For over 50 years, Bilyk Financial has been working with families, individuals, and organizations across Canada. From what we’ve seen, their commitment to personalized portfolio strategies and thoughtful planning is outstanding!

Bilyk Financial offers a top-tier investment management service tailored precisely to your needs.

Unlike many advisors who start with allocating assets across different classes, they take a unique approach.

They first assess a range of strategies based on returns, volatility, and correlations, then craft a portfolio that combines them to best meet your goals. This includes venturing beyond traditional stocks and bonds into alternative investments, which can be great for generating income.

Their portfolios cover various investment options like public equities, private equities, fixed-income, real estate, infrastructure, credit, and commodities.

They aim to deliver above-average, long-term returns while managing risks consistently. Additionally, they make a point of regularly visiting the cities where their clients are based, showing their commitment to personalized service.

Moraine Wealth Advisory, located in Calgary, offers a wealth management service that transcends traditional investment advice, focusing on comprehensive solutions tailored to individual needs. Their team, led by seasoned professionals like Sean Wilson and Amanda Allan, emphasizes a holistic approach to financial planning. With a foundation built on trust, integrity, and effective communication, Moraine Wealth Advisory aims to provide clarity and confidence in their clients’ financial journeys.

One of the standout features of Moraine Wealth Advisory is their dedication to true diversification and risk management. They employ a strategy that includes over ten different asset classes, designed to protect capital while ensuring growth that outpaces inflation. This careful and methodical approach to portfolio construction highlights their commitment to minimizing risks and maximizing returns for their clients.

Furthermore, the firm’s alignment with client interests is a significant advantage. By investing in the same strategies they recommend, Moraine Wealth Advisory demonstrates a strong commitment to shared success. Their fee-only structure ensures that their advice is unbiased and focused solely on the clients’ best interests. Additionally, their high standards of fiduciary duty and transparent reporting practices foster trust and reliability.

However, potential clients should be aware of some drawbacks when considering Moraine Wealth Advisory. The extensive and detailed nature of their services can lead to higher fees, which may be a barrier for some individuals. Additionally, the comprehensive and multifaceted approach to financial planning might be too intricate for those who prefer straightforward, less complex solutions.

In summary, Moraine Wealth Advisory offers a thorough and client-centric wealth management service that extends beyond mere investment advice. Their focus on diversification, alignment with client interests, and high ethical standards make them a compelling choice for those seeking comprehensive financial planning. 

Finovo specializes in financial planning, designed especially for busy professional couples. They provide services that extend beyond the usual financial planning.

We like that they understand the unique financial challenges and advantages of families with two incomes. Whether it’s saving on taxes, handling unexpected money, or helping with different savings goals, they have the knowledge and tools to help families succeed.

Another thing we love is that they don’t set a minimum investment or asset requirement because they believe everyone deserves access to financial well-being. It’s a big plus for us, especially since many financial planners or firms usually require a benchmark.

In addition, they’re an excellent option for those on a tight budget because they operate on a fee-only basis. We think this is perfect for clients looking to minimize costs and concentrate solely on services that address their goals and preferences.

Also, their two-year financial planning cycles with quarterly check-ins ensure they cover all aspects of a client’s financial life.

Just a heads up, from what we’ve seen, they don’t specialize in serving businesses and aren’t tax preparation experts. This means they often outsource and collaborate with third-party CPAs.

Regardless, we think Finovo is a solid choice for dual-income households seeking affordable financial planners. 

What we appreciate about MRG Wealth is its complete wealth management system. It brings together six key elements of a client’s financial life, helping them unlock synergies and value for a richer life experience. 

Based on what we’ve gathered, these components include financial management, tax optimization, risk management and insurance, retirement planning, investments, and estate planning.

Also, kudos to them for their 100% independence and lack of ties to any specific product or company. We think this independence allows them to focus solely on achieving the best financial results for their clients without any pressure to meet quotas or promote products.

On that note, some clients have mentioned that they stick with MRG Wealth as their financial planners because their previous advisors eventually tried to sell them products that didn’t match their goals.

But we’re a little bummed that they require clients to have a minimum of $500,000 in investable assets, which might not suit everyone’s situation.

On the bright side, we appreciate their skill in serving clients, whether they’re families or business owners. One thing that stands out is their regular communication, like how they keep in touch with families, not just with financial updates but also by celebrating milestones and personal goals.

A standout feature we noted about Edward Jones is the extensive community of financial experts in the company and their many locations in Calgary. This means they’re more accessible to a wider range of clients, which we found to be highly convenient.

Plus, we appreciate that they have a handy tool on their website where you can search for financial planners by location or name. It makes it simpler for clients to find one nearby and choose the profile that best suits their needs.

We’re also pleased that they provide free initial meetings, giving newcomers the chance to have a quick chat about their financial goals and situation. This gives clients the space to make a well-informed decision about whether or not to move forward.

On the downside, we’re a little disappointed that you need a minimum of $25,000 in your account to qualify for portfolio management. This means they mainly serve clients and businesses with solid financial footing.

We also noticed that their portfolio management fee starts at 1.5% annually, with lower rates for higher asset levels. It’s worth noting that this is slightly higher than the average rate of 1%.

Still, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Edward Jones and their team of financial planners and advisors offer great accessibility and convenience for those seeking a personalized working relationship.

At Up Financial Inc., they focus on offering sophisticated investment advice and complete financial planning services. With their extensive experience, they’ve been advising senior executives, company founders, entrepreneurs, and multi-generational families on all aspects of their financial journey.

We appreciate that they give clients access to diverse investment opportunities without burdening them with costly professional fees. They do this by applying fee-based practices and charging a set rate for their services.

On that note, we love that they don’t have asset minimums, which makes it easier for clients to get started. This means even those who are just beginning to build their portfolio can benefit from the company’s investment expertise.

Another aspect we found worth noting is that Up Financial has the skills to handle both personal and corporate services. From estate planning to group retirement plans, we think it’s pretty impressive how they cater to different clients.

However, we’re a little hesitant about their small team, which might limit how many clients they can take on at once. And it’s a bit of a shame that they don’t specialize in insurance planning, unlike many other firms.

Nonetheless, we have to give Up Financial credit for their excellent track record of taking care of their clients. Many have praised their team for being communicative and informative, which is always a plus in our books!