Whether you are a financial planner, personal or group insurance agent, mutual fund or scholarship plan agent, your financial services advisor who is a member of the Financial Security Chamber must adhere strictly to the Code of Ethics, as this is where the rules that guide the professionals apply. services you will receive and ensure you are well protected. Here’s the thing.
1. Collection of information. Your financial advisor needs to know your personal situation, your financial situation and your projects in order to analyze your situation, provide you with appropriate advice and suggest products that suit you. He will therefore have to ask you about all these aspects of your life. Just like with a health checkup, don’t hesitate to answer their questions honestly.
2. Protecting your privacy… Are you worried that the information you reveal to this professional will be leaked? Keep calm. It has a duty to protect your personal information during its collection, use and disposal.
3. …and your property. It goes without saying that he must also protect the sums you entrust to him, and that under no circumstances will he be able to appropriate or borrow them for personal purposes.
4. Convenience. Whatever your situation, your financial services advisor must offer you products that suit your needs, your personal and financial situation, and your risk tolerance. To achieve this, he must listen to your projects, your dreams and your fears. Because these are the elements that will allow him to make informed suggestions to you.
5. Information. The professional you consult must take the time to inform you about the features (advantages, risks and disadvantages) of the products he is offering you. They must also provide you with clear information that you will understand. Not sure you understood all his explanations? Feel free to ask. The information must also be complete regarding the products and services it may or may not offer you. For example, if they work for a financial institution and can only provide you with that institution’s products, they must tell you directly. Finally, they also have to tell you things like how they’re paid, the fees they’ll charge you, and potential conflicts of interest.
6. Professional skills. A professional must undergo continuous training to update his knowledge. This is necessary so that we can offer you products that suit you and can explain them to you in detail.
7. Follow-up measures. The professional you are dealing with must contact you on a schedule they can set with you to make sure the products you have are still suitable for you. It will then be able to update your file and make the necessary changes. This is important because many events – such as a new job or the birth of a child – will bring changes to your financial strategy.
8. Availability. Do you have questions? Any concerns? Your financial services advisor must be available to respond and within a reasonable time frame. When the markets are turbulent, his presence is even more important because he will be able to prove you right and reassure you.
9. Respect. Regardless of your style and your age, your financial services advisor is committed to respecting your dignity, your autonomy, and your pace.
10. Protection of Your Interests. Throughout your relationship with him, the professional with whom you do business must ensure that his practice is free of conflicts of interest. They must therefore refuse inappropriate gifts, favors and favors. He must always ensure that he acts in your best interest. In addition, for him, your interest must always take precedence over his.