Navacord Corp. is partnering with Belay Advisory, an Edmonton- and Calgary-based benefits consulting and wealth advisory firm. “We were drawn to Navacord because of their decentralized model that fosters strong entrepreneurial spirit, which has always been a cornerstone of our success at Belay,” said John Goode, a partner at Belay Advisory, in a press release. […]
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has completed its acquisition of BCHR Holdings — also known as Buck — for US$660 million. Through the agreement, Gallagher will expand its retirement, benefits and human resources consulting services in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K., according to a press release. Buck’s team of 2,300 employees will operate under the direction […]
AGA Benefit Solutions is acquiring Vancouver-based Aptus Benefits Inc., a group benefits and retirement consultancy with expertise in collectively bargained plans and executive disability programs. Private equity firm Novacap will finance the acquisition, which is expected to expand AGA Benefit Solutions’ reach into Western Canada, according to a press release. Read: AGA Benefit Solutions acquiring J&D Benefits […]
Market expansion in 2021 is a priority among Canada’s defined contribution pension consultants, according to a new survey by PIMCO Canada. The inaugural survey, conducted across 12 major DC consulting and advisory firms that serve roughly 2,500 Canadian plan sponsor clients, found up-market expansion and down-market expansion in 2021 were the top strategic priorities among […]
Conte Financial Services Inc. and Dickinson & Associates are merging to become the Prime Benefits Group. The two Ottawa-based employee benefits and pension consulting firms finalized the merger earlier this month. The new firm continues to operate out of Canada’s capital city. Read: Hub acquires Ontario benefits, HR consulting firm Tony Conte, formerly president of Conte Financial Services, and […]
For the fourth consecutive year, reviewing fees is the most important step defined contribution plan sponsors are taking to improve their fiduciary positions, with fees identified as the main priority for 2020, according to a new survey by U.S.-based investment consulting firm Callan. “With the amount of fee-related project work we see, it’s not surprising […]
Public pension plans rely on the help of investment advisory firms, but do politics play a role in which firms they choose to work with? A paper co-written by William Beggs, an assistant professor of finance at the University of San Diego School of Business and Thuong Harvison, a PhD candidate at the University of […]
With markets showing signs of potential extreme volatility in recent weeks, how can employers address the many questions that arise from pension plan members? When speaking to members, consultants usually emphasize advice on asset allocation based on age and risk tolerance. Many members aren’t honest in their responses, often overstating their tolerance for risk because markets are typically on the rise. […]