The great debate: Mutual funds versus exchange traded funds
What is the best investment vehicle, a passively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF), an actively managed ETF or a mutual fund? According to a panel of investment firm executives at the Morningstar...
View ArticleManulife makes progress on hedging equity risk
Manulife Financial has now hedged half of its variable annuity business in an effort to reduce its level of equity exposure. When stock markets collapsed in late 2008, Manulife felt the pain of its...
View ArticleIFRS: Insurers plunged into uncertainty
The Canadian life insurance industry has been plunged into uncertainty thanks to the delay in consultations surrounding new accounting standards. Because of this delay, insurers still do not know what...
View ArticleFind your brand and stand out
When she took on her duties as Advertising and Design Coordinator at Qualified Financial Services (QFS) a year ago, Nina Hu, extensively researched the financial services distribution industry’s...
View ArticleElectronic data project seeks financial and human resources support
Leaders of an insurance industry initiative aimed at creating a common eData system for new business processing is now asking stakeholders, such as insurers and distributors, to sign up to support the...
View ArticleTransamerica’s ratings improve
In July, ratings agency Standard & Poor’s raised its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Transamerica Life Canada (TLC) to ‘BBB+’ from ‘BBB’. The outlook is stable. Also in July,...
View ArticleRGA breaks Munich Re’s grip on critical illness reinsurance market
Competition is heating up in the critical illness reinsurance market. RGA Canada says that it has made a significant breakthrough in a sector that Munich Re has dominated for years. Munich Re’s former...
View ArticleCompliance: clients should do their homework
Compliance has become crucial, but offences persist despite steeper fines. Blank forms, clients’ cheques made out to advisors and unwitnessed signatures are a widespread problem in the industry. By...
View ArticleBaby boomers retiring with debt burden
Born in an era of prosperity, the baby boomer generation has always gone after what it wanted – whether it’s been luxury homes, cars, vacations or launching their own businesses. They’ve been big...
View ArticleForce financière Excel acquires Gadoua
In early June, Force financière Excel bought Agence Gilles Gadoua from AXA Insurance and Financial Services. With the deal, Excel gains an additional volume of $3 million in life insurance premiums....
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