BridgeForce News | December 11, 2017
HEADLINES
Help your clients avoid a common market danger
When Ian Hardacre from Empire Life is articulating what he believes to be the best approach in the current market environment, there is one word that keeps coming up: caution. Political uncertainty continues to dominate the news agenda, valuations continue to rise and rates remain low. Yet, despite all of the risks on the horizon, investors haven’t really reacted.
AI cannot replace human advisors
Despite the recent proliferation of digital asset-allocation services (a.k.a. robo-advisors), they pose little threat to human financial advisors. These services use artificial intelligence (AI) to choose investment portfolios for investors based on a series of answers to an online questionnaire. However, this approach can never replace what real advisors actually do. Here are some reasons why…
COMPLIANCE
Fraud Alert: Powerball Scam
Even New Brunswick’s consumer watchdog can be a target for scam artists. Last month, the CEO of the Financial and Consumer Services Commission opened a white business envelop delivered to his home. Inside was an official-looking invitation offering him a chance to purchase shares of tickets in an “exclusive, guaranteed-win superjackpot syndicate.” The invitation suggested all winnings in the USA $100-million powerball lottery would be divided equally between each share.
FSCO working with OSC to transfer syndicated mortgage investments
In its fall economic statement on November 14, 2017, the Ontario government reiterated its plans to transfer regulatory responsibilities for the oversight of syndicated mortgage investments from FSCO to the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC).
SUPPLIER COMPANY NEWS
Assumption Life
Essential Whole Life
Offer your clients a solution. Bundle all your essentials in one application (Whole life, term, DI, CI and CIB).
What’s up, Assumption Life?
You can insure two people with different health risks with a single application, New ParPlus brochure available, We’ve removed our rider fee on FlexTerm, Change for non-registered contract applications.
Canada Life
2017 year-end closing information
Critical submission dates for individual insurance.
Par’s stable, predictable growth: New brochure available
Help clients understand how our participating life insurance products smooth out short-term ups and downs, Topics include: asset mix, interest-rate changes, smoothed returns, strong surplus, no downside risk.
Wealth operations update
Information and changes that are essential to your daily business processing, Important reminders that help support your wealth operations.
Canada Protection Plan
Important dates for New Business Year-End
Please be advised of the following important dates…
Desjardins Insurance
Last chance to offer your clients independent living
Starting in mid-June 2018 Desjardins Insurance will withdraw Independent Living Insurance product (LongTerm Care). This product has received poor demand among Canadian consumers, and other insurers in Canada and the United States have also removed this product from their offering or have reduced the maximum benefit amount. June 15, 2018 will be the deadline to submit all new Independent Living applications.
Empire Life
Best day of my life (2017 Roadshow)
Empire Life recently completed the “Best Day of My Life” roadshow across Canada. The presentation is eligible for CE credits. We invite you to view the presentation and earn your CE credits!
Insight
Introducing Solution 30 and reduced rates for Solution 10 & 20, Download the new software, Next TRIIPSS Webinar: Federal Proposals Taxing Private Corporations Update: Overview, Concerns, Cautions and Opportunities, Continuing Education Requirements, Replay: Immediate Financing Arrangement Webinar.
Foresters Financial
Membership Matters
In this issue we’ll suggest thrifty children’s gift ideas, share tips for saving money on groceries, discuss how to give back during the holidays – and more! Like this newsletter? Be sure to share it with your friends and family!
New! Advantage Plus coming December 18
On December 18, 2017, we’re launching our new and improved Advantage Plus¹ participating whole life insurance. We’ve added valuable enhancements including one that is unique to the Canadian marketplace.
Stay informed with Client Communication Notifications
Foresters Financial™ recently launched a new notification process to help keep you up to date on your Foresters in-force business. You now receive email notifications when we mail documents to your clients. This gives you access to key documents days before your client receives them in the mail.
Year-end processing deadlines and holiday hours
Do you have applications pending with Foresters Financial™? Act now to maximize your production and compensation for 2017. You still have time!
Humania Assurance
Holiday schedule
With the Holiday Season quickly approaching, please note the following, important information.
ivari
End of year processing
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your business and support throughout 2017, and to wish you and your team all the very best for the upcoming holiday season. We look forward to another rewarding year of doing business with you in 2018.
Important information for 2017 RRSP Contributions and 2017 Tax Reporting
Please take note of the following dates for RRSP contributions and Tax Receipt mailings.
Manulife Financial
Performax Gold Cash Value improvement for Cost for 15 years policies
Since we repriced our Performax Gold whole life product on July 29th 2017, you’ve told us that the change made to the cash value of Cost for 15 years policies was unfavorable. We recognize this is a popular product for you and your clients, and based on your comments, we decided to take another look at it.
RBC Insurance
2017 Year-end
Year-end is fast approaching and we at RBC Insurance® are working hard to get you to the finish line! We want to ensure that your sales are counted towards 2017 production, commissions are paid, and most importantly, that your clients are protected through the RBC Insurance solution you have recommended.
The countdown has begun
Enhanced compensation for RBC® Payout Annuities is ending on December 31—don’t miss this opportunity to offer clients great rates and earn a bonus while doing it!
SSQ Financial
End of year processing
You will find important information relating to year-end transactions processing for individual insurance and investment.
SSQ Newsletter (November)
Key features of YRT-UL and what sets us apart, National conference tour – A success, Amendment to the Information Folder – Have you ordered it yet?, Fund closures and transfers of assets, Holiday business hours.
Information and links to other websites contained in this document are solely for the information and convenience of BridgeForce Financial Group brokers. This information is not intended to provide financial, legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be relied upon in that regard. No endorsement of any third party products, services or information is expressed or implied by any information, material or content referred to, included in, or linked from this bulletin. The approved materials are the property of individual companies used under license and may not be copied, transmitted or used without express written approval. E. & O.E.