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B2B Trust has signed agreements with Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services and its subsidiary Industrial Alliance Pacific for the distribution of segregated fund investment loans.

“With the insurance industry being one of the fastest-growing fields in Canada, B2B Trust is pleased to add Industrial Alliance and Industrial Alliance Pacific to its list of distribution alliances,” says Al Spadaro, vice-president, business development at B2B Trust.

Under the new agreements, B2B Trust will be able to “provide greater options and flexibility to managing general agencies and insurance agents with products tailored to the insurance industry, such as loans for investment in segregated funds,” he says.

“In order to maximize investment possibilities for our clients and business partners, Industrial Alliance and Industrial Alliance Pacific have added the B2B Trust Investment Loan Program to our internal investment loan program,” says Jacques Potvin, vice-president of marketing, individual insurance and annuities at Industrial Alliance.

B2B Trust supplies investment and RRSP loan programs to advisors and agents across the mutual fund and insurance sectors, as well as through dealers and managing general agencies (MGAs).

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IMCA hires new deputy executive director

The Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA) has named Ian MacKenzie as its new deputy executive director of operations.

“Ian’s 25 years of broad experience in the financial services industry, coupled with his knowledge of association management, will help IMCA expand our educational offerings into new markets,” said Sean R. Walters, executive director and CEO of IMCA. “His extensive background in publishing, institutional relations, market development, and knowledge and content programs will be instrumental for IMCA’s continued growth.”

MacKenzie will oversee IMCA’s marketing and communications initiatives, conferences, educational offerings, and publications, including Investments & Wealth Monitor and the Journal of Investment Consulting.

“I see a tremendous amount of opportunity for IMCA to deliver its premier investment consulting and wealth management credentials and world-class educational offerings to more advisors within the industry,” said MacKenzie. “The association has been well-known within the wirehouse community for 25 years, and my goal is to use my experience and expertise to elevate that recognition among independent advisors serving a high-net-worth client base.”

MacKenzie has served as chief marketing officer and managing director of business development for the 25,000-member Financial Planning Association (FPA). He also served as editor-in-chief and publisher of the association’s Journal of Financial Planning.

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New appointments, changes at BFS Canada

BFS is making some changes to better serve the Canadian marketplace.

Mickey Perret will be taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer. He will continue to oversee the Canadian bank licence and MPW integration projects.

BFS has also established a new executive committee. It will be their responsibility to oversee the management and strategy of the overall BFS business in Canada. The committee is comprised of each of the business heads as well as James Angus from Operations and Rick Davidson from ITG.

To go along with these changes, BFS has also appointed MPW Canada’s former SVP of Marketing, Laura Curtis Ferrera, as Head of Marketing and Communications for BFS North America. She will be assisting all BFS businesses in the strategic implementation of their marketing plans.

These latest appointments join Steve Sharpe’s recent promotion as head of HR for BFS North America.

(03/23/10)