Yes. To maintain a high level of service and dedicate the time each client relationship deserves, we generally work with households that have at least $500,000 in investable assets.
In certain situations, however, we may be flexible. Fr example, for the family members of existing clients or for investors whose assets are expected to reach this threshold in the near future.

Yes and no.
Routine financial planning services are not formally included in our portfolio management fees. However, in the vast majority of cases, they are provided at no additional cost as part of our overall client relationship. When specialized expertise is required, for example from a notary, tax professional, or lawyer, those professionals bill you directly for their services. See our Costs and protections section.

No. Our financial planning services are generally provided at no additional cost as part of our relationship with clients who entrust us with the management of their investment portfolios.

Our portfolios are primarily built using low-cost index ETFs, which provide broad diversification while keeping investment costs low. We may, however, allocate a portion of a portfolio to carefully selected investments that provide exposure to market segments that are not as effectively represented by traditional indexes.

This approach is part of a methodology we have refined over the years, which we call Index-based Management Plus.

Once you decide to work with us, we open your new accounts with our dealer, PEAK Securities. We then prepare the required transfer forms for your review and signature. From there, our team coordinates the transfer directly with your current financial institution.

• Most investments can be transferred in kind, meaning they do not need to be sold and there are generally no tax consequences.
• Transfers typically take about two weeks, depending on the institution from which the assets are being transferred.

When an investment has a substantial unrealized capital gain, a gradual transition may be preferable to help minimize the tax impact. In these situations, we develop a strategy designed to improve portfolio diversification while optimizing tax efficiency.

Yes. We work closely with your accountant, tax advisor, and notary, providing them with the information and reports they need to support your financial affairs. As part of our ongoing service, we also review your Notices of Assessment each year. This allows us to verify your tax filings and, when appropriate, coordinate any necessary adjustments with your other professional advisors.

Protecting your personal information is a priority. During the onboarding process, we provide you with a secure link for submitting documents. Once you become a client, you can also use our secure client portal to share confidential information with us.

AltaFina’s portfolio management services are overseen by PEAK Securities, a full-service independent investment dealer and member of PEAK Financial Group.

Client assets are held with independent custodians and benefit from the regulatory protections applicable within the Canadian financial industry.

More specifically, these custodians are:

• Cash: The Toronto-Dominion Bank for non-registered accounts and The Canada Trust Company for registered accounts.
• Securities: Fidelity Clearing Canada ULC (FCC).
• Investment funds: Please refer to the prospectus of the applicable fund under the “Organization of the Fund” section.

All custodians are Canadian and are based in Toronto, Ontario. With the exception of investment funds, which are administered by their respective fund companies, PEAK ensures that each qualified custodian has established and maintains appropriate controls and oversight to manage the risks associated with safeguarding client assets.

PEAK Securities and Fidelity Clearing Canada ULC (FCC) are both members of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), which provides protection to eligible clients in the event of a member firm’s insolvency, subject to applicable limits.

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and The Canada Trust Company are both members of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC), which provides deposit protection in the event of a member institution’s failure, subject to applicable coverage limits.

In the unlikely event that PEAK Securities became insolvent, your assets would remain in the custody of Fidelity Clearing Canada ULC (FCC), The Toronto-Dominion Bank, and The Canada Trust Company. PEAK Securities’ creditors would have no claim on your assets.

You may transfer your accounts to another financial institution at any time.
In most cases, investments can be transferred in kind, which means they do not need to be sold and generally avoids triggering taxable capital gains. Some institutions charge transfer fees, but it is common practice for the receiving institution to reimburse those fees.

There are probably too many professional titles in our industry, and most people are understandably unfamiliar with the distinctions between them. The table below highlights some of the most common designations and the services each professional may provide.

• In Canada, approximately 60,000 individuals are licensed to provide financial advice, the vast majority of whom are mutual fund representatives.
• Once your investment portfolio exceeds $1 million, you are more likely to be referred to an investment advisor or portfolio manager, who can generally offer a broader range of services.
• Although portfolio managers are able to provide the most comprehensive level of investment management, they represent fewer than 5% of those licensed to provide financial advice.

If portfolio managers can provide a broader range of services, why are there not more of them in Canada?

The Portfolio Manager designation is among the most demanding in the financial industry, with rigorous education, professional experience, and regulatory requirements. By working with a portfolio manager, you can have confidence that your investments are being managed by a highly qualified and experienced professional.

Discretionary portfolio management, sometimes referred to as private portfolio management, can only be provided by a portfolio manager. It allows you to delegate day-to-day investment decisions while retaining control over the overall framework governing your portfolio. Together, you and your portfolio manager establish clear parameters in writing based on your objectives and the level of risk you are comfortable with. Within those parameters, your portfolio manager can make investment decisions on your behalf without requiring your approval before each transaction.

• It is simpler for you, because you do not need to provide verbal authorization for every transaction.
• It is more efficient for your portfolio, because your portfolio manager can act quickly and consistently across client accounts.

Additional benefits

1. Saves you time: You do not need to approve every transaction, which means no stepping out of meetings or returning calls while you are on vacation.
2. Faster execution: Your portfolio manager can act promptly when opportunities arise, even when you are unavailable. Transactions can therefore be completed when the timing is appropriate, rather than when you can finally be reached.
3. Consistent treatment across clients: Your portfolio manager can act for all affected clients at the same time, rather than contacting each client individually and deciding who to call first.
4. Transparent fees: Portfolio management fees are clearly disclosed and are generally based on a percentage of the assets under management rather than transaction-based commissions. In certain circumstances, fees related to non-registered accounts may also be tax deductible.
5. More meaningful conversations: Less time spent discussing individual transactions means more time to focus on what matters most, including your personal objectives, tax planning, and short-term financial needs.
6. Disciplined, strategic management: It can be difficult for investors to sell an investment at a loss or invest when market sentiment is highly negative. Portfolio managers are accustomed to making these decisions objectively. The result is a more disciplined approach guided by a well-defined investment strategy rather than short-term emotions or intuition.