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A move during a busy period isn’t wise, since it can take awhile to move your clients and their assets. In volatile markets, your clients want to be able to trade freely. While there are industry guidelines regarding how long it should take to move client assets from one dealer to another, they specifically allow for delays during RRSP season.
Find out if you’re subject to notice requirements and non-compete provisions, because they can call into question whether your clients are really yours. Be aware of obligations regarding client information, dealer information, non-solicitation of clients and use of clients lists.
Has a lawyer looked over your contract with your new dealer and have you conducted due diligence? Check the new firm’s and its reps’ disciplinary record—you don’t want your name sullied by association. If no formal agreement is in place, send an email to the new dealer confirming the verbal terms—and get a reply. If the deal doesn’t go through, it can be hard to court another dealer without upsetting your clients.
Is anything outstanding with the dealer or a securities regulator? If so, a move may leave you in limbo by suspending your registration and a securities regulator may refuse to register you with your new dealer until all matters are resolved. This mistake casts your clients adrift (and makes them easy pickings for competitors).
Is this your second or third move in the past several years? That looks bad. Clients get concerned if you change dealers frequently.
Find out if your new dealer’s fees for trading or maintaining client accounts are higher or lower than your current dealer’s.
what you’re owed, give notice after receiving payment. While you can sue to get paid or complain to the appropriate ministry, getting your money can take a lot of time and energy.
As consolidation of dealers continues, never forget your old dealer may become your new dealer in the future.
You’ve had it with Your dealer. It’s time to move to one with better service, faster trade clearing, and improved market access. But how will it impact your clients? Here are eight things to consider:
A move during a busy period isn’t wise, since it can take awhile to move your clients and their assets. In volatile markets, your clients want to be able to trade freely. While there are industry guidelines regarding how long it should take to move client assets from one dealer to another, they specifically allow for delays during RRSP season.
Find out if you’re subject to notice requirements and non-compete provisions, because they can call into question whether your clients are really yours. Be aware of obligations regarding client information, dealer information, non-solicitation of clients and use of clients lists.
Has a lawyer looked over your contract with your new dealer and have you conducted due diligence? Check the new firm’s and its reps’ disciplinary record—you don’t want your name sullied by association. If no formal agreement is in place, send an email to the new dealer confirming the verbal terms—and get a reply. If the deal doesn’t go through, it can be hard to court another dealer without upsetting your clients.
Is anything outstanding with the dealer or a securities regulator? If so, a move may leave you in limbo by suspending your registration and a securities regulator may refuse to register you with your new dealer until all matters are resolved. This mistake casts your clients adrift (and makes them easy pickings for competitors).
Is this your second or third move in the past several years? That looks bad. Clients get concerned if you change dealers frequently.
Find out if your new dealer’s fees for trading or maintaining client accounts are higher or lower than your current dealer’s.
what you’re owed, give notice after receiving payment. While you can sue to get paid or complain to the appropriate ministry, getting your money can take a lot of time and energy.
As consolidation of dealers continues, never forget your old dealer may become your new dealer in the future.
You’ve had it with Your dealer. It’s time to move to one with better service, faster trade clearing, and improved market access. But how will it impact your clients? Here are eight things to consider:
A move during a busy period isn’t wise, since it can take awhile to move your clients and their assets. In volatile markets, your clients want to be able to trade freely. While there are industry guidelines regarding how long it should take to move client assets from one dealer to another, they specifically allow for delays during RRSP season.
Find out if you’re subject to notice requirements and non-compete provisions, because they can call into question whether your clients are really yours. Be aware of obligations regarding client information, dealer information, non-solicitation of clients and use of clients lists.
Has a lawyer looked over your contract with your new dealer and have you conducted due diligence? Check the new firm’s and its reps’ disciplinary record—you don’t want your name sullied by association. If no formal agreement is in place, send an email to the new dealer confirming the verbal terms—and get a reply. If the deal doesn’t go through, it can be hard to court another dealer without upsetting your clients.
Is anything outstanding with the dealer or a securities regulator? If so, a move may leave you in limbo by suspending your registration and a securities regulator may refuse to register you with your new dealer until all matters are resolved. This mistake casts your clients adrift (and makes them easy pickings for competitors).
Is this your second or third move in the past several years? That looks bad. Clients get concerned if you change dealers frequently.
Find out if your new dealer’s fees for trading or maintaining client accounts are higher or lower than your current dealer’s.
what you’re owed, give notice after receiving payment. While you can sue to get paid or complain to the appropriate ministry, getting your money can take a lot of time and energy.
As consolidation of dealers continues, never forget your old dealer may become your new dealer in the future.
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