Skip to main content Skip to footer

Case Studies - Investments

  • Sophisticated investor with a high risk tolerance claimed to be low risk

    In early 2007, Ms. F was referred to a new investment advisor by a friend. At the time, she was 63 years old and retired. Between February and May, 2007, she invested a total of $470,000 in growth-oriented mutual funds.

  • Advisor had little knowledge of investors' financial circumstances

    In 2005, Mr. and Mrs. N were 57 and 77 years old respectively, retired, and had combined household annual income of about $20,661. They were experiencing financial difficulty and having trouble paying their expenses. Their son introduced them to his advisor by telephone, hoping he could provide advice on how his parents could manage their finances.

  • Advisor conducted business outside of firm

    In February 1999, Mr. C opened an RRSP account. Five years later, he closed the account when he sold all of his investments to purchase a new home. Mr. C had no further contact with his former advisor until early 2008, when they ran into each other at a local store.

  • Responsibility to monitor account balances

    In early 2009, Ms. B was set to receive $59,000 as part of a severance package. On the advice of bank staff Ms. B opened a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) account, into which she deposited the severance payment.

  • Advisor did not take action despite repeated investor concerns

    In January 2007 Ms. P was 52 years old. Her ex-husband had recently passed away leaving her about $300,000 in an RRSP at a large bankowned investment firm. She contacted the advisors on the RRSP account to discuss estate transfer matters.

  • Investor lost funds in RESP account due to inactivity

    Mr. B complained when his RESP dealer firm refused to return the funds he contributed to an RESP account. Mr. B had been making payments to a scholarship plan for several years, but due to personal circumstances requested his RESP dealer firm place a temporary stop on his required contributions.

  • Experienced investor claimed investments were not disclosed properly and unsuitable

    On the suggestion of his advisor, Mr. V had purchased special “synthetic" preferred shares of a complex structured investment product offering a principal guarantee at maturity. Its returns depended on the number of future credit defaults, or in other words, the level of net losses within the underlying portfolio. 

  • Investor partially responsible for losses

    When Mrs. K, a 51-year-old life insurance advisor, opened an investment account at Firm ABC, she signed a Know-Your-Client (KYC) form indicating 100% medium risk tolerance and an objective of 100% long-term capital gains. Soon after this, her investment advisor began to purchase higher-risk securities. While Mrs. K was privately concerned, she chose not to complain.

  • Elderly investor solely relied on advisor for investment advice

    In 2002, Mrs. E, then 71-years-old, began investing at Firm ABC with the help of an investment advisor. As her financial knowledge was limited, she let her advisor manage her registered account. The Know-Your-Client (KYC) form she signed indicated she was a conservative investor seeking to preserve her capital.

  • Unauthorized loans made on investor's account

    A couple in their sixties first met an advisor at an investment seminar. He arranged a meeting and recommended that they borrow $450,000 to invest. Although uncertain, the clients signed the loan documents. A week later, the advisor found out that the clients only qualified for a lesser $300,000 loan. He authorized the amendment to the loan and the money was invested a few days later. After receiving a loan acknowledgement and investment confirmation in the mail, the clients immediately called the advisor to complain as they believed they had just signed an application.


This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.