"Legal Insights & Investor Protection

Most financial advice is presented as professional advice from someone with special education, training, and experience. Many investors are led to believe their advisor will act like a fiduciary, putting the client’s interests first and recommending investments based on the client’s needs.

But that is not always what happens.In many cases, advisors are selling products from a limited shelf.

With private equity, exempt market products, private placements, alternative investments, accredited investor products, Universal Life insurance, and other complex financial products, the recommendation may be influenced by what the advisor is licensed to sell, what the dealer makes available, or what creates the most compensation.

These risks are especially serious when investors are placed into illiquid or non-traded products where redemptions may be gated, locked up, suspended, or frozen. When investors cannot access their money, what was sold as a professional recommendation may later reveal itself as unsuitable advice, inadequate disclosure, or a serious conflict of interest.

At Geller Law, we track regulatory changes across Canada, court decisions involving financial advisors and dealers, and the standards that apply when investors suffer losses. These resources cover topics such as advisor negligence, fiduciary duty, Client-Focused Reforms, exempt market securities, OBSI complaints, investment loss claims, and denied or inappropriate life insurance products.

Explore the articles below to better understand your rights, the duties advisors and dealers may owe, and how negligent investment dealers, life insurers, and financial advisors may be held accountable.