Mutual Funds

I have spent decades analyzing investment vehicles, from complex derivatives to simple savings accounts. In that time, I have seen investors consistently gravitate toward a familiar name, a trusted local institution, when they decide to start their journey. The relationship between a bank and its customer is built on trust, and it is only natural […]

In the Canadian financial landscape, the “Big Five” banks are more than just institutions; they are ecosystems. Each has its own culture, its own strengths, and its own approach to serving—and profiting from—its clients. The Bank of Nova Scotia, or Scotiabank, presents a fascinating case study. With a significant international footprint, particularly in the Pacific

In the world of finance, certain institutions operate not on Main Street, but in the foundational plumbing of the global economic system. The Bank of New York Mellon is one such entity. While millions of Canadians interact with their domestic banks daily, BNY Mellon works behind the scenes for those very banks, asset managers, and

In my practice, I have found that the single most effective way to improve an investor’s long-term returns is not to pick a superstar fund manager, but to conduct a ruthless audit of costs. Fees are a certainty; performance is not. Nowhere is this more pertinent than in the realm of bank-sponsored mutual funds in

In the vast landscape of Canadian finance, few institutions carry the weight and history of the Bank of Montreal. For many investors, their first foray into the markets begins not with a flashy trading app, but within the trusted walls of their local bank branch. Having advised clients on both sides of the counter, I

In my years of guiding clients through the complexities of personal finance, I have found that few topics generate as much quiet confusion as money market mutual funds. They are often mentioned in the same breath as savings accounts or certificates of deposit, yet they operate in a different realm entirely. This confusion amplifies when

In my practice, I often encounter a profound disconnect between what people believe about their Health Savings Account and its reality. Many view their HSA, particularly one administered by a major institution like Bank of America, as a simple, low-fee vessel for medical expenses. This is a dangerous assumption. The HSA is arguably the most

In the landscape of financial tools, few are as profoundly misunderstood as the Health Savings Account. Most people see it as a simple spending account for medical bills. I see it as the most potent triple-tax-advantaged vehicle available to US consumers—superior, in many ways, to even a 401(k) or an IRA. When clients ask me

I have always found the concept of “growth” investing to be one of the most seductive and perilous areas of finance. The allure of capturing the next transformative company is powerful, but the path is littered with overhyped stories and valuations that can evaporate with a shift in the wind. When clients ask me about

In my years of guiding families through financial planning, few topics elicit as much hope and simultaneous confusion as saving for college. The 529 plan stands as the most powerful tool for this purpose, but its inner workings are often shrouded in complexity. When clients sitting across from me at a Bank of America branch