As Canada’s brokerage business goes through a time of profound change — with volatile markets, new regulations, new competitors and firms’ revised strategies and operations — investment advisors are looking for a little direction from their firms.
April 25, 2016Pablo Fuchs, senior editor with Investment Executive, and Fiona Collie, staff writer, discuss the results of the 2016 Brokerage Report Card.
The brokerage business is going through profound change, and advisors are counting on their firms to help them navigate through the new twists and turns
As social media gains prominence as a marketing tool for advisors, access is more critical than ever. The firms that provide access to the online platform along with support are praised, while firms that restrict the use of social media are criticized
Advisors consider financial planning to be more important than ever, and more advisors are creating financial plans with their clients. However, challenges remain in getting clients on board with the process
With strategic focus becoming more important for advisors, many are questioning their firm's efforts to attract and serve high net-worth clients while other advisors praise their firm's focus on expanding geographically
Quick response times, consistency, reliability and a client- and advisor-focused approach by back office staff are critical
Firms' greater focus on operating within a fee-based compensation model makes the transition easier for advisors
Firms have adjusted their pay structures to reward advisors with larger or faster-growing books at the expense of advisors with modest-sized books, many of whom are being forced out of the business
The emergence of online financial services isn't a threat to most advisors' businesses because their clients prefer a personal touch
This Report Card summarizes data from each of the Brokerage, Dealers' and Bank reports, looking at the trends across the financial advice industry
This year's research reveals how well the Big Six are meeting branch advisors' need for coaching, fair pay and effective tools
Advisor satisfaction across most of the 11 full-service and mutual fund dealers in the Report Card has held steady or improved compared with 2023
The Report Card, which has been published for more than 30 years, explores the concerns and needs of investment advisors in Canada as their firms…