Home Vikram Barhat

Despite proven advantages of financial planning for retirement, the majority of Canadians don’t have a financial plan for their future, according to a recent HSBC survey. The sixth edition of the Future of Retirement study, a global survey from HSBC, revealed that those who have a financial plan in place enjoy a clear ‘planning premium’ […]

  • May 30, 2011 September 13, 2019
  • 14:15

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has acquired a 50% joint venture interest in CentrO Oberhausen, a premier super-regional shopping and leisure centre in Germany, valued at EUR1.3 billion, from Stadium Group. CPPIB’s equity investment is EUR270 million. Stadium will retain its 50% interest in CentrO and will continue to manage the shopping centre. […]

  • May 13, 2011 September 13, 2019
  • 09:50

Sun Life Financial plans to offer a free mobile application for group benefits and group retirement and savings plan members. Submitting benefit claims and saving for the future will be easier with a single mobile app that will redefine the Canadian plan member experience. “Sun Life Financial was the first Canadian provider to introduce e-claims […]

  • May 10, 2011 September 13, 2019
  • 11:12

Although economic fundamentals in Canada are improving, the issue of retirement remains several fries short of a happy meal. The latest Russell Financial Health Index, an online calculator that gauges the overall financial health of Canadian investors, revealed that Canadians feel unsettled about retirement, particularly women who are less positive about their financial health in […]

  • May 5, 2011 September 13, 2019
  • 10:44

The current state of infrastructure in Canada and its future development compare favourably with the rest of the world. An expert panel at the recent EuroMoney Canada Forum painted a rather rosy picture of what Canada’s current infrastructure situation. There were, of course, comparisons drawn between the infrastructure financing in Canada and in the U.S. […]

  • April 21, 2011 September 13, 2019
  • 13:13

Choppy economic waters are rocking the retirement boat forcing an ever increasing number of Canadian retirees to return to the workforce. And a higher-than-expected inflation rate of 3.3%, as reported by Statistics Canada, doesn’t help matters. A recent RBC poll found that in the past 12 months 41% retirees returned to work in 2011 compared […]

  • April 20, 2011 September 13, 2019
  • 13:54

A Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) top-up of $50 a month for singles and $70 a month for couples and the elimination of the mandatory retirement age for federally regulated employees are not enough to improve the quality of life and increase opportunities for Canadian seniors. This generally sums up the immediate reaction of the financial […]

  • March 22, 2011 September 13, 2019
  • 19:11

Finally there is an asset class where philanthropy and desire for capital gains can cohabit without qualms or a clash. Known as impact investing, it is a growing phenomenon that requires the management of social and environmental performance alongside financial risks and returns. This is an exciting time to be involved with impact  investing, says […]

  • March 8, 2011 September 13, 2019
  • 14:24

Do you think because you have a group RRSP a pension plan isn’t necessary? If you want employees to start saving for retirement it is. A new survey shows that as a savings tool, the RRSPs remains woefully underutilized. A recent survey by BMO Financial Group revealed only 39% Canadians made an RRSP contribution, well […]

  • March 4, 2011 September 13, 2019
  • 15:09

Improved market conditions offer pension funds an opportunity to lower risks, according to U.K. data from Mercer. The global financial crisis has introduced new realities and challenges for institutional investors to consider while planning strategies for 2011 and beyond. The study says recent market conditions have been good and the ‘financial health’ of many investors […]

  • February 14, 2011 September 13, 2019
  • 13:39