To ensure that we always act in the best interest of our clients, we follow a six-step process that balances our clients' desire for freedom and their high expectations of us.
1. Develop an Investment Policy Statement
First, we take the time to listen so we thoroughly understand our clients' needs. We then work with them to develop an Investment Policy Statement, which is a written document that sets out their specific needs, their investment timeline, their risk tolerance and much more. Based on these factors, we recommend a strategic asset allocation.
2. Build the Portfolio
Once we agreed on a strategic asset allocation, we select the best combination of investments to implement the investment strategy. Contrary to many investment management institutions with high net worth clients, we are not limited to use proprietary solutions. We prefer instead to use the most performing solutions available for our clients. We combine an understanding of global economic and stock market trends with fundamental factors that are specific to the individual investment opportunities. In collaboration with senior economists, strategists and research analysts from all areas of RBC, we widen our perspective in these key areas.
3. Manage the Portfolio
We make daily investment decisions in response to, or in anticipation of, changing economic or market conditions. For example, if the outlook improves for one area of the world, we will adapt our clients' portfolios accordingly, within the limits of the guidelines set out in the Investment Policy Statement.
4. Third-party Review and Monitoring
Every quarter, an independent risk management group reviews our clients' portfolios to ensure they are managed according to the guidelines set out in the Investment Policy Statement.
5. Detailed Performance Report
We provide a monthly account statement that describes the activities in the portfolio and indicates the current market value of the positions. We also provide a detailed statement of the portfolio's quarterly rate of return. It should be noted that our quarterly statements may be personalized to our clients' preferences, ranging from a simple statement to something more complex that provides an in-depth analysis of the investment performance since the account was opened. Our clients have access to their accounts online, and their monthly statements, available electronically, are archived online for a period of seven years. This gives them quick access to their transaction history and investment activity at any time. Lastly, we provide our clients with a detailed statement for income tax purposes that includes all dispositions with accounting costs to facilitate the preparation of their personal and business tax returns.
6. Adjust the Investment Strategy
We regularly meet with our clients to review their portfolios and go over their personal and financial situation. These meetings are crucial for us, as they help us ensure our clients' investment portfolios continue to address their changing needs.
Wealth Management Services
Will & Estate Planning
Bonnie Kaplan, LLB, TEP
Vice President and Will & Estate Planning Advisor
Our partner RBC Trustee Services (Royal Trust) can help our clients simplify the subtleties related to the estate planning process to avoid making compromises to their legacy. Royal Trust officers have extensive experience. In one consultation, they can help our clients by addressing their concerns for planning and make recommendations on measures to take to reach their objectives. Whether clients need to update their Will or create one from scratch, set up a trust for their family or create a charitable fund, we can integrate tax-efficient strategies into their plans.
Read the biography of Bonnie…
Audrey Lapointe
Senior Trust Advisor, RBC Estate & Trust Services
As a Senior Trust Advisor, Audrey Lapointe services clients throughout Quebec and is located in the Montreal office. With a career focused on building client relationships, she is dedicated to her clients and provides a personalized service tailored to their specific needs.
A graduate of the Université du Québec à Montréal with a degree in law, she went on to obtain her D.D.N. (Notarial law diploma) at the Université de Sherbrooke. Audrey has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise and most recently earned her Master of Taxation. She is also working towards her Quebec Financial Planning designation to complement her academic and practical expertise.
Audrey works with individuals, families, and businesses to provide customized estate, trust and incapacity solutions. Whether it is helping someone to settle an estate, establishing a trust to ensure the successful transfer of family assets, or arranging to assist with the administration and responsibilities for a Mandate In Case of Incapacity, Audrey can help.
Audrey brings to each client the necessary skill set to provide both the technical expertise as well as the genuine understanding of the emotional complexities that underlie these issues.
Noël Bonnici, FCIA, FSA
Vice President and Financial Security Advisor
We can help our clients grow and efficiently manage their wealth and investments, but that is only one way we have of meeting our clients' needs. Using insurance strategies and other solutions, we can help protect our clients' wealth during their lifetime, preserve the value of their estate for their beneficiaries and transfer in a tax-efficient manner their wealth to their family, a charitable organization of their choice or other beneficiaries.
Estate planning is an essential part of wealth management, especially if the estate includes significant holdings or complex elements. When adequately structured, estate planning may reduce taxes and fees related to inheritance, simplify and accelerate the transfer of holdings to the next generation and ensure the protection of successors and assigns.
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Tax Planning
Paule Gauthier
Vice President, High Net Worth Planning Services
Read the biography of Paule…
Nathalie Fisette-Caza
Business Owner Specialist
Minimizing our clients' tax obligations is a key part of the overall wealth planning process we can provide. We can introduce several tax-efficient strategies that can benefit you and your family, including:
Family Income Splitting
Income splitting works by transferring the tax liability from higher-income to lower-income family members, who are taxed at a lower rate. There are several ways to do this, including contributing to spousal RRSPs, creating formal spousal loan arrangements or establishing family trusts.
Investing Through Tax-Exempt Insurance
In addition to providing your family with financial security, life insurance policies can also help reduce your investment taxes. By transferring funds into a life insurance policy for investment purposes, they can earn tax-free income.
Tax-Efficient Asset Allocation
We can help you maximize tax-efficient investments and investment plans, including your RRSP, RRIF and TFSA. These and other strategies are available to help our clients build and protect their wealth in a tax-efficient manner.
Read the biography of Nathalie…
Financial Planning
Nancy Blouin, M.Tax, F.Pl.
Financial Planning Specialist
Nancy Blouin received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Quebec at Montreal in 1995. She earned the financial planner designation granted by the Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF) in 1999. Nancy has a Master’s Degree in Tax Law from Sherbrooke University. She is a member of many associations and participates in the events held by the Association de planification fiscale et financière (APFF) and the IQPF. Ms. Blouin has worked in the area of finance since 1994. She has over ten years of experience as a financial planner working with high-net-worth individuals, most of whom have been senior executives. Ms. Blouin joined RBC in 2004. Nancy’s role is to work with and support your advisor in preparing and presenting comprehensive Compass Financial Plans.
