BridgeForce News (January 11, 2021)

BridgeForce Updates

Industry Headlines

Breaking down federal support for business owners
The federal government rolled out a massive aid package for businesses affected by Covid-19, including billions in wage subsidies and credit. See the table below for a summary of programs that continue to be available to business owners during the pandemic.

How to speak about the unspeakable
Life insurance can involve difficult conversations. When discussing negative outcomes with clients, focus on the client’s needs.

Insurance and the business owner
Use these tips to help ensure your clients have effective coverage

Compliance

Cyber attacks and privacy breaches continue to hit insurance industry hard
Failing to secure and safeguard confidential information can lead to privacy breaches, potentially harming clients and damaging reputations. We continue to hear of privacy breaches and cyber attacks in the insurance industry, for example…

Distribution of financial products and services
Useful information for registrants under the Act respecting the distribution of financial products and services during the COVID-19 crisis

FATCA / CRS changes effective January 1, 2021
We want to let you know about the upcoming changes to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Beginning January 1, 2021, CRA will be enhancing their requirements for Canadian financial institutions and its account/contract opening processes pertaining to FATCA and CRS. Canadian financial institutions are required to obtain valid self-certification within 90 days of account/contract opening.

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Bulletin: 2021 Checklist-Be Cyber Secure and Fraud Aware
With fraud and cybercrime reporting going up again this year, the CAFC created the following checklists so that Canadians can be fraud aware and cyber secure in 2021.

Compliance Update | November 2020

Recommending enhanced Point of Sale (POS) disclosure for seg funds
A reminder of risks associated with syndicated mortgages
Rebating

Advisor Education

ANNOUNCING! BridgeForce-University.com is Live!

BridgeForce-University.com is our NEW On-Demand service that is unlike any other on-demand service you have ever seen. No narrated slideshows, and no fake webinars, just video recordings of live events!

Over 100 accredited presentations are available for you to earn all of the CE Credits that you need for your Licenses and Designations. See presentations from your carriers, PLUS access new information from other experts in the industry that are designed to grow and improve your knowledge and your practice.

BridgeForce-University.com also gives you access to our Live Webcasted “Roadshows” through the year!

Get the convenience of On-Demand, get access to our Live BFG Roadshow Webcasts, and earn all of the CE Credits that you need! Anytime, Anywhere, and on Any Device!

Get it all by signing up for the Unlimited CE Plan for only $200!

Tech Tips

5 ways to protect yourself from COVID-19 scams
COVID-19-related scams are on the rise. In some cases, cybercriminals are using the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or ads for protective gear to lure you into clicking links that could steal from you or lock your information. Protect yourself by understanding how you could be targeted, and take some simple steps to shore up your defences. Here are five steps you can take right now on any device to protect yourself.

Use dictation to talk instead of type on your PC
Use dictation to convert spoken words into text anywhere on your PC with Windows 10. Dictation uses speech recognition, which is built into Windows 10, so there’s nothing you need to download and install to use it.

Computer Picks

All models listed meet the following minimum requirements:
Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – $1,199
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 – $1,349
Dell Latitude 3410 (Business class) – $929 (SALE)
Dell Inspiron 14 5000 (Home class) – $779 (SALE)

Where to Purchase

It is strongly recommended to purchase computers from the Microsoft Store or Dell.

Supplier Company News

BMO Insurance

Update to FATCA and CRS reporting
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) has been operational beginning July 1, 2014 and Common Reporting Standards (CRS) have been operational beginning July 1, 2017.

What comes next?
As we begin a new year, it’s hard not to look back and feel that life’s been a little unpredictable lately. However, one thing hasn’t changed- we’re still here to help protect the financial futures of families and their businesses.

Canada Life

RRSP Season is here
This year was unpredictable. You can help make sure your client’s financial future isn’t.

Start 2021 with Canada Life’s special term offer
The overwhelming success of the term offer has helped many of your clients get the insurance protection they need. Continue to take advantage of four free months of premium* for your clients on qualifying new term 20, term 30 and term-to-age 65 products including additional benefits (riders) added to a term policy and reissues until March 1.

COVID-19 in 2021: help us keep our communities healthy and strong
I hope the holiday season provided you with an opportunity to rest, reflect and reenergize for the new year. I’m looking forward to a promising year ahead as Canada Life continues to evolve to support you in growing your business and meeting the needs of Canadians.

Introducing Canada Life Investment Management
Canada Life Investment Management Ltd. (CLIML) is Canada Life’s very own investment management company. We’ve built a new website for CLIML that offers a centralized digital experience, giving you access to details on our investment managers, funds and the investment strategies available across Canada Life’s comprehensive suite of investment products and portfolio solutions.

Empire Life

Insight (January 7)

The eBUNDLE BONUS is back for 2021
Empire Life enhances our suite of Multi-Strategy funds with the addition of new growth-focused solutions
Bring balance and resiliency to your clients’ portfolios with Empire Life Fixed Income Funds
Announcing Class Plus 2.1 deposit limit of $25,000 for 2021
Important changes to Solution 100 Guaranteed Cash Values and Paid-Up Values
Now available on demand: TRIIPSS Webinar “Accessing Cash Values from a Permanent Life Insurance Policy”
Do you need a Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) certifying letter?
Helping customers with the life insurance claims process

Help clients re-focus on retirement savings in the New Year
With 2020 having been anything but predictable, many clients’ retirement savings goals may have not gone according to plan. Luckily, there’s still time for you to talk to your clients about setting new financial goals to get them back on track, and end the year on the right foot.

Equitable Life

Are your clients looking for more TFSA contribution room?
Good news! With the start of the new year comes new additional contribution room. A Tax-Free Savings Account is a great option for clients to grow their savings with the flexibility to access their money when they need it, before or during retirement. Encourage your clients to start saving today!

Foresters Financial

Use DocuSign for In‑Force Forms
Foresters Financial™ is pleased to announce DocuSign¹ is now also available for the following in-force forms…

New member benefit: Make an IMPACT
Make an IMPACT is a new benefit¹ that helps members make a difference in their communities with a one-time grant of $200

iA Financial

The stock market has a strong start to the year
This week: the global stock market has a strong start to 2021 while the labour market hits the brakes.

ivari

Virtual ivari videos on demand
Due to popular demand, we are able to share the recordings of the event. The presentations are now available on demand, separated into bite size snippets for you to watch at your leisure.

La Capitale

December Newsletter

Reminder – Remote signature
Become a more efficient investor using pre-determined allocations
The quick online application, already one year
Ongoing sales campaign
Withdrawal of the HBP-RRSP loan

SSQ Insurance

La Capitale, SSQ Insurance and Unica confirm that no data was compromised during cyberattack directed at L’Unique
La Capitale Insurance and Financial Services, SSQ Insurance and Unica Insurance confirm that no data was compromised in the wake of the cyberattacks directed at L’Unique General Insurance on December 3. Operations resumed after a thorough analysis of the systems and we continue to apply the highest standards when it comes to information security.

Sun Life

Sun Life Investment GIF e-App has launched
The Sun Life Investment GIF e-App (GIF e-App) launched today. You can find the GIF e-App by logging in to the Advisor site, and clicking the Investment GIF e-App link under the Tools & Illustrations section.

UV Insurance

Investment & Retirement | Electronic Signatures accepted
UV Insurance accepts electronic signatures on PDF applications for Investments in the following products…

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.