Scotia Wealth Management links culture and capital as part of total wealth planning

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Art and collectibles aren’t just hanging on walls or tucked away in vaults. They’re increasingly finding their place within high-net-worth portfolios. The global market for art and collectible-backed loans is projected to reach an estimated US$33.9 billion to US$40 billion by the end of 2025, according to the Deloitte Art & Finance Report 2025, as investors look to their collections for liquidity, diversification, and strategic value. Yet too often, these assets remain on the periphery of wealth planning.

“Art and collectibles are powerful assets that can shape liquidity, legacy, and overall wealth strategy,” says Erin Griffiths, Executive Vice President, Global Wealth Solutions, Scotia Wealth Management. “Our Total Wealth Planning approach is designed to support, guide, and counsel clients as they build and adapt their portfolios, and this new offering is a welcome addition to that framework.”

For advisors, this shift signals a broader evolution in wealth management. Fine art and collectibles are no longer ornamental interests, they can shape strategies and influence decisions in financial planning. In this new landscape, understanding the cultural capital behind a canvas or vintage watch collection is essential to holistic wealth planning. Scotia Wealth Management is responding with the launch of Canada’s first integrated advisory platform for Fine Art & Collectibles.

“What our clients display on their walls or hold in their collection can have a meaningful impact on tax, liquidity, and estate planning,” says Robyn McCallum, Director, Art and Collectibles, Scotia Wealth Management. “It’s an asset class that carries emotion and complexity. That’s where thoughtful planning makes the difference.”

According to the Deloitte report, nearly nine out of ten wealth managers emphasize the need for integrated advisory relationships, connecting art with estate planning, philanthropy, and legacy creation. That trend is taking shape in Canada as clients ask more complex questions about valuation, insurance, and succession.

Many collections quietly represent substantial value, yet they’re not often discussed in portfolio reviews. These collections can be inherited, gifted, or accumulated over decades, often without a clear record of provenance or valuation. Without proper documentation, advisors operate with incomplete information which can complicate donations, insurance claims, or transfers to heirs making documentation and risk management key areas of focus.

Liquidity is another factor gaining attention. Art and collectibles are now commonly used to unlock capital without requiring a sale. Structured credit backed by art is becoming a sophisticated financing tool, supporting business investment, philanthropic giving, or portfolio diversification while the client retains ownership.

Art-secured lending, for instance, allows clients to access liquidity using fine art or collectibles as collateral without selling the pieces. “We’ve had clients who needed to finance a business expansion but didn’t want to divest from their collection, and this lending solution offered them financial flexibility while maintaining ownership of an important and meaningful asset,” says Griffiths.

Collectibles have no fixed boundaries. Alongside paintings and vintage cars are digital works, archives, and creative rights. When clients connect their collections to a broader purpose, the conversation shifts from ownership to stewardship. It becomes about legacy as much as liquidity. “Our role is to help preserve their financial, cultural, and personal value as part of a cohesive wealth management plan,” McCallum says.

Learn more about Scotia Wealth Management