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(January 2, 2008) B2B Trust has signed a deal with AIM Trimark Investments to provide investment loans, making it the 50th firm to sign on with B2B.

“It is with great excitement that we welcome the addition of such a prestigious firm as AIM Trimark to the B2B Trust client roster,” says François Desjardins, president and CEO of B2B Trust. “This brings the total number of funds that are eligible for purchase with borrowed monies from B2B Trust to well over 1,100, thus representing another milestone in B2B Trust’s successful focused approach.”

The agreement takes effect immediately, making the investment and RRSP loan programs available in time for the peak RRSP sales season.

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Mackenzie takes over Putnam back office

(January 2, 2008) Mackenzie Financial has announced that it will assume responsibility as trustee and manager for nine funds offered in Canada by Putnam Investments.

The affected funds include Putnam’s Canadian balance, bond, equity, equity growth and money market funds, as well as its global and international equity mandates and U.S. value and Voyager funds.

The changes will not affect the investment management arrangements, with Putnam remaining at the helm of the non-Canadian mandates, and Sceptre Investment Counsel continuing to manage the Canadian mandates.

Putnam was purchased by Mackenzie’s corporate parent, Power Financial, in 2007.

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IA names new investments head

(January 2, 2008) Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services has named Michel Tremblay as executive vice-president, investments, effective March 17, 2008. Tremblay’s most recent position was COO at National Bank of Canada.

Tremblay replaces Yvon Côté, who is leaving Industrial Alliance after 38 years.

“I would like to thank Yvon Côté for his long and loyal service, especially for having helped train a whole generation of young fund managers and for the leading role he played when Industrial Alliance went from a mutual company to a public company in 2000,” said president and CEO Yvon Charest.

Côté will continue to serve on the board of some of Industrial Alliance’s subsidiaries.

(01/02/08)