Neil Gross is president of Component Strategies Consulting. He was formerly the executive director of the Canadian Foundation for Advancement of Investor Rights (a.k.a. FAIR Canada). During his 30 years as a lawyer, he specialized in investment malpractice litigation and securities law.
Those still timorous and uncertain about introducing a best interest duty have a duty, themselves, to become decisive
Every company can calculate non-GAAP metrics however they want, so there’s real risk of investors and markets being misled
Overcautious courts are erecting barriers to securities class actions, even though these lawsuits are essential for maintaining the integrity and fairness of our capital markets
Data show that investors routinely receive, or are at risk of receiving, seriously bad disclosure from reporting issuers more than a quarter of the time
The trickle of interest in the U.S. has prompted some lawmakers there to conclude that the design of the exemption must have been bungled
A new independent report makes it clear that binding decisions are needed for full and fair compensation
It’s time for advisors who want to be true professionals to make their voices heard in support of some real reforms
Reciprocal enforcement of disciplinary orders is a practical way to reduce problems caused by regulatory fragmentation, but it needs to be comprehensive and automatic
Deterrence is the key ingredient, but it won’t be achieved through fines and public education
As regulators enter the final stage of deciding the fate of trailing commissions, they rightly insist on real evidence-based analysis
Make the most of tech with these tips for advisors, firms and providers
It’s time to think differently about retired clients
Let’s use principles-based regulation to clients’ advantage
Continued growth and innovation are expected
Why one portfolio manager believes ETFs have revolutionized the investment landscape
Permanent insurance also has a host of other tax benefits
Primarily using ETFs has helped one advisor to make better investment decisions, but she attributes some success to a powerful non-financial practice
Professional planners have a vital role to play in helping underserved Canadians
Financial planners continue to adapt to a whirlwind of new developments in recent years
It’s time to dig deeper to understand how Canadians want to receive financial planning advice
Understanding the skills and competencies to look for in a financial planner empowers the public
IFIC panel discusses ESG disclosures, fund sales and international collaboration
Conference Board of Canada report details industry’s economic impact
Opinion: Education should be widely accessible and relevant to today’s youth
IFIC is working with the industry and regulators on TCR implementation
Engage younger investors on their terms
Advisor time constraints, attrition are controllable factors
This growth opportunity requires freeing advisors from time constraints and meeting demand for hybrid advice
New regulations come with cost but also opportunity
Three steps to reduce the risk and pain of advisor partnership breakups
Risks when partnering with other financial advisors
Use these three steps to deal with clients who insist on unsuitable investments
The rules are in code. Here’s how to crack the code
Agency provides examples of when income-earning purpose is met
Taxpayer penalized for overcontribution after relying on My Account information
Advisors should speak to clients annually about crystallization
In one case, failure to report resulted in an overcontribution penalty
Public database of proxy voting records aims to better align asset managers and owners
Evolving expectations leave some managers struggling
Opinion: The backlash has limited prospects for four reasons
The goal is to create a common language for the issuance of financial instruments
Federal budget did little to invigorate sluggish investment spending
Tech, profound shocks have changed investor behaviour
A new approach is needed to replace failed government programs
Regulators require internal compliance expertise
Regulatory efficiency saves costs and ultimately benefits investors
Advisors play an important role in enhancing resiliency
The best solution to the complex transition may be flexibility
The delivery of policy shouldn’t be a last step
Get the inside scoop, from fund features to volatility and risk
Volatility is stressful but not novel, and ETFs can work in a jarring investing climate
An enhanced Canadian ESG identification framework is advancing on a foundation of international and domestic norms
The CFRs are really about formalizing and documenting processes to prove they’re followed
Identify companies that understand the difference
Help clients identify companies with meaningful purpose
The increase in ESG reporting hasn’t been accompanied by improvements to society and the environment
The communities most affected by changing climatic conditions are the least likely to be invited to participate in discussions
Services include addressing investor requirements and mitigating compliance risk
Alain Brisebois of CWP Energy discusses these often-misunderstood products
Erika Toth of BMO Global Asset Management shares her thoughts on the ETF landscape
Vincent Beaulieu of Fiera Capital discusses his firm’s approach to ESG analysis
In his final column, Cary List shares his thoughts on the future of financial planning
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s renewed national strategy for financial literacy can help Canadians focus on the future
Financial planners can play a key role in rebuilding Canadians’ confidence
A new regulatory framework, years in the making, is an opportunity for Ontario to be a model for other provinces
Financial planners and financial advisors need to understand millennials’ preferences to gain their trust and business
Financial advisors can build deeper connections with clients by using active listening skills
Financial advisors should be aware of how to identify and engage effectively with vulnerable clients
Financial planners and advisors should be aware that the act may go beyond title protection
The insurance industry is taking a page from the mutual fund industry, leveraging technology to address mounting disclosure regulations
AI is slowly making its way into the wealth-management industry and will ultimately transform financial advisors’ role
Blockchain technology may transform financial services just as peer-to-peer file-sharing technology changed the music industry almost 20 years ago
Far from replacing interaction with real people, technology strengthens the financial advisor’s client service
Read and follow your firm’s guidelines on social media use and take the necessary steps to protect yourself
Although it’s costly to upgrade key IT systems, the costs of not doing so could be much greater
Hacktivism, ideological insiders and intelligence gathering are key sources of cyberattacks threating financial services firms
Now is the time to adopt a concerted cloud migration strategy because the security challenges associated with this technology will be on our radar screens…
Advisors and their clients stand to benefit when corporate leaders focus on building socially and environmentally responsible enterprises
A growing base of investors are looking for investments that contribute measurably to environmental and social sustainability
Corporate boards and executive teams that lack gender and cultural diversity risk missing out on opportunities to generate long-term value
You can play an active role in ensuring company executives and directors are working in the best interests of their shareholders
Those still timorous and uncertain about introducing a best interest duty have a duty, themselves, to become decisive
Every company can calculate non-GAAP metrics however they want, so there’s real risk of investors and markets being misled
Overcautious courts are erecting barriers to securities class actions, even though these lawsuits are essential for maintaining the integrity and fairness of our capital markets
Data show that investors routinely receive, or are at risk of receiving, seriously bad disclosure from reporting issuers more than a quarter of the time
Two key issues — the best-interests standard and reform of mutual fund fees — require timely and effective action
FAIR Canada supports exemptions that have the key features of rights offerings or private placements in compliance with the TSXV’s private placement rules
Current regulations assume that an investor’s wealth is a proxy for sophistication. This has to change
Paying fees for financial advice separately from those of financial products would result in price competition and better advice