http://www.advisor.ca Read the latest news, practice and product commentary from Canada's best web site for financial advisors. 15 Tue, 09 Jan 2007 21:42:50 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070109_144338_6916 News Doug Watt <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 09 Jan 2007 20:56:28 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070109_144338_6916 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070109_144319_6760 News Canadian governments are too reliant on personal income and business taxes and need to rebalance the tax system to make it more efficient through additional use of consumption taxes such as the GST, according to a new study released by the Fraser Institute. For details and to read other financial services industry updates, click the "full story" button below. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:47:55 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070109_144319_6760 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070108_130625_6028 News Kate McCaffery <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 08 Jan 2007 18:09:43 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070108_130625_6028 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070108_130424_5856 News AIC Limited has added two new products to its fund family: AIC World Financial Infrastructure Income and Growth Fund and AIC Global Premium Dividend Income Fund. For details and to read other financial services industry updates, click the "full story" button below. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 08 Jan 2007 18:05:58 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070108_130424_5856 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061227_145058_2732 News The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada could be on a path to becoming a self-regulatory organization without any members to oversee. Mark Brown <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 08 Jan 2007 17:20:19 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061227_145058_2732 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070105_155835_6684 News Doug Watt <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 21:20:24 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070105_155835_6684 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070105_155027_4396 News Power Financial has confirmed media speculation that it is kicking the tires on U.S. fund giant Putnam Investments. For details and to read other financial services industry updates, click the "full story" button below. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 21:15:03 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070105_155027_4396 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070104_150915_2908 News Mark Brown <service@advisor.ca> Thu, 04 Jan 2007 20:10:37 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070104_150915_2908 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070104_150728_5568 News Canadian initial public offerings "all but stopped" in the final three months of 2006, dragging down results for the year, and the outlook for 2007 "looks very dim," according to the latest PricewaterhouseCoopers survey. For details and to read other financial services industry updates, click the "full story" button below. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Thu, 04 Jan 2007 20:08:56 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070104_150728_5568 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070103_164048_4492 News Doug Watt <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 03 Jan 2007 21:51:37 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070103_164048_4492 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070103_141518_5804 News Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:16:55 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070103_141518_5804 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070103_141322_340 News The IDA has levied a fine of $50,000 and a five-year suspension against Anthony Zarkadoulas, a former registrant who worked in the Thornhill, Ontario, branch of CIBC Investor Services. For details and to read other financial services industry updates, click the "full story" button below. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:14:56 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070103_141322_340 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070102_145723_4308 News The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Services has announced the termination of an agreement with CIBC that required the bank to employ an independent auditor to oversee all of its business operations in the U.S. For details and to read other financial services industry updates, news flashes and tidbits, click the "full story" button below. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:56:28 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070102_145723_4308 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070102_145926_5300 News Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:00:39 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20070102_145926_5300 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061229_142511_3552 News Federal Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty has announced a proposal "to improve the taxation of financial institutions by better aligning the current tax rules with new accounting standards." For details and to read other financial services industry updates, news flashes and tidbits, click the "full story" button below. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 29 Dec 2006 20:04:00 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061229_142511_3552 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061229_143206_4128 News The Canadian dollar could remain volatile in 2007, a virtual currency-rate roller-coaster, according to experts, or it could show a surprising amount of stability with several forces boosting the Canadian dollar and dragging down the American dollar. Al Emid <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 29 Dec 2006 19:35:23 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061229_143206_4128 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061228_151745_4392 News Patrick Metzger <service@advisor.ca> Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:27:18 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061228_151745_4392 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061228_151542_4608 News Midnight on December 31 is the last chance for clients to make charitable contributions for the 2006 tax year. Fortunately, technology is making the process easier for those interested in making last-minute contributions. For details and to read other financial services industry updates, news flashes and tidbits, click the "full story" button below. Advsior.ca Staff <service@advisor.ca> Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:26:35 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061228_151542_4608 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061227_142450_636 News Advisor.ca Staff <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:58:32 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061227_142450_636 http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061222_161402_5848 News <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 22 Dec 2006 21:15:31 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/news/article.jsp?content=20061222_161402_5848 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/communications/article.jsp?content=20070105_120501_5320 Practice How much of each day do you spend in front of people? Whether you're in a meeting with clients, top prospects, centres of influence, or simply chatting with your assistant, your success will depend on what you say, but research also shows that up to 90% of a meaning of a message is transmitted non-verbally. Jeff Thorsteinson <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 08 Jan 2007 17:53:10 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/communications/article.jsp?content=20070105_120501_5320 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/running_your_business/article.jsp?content=20061213_114510_5552 Practice The complete lack of free time to curl up with a good book or study the latest tomes of business wisdom is a common complaint for many bibliophiles. If you're pressed for time generally, or more so than usual this holiday season, or if you simply want to get a jump start on your New Year's resolution to read more books in 2007, Pierre Saint-Laurent explains how you can develop your ear for audiobooks and put "unproductive" time to work for you. Pierre Saint-Laurent <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 05 Jan 2007 17:04:45 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/running_your_business/article.jsp?content=20061213_114510_5552 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/client_relationships/article.jsp?content=20070102_144335_4480 Practice It's everyone's fantasy to be a fly on the wall in a secret meeting, or to wear a Harry Potter cloak of invisibility just to hear what people are saying when they think we aren't listening. For advisors selling insurance, though, shape-shifting and fantasy accoutrements aren't necessary if you want to know what your clients are saying about you. Rick Forchuk <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 03 Jan 2007 14:28:35 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/client_relationships/article.jsp?content=20070102_144335_4480 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/special_report/article.jsp?content=20061208_135532_5716 Practice Sharpen your pencils and get ready; it's that time of year again. Before the T4 slips and client appointments start rolling in, take the time to review this package: Read about all of the recent Tax Act rulings and changes that will affect client returns this year, get a checklist that covers off all of the new tax deductions, credits and filing rules, check out our list of links, tools and resources and download a customizable tax season letter for clients to remind them about deadlines and tax-saving opportunities. Better hurry &#151; December 31 is fast approaching! ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 12 Dec 2006 20:14:42 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/special_report/article.jsp?content=20061208_135532_5716 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/special_report/article.jsp?content=20061204_155109_5884 Practice Do you need a few holiday gift ideas? We've created this package just for you. Check out our list of recommended reading, learn what appreciation events and activities other advisors are working on this month and download a customizable end of year letter to send to clients. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 08 Dec 2006 14:49:33 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/special_report/article.jsp?content=20061204_155109_5884 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/communications/article.jsp?content=20061127_141029_4992 Practice December is a natural spot in the calendar to touch base with your clients, review the events of the year, thank them for their business and send along your warm wishes for the holiday season. To help you get started we've created this customizable letter to send to your clients. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 01 Dec 2006 15:36:38 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/communications/article.jsp?content=20061127_141029_4992 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/special_report/article.jsp?content=20061107_091801_3620 Practice Be careful who you hire. It's true, clients don't pick you for your knowledge related to the finer details of human resources management, but they do hire your team for the service it provides. With proper candidate selection, management and employee engagement techniques you can work to finely tune your team and its service capabilities. But what happens when you're faced with an employee who's on the verge of going off the rails? Support in this respect comes from the processes you put in place beforehand to help you identify and deal with problems before they get too big to handle. It also helps if you muster the will, courage and leadership skills to confront people issues head on. Admittedly, this can be a tall order, particularly for non-HR professionals. To help, Advisor.ca has created this package to provide insight, tips and best practices you can use in your business. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:50:14 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/special_report/article.jsp?content=20061107_091801_3620 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/growing_your_business/article.jsp?content=20061123_093938_5592 Practice Growth. If you're like most high net worth advisors, it's the word most often on your mind. Whether it's through generating more referrals, establishing relationships with centres-of-influence, or introducing new services or products, you're constantly looking for ways to build your business. While this effort should be applauded, we'd like to suggest that it may be unnecessary. In fact, the most significant opportunity to build your business might be through the clients you already have. Thane Stenner, Rod Bower, Rory O'Connor <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:26:02 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/growing_your_business/article.jsp?content=20061123_093938_5592 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/running_your_business/article.jsp?content=20061113_140809_5048 Practice Why do advisors find prospecting and building their books of business to be such a challenge? More importantly, what are other advisors doing to address the challenge? Advisor's Edge editor, Deanne Gage talks to others in the industry to find out what different advisors are doing to tackle prospecting, create centres of influence and deal with the paperwork. Deanne Gage <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:15:52 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/running_your_business/article.jsp?content=20061113_140809_5048 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/client_relationships/article.jsp?content=20061117_134602_6168 Practice Although there's some lip service in the industry paid to intergenerational planning as a means of keeping client assets on the books at the end of the estate planning cycle, not many advisors actively seek introductions to the next generation of would-be clients. Kate McCaffery <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 24 Nov 2006 20:33:59 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/client_relationships/article.jsp?content=20061117_134602_6168 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/special_report/article.jsp?content=20061102_102724_1184 Practice Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty surprised the investment world on Halloween night, announcing that Ottawa would introduce a tax on income trusts, essentially closing the gap between the taxation of the popular structures and corporations. Advisor.ca's team put together a full-blown editorial package on the about-face decision, including details of how and when the tax will be introduced, reaction from advisors, fund managers and analysts, as well a template letter you can send to clients explaining the changes. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 03 Nov 2006 20:34:58 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/special_report/article.jsp?content=20061102_102724_1184 http://www.advisor.ca/tools/templates/letters/article.jsp?content=20061101_143225_5148 Practice Want to send your clients and prospects a quick note on Ottawa's latest tax changes regarding income trusts to show them that you're staying current and looking out for their best interests? Send this customizable letter, which highlights a few of the measures most likely to affect investors and older Canadians, to help demonstrate your value. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 03 Nov 2006 20:04:09 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/tools/templates/letters/article.jsp?content=20061101_143225_5148 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/client_relationships/article.jsp?content=20061023_111401_5676 Practice Using a graphic overview of your business can be a powerful and persuasive way to articulate your value to clients, prospects, and centres-of-influence. This month, Jeff Thorsteinson explains how to use the tool by engaging clients in a graphic overview dialogue. Jeff Thorsteinson <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 23 Oct 2006 17:00:24 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/client_relationships/article.jsp?content=20061023_111401_5676 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/special_report/article.jsp?content=20061003_104218_2420 Practice Results from the fifth Annual Advisor's Edge 2006 Dollars and Sense Survey are in, revealing several key themes related to your business, your clients, their habits, and the challenges you face going forward. For help with some of the biggest challenges you've identified - whether it's prospecting, taming the paper tiger, or help in explaining the reality of retirement savings - Advisor.ca has created a package of support, tips and tools to help along the way. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:19:33 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/special_report/article.jsp?content=20061003_104218_2420 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/running_your_business/article.jsp?content=20061017_144441_4300 Practice The only enduring way to compete in this commoditized industry is to brand your business process &#151; to craft and refine, then artfully articulate who you are, what you do, and what your clients can expect. This brings up an important question: How do you communicate a complex value proposition and still keep people engaged? Jeff Thorsteinson explains how you can illustrate your business process using a graphic overview. Jeff Thorsteinson <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:15:18 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/running_your_business/article.jsp?content=20061017_144441_4300 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/communications/article.jsp?content=20060926_145747_2240 Practice Visual tools can help advisors explain complex investment concepts to their clients. Philip Porado explains how. Philip Porado <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 02 Oct 2006 14:01:43 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/communications/article.jsp?content=20060926_145747_2240 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/communications/article.jsp?content=20060920_122720_4092 Practice Is the information in your content management system in need of updating? Use this template letter to let client's know that you'll be in touch to ensure you have their most recent information on file. ADVISOR Staff <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 25 Sep 2006 18:07:55 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/communications/article.jsp?content=20060920_122720_4092 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/client_relationships/article.jsp?content=20060919_113917_4836 Practice As advisors, we get faced with difficult choices. Among them are clients weathering financial storms. Do we invest the extra time and trouble in their situations? Or do we cut back in service after they've withdrawn a significant portion of their investments? Do we "cull" them if they are no longer profitable? Hopefully, it's not a tough call. Beasley Hawkes <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:12:48 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/client_relationships/article.jsp?content=20060919_113917_4836 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/running_your_business/article.jsp?content=20060912_113157_1560 Practice One of the hardest things for any financial planner to come to grips with is a client's risk tolerance. Unfortunately, there is no standard measurement or method of assessing a client's risk tolerance. A wide variety of descriptive or quantitative questionnaires are available, and you have to choose a method that works best for you. Use this sample risk tolerance questionnaire from the &#151; created by the Canadian Institute of Financial Planners &#151; to help get you started. Financial Planning Practitioner's Guide <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 19 Sep 2006 18:34:42 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/running_your_business/article.jsp?content=20060912_113157_1560 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/growing_your_business/article.jsp?content=20060908_144940_5920 Practice Do you want to incorporate a life-planning approach in your practice, but don't know where to begin? Barry LaValley identifies six steps for implementing a life-planning approach to get you started. Barry LaValley <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 11 Sep 2006 20:09:26 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/growing_your_business/article.jsp?content=20060908_144940_5920 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/alternative_investments/article.jsp?content=20070103_093048_5176 Product There is convergence between traditional and hedge investing, folks. Says who? Blake Grossman. Blake who? Grossman, chief executive of Barclays Global Investors, the world's biggest money manager, that's who. Says he in a recent Pierre Saint-Laurent <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 03 Jan 2007 14:44:35 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/alternative_investments/article.jsp?content=20070103_093048_5176 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/tax_estate_planning/article.jsp?content=20070103_092848_3640 Product Can the Canada Revenue Agency's discretion be held to task if it's not exercised reasonably? That was the subject in a case ( Jamie Golombek <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 03 Jan 2007 14:30:30 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/tax_estate_planning/article.jsp?content=20070103_092848_3640 http://www.advisor.ca/practice/client_relationships/article.jsp?content=20070102_144335_4480 Product It's everyone's fantasy to be a fly on the wall in a secret meeting, or to wear a Harry Potter cloak of invisibility just to hear what people are saying when they think we aren't listening. For advisors selling insurance, though, shape-shifting and fantasy accoutrements aren't necessary if you want to know what your clients are saying about you. Rick Forchuk <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 03 Jan 2007 14:28:35 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/practice/client_relationships/article.jsp?content=20070102_144335_4480 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20061222_124134_6120 Product Fidelity Investments has been forced to shuffle its lineup of managers, after the sudden departure of Alan Radlo. So far its succession plans have met little enthusiasm. Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 22 Dec 2006 17:49:50 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20061222_124134_6120 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20061211_133947_2356 Product A month after the federal government's about-face on tax policy, there is still no consensus on the future of income trusts. But there does seem to be sufficient doom and gloom to go around. Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 11 Dec 2006 18:45:33 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20061211_133947_2356 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/tax_estate_planning/article.jsp?content=20061206_151920_5888 Product A new job is often accompanied with a number of decisions relating to the benefits package. And not surprisingly it's the flashy ones, like company cars and club memberships that get the most attention. But ostentatious employee extras can actually create tax disadvantages. Gena Katz <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:47:54 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/tax_estate_planning/article.jsp?content=20061206_151920_5888 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20061122_145342_5580 Product Cecilia Mo is as soft spoken as they come. In front of a packed audience of advisors attending the final leg of Fidelity Investments' latest road show last week, she sat uneasily on stage with both hands tightly gripped around a microphone as she shared her views on income trusts. While she is quiet and anxious in front of a crowd, her words are sharp and her views almost callous as she assesses the trusts sector and the way many of these companies are run. Mark Brown <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 22 Nov 2006 20:06:53 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20061122_145342_5580 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20061101_160518_5136 Product The federal government's surprise announcement that it would level the playing field between income trust distributions and dividend payments has had a sudden and massive impact on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 14 Nov 2006 17:57:33 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20061101_160518_5136 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/alternative_investments/article.jsp?content=20061114_105531_4700 Product The Canadian venture capital industry has become more conservative with its funding disbursement, focusing its relatively scarce capital on later stage financings, according to the industry association. Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 14 Nov 2006 16:07:20 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/alternative_investments/article.jsp?content=20061114_105531_4700 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/alternative_investments/article.jsp?content=20061110_094118_4736 Product In the days following Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's announcement that income trusts would face similar taxation levels as corporations, the markets reacted with their characteristic good sense: a mass sell-off of the affected asset, followed by an immediate &#151; albeit partial &#151; rebound in prices. Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 10 Nov 2006 14:45:39 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/alternative_investments/article.jsp?content=20061110_094118_4736 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/alternative_investments/article.jsp?content=20061031_142449_3052 Product You invest in mutual funds, good, solid, long-only investments that everyone can understand. No surprises, no mystery. But one researcher finds evidence that mutual funds are closer to hedge funds than you (may care to) think. Pierre Saint-Laurent <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:41:58 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/alternative_investments/article.jsp?content=20061031_142449_3052 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/tax_estate_planning/article.jsp?content=20061025_144114_4392 Product In my inaugural column nearly two years ago, I discussed a case in which an advisor was able to deduct the cost of hiring his wife as his assistant. A recent case, with somewhat different facts, should serve as additional ammunition should you come to blows with the Canada Revenue Agency over your ability to deduct fees paid to your spouse or partner, as your assistant. Jamie Golombek <service@advisor.ca> Wed, 25 Oct 2006 19:31:29 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/tax_estate_planning/article.jsp?content=20061025_144114_4392 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20061020_105441_5348 Product Market commentators have been calling for a U.S.-led economic downturn for nearly the entire length of the current recovery. The fact that it has not yet materialized should not be taken as a sign it won't, but rather as a sign of the futility of timing the markets. Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:04:27 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20061020_105441_5348 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/alternative_investments/article.jsp?content=20061012_133345_3996 Product It appears the popularity of outsourcing investment decisions has surged. In our 2005 Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 13 Oct 2006 13:50:42 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/alternative_investments/article.jsp?content=20061012_133345_3996 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/insurance/article.jsp?content=20061002_101004_4952 Product Nearly a decade after being acquired by Great-West Lifeco, London Life has not only survived as a brand, but is thriving. It helps that the two companies are in different market segments. Geoff Kirbyson <service@advisor.ca> Mon, 02 Oct 2006 14:17:44 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/insurance/article.jsp?content=20061002_101004_4952 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/tax_estate_planning/article.jsp?content=20060914_151049_5308 Product Starting with donations of publicly listed securities made after May 1, 2006, there will be no capital gains to report in relation to most appreciated securities that have been gifted to a registered charity. Gena Katz <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 26 Sep 2006 19:32:46 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/tax_estate_planning/article.jsp?content=20060914_151049_5308 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20060926_145302_2808 Product By now, the history of the bursting stock market bubble and the ensuing flight to safety has been well documented. Suddenly risk-averse investors went hunting for yield at the same time that central bankers were slashing interest rates, killing the appeal of some traditional safe-havens. Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 26 Sep 2006 19:28:01 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20060926_145302_2808 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20060908_150223_4940 Product Currency hedging used to be relatively rare among retail investments, but there appears to be a trend developing in offering such protection. In the first week of September alone, there have been several new offerings launched, and it has not been restricted to niche players. Steven Lamb <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 08 Sep 2006 19:17:21 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20060908_150223_4940 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/tax_estate_planning/article.jsp?content=20060901_132400_3852 Product In last month's column, we discussed the first of two Ontario Court of Appeal cases involving joint accounts that will heading to the Supreme Court of Canada this December. This month we will be discussing another which surprisingly came to a different decision despite having very similar facts. Jamie Golombek <service@advisor.ca> Tue, 05 Sep 2006 16:13:03 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/tax_estate_planning/article.jsp?content=20060901_132400_3852 http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20060901_133916_4232 Product In the 1990s, investors and advisors, out of necessity, learned to be Fedwatchers. The unexpected rise in interest rates in 1994 hammered bond funds. An observation on "irrational exuberance" by U.S. Federal Reserve chair Alan Greenspan in 1995 precipitated a market pullback. Scot Blythe <service@advisor.ca> Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:12:29 GMT http://www.advisor.ca/investments/market_insights/article.jsp?content=20060901_133916_4232