May 2011

Comment & Insight

The new leader of the B.C. Liberals faces an uphill battle in the next election. Her best chance of winning may depend on moving quickly,…

Investment by business and government is fuelling predictions that new energy and infrastructure programs will be good for Edmonton

Tough fiscal questions will finally have to be faced if Canadians are to retain the health-care system of which they are so proud

Both consumers and the stability of insurance companies would benefit from decisive action to regulate a sector that has escaped oversight for too long

A long-moribund neighbour-hood south of downtown will be redeveloped into a thriving sports, residential and office complex

After a New York mother decided to sue over the education of her four-year-old, some wondered what an education is really good for

Investment research

Prices for coal have soared but are expected to fall. Nevertheless, demand will remain strong

As the end of the U.S. program of quantitative easing approaches, bond investors can expect to see signs of life from a market weighed down…

Volatility trading strategies can be expensive, but there are cost-effective ways to use them as a hedge in a traditional portfolio

Projections of economic growth are being cut as the rise in oil prices alters consumer spending intentions and business forecasts

Focus on Products

Research paper supports the idea of a glide path that continues to evolve beyond retirement

Some fund managers are positive about the region’s prospects; others are concerned about the impact of Japan’s problems

Taking an elementary approach is the best way to proceed

New structured product can be custom-built to meet the specific demands of non-accredited investors

News

Ottawa is opposed by six provincial governments

New formal alliance will allow Richardson GMP advisors to gain full access to the products and services available through PPI

With IIROC guidelines on the use of social media still under consideration, some firms are already drafting policies

Courts are grappling with new privacy issues relating to when and how employees use their employers’ computers

Canada may have suffered only a mild version of the financial crisis, but the episode awoke Canadian policy-makers to the dangers of complex products and…

Groaning debt loads and slowing growth have most provinces cutting spending and using taxes to promote economic activity

Paul Brown, a veteran of the MGA sector, is going back to his roots to advocate for the industry in the face of rising regulatory…

The changes would bring the Canadian CFP practice standards and code of ethics in line with the global CFP principles

Has the trading world evolved beyond its regulatory regime?

Creditors could recover the funds promised by the firm, as the court-appointed monitor has received $10 million in income

RBC is targeting the global HNW market, analysts say

But the Winnipeg-based brokerage firm’s chairman and CEO says the firm must still be able to control its own destiny

The soaring value of mergers and acquisitions for Q1 2011 reflects a market that’s “dramatically different,” says PwC

Building Your Business

Of the thousands of marketing ideas that have worked for financial advisors, only a handful will work for you. It all depends on your clients…

It’s up to your firm to make sure your trade-related information is secured according to regulatory requirements. But what about other important data? If you…

Christian Farstad’s years as a world-class bobsledder taught him that courage and discipline are key to success in sports as well as in business. And…

Jeanne wants to know how best to turn her windfall into higher retirement income. Two advisors, with differing inflation assumptions, offer their recommendations on how…

Baby boomers have always been obsessed with youth, but the pressure to look young is now greater than ever. Thus, a growing number of ordinary…

Building relationships with professionals takes time and patience. Three accountants reveal what it takes for a financial advisor to gain their trust

As the population ages, a growing number of Canadians will require some form of long-term care insurance. Yet, despite what should be a strong demand,…

Book review: The Art of Giving

Brokerage Report Card

The industry’s top performers are anything but this year, as average AUM and productivity among the top 20% of brokers is down year-over-year. However, the…

Many advisors surveyed for this year’s Brokerage Report Card say that they see much potential in using social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter and…

Firms that offer marketing support that includes customized and creative strategies delivered by a group of experts are those that received the highest level of…

Although some firms provide standout service in products and support for high net-worth clients, the laggards are starting to catch up (includes chart)

A higher overall average rating in the “firm’s total compensation” category, as well as much higher scores for four firms, indicate that things are definitely…

While advisors with Macquarie, Wood Gundy and ScotiaMcLeod are more pleased with their firms, Canaccord and Nesbitt require some work

Brokerages find unique ways to welcome and encourage women’s roles in the workplace

Recruitment and top-notch transition support are back in the spotlight as brokerage firms focus on growing their businesses by attracting the industry’s top talent

After a tumultuous few years — in which advisors suffered, then began to recover from the global financial crisis — it appears that it’s full…

Advisors were most satisfied with the firms that provide solid desktop and mobile technology