores for unrelated reasons

Despite their desire for more incentives, bonuses and perks, advisors say money is still Priority No. 1

Some advisors are unclear about what services are offered by their firms

But the full-service platform continues to make headway, with more firms adding a securities arm

But fewer advisors have financial planning designations; women are assuming a greater role

This year's Report Card includes key changes

There are key differences between top producers and the rest of advisors

Greater resources give advisors more stability; dealers bring more services under one roof