GMWBs: Down, but not out
Diving interest rates and uncertain equities have led to major changes in the availability and features of guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits. Some advisors are steering…
Diving interest rates and uncertain equities have led to major changes in the availability and features of guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits. Some advisors are steering…
The number of people over 100 is rising sharply, with younger groups close behind
These funds offered by insurers remain appealing for some clients because they combine the investment features of mutual funds and the guarantees of insurance. But…
With no attribution, a family can contribute more to TFSAs
Once viewed as a product with limited uses and too many drawbacks, the certainty provided by an annuity is becoming more appealing. Many retiring boomers…
Clients who hold private company shares in their RRSPs or RRIFs should be aware of recent changes that might expose them to a punitive new…
With low interest rates and rising house prices, many Canadians are carrying mortgage debt into retirement. While that's not necessarily always a poor choice, clients…
Many older clients find themselves with valuable homes but too little cash. Renting part of the house might avoid selling or remortgaging
Ending a marriage later in life can mean a big financial hit, as well as lots of new issues with adult children. Planning ahead can…
Age eligibility for old-age security is changing because of looming funding problems as the population ages. But clients most affected by the new rules will…
Even though low interest rates mean returns that lag inflation, many older clients remain extremely averse to taking almost any risks in today's volatile markets.…
The favoured place to retire may have financial negatives
Uncertainty in markets and low interest rates can make it a challenge to help clients of any age with strategies in the year ahead. These…
Two theories of retirement financial planning suggest that assets and income streams can be altered in more precise ways as clients move through the many…
One-third of all wealth in North America now is controlled by women. And that percentage is increasing by 8% annually, according to a recent study…
Choice of investments can change in the de-accumulation phase. Reviewing the options
Toronto-based Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. has launched Franklin U.S. Rising Dividends Hedged Corporate Class Fund, which seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing substantially…
Toronto-based BlackRock Asset Management Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock Inc., has announced management fee changes for iShares S&P 500 Index Fund (Canadian…
Toronto-based Scotia Asset Management LP (SAM) has announced that Scotia Private Cyclical Opportunities Pool will be terminated on or about Dec. 31. Effective immediately, the…
Toronto-based IA Clarington Investments Inc. has changed the name of IA Clarington American Fund to IA Clarington U.S. Dividend Growth Fund. This fund now will…
Montreal-based National Bank Securities Inc., manager of the Meritage portfolios, has announced a change in the risk ratings of Meritage Moderate Income Portfolio, Meritage Canadian…
THERE IS A CLASH OF TITANS underway that is benefiting both financial advisors and their clients. The new Canadian division of Vanguard Group Inc., with…
How you present the options to clients has a huge impact on their decisions
But that doesn't mean mutual funds can't make money
The flexibility of ETFs makes the opportunities for building low-cost portfolios almost limitless
Although investors like traditional index-linked ETFs, they also want products that meet specific needs
Organizations are making efforts to increase financial literacy among Canadians in light of some troubling data
After manning the reins for 14 years, Larry Waite, the first CEO of the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA), officially retired last month.…
Toronto-based Watt Carmichael Private Counsel Inc. announced late last month that it has hired Sean O’Hara as its vice president and chief investment officer. O’Hara…
Karen Sheriff, president and CEO of Halifax-based Bell Aliant Inc., has been appointed to the board of directors of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board…
Jean Boivin, formerly a deputy governor of the Bank of Canada, has joined the federal Department of Finance Canada to become an associate deputy minister.…
Bank of Nova Scotia has announced that Brian Porter, its head of international operations, has been promoted to president of the bank. He takes over…
Charles Guay was brought in to help increase Standard Life's position in the retirement savings business
New website dedicated to financial planning issues is meant to educate consumers as well as help advisors bring up the topic
CICA and IIAC make prebudget submissions that highlight the groups' divergent positions on tax policy
The CSA and IIROC are looking to add new rules to address the issue of direct electronic access
Some believe the plans should be more flexible
While pensions showed improvement in Q3, low interest rates and uncertain equities markets still pose challenges
Manitoba Securities Commission suspends Jory and its advisors because of a capital deficiency the brokerage is facing
The Montreal-based firm is looking to add more advisors, now that it has fully integrated Wellington West into its ranks
Canadian Imperial Bank of Canada (CIBC) has been ranked first in Surviscor Inc.’s Mobile Banking scorCard. (Both firms are based in Toronto.) The scorecard examined…
For the second year in a row, Toronto-based AlphaNorth Asset Management’s AlphaNorth Partners Fund has won the award for “Best Three-Year Annualized Return” at the…
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) of Toronto has reached an agreement to purchase the automobile financing and deposit business of Ally Financial Inc.’s Canadian unit.…
New York-based Horizons ETFs Management (USA) LLC, an affiliate of Toronto-based Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc., has partnered with Miami-based InterBolsa USA Holdings Inc. in…
Some provincial securities commissions are starting to explore whether crowdfunding has a place in Canada's capital markets
Federal agency is placing holds on tax returns of clients who are claiming deductions under gifting schemes
Rate increases and bonuses at Nova Scotia Power draw the ire of all three parties
Premier Brad Wall says better planning is needed
Only a few months into its new term, the PQ is sliding in popularity
The customers and competitors for oil and gas are changing. Failure to face the issues will lead to major problems in the years ahead
Editorial
The CSA's new paper explores the possibility of introducing a fiduciary duty for advisors
Relying on house values for retirement income is a risky strategy
Some Penson clients have decided to strike out on their own
How the U.S. government will cope with its fiscal cliff is speculation. Go with short bonds to be safe
Strategies
Although four of the big U.S. banks still face significant challenges, there are several reasons to be optimistic about them
