Industry News

Good times may not last, S&P warns

While Canada looks like it’s in for another strong year, Standard & Poor’s is warning that the conditions that led to the rapid growth in 2005 are starting to fray. In other words, 2006 may be fine but 2007 is another story. On the one hand, unanticipated inflation increases due to higher commodity prices and […]

By Mark Brown |February 17, 2006

2 min read

Top financial players set up family offices

Two veterans of the financial services industry have each set up separate boutiques or “multiple family offices” catering to high-net-worth individuals in the Ontario region. Michael Nairne recently left his position as managing director of Loring Ward International to launch Tacita Capital, while Tim Cestnick — who left AIC last year — has a new […]

By Heidi Staseson |February 17, 2006

4 min read

Mortgages and RRSP alternatives

RRSP season brings out the best and the worst in clients. Many have old questions — wondering if they should top up their RRSP or instead put the money towards their mortgage, save for a down payment on a house or pay more to their children’s education funds. In the current interest rate environment, others […]

By Kate McCaffery |February 16, 2006

5 min read

OSFI warns of reduced pension benefits

Sometimes getting a reduced benefit pension plan is better than no plan at all. This is the tough reality some pensioners may have to face going forward according to Nicholas Le Pan, head of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OFSI). OFSI has seen a marked increase in the number of plans seeking […]

By Mark Brown |February 16, 2006

2 min read