News and resources for Canada's top financial advisors
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(October 26, 2007) There is another entrant into the fast-growing guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit space, as Desjardins Financial Security announced the launch of Helios, a guaranteed investment fund contract program.
Helios is described by Desjardins as “an a la carte approach to retirement planning” that allows investors to design their own guarantees, with a GMWB being one of the options. The GMWB option can be added to the client’s portfolio at any time and pays an income of up to 7%.
“[Baby boomers’] expectations in terms of investments have changed considerably compared to the previous generations’, especially when it comes to capital security,” explains Claude Paré, senior director, product development and marketing, individual savings, at Desjardins. “Today’s investors want to maximize their investment dollars and at the same time protect their assets against market fluctuations.”
While boomers are rapidly heading toward retirement, only 56% have a plan to convert their savings into a post-retirement income stream, according to Desjardins.
• • •
AIC hands US portfolio to Ariel
(October 26, 2007) AIC Limited has named Ariel Capital of Chicago as sub-advisor of the AIC American Focused Fund, replacing James Cole.
“AIC is excited to announce this change in fund management for a number of reasons,” said Jonathan Wellum, CEO and CIO. Ariel is one of AIC’s best regarded sub-advisors in the U.S. equity space, but another reason for the excitement may be the recent performance of the portfolio.
Nearly half of the money Cole managed had been invested in firms with significant exposure to the sub-prime mortgage meltdown which began in August. Financial stocks such as Citigroup, Capital One Financial, Countrywide Financial and Radian Group were in a portfolio that also held home-builder DR Horton.
Cole remains the portfolio manager for the AIC Canadian Focused Fund, AIC Dividend Income Fund, and AIC Canadian Balanced Fund.
• • •
Green investing to pay off: UN
(October 26, 2007) Financial services firms that offer environmentally sensitive investment products stand to profit from their “green” efforts, as the general public seeks to limit their own environmental footprint, according to a report from the United Nations.
“As the sustainability agenda begins to capture the public and corporate imagination, financial institutions are starting to recognize the value in delivering green products and services to their corporate and retail clients,” said Paul Clements-Hunt, head of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative.
So far, European financial firms lead the way, offering preferential car loans for cleaner vehicles, energy-efficiency mortgages and venture capital funding for alternative energy projects.
Clements-Hunt says there are now “key opportunities in North America to help companies build a greener business, satisfy customer demands and potentially increase market share.”
• • •
Mawer launches global small cap fund
(October 26, 2007) Mawer Investment Management has announced the launch of the Mawer Global Small Cap Fund, effective immediately. The company says the fund will “leverage its expertise and reputation in the management of portfolios of small cap companies with its extensive experience in the management of international equities.”
Mawer also announced the addition of an F-class pricing option in its Mawer Mutual Funds, retroactive to October 1, 2007. The F-class option is available on
(10/26/07)
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(October 26, 2007) There is another entrant into the fast-growing guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit space, as Desjardins Financial Security announced the launch of Helios, a guaranteed investment fund contract program.
Helios is described by Desjardins as “an a la carte approach to retirement planning” that allows investors to design their own guarantees, with a GMWB being one of the options. The GMWB option can be added to the client’s portfolio at any time and pays an income of up to 7%.
“[Baby boomers’] expectations in terms of investments have changed considerably compared to the previous generations’, especially when it comes to capital security,” explains Claude Paré, senior director, product development and marketing, individual savings, at Desjardins. “Today’s investors want to maximize their investment dollars and at the same time protect their assets against market fluctuations.”
While boomers are rapidly heading toward retirement, only 56% have a plan to convert their savings into a post-retirement income stream, according to Desjardins.
• • •
AIC hands US portfolio to Ariel
(October 26, 2007) AIC Limited has named Ariel Capital of Chicago as sub-advisor of the AIC American Focused Fund, replacing James Cole.
“AIC is excited to announce this change in fund management for a number of reasons,” said Jonathan Wellum, CEO and CIO. Ariel is one of AIC’s best regarded sub-advisors in the U.S. equity space, but another reason for the excitement may be the recent performance of the portfolio.
Nearly half of the money Cole managed had been invested in firms with significant exposure to the sub-prime mortgage meltdown which began in August. Financial stocks such as Citigroup, Capital One Financial, Countrywide Financial and Radian Group were in a portfolio that also held home-builder DR Horton.
Cole remains the portfolio manager for the AIC Canadian Focused Fund, AIC Dividend Income Fund, and AIC Canadian Balanced Fund.
• • •
Green investing to pay off: UN
(October 26, 2007) Financial services firms that offer environmentally sensitive investment products stand to profit from their “green” efforts, as the general public seeks to limit their own environmental footprint, according to a report from the United Nations.
“As the sustainability agenda begins to capture the public and corporate imagination, financial institutions are starting to recognize the value in delivering green products and services to their corporate and retail clients,” said Paul Clements-Hunt, head of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative.
So far, European financial firms lead the way, offering preferential car loans for cleaner vehicles, energy-efficiency mortgages and venture capital funding for alternative energy projects.
Clements-Hunt says there are now “key opportunities in North America to help companies build a greener business, satisfy customer demands and potentially increase market share.”
• • •
Mawer launches global small cap fund
(October 26, 2007) Mawer Investment Management has announced the launch of the Mawer Global Small Cap Fund, effective immediately. The company says the fund will “leverage its expertise and reputation in the management of portfolios of small cap companies with its extensive experience in the management of international equities.”
Mawer also announced the addition of an F-class pricing option in its Mawer Mutual Funds, retroactive to October 1, 2007. The F-class option is available on
(10/26/07)
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