The financial industry needs more women investment advisors to meet the evolving needs of clients, according to RBC Dominion Securities.

As part of its ongoing commitment to develop its women investment advisors, RBC DS is hosting the first national Women in Wealth Management Symposium from September 7 to 9, in Vancouver.

“As wealth management becomes increasingly relationship-based, women are well-positioned to capitalize on their expertise in this area,” says David Agnew, national director, RBC DS. “We also need to be representative of our clients. Our industry needs more women to reflect the reality that women increasingly manage their financial affairs on their own.”

According to June 2007 edition of Investment Advisor Magazine, 80% to 90% of women will be solely responsible for family finances at some point in their lives, and women prefer women advisors to men two to one.

The symposium is designed to assist women in addressing the wealth management needs of their clients.

Key topics and presenters include:

> Long-term care, Karen Henderson, founder, Long Term Care Planning Network;

> Executor services, Catharine Turner, estate & trust specialist;

> Will and estate consulting, Lisa Pape, will & estate consultant; and

> Financial planning for women in divorce – Eva Sachs, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.

The symposium also aims to help create a sense of community, build a network for women advisors and teams at RBC DS and offer a forum for sharing ideas and best practices.

“Too often women do not even consider a career as an investment advisor,” says Lori Pocock, vp, business development, RBC Dominion Securities, and the lead organizer of the Women in Wealth Management Symposium. “Having been with RBC Dominion Securities for more than 18 years, I can tell you that this is a great time for women to consider this career because the role now extends far beyond making investment recommendations. Clients want their investment advisor to help them deal with complex family issues, including the care of aging parents, succession planning for a family business and paying for a child’s education.”