Practice

Mapping Financial Genes

(August 2005) The financial services industry is a peculiar mixture of art and science. Crunching numbers, analyzing stocks, poring over financial data – that’s the science part of the business. Building relationships, interpreting client needs, motivating clients to act – that’s the art. Is one of these more important than the other? I think so. […]

By Thane Stenner |August 5, 2005

4 min read

Planning and Advice

Timely template letter: Introducing insurance trusts

(August 2005) Many of your clients may already have some form of life insurance to help their families pay the bills should anything ever happen to them. But they may be concerned about the consequences of having those funds paid into their beneficiary’s bank account. Use this template letter to introduce them to the concept […]

By Staff |August 4, 2005

2 min read

Planning and Advice

Timely template letter: Help clients keep cottages in the family

(August 2005) Now that the summer is here, many of your clients may be spending their weekends at their family cottages. However, many may not be aware of the potentially large tax liabilities in store if the cottage is passed down to their heirs. Use this customizable template letter to bring this matter to their […]

By Staff |July 28, 2005

2 min read

Planning and Advice

Make the media your marketing partner

(July 2005) Many financial professionals are intimidated by the media. And it’s easy to understand why. When it comes to the financial services industry, the mainstream media isn’t always fair, balanced, or even well-informed. All of this may be true, but the fact remains, financial professionals need the media. In fact, I would go so […]

By Jeff Thorsteinson |July 20, 2005

4 min read

Fee-dom

(July 2005) Slowly, but surely, our industry is experiencing a persistent shift away from upfront commissions and toward asset-based fees. Every year, more and more advisors are earning at least some of their keep through fees. Advisors at all income levels project they’ll be working on a fee basis by 2007 (see chart below). As […]

2 min read

Talking to Clients: Socially responsible investing

(July 2005) According to a report released by the Social Investment Organization earlier this year, the number of assets managed under “socially responsible” guidelines has grown by 27% over the last two years to $65.5 billion. With more Canadians choosing to put their money with their morals, it’s a good idea to take some time […]

By Staff |July 18, 2005

3 min read

Toolbox: Front and Centred

(July 2005) If I make my living selling mutual funds and investment products does that mean I’m in the funds business? Or am I really in the people business? If the market drops, do I need to figure out why? Or should I instead get on the phone to my clients, reassure them, find out […]

6 min read

Rewarding excellence: How to earn the title Advisor of the Year!

(July 2005) Now in its seventh year, the Advisor of the Year Awards is one of the few tangible measures of success for financial advisors in Canada. Open to all advisors across the country who provide financial advice to clients as part of their services, participants are asked to demonstrate their excellence by submitting a […]

By Staff |July 7, 2005

1 min read

Give it away now

(July 2005) Philanthropy is big in Canada. How big? According to a recently published survey by Imagine Canada and Johns Hopkins University, the non-profit and voluntary sector in this country accounts for 6.8% of GDP. Much of this economic activity can be traced back to the charitable bequests of high-net-worth (HNW) Canadians. In fact, according […]

4 min read