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Advisor.ca
Read the latest news, practice and product commentary from Canada's best web site for financial advisors.

• Mount Real charges mount
  
• Off-book transactions: Unlimited liability, zero upside
  
• Large caps to lead in 2009: TD's Gorman
  
• Briefly: "Feds post deficit in September" and more of Friday's news
  
• Week in review: November 24-28, 2008
  Read this section every week to catch up on the news you missed, and learn how you can subscribe to get regular updates sent to your inbox or BlackBerry.
• Flaherty offers more restraint than stimulus
  
• If you're going to be cautious, get paid
  
• Briefly: "CIBC unsure if client data lost" and more of Thursday's news
  
• ABCP plan misses another deadline
  
• Briefly: "IIROC sets Mount Real hearings" and more of Wednesday's news
  
• SocGen settles on Portus suit
  
• BCE privatization in doubt
  
• There's no 'perfect form' for KYC
  
• Briefly: "Full-blown recession for Canada: OECD" and more of Tuesday's news
  Canada has not yet felt the full force of the world financial crisis, but it will soon, according to reports from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which has earmarked Canada to have a full-blown recession in 2009. For details and to read other financial services industry updates, click the "full story" button below.
• The downside of guarantees hits target-date funds
  
• Briefly: "Employers to curb raises" and more of Monday's news
  
• Inefficient technology could derail TFSA business
  
• DAC: Communication key to couples planning
  
• Briefly: "Flaherty allays 'forced selling' fears" and more of Friday's news
  
• Week in review: November 17-21, 2008
  
• Legally speaking: OSC states the obvious
  In a recent decision, the OSC made a definitive statement about advisor obligations, laying to rest the notion and common legal defence that clients are responsible for their own unsuitable investments. The duty of care is on the advisor. This may seem obvious to anyone familiar with professional association rules, or even the Canadian Securities Course, but it's worth noting that a new, clear line has been drawn for advisory, compliance and dispute-resolution purposes.
• Practice Lab: Exceptional communication in volatile times
  If there has ever been a key time to go above and beyond in reaching out to your clients, it's right now. Clients want to know that you know what you are doing and that you understand their unique situations. Here are some communication strategies that have worked best for advisors that we coach.
• Print this package: Do not call (DNC)
  In our recent
• Print this package: Money laundering
  In our recent
• Management and "meaningful" work (for your employees)
  Employee health and wellness is a focus for many employers these days. Hiring and retention are also big concerns. The two are related in many ways, but a recent report from French researchers is adding a new element to the mix, introducing "meaningful work" (and ways to help your employees find it) as another consideration to wrangle with in the search for employer, employee and profitability balance.
• Ahead of the pack: Tax tips for 2008
  The focus for investors this time of the year should be on tax — realizing capital gains, filing tax returns, donating to charity — but the volatile markets have probably forced your clients to worry about their stocks. Even though your client might be wondering whether to buy or sell, it's important to remind them that tax season is coming regardless of how well the country's economy is faring. With that in mind, Advisor.ca has compiled its annual tax package, where we outline everything you need to know about the 2008 tax year.
• To Clients: Tax deadlines are looming
  Clients are often busy shopping for holiday gifts in December, so why not send them a letter reminding them that buying presents isn't the only thing that needs to get done by the end of the year. This template letter explains to clients a few of the tax-related things they need to do before they ring in 2009.
• To Clients: The year in review
  As we near the end of 2008, it's a good idea 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.
• Transitioning your business, part 2: Finding the right fit
  You've met with a potential buyer or seller. Now comes the tricky stuff. How do you determine whether the person is the right successor? How do you negotiate a buy-sell agreement?
• Print this package: Compliance roundup
  There was a lot going on during the summer — new do-not-call rules and money laundering legislation went through earlier this year, not to mention updates related to registration reform, point of sale and more. To help you keep on top of it all, we've created this compliance roundup, along with printer-friendly regular and