Home Newspaper November 2009

November 2009

Comment & Insight

Who’s to know the preserved goose is really chopped-up duck?

Signing up to be health minister in Danny Williams’s cabinet can be career suicide

Westerners could be better at conducting a reality check when “opportunity” knocks

The federal government is friendly when it needs to be — and cool when it’s convenient

Continuing education must be elevated to improve advisors’ credibility

Building Your Business

Randy Treiber, a certified financial planner and branch manager with Sterling Mutuals Inc. in Lethbridge, Alta., says his office’s art gallery has helped define the…

John and Anne should reinvest the assets they have sitting on the sidelines or they won’t have enough income for retirement

Advisor Randy Treiber and his team exhibit the works of local artists in their offices. Their gallery encourages visits from clients

They can help your clients pay the bills when they’re looking for work, or serve as an interest-saving vehicle for those with mortgages

Customization options are available at both the dealer and the advisor levels

It’s no longer enough to hand out business cards; successful networkers build relationships

Above all, the new policy is a way of reaching out to current and prospective female employees

This book’s overriding message is that service is an opportunity and a challenge

Taking a few weeks a couple of times a year to eat simply and eliminate processed foods can provide a jump-start to good health

High-profile speakers bring media attention, but a low-profile, low-budget affair can resonate with clients, too

It’s not enough to satisfy your clients. They must trust you and feel a part of the process

What you say when it’s time to end the relationship depends on the circumstances

The Univeris Corp. report draws on Advisor Impact Inc.’s Advisor Impact client index, which contains data from surveys of more than 53,000 clients. The Univeris…

A unique and memorable client gift doesn’t have to be expensive (IE:TV)

There are various alternatives for hosting low-budget holiday parties during these tough times

Investment research

But although there’s safety and growth in some investment-grade corporate bonds, you must shop for them with care

Although Canadian businesses on the whole report stronger results, publicly traded firms are seeing lower earnings

In just a few years, SSDs will have surpassed hard-disk drives as the main storage medium for data

Aggressive options traders might want to establish longer-term bullish positions in major oil and natural gas producers

News

Government interventions to save the financial system a year ago have created “possibly the biggest moral hazard in history”

Canadian courts are setting limits when it comes to disinheiriting family members

Firm’s goal is to leverage well-known brands and a renowned money-management business

Even after years of discussion, much disagreement still reigns in the mutual funds sector, as well as among investor rights groups

“There are a lot of people out there right now who are looking for another career,” says Bill Charles of Investors Group

The U.S. will have a harder time, given its mountain of debt

> 85% of Canadians believe that it is important to build up their personal savings> only 65% have some savings or investments set aside for…

Canadian financial institutions are duking it out in an increasingly competitive market for deposits, whether the new business comes through deposit brokers or directly from…

Three unique experiences lead some to ask: shouldn’t a company be required to register once it reaches a certain size?

Vancouver-based PI Financial is moving forward with its expansion strategy, including the acquisition of similar firms

While transition committee proceeds, three provinces decline to appoint representatives

Extra information provided to clients in statements will reveal that credit cards can act as “financial weapons of mass destruction”

Improved coverage and dispute resolution among consumer perks; insurance firms look forward to reduced red tape

Key decision-making by a foreign trustee will play a crucial role in tax treatment

Although many will be looking for opportunities with their new-found capital, Manulife is a unique case

Financial services firms, both bank-owned and independent, increase efforts to attract the assets of Canada’s millionaires

One survey shows that a strong majority of people with advisors feel they are making better financial decisions

The credit union is boosting its capital levels in order to expand its wealth-management and commercial-banking businesses

Although 85% of Canadians say it is important to build up their savings, only 65% have actually done so

The cost of taking care of elderly parents is taking its toll on boomers; advisors can guide them in the right direction

Big investment dealers are thriving, but many smaller fry are not

Focus on Products

Advisors should carefully analyze the yields on short-term bond funds

CGF announces portfolio advisor change

A bevy of funds that use hedging strategies to nullify the impact of currency movements have been recently introduced

Clients still have a lot to learn about the registered disability savings plan

The rally may be running too fast, says one fund manager: “We’ll have a reality check over the next six or seven months”