Home Newspaper Mid-November 2010

Mid-November 2010

Focus on Products

<b>Mackenzie fund gets new subadvisor</b>

Investors are beginning to realize that these markets are expanding faster than developed countries, says a fund manager

Study shows that attitudes of advisors and middle- and lower-income consumers affect financial planning

Investment research

Canadian firms are selling these issues to European buyers fearful of bank collapses and to investors at home who like the security

A once common hedge fund strategy is underperforming less risky alternatives

CWB and CFS, both of Edmonton, expanded during the global financial crisis and plan to continue on the same path

News

Court’s decision “reinforces the importance of having a clear, written agree-ment between advisors and their firms”

Venture capital investing is improving, but fundraising is struggling

Canada’s big banks are supportive of the new regulations, but their concern is that the right balance won’t be achieved

Vancouver-based Qtrade Financial Group has been busy implementing a major rebranding strategy and announcing a number of new product launches this autumn following the merger…

The Investment Canada Act is tougher after 2009 changes. In the future, politics are likely to play a bigger role in these deals

The firm, which focuses on fundamental indexing, is the fastest-growing fund company in Canada

Founding president of Women in Capital Markets receives a new award, introduced for the association’s 15th anniversary

Policy-makers agreed to improvements at the G20 summit, but Canada’s commitment will be difficult without a national regulator

Credit-rating agencies

New research reveals that the materials sector had propelled small-cap stocks in outperforming their larger counterparts

The key question, however, is whether credit-rating agencies will be exposed to civil liability as a result of the CSA’s changes

Over-the-counter derivatives

Opening of London office is an attempt to offset the competitive pressures that the TMX faces here in Canada

Finance Montreal wants to attract financial services firms to the city, which was once Canada’s financial capital

Although current interest rates are low, advisors need to focus clients on the long- term outlook for rates — and too much debt

OSC investor advisory panel must prove its independence

The CRA is stepping up audits of large-business sector

Big banks are stepping up their efforts to attract clients who often used boutiques in the past

The online business is important to parent RBC, but so are the insurance branches it has opened across the country

New research confirms women are cautious about investments

New international reporting standards could hurt firms

Comment & Insight

Alberta’s 2007 royalty regime never made sense. Now that it is gone, both oil and gas drilling and land sales are soaring

Winnipeg Jets fans think their team may soon return, as the Phoenix Coyotes struggle with chronically empty stadiums

The Avalon Peninsula has been internationally ranked by travel writers as the world’s top coastal destination

Harper has been bruised by stiff opposition in his own backyard, the West. Can he keep his job?

Building Your Business

Although guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit products have mostly cut back on payouts, these funds are still attractive to clients who value security

Being an executor can soak up vast amounts of time and energy. Professionals, such as trust agents at financial services institutions, can help executors navigate…

New research indicates that many Canadians may be overestimating how much they will need in retirement. But those with bigger dreams will still have to…

Canadians past the age of retirement are increasingly choosing to keep working, often part-time. They need help from their financial advisors to assess what they…

Many clients reach their contribution limits with registered accounts but still have capital to invest. With a little ingenuity, they can continue to invest in…

Couples may have options for reducing taxes by keeping mandatory RRiF withdrawals low

Long-lived clients and anemic fixed-income returns mean that financial advisors should be looking for ways to keep investments growing strongly well into the retirement years

Sharp increases in both dementia and awareness about the potentially devastating effects it can have on clients’ assets mean that advisors must be more vigilant…

TFSAs are not always as simple as they look, and it is wise to review the rules regarding which heirs are entitled to continue holding…

Annuities are like life insurance products in reverse: A client buys an annuity with a lump-sum payment and the insurance firm then pays the client…

The economic recovery is not yet on solid footing, so getting income from traditional products such as bonds, GICs and annuities is an exercise in…

It’s no surprise that the cost of housing — in all its aspects — has increased substantially. So, your clients, whether financially strained or well…

Many couples are not aware of the full range of options when it comes to splitting income, both before and after retirement. Good planning can…

RRSP loans are not for everyone. But, in some cases, they can help clients reach their retirement goals sooner