The Richardson Tragedy

Why the Sell Out? Why Shareholding, Cash Injections and Back Office Changes couldn’t save this legendary brand. Richardson Wealth was the darling of the independent brokerage industry in Canada. It was widely considered the crème de la crème of established premium brokerage firms. The brand was steeped rich in history and tradition, with owner-executives who […]
The Willy Loman Saga

With very bustling M&A activity, the Canadian wealth management industry has never been so active like this past year. Mergers & Acquisitions are often the result of both successful and struggling companies needing to sell or merge – to survive and compete in an ever-saturated investor marketplace. While we have witnessed some recent successful ventures; […]
The Burgundy Boogie Shuffle

The Transition from Conviction to Chameleon. The Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. transaction was no surprise. It was long rumoured ‘on the market’ for several years. While it is natural for owners to prepare their liquidity exits; this strategy needs to be balanced with what is truly in the client’s best interests. The very original foundational […]
Not All Signing Bonuses Are Equal – What You Must Know

Whether you are moving dealers or exiting, Beware of the Buyer! The offer of signing bonuses is often the most tempting form of inducement for a wealth advisor. But they have also become very confusing and deceptive. Many broker dealers still provide a traditional offer containing two elements. They offer fair market value for his […]
Why CIRO Advisors Are Moving to Investment Firms

Over the last 15 years, many investment advisors have been too embroiled with volatile markets and worrying clients to get an accurate glimpse of industry changes. One of the reasons why many advisors are uneducated about member firms, is because there is an entirely different class of investment firm that is not the broker dealer. […]
When Retention Bonuses are not always what they seem!

Attention Portfolio Managers! At a time of unprecedented global social-political uncertainty, ongoing market volatility and unyielding regulatory oversight, an increasing number of broker dealers are experiencing more trouble with organic growth, operational efficiencies and shrinking margins than ever before. There’s no doubt that these combined factors are wreaking havoc on the best of dealers. But […]
The Grand Illusion

Why ‘Equity shareholding’ -‘Liquidity Exits’ at broker dealer start ups are often thebiggest impediments and illusions to Advisor Growth. It’s tough enough for advisors to evaluate public securities and predict the market. It’s a full time endeavour for the very best investment analysts and portfolio managers. Global events and regional complexities are so unpredictable on […]
The Difference between a Signing Bonus vs Transition Allowance

(Part 1) Signing Bonus A signing bonus is a payment made in consideration of client assets to be / having been transferred over to the incoming dealer. It is typically expressed as a multiple of gross revenues, aka ‘trailing 12’. Starting with an initial payment on the date of registration, signing bonuses are paid in […]
The 8 Holy Commandments of Employer Interviews!

Some of the most obvious tips for every Business Manager & HR professional In business practice and etiquette, we often take it for granted that most people know what the right thing to do is. We also assume that common courtesy and manners is an obvious, assured thing that everyone practices. But not everyone does. […]
Why Cash Remains King for Portfolio Managers!

At a time of unparalleled global social-political uncertainty accompanied with continued market volatility, an increasing number of advisors are moving to a compensation model that provides certainty at the present rather than equity modelling in the distant future. And given the ongoing market uncertainties, established independent brands offering attractive cash-based programs are becoming the clear […]