Practice

Mounting opposition to MERs

Over the years, many journalists (and only a few advisors) have lamented the comparatively high MERs charged by Canadian mutual fund companies. To date, the real alternatives for ordinary Canadians involved either “sucking it up” and doing nothing or moving toward a higher allocation in individual securities, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and / or index funds.

By John J. De Goey |April 7, 2011

3 min read

Industry

Boutique vs. bank battle rages on

The turn of the 21st century was a time of opportunity for boutique advisory firms

By Scot Blythe |April 7, 2011

10 min read

Planning and Advice

MFDA makes findings against Patricia Cuthbert

A disciplinary hearing in the matter of Patricia Marva Cuthbert was held yesterday in Vancouver, British Columbia before a three-person hearing panel of the MFDA’s Pacific Regional Council. The hearing panel found that all of the allegations set out in the Notice of Hearing dated November 23, 2010 against the respondent had been established, but […]

By Staff |April 6, 2011

1 min read

Planning and Advice

Investors fail to spot excessive claims

Your clients may think they are relatively savvy investors, but a new survey suggests that Canadians are not very good at spotting “too good to be true” offers. The survey was conducted by the AMF, Quebec’s securities regulator, and found that 78% of Quebecers felt they were relatively immune from fraud. But when asked their […]

By Staff |April 5, 2011

1 min read

The greatest gift

Anne Brayley, vice president, Professional Advisory Services at the Toronto Community Foundation, speaks with Gwen Harvey, founder and president of Bridgewater Family Wealth Services, about family philanthropy.

3 min read

Duty of care

In the wake of numerous instances of financial fraud in North America, there has been increased focus on the duties and obligations owed by investment professionals to their clients. In the U.S. and elsewhere, regulators are proposing changes that would impose a fiduciary standard on those entrusted with managing investor funds.

4 min read

Homemade wills often require interpretation

There are many reasons a will may need to be interpreted. An interpretation application is a request for the opinion, advice and direction of the court on specific questions. The questions will relate to matters of concern to the executors and trustees (and/or certain beneficiaries) who are unable to discern from the terms of the will how to implement it, or who is to benefit and how. An executor who administers the estate in accordance with guidance received from the court will be protected from subsequent complaint by a beneficiary.

6 min read

Top six frauds and scams

The Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) has issued a list of the frauds and scams that top its Most Frequent Complaints list. Here’s a list you can share with clients—and guard against yourself. 1) Debit and credit card fraud: Keep your cards in a safe place, use different PINs for each card, don’t […]

By Staff |March 31, 2011

2 min read