Over the last couple of decades, the speed at which transfers occur has increased significantly. Now that almost everything happens electronically, what could take months in the past, now can happen in just a matter of days, like pushing a button.
When client’s have made the decision to transfer their accounts to us from another firm, we have heard a variety of reasons for why they are making the change. Some of the most common reasons that we have heard are: lack of service, existing advisor is retiring, underperformance of investments, wanting lower fees, poor communication/administrative errors, expanding investment options (i.e. ability to do investments outside of mutual funds, and not being able to provide other services like financial planning or estate planning.)
Whatever the reason for changing your financial institution, it is important that you understand the process and the steps. Below, we have outlined the process in three simple steps.
Step 1: Meeting with Portfolio Manager and gathering information
The first step in the process of changing financial institutions is to have a meeting with the Portfolio Manager (the “manager”) or Wealth Advisor (the “advisor”) that you would like to begin working with. To illustrate, we will outline the process that our team uses. During an initial meeting (either on the phone or in person), we will outline both the financial and personal information we require.
The financial information is relatively straight forward. We request your last monthly or quarterly investment statement for each account. In addition, you should gather any other pertinent financial information you would like to share. This provides us with a baseline for where you currently are with your investment portfolio.
The personal information required will be things such as: your name, birthdate, social insurance number, banking information, employment information, copy of identification, investment knowledge, etc.
The gathering of financial and personal information can be done in person, on the phone, or electronically. A member of our team will email a checklist of items required and assist with any administrative questions.
Once we have both the financial and personal information, we then have a specific discussion about risk tolerance, time horizon, investment objectives, and cash flow needs. We also discuss the components of the Investment Policy Statement (IPS) and the Managed Portfolio Program (MPP) agreement.
Step 2: Opening accounts and signing forms
Once we have gathered the above information, and have had the required conversations, then the investment account(s) can be opened, transfer forms can be completed, and the IPS and MPP agreement can be finalized. New clients have the option to sign the documents in person or we can obtain signatures electronically.
Transfer forms
Opening new accounts is required prior to moving your existing investments. The process starts with us sending the signed transfers form to the relinquishing institution (the financial firm you are leaving). For example, if you have four investment accounts, you will have to sign four transfer forms –one transfer form for each account. This transfer form will have both your existing account number and the newly opened account number, and must be submitted along with a copy of your most recent investment account statement. This form will also indicate whether you want your existing investments transferred in-cash or in-kind (i.e. as is).
In-cash transfer
Investments are generally transferred either in-cash or in-kind. In-cash means that all of your assets not currently held as cash are to be liquidated, sold or redeemed in order for your account to be transferred to the receiving institution in the form of cash. It is important to note that if you have indicated an “in-cash” transfer of your account, all trades will be executed at the market price via your existing firm. All trades will be placed on a best efforts basis subsequent to the receipt of the transfer form and may be subject to commission charges. Care should be taken to understand all fees and tax consequences for choosing an in-cash transfer.
In-kind transfer
In-kind means that you want the assets in the account transferred as is. If you hold investments and a cash balance, then the investments will be transferred as well as the cash balance in their current state, if the assets can be transferred. In certain instances, some assets are specific to a particular institution (for example, some mutual funds). These assets cannot be transferred in-kind and must be liquidated, sold or redeemed prior to being transferred. The time required to transfer an account depends on the types of investments being transferred. Different types of investments may transfer at different times. As an example, mutual funds may transfer on a different day than bonds or individual equities.
Timing of transfer
Nearly all investments are held in electronic form with the Canadian Depository for Securities (CDS). The CDS is a reliable depository, as it is subject to legislation and regulations under both federal and provincial jurisdictions. Because it acts as the principal depository for securities traded between investment dealers, the CDS is able to
facilitate transfers very quickly between institutions. Once we submit the transfer form, the process typically takes five to ten business days for common shares.
Registered accounts
Transfers of registered accounts should always be done through a transfer form. Direct transfers of RRSP and RRIF accounts are allowed through the Income Tax Act. The Canada Revenue Agency has a transfer form (T2033), but most financial firms have their own, which ensures your RRSP or RRIF is not deregistered and that you are not taxed on any withdrawals. The receiving institution submits the transfer form, along with a copy of your last investment statement from the relinquishing institution.
Tax Free Savings Account
The Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a registered account. Unlike an RRSP or RRIF account, there are no tax consequences for selling investments in a TFSA or liquidating the account. One might think they could simply liquidate the account at the relinquishing firm and ask for the funds to be transferred to their bank account. However, the TFSA rules indicate that if funds are withdrawn from the account, they are able to be replenished, but not until the next calendar year. As a result, we will almost always recommend that a transfer form also be used for the TFSA to avoid waiting up to 12 months to recontribute.
Non-registered accounts
Taxable accounts, including joint accounts, cash accounts, margin accounts and corporate accounts should generally be transferred in-kind. This allows the receiving institution and advisor time to gather information relating to your investments, such as the tax consequence for any sells that you make.
Avoid redemption charges
Mutual funds within registered accounts or taxable accounts should generally be transferred in-kind. This is especially important if the funds have been purchased on a deferred sales charge (DSC) basis. An in-cash transfer may result in the mutual fund company charging you fees to sell the funds. Transferring the funds in-kind allows the receiving institution to obtain information from the fund company. Typical information that is released to the advisor on record includes adjusted cost base, 10 per cent free portion (if applicable), matured units, final maturity date, and the deferred sales charge if the investment were to be redeemed.
Other important items to note
In addition to the above, there are several other noteworthy points to consider when changing financial institutions:
- Characteristics relating to your investments (deferred sales cost schedule, final maturity, adjusted cost base) remain the same once transferred;
- If your account holds individual equities, or insurance type products, then you should ensure that the receiving institution and advisor are licensed to trade these types of investments;
- Partial transfers are permitted by specifically listing the securities you wish to transfer;
- A mixture of in-kind and in-cash transfers is also possible by attaching a schedule to the transfer form specifying which assets you want transferred in-kind or in-cash; and
- Before a relinquishing institution may transfer a RRIF, they are obligated to make the minimum annual payment from the RRIF, if it has not already been paid during the year.
Step 3: Reconciling transfer and reviewing recommendations
As noted above, transfers typically take five to ten business days. Once the transfer is completed, we will request a copy of the final investment statements from the relinquishing institution. The purpose of this is to reconcile the transfer. We also ensure that all adjusted book costs for non-registered accounts are accurately stated and verified after the transfer.
While the transfer process is occurring, this is the ideal time to meet to review recommendations for the portfolio. If investments are transferring in-kind, then we will have buy, hold and sell recommendations. As well, we may like some of the underlying investments but for tax purposes may feel they should be held in another account. In this scenario, we would map out recommendations to structure the portfolio in a tax efficient manner.
Many relinquishing institutions charge a transfer-out fee, the cost of which may vary. Normally, this cost is approximately $150 plus tax, per account, and would be indicated on the final statement. To ensure clients are not out of pocket for making the decision to move firms, we will reimburse the transfer fees for all respective accounts.
Kevin Greenard CPA CA FMA CFP is a Senior Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager, Wealth Management with The Greenard Group at Scotia Wealth Management in Victoria. His column appears every week at timescolonist.com. Call 250-389-2138, email [email protected], or visit greenardgroup.com
