We offer the option of two highly competitive pricing models to our clients: “fee-based” accounts in which there are no charges for individual transactions, instead a monthly fee is payable based on the market value of your account; and traditional “commission-based”, whereby we get paid for each purchase and sale of a security. Our fee-based model addresses the need to align our interest with that of our clients.

Fee-Based Accounts

With this approach you pay a monthly fee, based on the value of your portfolio and that is all. The industry continues to move in this direction and most new accounts that we open are fee based. For discretionary managed accounts as well as our basic “Viridian” accounts the fee is between 0.9 and 1.5% per annum depending on account size and it is calculated and charged monthly in arrears. Additional discounts are available for accounts in excess of $5MM. There are no trading commissions or hidden charges. It is also worth noting that management fees for any mutual funds held in accounts exclude any “trailing fee” which would normally be paid to us, i.e. there is no double-dipping. Other fee-based accounts include our Partners Program (offering a choice of many discretionary independent institutional investment managers). Please note that the annual administration fees for RRSP/RRIF/RESP/RFSA accounts, as well as RRSP & RRIF de-registration fees, are waived for “fee-based” accounts. Fees within both of these programs are subject to GST or HST, and are tax deductible in non-registered accounts.

Commission-Based Accounts Many investors are comfortable maintaining a traditional commission-based approach which is available as well. Under this account structure, we get paid for each purchase and sale of a security. The commissions depend on the asset class – they are as follows:

  • Common Shares – 0.5-1.5% per transaction (minimum $140) depending on transaction size. Trades that have large gross values of over $100,000 will receive an additional discount rate – please contact us for a quote.
  • Preferred Shares – 1% per transaction (minimum $140).
  • Bonds and Debentures – 1% per transaction (minimum $75 on individual bonds, $140 on exchange-traded funds).
  • Canadian and U.S. Options – minimum $140 plus a $1.50 fee per contract GICs – 0% per transaction. You will receive the rate that we quote you, and in turn, we will be paid a yearly commission from the GIC issuer ranging from 0.125% to 0.35%.
  • Mutual Funds – Our preference is to purchase these on a 0% “front-end load” basis. There is no cost to buying or selling; the mutual fund company pays us a trailing commission of typically 1%.

Our policy is one of full disclosure regarding fees and commissions - we are committed to transparency.