Archive for the ‘Industry Changes + Trends’ Category

Portfolio Design: Why its Crucial

By Adam Laird on August 31st, 2022

In many ways, creating an investment portfolio is like building a custom home. At the outset you have a variety of options in front of you with sizes, amenities, and styles. The role of the architect is to design something that will be the right for...

Understanding Wealth Stewardship

By Mark Barnicutt on August 4th, 2022

Prudent Principles to Live By “Looking back, it feels like we made endless sacrifices for 30 years to create our wealth, and now we worry about preserving what we’ve built for ourselves, our children & our grandchildren.” Family Client of...

Viewing Invested Assets as a ‘Piggy Bank’ vs. a ‘Pay Cheque’

By Mark Barnicutt on November 19th, 2021

Many successful entrepreneurs who’ve worked hard to build their business from the ground up sell the business for a significant sum – which becomes liquid investment assets held within financial structures like holding companies and family...

Protecting Capital in Down Markets

By Greg Rodger on July 30th, 2021

When stock markets around the world plunged in early 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread; investors were understandably shaken.  With businesses shuttered, economies grinding to a near halt, and unemployment skyrocketing it was difficult...

Foundations and Proper Asset Management: The problems and the solution

By Mark Barnicutt on June 30th, 2021

The Challenges for Foundation Boards The globalization of capital markets has caused a significant increase in both the variety and complexity of available investment opportunities. Examples of investment options now available include: Bonds Stocks...

Entrepreneurs Could Teach the Wealth Management Industry a Few Things

By Mark Barnicutt on June 18th, 2021

As prosperous entrepreneurs know, successful businesses rely on cash flow; revenues must exceed expenses to result in cash profit. In order to generate positive cash flow, businesses need to effectively leverage their current assets and resources....

The Virtual Family Office Structure

By Mark Barnicutt on June 2nd, 2021

You’ve worked hard to create your family’s wealth. You want it to be well managed and sustainable for future generations. Unfortunately, as we mentioned in a previous post, family wealth is not self-perpetuating. Without proper planning, it...

Understanding a True Fiduciary

By Mark Barnicutt on May 11th, 2021

“In a client’s best interests” is a phrase heard often in the financial industry. While many investment advisors simply talk about this concept, fiduciary financial advisors have a moral and ethical duty to live up to it. So what makes a...

Understanding the Real Costs: Important Questions to Ask your Investment Advisor

By Mark Barnicutt on March 19th, 2021

When you are choosing an investment counsellor to manage your ongoing investments, it can be challenging to get a full picture of the costs involved. Of course, there is a fee associated with any investment firm – but what about all those other...

Fund & ETF risk ratings didn’t prepare investors for the bear

By Dan Hallett on July 31st, 2020

Risk may be top of mind for many people these days – with public health, the economy, and financial markets challenged. Given my focus on due diligence, I think a lot about where risk lies in waiting, how to measure it, and how to communicate it...

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