What is Aviso？
Aviso Wealth Inc. is a prominent wealth services provider in the Canadian financial industry. Serving as a trusted partner to nearly all credit unions across Canada, Aviso also collaborates with a wide range of portfolio managers, investment dealers, insurance and trust companies, and introducing brokers. The company supports thousands of investment advisors through its investment dealer and mutual fund dealer services, as well as insurance services.
Subsidiaries under Aviso include Credential Qtrade Securities Inc., Credential Asset Management Inc., Credential Insurance Services Inc., Credential Financial Strategies Inc., and Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. (NEI Investments). This extensive network and range of services empower Aviso's clients with competitive solutions in a rapidly evolving industry.
Aviso's wholly-owned subsidiary, NEI Investments, is recognized for incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) analysis into its investment decisions. NEI offers a diverse range of investment solutions, including comprehensive portfolio options, core fixed income and equity building blocks, as well as specialized asset classes.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
High security: The company employs advanced encryption technologies, both web-based and PC-based, adhering to industry standards to safeguard personal and financial data against online fraud. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) provides an additional layer of security by requiring two forms of identification for account access. Features such as inactivity logout and secure firewalls are in place to minimize the risk of unauthorized access and ensure the integrity of transactions.
Another significant advantage of Aviso is its commitment to system monitoring and restricted access. The restriction of access to systems containing customer data, combined with continuous monitoring, ensures that sensitive information is only accessible to authorized personnel. Additionally, the company backs up client information to secure secondary locations, minimizing the impact of potential data loss and enhancing overall security.
Global access: Aviso's global reach and expertise in sustainable investing further differentiate it from other financial service providers. The company provides clients with access to a suite of global investment managers overseeing over $7 trillion in assets, dedicated to identifying global investment opportunities.
Backed by Sustainable Intelligence: Their integrated investment decision-making process incorporates ESG evaluation, active ownership, research, thought leadership, public policy, and advocacy. This holistic approach not only aims to optimize financial returns but also ensures that investments align with clients' values, promoting positive social and environmental impacts.
Cons:
Unregulated: The absence of regulation raises concerns about the broker's legitimacy and accountability. Without oversight from regulatory authorities, investors face heightened risks of fraudulent activities, market manipulation, and inadequate protection of their funds.
Is Aviso Safe or Scam？
Given that Aviso currently has no valid regulation, it's advisable to approach with caution. Conduct thorough due diligence, consult with financial advisors, and consider other well-regulated and reputable investment options to ensure your capital is protected.
Products & Services
Leveraging partnerships with esteemed entities like NEI Investments, Aviso offers access to a comprehensive lineup of investment vehicles crafted to meet a spectrum of investor needs. NEI Investments, boasting nearly four decades of expertise in responsible investing, serves as a cornerstone in Aviso's offerings, providing access to a broad spectrum of equity, fixed income, and balanced mutual funds, alongside multi-asset portfolios.
NEI Investments' Market Instruments encompass a diverse array of investment options. From fixed income funds providing stability and consistent returns to equity funds offering opportunities for growth in dynamic markets, Aviso ensures that Canadians have access to a comprehensive suite of investment avenues. Moreover, Aviso's balanced funds strike a harmonious blend between risk and return, catering to those seeking a balanced portfolio approach.
Multi-asset solutions further enhance diversification by incorporating various asset classes, optimizing risk-adjusted returns. Additionally, Aviso's alternative investments, including physical commodities and specified derivatives, offer avenues for diversification and potentially uncorrelated returns. Embracing innovation, Aviso also delves into other investment categories such as hedge funds and private equity, leveraging expertise to navigate complex markets and deliver sustainable value to investors.
Account Types
NEI provides a diverse range of account types to meet the varying needs of investors. Upon registration, investors can fill out an account application to choose the most suitable account type for their financial goals. Available options include Non-Registered Investment Accounts for flexible investing, and various retirement-focused accounts such as Retirement Savings Plans (RSP), Locked-In RSP (LRSP), and Locked-In Retirement Accounts (LIRA). For more specific needs, investors can opt for Restricted Locked-In Savings Plans (RLSP) and Group Retirement Savings Plans (Group RSP). As retirement approaches, NEI offers Retirement Income Funds (RIF), Locked-In Retirement Income Funds (LRIF), Life Income Funds (LIF), Restricted Life Income Funds (RLIF), and Prescribed RIFs (PRIF) to help manage income during retirement.
Trading Platform
NEI's WealthLink is an online platform designed to provide both advisors and investors with convenient access to their NEI mutual fund account information. WealthLink offers a user-friendly interface that consolidates all NEI account details in one place, making it easy to manage investments.
You can view a comprehensive history of tax slips and generate statements on demand, streamlining administrative tasks. Additionally, the platform provides quick access to fund prices without requiring a login, enhancing the ease of tracking investment performance.
Trading Tools
NEI offers calendars designed to help investors make informed decisions to reach their financial goals.
These tools include a retirement calculator, which helps determine if current savings will meet future income needs during retirement. The capital required for income calculator enables investors to ascertain how much they need to save to generate a specific annual income stream. Additionally, the income stream comparison tool allows users to compare two different investment scenarios, providing insight into how long their savings might last under each scenario.
Deposits & Withdrawals
NEI(subsidiary of Aviso Wealth Inc.) offers various investment portfolios and funds, each with different minimum initial purchase requirements.
For example, The NEI Balanced Private Portfolio W, categorized under multi-asset solutions, requires a significant initial investment of $100,000, making it suitable for high-net-worth individuals or institutional investors seeking comprehensive asset management.
On the other hand, the NEI Canadian Impact Bond I, falling under the fixed income category, is highly accessible with no minimum initial purchase requirement, appealing to investors interested in impact investing without financial barriers.
Lastly, the NEI Balanced Yield A, classified as a balanced fund, has a moderate entry threshold of $500, providing an accessible option for individual investors seeking a blend of growth and income potential.
Fees
Investing in NEI mutual funds involves several fees, including commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, and other expenses. It is essential to read the prospectus before investing, as mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values fluctuate, and past performance may not be indicative of future results.
For example, the NEI Canadian Dividend Fund - Series A and P offers a front-end sales charge option where investors pay a commission to their representative's firm, negotiable up to a maximum of 5%. The Management Expense Ratio (MER) encompasses the management fee (including the trailing commission) and operating expenses, with Series A at 2.23% and Series P at 2.04%. This fee compensates NEI Investments for managing the fund and its expenses.
Notably, NEI Investments has waived some expenses, reducing the MER. The trailing commission, an ongoing fee paid as long as the fund is held, compensates the representative's firm for providing continuous services and advice, deducted from the fund's management fee based on the investment's value.
Customer Service
Clients can reach out to Aviso through various channels.
Address: 700 – 1111 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4T6
Telephone: 1.855.714.3800
Email: privacyofficer@aviso.ca
Education
NEI offers comprehensive educational resources to help investors understand the principles and practices of responsible investing. Whether you're new to the concept of ESG investing or looking to deepen your knowledge, NEI provides the tools and information you need. By leveraging NEI's educational resources, investors can make more informed decisions and play an active role in promoting responsible investment.
Conclusion
Aviso Wealth Inc. offers a wide array of wealth management services through its robust network of subsidiaries, including NEI Investments. The firm's commitment to integrating ESG factors into investment decisions further underscores its dedication to responsible investing. Despite its significant strengths, the lack of regulatory oversight remains a notable concern, necessitating careful consideration and thorough due diligence by potential investors to ensure their capital is safeguarded.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Risk Warning
Online trading involves significant risk, and you may lose all of your invested capital. It is not suitable for all traders or investors. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved and note that the information provided in this review may be subject to change due to the constant updating of the company's services and policies.
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