Home Newspaper September 2011

September 2011

Building Your Business

Sandra and Chris — Canadians who have moved to the U.S. — are concerned that their tax matters in both countries have not been handled…

Lori Livingstone, private client portfolio manager with Toronto-based ScotiaMcLeod Inc., says there is one question a client seeking a financial advisor should ask before anything…

Pooled (group) RESPs

Prolotherapy — which can involve injections of the patient’s own body fluids into injured joints — is finding favour among baby boomers

You can help your clients manage the escalating costs of college and university with early planning

Improving your clients’ financial literacy should be a part of your advisory practice

Rather than just dumping information on the listener, your goal is to deliver a succinct message that intrigues that person enough to give you more…

Sending a regular selection of articles and videos from leading publications as a way of connecting with clients can be a valuable tool for building…

Get started with a reliable laptop computer, an Internet connection and cloud-based data backups

“Coach’s Forum” is a place in which you can ask your questions, tell your stories or give your opinions on any aspect of practice management.…

Comment & Insight

In Canada, we have either snow or bugs. Go ahead and do battle — just don’t burn the place down

A massive shipping hub is taking shape near Regina, one likely to boost the province’s strategic importance

The Conservatives had to rebuild themselves 15 years ago. Now, the parties on the left must do the same

A test group of 40 Montreal commuters will start using electric vehicles to carpool to work this month

Let’s not allow costly regulatory interference to undermine needed improvements

Investment research

Taking advantage of mathematical certainties and the volatility term structure

Real bargains in the market are found when many stocks are trading very close to or below their book values

Dipping carefully into private mortgage pools can help boost fixed-income returns

With relatively low government debt, as well as proactive and successful central banks, these countries offer opportunities

Focus on Products

Clients will have to get “comfortable with being uncomfortable” for the next while, says one fund manager

Gold shares have had higher returns over a 40-year period

New growth fund from AlphaNorth

News

Jeremy Siegel suggests focusing on high-dividend stocks, as well as on companies with low price/earnings ratios

The taxman is working with banks and others to do a better job of explaining the rules for TFSAs

Monique Gravel wants to boost performance at CIBC Wood Gundy by raising productivity and promoting a culture of excellence

TMX Select is expected to compete head-on with rival alternative trading systems such as Chi-X Canada and Alpha Trading Systems

InvesTank 888 is the second such network to become operational in Canada

Financial services firms could face massive payouts for claims ranging from employment issues to investment advice

The SRO has been much busier than usual through the first seven months of 2011, particularly when it comes to disciplining individuals

The new investment fund product advisory committee will inform the OSC’s development of policy and its operational work

The province is aiming to explore the consistency of its rules with those of other provinces

After selling a clutch of businesses, Jovian will have about $117 million in capital to explore prospective new investments

Critics say OBSI isn't transparent, does not act impartially

Staffing costs are driving most increases

Tweaking portfolios — not major surgery — may be required

Advisors’ Report Card

Advisors surveyed for this year’s Report Card series report growth in their books and in their pay, but reeling markets may stand in the way…

Mid-level managers should be very approachable and have a solid understanding of the business

Although advisors surveyed for this year’s Report Card series say they are earning more than they did in the past few years, there’s still significant…

Despite a sputtering economy and many challenges along the way, advisors in all channels are continuing to add assets under management, intensifying their focus on…

Financial services firms are putting significant efforts into their diversity and inclusion strategies

Advisors across all industry channels report that they often struggle with out-of-date hardware, software that is not user-friendly, systems that aren’t well integrated or inadequate…

Consumer advertising and marketing support have a direct impact on a firm’s image with the public

In this time of economic uncertainty, clients are increasingly turning to financial advisors for help

Advisors are looking for the same marketing support, client communication material and business coaching from their mentors as they did during the height of the…