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HSBC Bank Canada has launched two new market-linked GICs, with returns based on a primary indexes of Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.

The Asian Tigers Stock Market GIC allows holders to receive a variable rate of return, linked to the performance of the Asian Tigers indices, while fully protecting their principal.

The 50/50 Asian Tigers GIC bundle offers investors a very competitive guaranteed interest rate for half the investment, while providing them with exposure to these dynamic Asian markets for the other half.

“In the Year of the Tiger, the Asian Tigers Stock Market GIC products provide our clients with an opportunity to tap into growing, dynamic economies, while offering them the safety and security of a leading rate and guaranteed protection of their savings dollars,” said Euan Campbell, senior vice-president, marketing and products, HSBC Bank Canada. “Over the past year, each of the Asian Tiger indices has experienced strong gains, and these GICs are designed to capitalize on this strength.”

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Minor change for TD International Equity Growth

TD Asset Management has announced a portfolio adviser change for the TD International Equity Growth Fund.

The change results from the June 1, acquisition of a portion of the asset management services of Morgan Stanley Investment Management by Invesco Advisers, Inc., which had been the manager of the fund.

As a result of the transaction, Invesco Advisers, Inc. will become the portfolio adviser of the TD International Equity Growth Fund with the same portfolio management team of Hans van den Berg and David Sugimoto.

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FaithLife names new president, CEO

FaithLife Financial, a fraternal benefit society providing life insurance and investment products for the Christian community, has named Karen Bjerland as its new president and CEO.

“It is a tremendous honour to lead FaithLife Financial into the future. I look forward to meeting many of our members, and learning more about the causes they care about,” said Bjerland. “We are part of such an incredibly exciting organization because, as we grow financially, we are able to increase our outreach to those in need, at home and abroad.”

Bjerland succeeds Dieter Kays, who will retire in September after six years at the helm. She joined FaithLife Financial in 1980, and has served as regional sales manager, director field and branch services, and held vice-presidential roles in member services, field services, brand development, fraternal and sales.

Based in Waterloo, Ontario, FaithLife operates in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia.

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MFDA adjourns Michael Johns hearing

The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada commenced a disciplinary proceeding in respect of Michael Brandon Johns by Notice of Hearing dated March 24, 2009.

The hearing of this matter commenced today and was adjourned on consent of the parties to June 4, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) in the hearing room located at the offices of the MFDA at 121 King Street West, Suite 1000, Toronto, Ontario.

The hearing will be open to the public, except as may be required for the protection of confidential matters.

A copy of the Notice of Hearing is available on the MFDA website at • • •

MFDA sets dates for Gary Price hearing

The MFDA commenced a disciplinary proceeding in respect of Gary Alan Price by Notice of Hearing dated June 23, 2008. As announced on December 1, 2009, the original hearing panel in this matter declared its decision and reasons (misconduct) dated June 12, 2009 null and void.

An appearance in this matter took place yesterday before a reconstituted three-person hearing panel of the MFDA’s Central Regional Council at which time a hearing of this matter on its merits was scheduled for October 18-22, 2010 commencing at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) in the hearing room at the offices of the MFDA located at 121 King Street West, Suite 1000, Toronto, Ontario. The hearing will be open to the public, except as may be required for the protection of confidential matters.

A copy of the Amended Notice of Hearing is available on the MFDA website at • • •

MFDA to hear settlement with Roderick Iain McLeod

The MFDA today announced that it has issued a Notice of Settlement Hearing regarding the presentation, review and consideration of a proposed settlement agreement by a hearing panel of the MFDA’s Central Regional Council.

The settlement agreement will be between staff of the MFDA and Roderick Iain McLeod and involves matters for which McLeod may be disciplined by a hearing panel pursuant to MFDA by-laws.

The subject matter of the proposed settlement agreement concerns allegations that, contrary to MFDA Rule 1.1.1, McLeod engaged in securities related business that was not carried on for the account of the member and through the facilities of the member by referring or facilitating the sale of $125,000 of an investment product to two individuals when that investment product had not been approved for sale by the member.

The settlement hearing is scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) on June 10, 2010 in the hearing room located at 121 King Street West, Suite 1000, Toronto, Ontario. The hearing will be open to the public, except as may be required for the protection of confidential matters.

A copy of the Notice of Settlement Hearing is available on the MFDA website at