Manulife Investments is launching a suite of Guaranteed Interest Contract investments sold through independent financial advisors across the country. The new Manulife Investments GIC allows Canadians to invest in a Basic GIC account, plus specialty Laddered and Escalating Rate options to best suit their personal needs.

With a minimum $5,000 investment, investors have the choice of several different GIC investment options all within one contract. Investors looking to reduce the impact of fluctuating interest rates can consider ‘laddering’ their investments over a five or ten-year period, says Roy Firth, senior VP, Manulife Financial.

“Our new Manulife Investments Laddered GIC Account takes the guesswork out of selecting individual terms and reduces interest rate risk by automatically laddering the GIC investment. Renewals then occur automatically at attractive long-term rates. This relieves both investors and advisors from the stress of trying to figure out where interest rates are heading.”

Previously, says Manulife, setting up a fixed-term ladder included the need to invest in
shorter terms, initially at lower rates. With the Manulife Investments Laddered GIC Account, the investor receives one attractive rate on all initial terms invested. The laddered portfolio earns a higher rate of return right from the beginning in a simple transaction for both investors and their advisors.

The new Manulife Investments GIC also offers unique features including a half-year rate bonus for adding six months to a standard-length term on the Basic Accounts; 30-day rate guarantees on new investments; plus 30-day “better-of” rate guarantees for renewals. The Manulife Investments GIC also offers other benefits only available through life insurance company investments, such as tax advantages for non- registered GICs, avoidance of probate fees on death when a beneficiary is named, plus potential creditor protection.