A new full-service retail brokerage firm offering independent, personal wealth management services uniquely focused on households with investable assets between $50,000 and $250,000, was officially launched today in Ontario.

The launch is the first step in a national rollout of Clearsight Wealth Management which will see the company expand its reach by the end of 2005 throughout Canada. The value for mid-market retail investment services is estimated at $369 billion, and encompasses 3.2 million Canadian households.

“We offer our clients — who generally have smaller but growing portfolios — the same level of advice and service that is normally and increasingly only available to larger wealthy accounts,” said Clearsight president and CEO, David Finley.

As the founder and president of Affinity Investments in the 1990s, Finely built and established Affinity Investments into Canada’s leading affinity investment services company, representing partners that include American Express Canada and major university alumni associations such as the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo.

Following the sale of Affinity Investments to Canada Trust in 1998, Finley remained active in the company’s financial services group, most notably as an executive with TD Meloche Monnex.

“We believe we’re offering far better value than what’s currently available to individuals with portfolios under $250,000, dramatically improving accessibility along with lower fees,” he says.

In addition to professional wealth management planning, Clearsight clients will have access to mutual funds, bonds, GICs, equities, treasury bills, and self-directed RRSPs.

According to Clearsight, its targeted market is expected to more than double by 2012 as baby boomers move into their prime income earning and saving years, and as “Gen X’ers and Y’ers” begin investing earlier than their predecessors.

A unique element of the company’s business is its exclusive affinity partnerships with Canadian universities, which enables it to offer its products and services directly to graduates. Flagship affinity agreements have been signed with the University of Toronto and Queen’s University enabling Clearsight to reach their alumni members directly.