Reminder on removing members from your plan
Removing individuals who are no longer part of your plan is an important part of keeping it up-to-date. As a result, we have provided the following reminders to help ensure managing your plan is as easy as possible. Read more...
2008 RRSP contribution deadline
March 2, 2009, is the last day for making RRSP contributions that are deductible for the 2008 tax year. Employees wishing to “top up” their contributions to reach, or get closer to, their maximum for the year will need to contribute prior to the March 2nd deadline. Please note that we will need all employer and employee payroll contributions remitted to us two days prior to the deadline to ensure contributions qualify for the 2008 tax year. Read more...
Creating Employee Confidence amid Current Market Conditions
We are all witnessing significant market and economic volatility, both on a global scale and right here in Canada. Many point to declines in the U.S. housing market in 2007 as the start of the financial crisis. Today, concerns about recession, bankruptcies and bailouts litter the headlines of newspapers and monopolize the evening news. Read more...
Perspective on Current Markets
Recent months have been extremely challenging for investors, as we pass through a historic period for global capital markets. During this time, you have likely seen significant declines in the value of your portfolio and, in many cases, been left wondering what has happened and how to react. The following provides an overview of the issues gripping markets today, looks at previous downturns to provide perspective, and offers potential next steps. Read more...
Focus on Canadian equities
When markets are not performing well it’s sometimes difficult to keep things in perspective and remember that short-term movements are not indicative of long-term trends. September has been a good example of this as we got off to a shaky start in Canadian equity markets. Read more...
Special market commentary – money market funds
Yesterday, the net asset value of a New York-based money market fund fell below $1.00, dropping to $0.97. This event has been referred to in the press as "breaking the buck". Money market funds are considered one of the safest investments available to investors, and this news may have resulted in questions and concerns from your clients. Read more...
Amendments to Select and Select Choices prospectus
Based on our capital market outlook, the asset mix of each RBC Select and RBC Select Choices Portfolio is periodically adjusted to take advantage of shorter-term fluctuations in the market. These asset mix adjustments may take a number of days to implement. Read more...
Additions to Select Choices Portfolios
We are pleased to announce changes that include welcoming Canada’s “Best Bond Fund Family” to the program. In October, three Phillips, Hager & North (PH&N) offerings (PH&N Total Return Bond Fund, PH&N Short Term Bond & Mortgage Fund, and PH&N High Yield Bond Fund) will be added to the RBC Select Choices Conservative, Balanced and Growth Portfolios. Read more...
Reminder of year-end deadlines for processing
As the end of the year approaches, we would like to remind you of some dates for year end processing to ensure your employees’ contributions are processed on time. Read more...
Dealing with challenging markets
With so much going on in today’s marketplace – rate cuts, monetary injections, mergers, bailouts and corporate bankruptcies, it’s understandable that your employees may be making investment decisions based on fear rather than needs or goals. Read more...
Capital Markets Update
Last weekend, the process of deleveraging the global banking system intensified, forcing Merrill Lynch into a merger with Bank of America, a bailout of AIG and Lehman Brothers into bankruptcy. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, the last major independent U.S. dealers still standing, were tested as their access to funding was questioned. The point of maximum stress arrived Tuesday night. Losses on Lehman Brothers commercial paper caused the Reserve Primary Fund to "break the buck" on its $60 billion money market fund, and ultimately close. Wednesday, U.S. money market funds were hit with $90 billion in redemptions, several big players announced the closure of funds, and stocks of State Street and other money managers plunged as much as 58%. Read more...
Special Market Commentary - Money Market Funds
Yesterday, the net asset value of a New York-based money market fund fell below $1.00, dropping to $0.97. This event has been referred to in the press as "breaking the buck". Money market funds are considered one of the safest investments available to investors, and this news may have resulted in questions and concerns from your clients. Read more...
Name changes for three RBC Funds
Effective June 27, 2008, RBC Asset Management Inc. announced name changes for the RBC Cash Flow Portfolio, the RBC Enhanced Cash Flow Portfolio, and the RBC Tax Managed Return Fund. Read more...
Lipper names RBC Asset Management as Best Overall Fund Group for second consecutive year
For the second consecutive year, RBC Asset Management Inc. has been named "Best Overall Fund Group" in Canada by Lipper Inc. Read more...
RBC Asset Management Inc. Reduces Management Fees on two funds
RBC Asset Management Inc. (“RBC AM”) announced that it is reducing the management fees for the RBC Canadian Short-Term Income Fund and the RBC Bond Fund to one per cent from 1.15 per cent, on Series A and Advisor Series versions of these funds. These changes are effective April 1, 2008 and reflect the RBC AM commitment to providing the best value-for-money to its unit holders. Read more...
RBC Asset Management launches RBC O'Shaughnessy U.S. Growth Fund II
RBC Asset Management Inc. has announced the launch of the RBC O’Shaughnessy U.S. Growth Fund II, adding to its top-performing lineup of RBC Funds. The fund is designed for long-term investors looking for exposure to primarily small and mid-cap U.S. securities with above-average growth potential. All U.S. currency exposure in the fund is hedged. Read more...
Retirement Benefits – a key driver of employee loyalty
With retention becoming a key business concern, more companies are looking to improve employee loyalty in their workplace. However, a recent survey by Met Life1 indicates that there is a great divide between what employers believe to be the catalyst of improving loyalty and what employees actually want. Read more...
Advice helps members make informed investment decisions
At RBC Group Financial Services, we help participants make good choices by providing them with advice as part of the investment process right from day one. 08/03/2007 Read more...
Improved online contribution remittance form
For increased convenience and efficiency for your online remittance processes, we have made some updates to the “Remit Your Contribution” section of our GFS Sponsor Site.Read more...
Advice helps members make informed investment decisions
At RBC Group Financial Services, we help participants make good choices by providing them with advice as part of the investment process right from day one. 08/03/2007 Read more...
Asset Mix Changes for RBC Select Portfolio Solutions
Effective June 27, 2008, the target asset class weightings for the RBC Select Growth Portfolio and RBC Select Choices Growth Portfolio have been adjusted to align with recommendations from the RBC Investment Strategy Committee. Read more...
Advice helps members make informed investment decisions
At RBC Group Financial Services, we help participants make good choices by providing them with advice as part of the investment process right from day one. 08/03/2007 Read more...
Rewarding your employees
Whether it’s a simple “thank you,” an award or a gift, appreciation can go a long way. Having a consistent recognition and rewards program contributes directly to your bottom line. By motivating people with positive reinforcement, you will attract and retain the employees you want and promote an overall standard of excellence for everyone to work toward. Read more...
Advice helps members make informed investment decisions
At RBC Group Financial Services, we help participants make good choices by providing them with advice as part of the investment process right from day one. 08/03/2007 Read more...
RBC introduces socially responsible mutual funds, a first among Canadian banks
RBC Asset Management is proud to launch three new socially responsible investment mutual funds. The funds provide new options for the growing number of investors who believe environmental, social and governance factors should be a primary consideration in making investment decisions. Through its partnership with Jantzi Research Inc., RBC will be the first major bank to offer Canadian investors the option of socially responsible investing (SRI) with three new funds – the RBC Jantzi Balanced Fund, the RBC Jantzi Canadian Equity Fund and the RBC Jantzi Global Equity Fund. 08/07/2007 Read more...
New: RBC Target 2025 Education Fund
At RBC, we are constantly fine-tuning our investment offerings to meet our customers’ needs. We recently announced the launch of the RBC Target 2025 Education Fund, a new fund that builds on the existing suite of target-date funds designed to help parents save for their children’s education. These funds aim to deliver growth up-front, gradually becoming more conservative as a client’s target date approaches. 08/07/2007 Read more...
RBC Global Titans Fund gets a new name
The RBC Global Titans Fund has been renamed the RBC Global Dividend Growth Fund. The new name more clearly reflects the Fund’s mandate to invest in strong global companies with the ability to increase dividends paid out to shareholders over time. There is no change in the investment objectives or investment process of the Fund. 08/07/2007 Read more...
More flexibility for managers of certain Portfolio funds
Portfolio managers of the RBC Select Portfolios, RBC Select Choices Portfolios, RBC Cash Flow Portfolios and RBC Target Education Funds are now permitted to invest in any fund in the RBC Funds family. This provides greater flexibility for RBC Asset Management to respond to changing market conditions within the established objectives of each portfolio solution. 08/07/2007 Read more...
RBC Dominion Securities rated number one
Investment Executive, a leading Canadian investment industry newspaper, has published a survey of more than 630 advisors at brokerages across the nation that ranked RBC Dominion Securities as the number one bank-owned brokerage firm in the country. RBC scored first among the banks in 16 of 29 categories, including quality of mutual fund and equity research, client account statements and support for high-net-worth investors. 08/07/2007 Read more...
RBC Direct Investing Clients To Benefit From New Tailor- Made Mutual Fund Pricing Option
RBC announced today that its online investing business, RBC Direct Investing, will offer certain RBC Funds with a new lower-priced option for do-it-yourself investors. A preliminary prospectus filed by RBC Asset Management yesterday indicated that over forty RBC Funds will be available exclusively at RBC Direct Investing in a new Series D. Series D units will be for investors who want to include managed money as part of their portfolios but do the investment research and decision-making themselves. The management fees of Series D units will range from 0.60 per cent to 1.25 per cent and investors must purchase a minimum of $10,000 in each fund. Series D represents the first mutual fund fee structure in Canada from a major fund company that is tailor-made for the self-directed investor. 05/29/2007 Read more...
Help your employees see the extraordinary value of their plan
Making a group savings plan available to employees is considered to be an integral part of a benefits program by many employers. But to make the most of it, plan members need to actively participate. A few simple strategies can give them the encouragement they need and give you a happier, more satisfied workforce. 05/03/2007 Read more...
New! RSP-matic calculator shows just how fast monthly savings add up
The new RSP-matic® calculator shows in an instant just how fast monthly contributions add up. 05/04/2007 Read more...
Understanding what it costs to invest
Members confused by fees and service charges? An RBC professional spells out what investors pay and what they get in return. 05/04/2007 Read more...
RBC Asset Management Announces Portfolio Management Appointments
RBC Asset Management Inc., a leader in Canada’s mutual fund industry, announced a number of new appointments today to manage its line-up of Canadian equity funds. 04/16/2007 Read more...
2006 Sponsor Survey
RBC Group Financial Services conducted a survey to help identify what matters most to plan sponsors like you. 02/22/2007 Read more...
RBC demonstrates commitment to put investors’ interests first
Under the guidelines for capital accumulation plans (CAP Guidelines), plan sponsors are expected to ensure that plan members have access to well-governed investment options.
You’ll be happy to know that RBC Asset Management Inc. is leading the way in complying with new governance standards set out by the Canadian Securities Administrators. See how this new requirement for independent review committees to oversee all investment funds promotes the protection of your plan members. 02/22/2007 Read more...
RBC Asset Management introduces two new RBC O’Shaughnessy Funds
RBC Asset Management Inc. has launched two new equity funds featuring the time-tested, disciplined “O’Shaughnessy approach” to investment management. These funds will appeal to investors who are looking for a clearly defined and consistent way to invest around the world, or here at home. 02/22/2007 Read more...
New: RBC Select Aggressive Growth Portfolio
To meet the needs of investors seeking higher potential returns along with the convenience of a portfolio solution, RBC Asset Management Inc. has launched the RBC Select Aggressive Growth Portfolio. 02/22/2007 Read more...
Management fees go down — again!
Effective January 1, 2007, the management fees for nine international and global equity funds have been reduced. This is the fourth time in the past 12 months that RBC Asset Management Inc. has lowered fees. 02/22/2007 Read more...
The RBC Canadian Diversified Income Trust Fund
RBC is constantly evaluating new investment trends and ideas so that we can help our clients achieve their savings goals. One type of investment structure that receives frequent attention in the press is the Canadian income trust. On August 28th 2006, RBC Asset Management announced the launch of the new The RBC Canadian Diversified Income Trust Fund. 10/31/2006 Read more...
Reminder of Year End Deadlines for Processing
As the end of the year approaches, we would like to remind you of some dates for year end processing to ensure your employees’ contributions are processed on time. 10/31/2006 Read more...
RBC Asset Management Endorses New Independent Fund Governance Rule
RBC Asset Management today endorsed the new independent fund governance rule issued by the Canadian Securities Administrators, National Instrument 81-107 - Independent Review Committee for Investment Funds. 08/28/2006 Read more...
Changes to Our Funds
From time to time, to reflect evolving investor needs and economic developments, we may make alterations to our mutual funds. Here is a summary of the most recent changes and the reasons behind them. 07/31/2006 Read more...
Experience the Benefits of Electronic Reporting
Plan sponsor reporting is essential to helping you stay current on the overall breakdown of investments and diversification within your group savings plan. 07/31/2006 Read more...
Plan Members Have Questions? Here’s Who to Call
Plan members are encouraged to take full advantage of the information and advice available to them through our contact centres. But who should they speak to? 07/31/2006 Read more...
Changes to GIC "Sweep" Procedures
Staying on top of GIC investments can quickly become complicated if an account holds a number of small-value certificates with sporadic renewal dates. To help simplify the process and reduce the confusion your members may be facing, we’re implementing some important changes to how we manage GICs within our group plans. 04/27/2006 Read more...
Update for Remittance Processing
We have recently updated our administration processes to comply with requirements established by the Canadian Payment Association (CPA). As a result of these changes, the processing time of remittance submissions for group savings plans will be affected and, dependent on the time of receipt, submissions may not be processed the same day. 01/24/2006 Read more...
Update for Procedure Regarding DPSP Forfeitures
We are undertaking an adjustment in our processes to better align the administration of our group savings plans with requirements for all registered plans. 01/24/2006 Read more...
Enforcing and Reinforcing a Bond of Trust
The CAP Guidelines were introduced to help ensure that Plan members receive the information and assistance they need to make appropriate investment decisions. Your dedication to following the Guidelines demonstrates your commitment to the financial well-being of your employees. But how can you be certain that the investment choices available to group plan members are equally reliable? Read more...
