Industry News

Decorative pattern

French funds add fuel to sub-prime fire

Just when you thought the markets were looking up, along comes another financial bombshell that has sent global stock markets spinning lower. On Thursday BNP Paribas, a large French bank, announced that it could no longer calculate the net asset values of three asset-backed securities funds. The news hit North America just before the opening […]

By Bryan Borzykowski |August 9, 2007

3 min read

Decorative pattern

Foresters to buy Unity Life

Foresters has announced that it has struck a deal to acquire Unity Life of Canada, subject to approval by regulators and shareholders of the target firm. The takeover would result in the demutualization of Unity Life, and the firm would be the spearhead of Foresters’ Canadian insurance operations. “This transaction will greatly strengthen Foresters’ market […]

By Steven Lamb |August 9, 2007

3 min read

Decorative pattern

Briefly:

(August 8, 2007) After five months on the run, an Ontario-based investment broker, who is facing fraud charges, has been apprehended by police. Bruce Elmore is accused of allegedly bilking millions of dollars out of more than 40 investors. His clients thought they were investing in GICs, but it is suspected Elmore put the cash […]

By Staff |August 8, 2007

2 min read

Decorative pattern

Credit risk rising thanks to sub-prime woes

Canada’s financial sector has enjoyed smooth sailing for the past four years, with a relatively low credit default rate, so it’s easy to forget how quickly the good times can turn sour. A stark reminder could be just on the horizon. In a speech to the Toronto CFA Society, Suzanne Labarge, former chief risk officer […]

By Bryan Borzykowski |August 8, 2007

3 min read

Decorative pattern

Niche

Controversy surrounding specialized designations that target seniors in the U.S. is raising questions as to whether Canada should be looking hard at its own accreditation system. A New York Times article in early July publicized that some insurance agents were calling themselves experts in financial planning for seniors after completing relatively easy correspondence courses or […]

By Mark Noble |August 7, 2007

6 min read

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Briefly:

(August 7, 2007) Recent market volatility has been driven by irrational fears that problems in the U.S. mortgage market will spill over into the Canadian equity market, according to a report out of CIBC World Markets. “Investors followed a circuitous route to link U.S. mortgages to Canadian equities over the past month,” says Avery Shenfeld, […]

By Staff |August 7, 2007

2 min read

Decorative pattern

Fund sales strong despite market jitters: IFIC

Volatility in the world’s equity markets doesn’t seem to have put a damper on fund sales during the month of July, according to preliminary data from the Investment Funds Institute of Canada. Funds for the month of July are estimated to be between $2.7 billion to $3.2 billion, substantially higher than June’s total of $1.9 […]

By Mark Noble |August 3, 2007

2 min read

Decorative pattern

Briefly:

(August 3, 2007) Great West Lifeco completed its planned acquisition of Putnam Investments Trust on Friday. Great West announced back in February that it would be acquiring Putnam, is one of the United States’ oldest wealth management companies, which has more $193 billion in assets under management. “This acquisition allows Lifeco to achieve, with a […]

By Staff |August 3, 2007

3 min read

Decorative pattern

Real estate funds offer diversity, but are they too hot?

In the past year, a host of fund companies have started offering real estate funds — a product made up of real estate stocks and REITs. Interest seems to be high. But with a rising dollar, sub-prime problems in the States and a general notion that the market has peaked, is now a good time […]

By Bryan Borzykowski |August 3, 2007

4 min read

Decorative pattern

Briefly:

(August 2, 2007) On Thursday, ING Canada announced that Groupe Cloutier and Worldsource Financial Management will provide ING Wealth Management advisors and property and causality insurance brokers access to their mutual fund products and distribution services. Derek Iles, president of ING Insurance, thinks the companies can help ING by providing specialized support and broad product […]

By Staff |August 2, 2007

4 min read

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