Investment & Banking

Segregated Funds

A Seg Fund can be described as the insurance industries equivalent to Mutual Funds. They offer the protection of an insurance product and the market performance & growth potential of a mutual fund. They can be described as mutual funds with a Guarantee or Warranty.

Like Mutual Funds, Seg Funds invest their assets in stocks, bonds, money market instruments, in various companies and business sectors in Canada and throughout the world.

• They are subject to the same ups and downs as Mutual Funds so effective Fund Selection is key to achieving the potential for above average performance.
  
  
• We offer the same Proprietary Selection Process with our Seg Fund Short List as we do with our Mutual Fund Selection Process.
  
  
• As there is vast variety of Seg Funds available – selecting the funds with the potential to outperform adds significant value to your portfolio.
  
  

We can also show you how Segregated Fund protective features can add valuable benefits to your investment portfolio:

1. If you are nearing retirement it is important to protect your assets from market declines, so consider a 10 year deposit maturity period providing a 75% to 100% maturity guarantee depending on product selected.
   
   
2. If you are an investor wary of market risk, you have the opportunity to lock in market gains each year by utilizing reset features, protecting your investment from market downturns.
   
   
3. The Guarantee Features of Seg Funds offer innovative investment opportunities, such as Leveraged Investment options with limited market risk due to the maturity guarantee of deposits.
   
   
4. Consider the creditor protection potential of Seg Funds - Seg Funds offer personal and business creditor liability protection under specific circumstances.
   
   
5. Consider a private transfer of wealth as Seg Funds offer the ability to bypass the expense and inconvenience of a court of probate.
   
   
6. Preserve your wealth to pass on to your beneficiaries with a 100% death benefit guarantee.
   

There is a price attached to Seg Funds, specifically higher MER's (management expense ratios) which is primarily a charge that covers the cost of the guarantee. MER's vary from fund to fund:

• It is important to understand what the fund offers investors in terms of performance to assess if the MER's are well justified.
  
  
• Generally speaking MER's reflect the risk/reward components of a particular fund.

Guaranteed Investments – GIC's

GIC's offer the investor the security of guaranteed returns on investment. However, there is more to a GIC than just the rate of return (interest rate). We look for GIC's that offer additional benefits to investors…

When selecting GIC products for our clients to invest in, we offer:

1. Highly competitive interest rates – we compare rates across a broad range of carriers.
   
   
2. A 30 day better of rate guarantee for reinvestments; you get either the rate promised on the day you confirm with us or the rate on the day of renewal, whichever is higher.
   
   
3. The Plus Factor – GIC contracts with a value added component:

   • Creditor proof GIC's that allow for personal and business liability protection.
     
     
   • Private Wealth Transfer Privileges: Save your family and business time and money via Probate Free Transfer of Assets and Estate Tax Liability Exemption.
     

4. We consider where GIC's best fit into our clients overall investment portfolio; this includes risk assessment & tax considerations for GIC interest payments.
   
   
5. Consider Corporate Rates for Businesses & Individuals – how to qualify.
   
   
6. We factor in deposit insurance considerations – how does the CDIC (Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation) effect your deposit.
   
   
7. We recommend top rated carriers to provide additional protection and security for your deposits.

"Super" Line of Credit

Manulife Bank has a unique money management tool that may be of interest to you http://www.manulife.ca/canada/mBank.nsf/Public/mone

For a full discussion on debt management and how it can integrate into your financial plan, please give us a call at 519-886-2707 or Toll Free at 1-866-221-3377

High Interest Bank Account

Make your cash work for you with a bank account that pays GIC rates. We have access to a range of outstanding bank account products that can change the way you do your banking for the better:

1. Chequing Account: Personal & Business
   
   
   • Both chequing accounts offer all the features you expect from a traditional chequing account but with a high interest rate you would normally find in a locked-in GIC.
   • Convenience – easy access to you money.
   • With all the features you are accustomed to with a traditional chequing account: ABM, chequing, debit purchases, internet banking, funds transfers, bill payments.
   • No account maintenance fees.
   • No minimum balance required.
   • Interest is calculated daily & paid monthly.
   
   
2. RRSP High Interest Savings Account
   
   
   • If you haven't decided where to invest your RRSP, park your deposit in a high interest bank account (obtain your tax refund) and earn GIC type rates while you take the time you need to decide where to invest your money for the long term…
     
     
   
   
3. U.S. Dollar Savings Account: Personal & Business
   
   
   • This is ideal if you work or travel in the United States.
   • A great opportunity for business owners who do business in the United States and maintain a U.S. dollar account to manage currency fluctuations.
   • Both savings accounts offer GIC type rates on U.S. funds.
   • No tiers.
   • No minimum balance.
   • No withdrawal fees or account maintenance fees.
   • Interest is calculated daily & paid monthly.