Financial planning

LGBT community faces retirement challenges

Canadian members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community must seek out professional financial advice around their unique financial and retirement planning issues including estate planning, care-giving and housing. The advisor community, on the other hand, must respond to the financial planning needs of this often marginalized segment of society. These are some […]

By Vikram Barhat |June 30, 2011

3 min read

Planning and Advice

Advisors applaud coalition, but wonder about teeth

In an effort to stem the flow of non-certified financial planners in Canada, five financial planning organizations have formed the first-ever Coalition for Professional Standards for Financial Planners. The Coalition will establish a common set of national standards to better protect Canadians.

By Staff |May 31, 2011

2 min read

Industry

Canadians lag in financial planning

Despite proven advantages of financial planning for retirement, the majority of Canadians don’t have a financial plan for their future, according to an HSBC survey. The sixth edition of the Future of Retirement study, a global survey from HSBC, revealed that those who have a financial plan in place enjoy a clear ‘planning premium’ with […]

By Vikram Barhat |May 30, 2011

3 min read

Industry

Moody’s may downgrade UK firms

Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday said it placed the ratings of 14 of the 18 British financial institutions for a possible downgrade. This could lead to a hike in banks' borrowing costs.

By Vikram Barhat |May 24, 2011

2 min read

Date set for 2011 Financial Planning Week

The Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC) and its Quebec counterpart, the Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF) have set the date for Canada’s third annual Financial Planning Week. October 17-23, 2011 will be dedicated to an ongoing effort by both organizations to make financial planning the cornerstone of sound financial management. “The goal of Financial […]

By Staff |April 28, 2011

1 min read

Financial planning not investment advice wins clients

I’m willing to go out on a limb and say the clients I’ve met value a financial plan showing them step-by-step how to achieve their goals more than just investment advice. Here are two recent success stories illustrating how focusing on planning met the needs of the clients and resulted in new business.

3 min read

Dealing with financial windfalls

Becoming the lead advisor to a recipient of a financial windfall can be one of the most exciting and professionally satisfying engagements of your career. But the role often demands a broader approach and keener sensitivity than is required in most client relationships.

9 min read

Give the people what they want

There has been a distinct change in our society’s social contract. Especially since the drastic increase in market volatility which started in 2008. The old deal we’d all signed up for is dying and the bigger companies - in particular the financial services companies - are having a great deal of trouble accepting this.

|February 9, 2011

4 min read

Get more with less

Reader Alert: This is Part 2 of a three-part series. For Part 1, go here. In September 2010, members of the Institute of Advanced Financial Planners met in Banff, Alberta to consider the organization’s annual case study. This year’s case involved a client that everyone could identify with. This is the story of Russell, a […]

By Steven Lamb |February 7, 2011

5 min read