Planning and Advice

Be ready for the regulator

Are you ready for a branch audit? Whether you are awaiting a visit by your compliance officer, an internal audit or an IIROC/MFDA check-up, here are six tips for preparing for a review:

By Mark Ziebarth |August 15, 2011

3 min read

Prospect for clients online

Any doubts about the power of Internet marketing have been eliminated with the recent popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa — dubbed the social media revolution due to its role in organizing the protests. However, before financial advisors leap into social media marketing campaigns, it is important to start with the basics.

By Brian O’Hara |August 15, 2011

6 min read

What should companies disclose?

It is rare that the Supreme Court of Canada gets an opportunity to comment on the securities laws of Canada, let alone offer guidance. In the case of Sharbern Holding Inc. v. Vancouver Airport Center Ltd, it has though in a big way. The concept at issue in Sharbern is "materiality" – determining what information should be disclosed to investors by issuers in offering documents. The Supreme Court’s decision clarified the test for what is "material", borrowing a test from American securities law and ultimately siding with the issuer.

By Brandon Barnes |August 12, 2011

4 min read

Regulators are underfunded

Nobody ever tells investors that financial industry regulation is a business, too. Unfortunately, that’s the reality many wronged investors come to realize after they get burned by lax securities enforcement or weak accounting and auditing rules. Advisors only need to follow the money to understand why there isn’t greater protection for their clients’ investments.

August 10, 2011

6 min read