What is investment management and why is it important for high-net-worth individuals and families?

Your BMO Private Wealth professional devotes their time getting to know you and your family, your business or practice, your risk tolerance and your short-term and long-term goals. Based on your needs and market conditions, they build a customized, portfolio allocated into appropriate investment assets. Their planning process is supported by research and they continually rebalance your portfolio or adapt it based on changing needs.

How do I choose the right investment professional for my needs?

We can help you choose an advisor who specializes in advising clients with a similar asset base to your own and who may also focus on serving clients in your profession, industry or niche. It is important to select an advisor who takes the time to get to know you, shares your mindset and working style, provides objective and unbiased advice and is focused on achieving what matters to you.

What are the benefits of working with an advisor versus managing my own investments?

Most advisors at investment management firms have many years of experience in every kind of market environment, a team of support staff behind them, excellent research resources, economic analysis and portfolio management oversight at their fingertips. They will have industry designations demonstrating their expertise, knowledge and integrity. Importantly, they operate according to an objective, disciplined, structured process, not emotion, and can navigate through volatility without losing track of your long-term goals.

What are some common investment strategies used by high-net-worth individuals and families in Canada?

Active management, where their advisor will buy and sell selected securities, in order to respond to market conditions often trying to surpass market returns; Passive management, through which index funds are purchased and are designed to mirror the returns of major market indexes to achieve the fund’s benchmark return; Top-down macro research which looks at big-picture trends globally and their impact on financial markets to help choose the countries, sectors and currencies to invest in; Bottom-up fundamental research looks at a company’s specific details such as its balance sheet, management team, industry standing, and future forecasting; and Technical analysis which helps investors select precise buy and sell points. These investors might also focus on a particular investing style, such as growth, value, momentum, income, domestic, or international.

Investment Management and Advice – BMO Private Wealth Canada

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How we help protect and enhance your wealth

Our measure of success is our ability to help you achieve your financial vision over the long term through our integrated, collaborative and tailored strategies, services and advice.

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Our approach to your investment success

Expert advice and portfolio management

Guided by your unique goals and risk tolerance, our BMO Private Wealth professionals craft an investment strategy that is right for you. From here, we continually adjust your strategy to align with your evolving life and market shifts.

Building on a foundation of solid research, strategic asset allocation and your specific needs, we recommend the most suitable path through BMO Nesbitt Burns or BMO Private Investment Counsel, ensuring a bespoke investment experience tailored to your preferred level of engagement.

Benefit from our investment capabilities and businesses

BMO Nesbitt Burns

Investment Advisors leverage in-house experts like our Nesbitt Burns Portfolio Advisory Team and BMO Capital Markets Equity Research Group, as well as highly respected BMO and third-party managers to create and manage a bespoke investment portfolio for your needs.

Learn more about BMO Nesbitt Burns

BMO Private Investment Counsel

BMO Private Investment Counsel (BPIC) expertly manages your portfolio, constructed from a curated platform of BPIC funds and Separately Managed Account models, with connectivity from BMO Global Asset Management and trusted third parties.

Learn more about BMO Private Investment Counsel

Whether through BMO Nesbitt Burns or BMO Private Investment Counsel, you gain access to our comprehensive BMO Private Wealth offerings. This includes connections to experts across various wealth disciplines such as trust and estate planning, philanthropy and banking, among others.

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Benefits of investing with BMO Private Wealth

Investing with either BMO Nesbitt Burns or BMO Private Investment Counsel gives you access to a broad spectrum of investment opportunities which would be difficult to access and coordinate on your own. This includes global investments, alternative investments, hedge funds, ETFs and multi-asset strategies.

In addition, you’ll have the benefit of working with a dedicated professional who will provide you and your family with proactive service and advice. They’ll provide a consistent and innovative investment experience and coordinate closely with your Private Wealth team and your external advisors to help with all aspects of your financial well-being.

Read our key reports

Monthly Investment Strategy Report

August 2024

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Monthly Global Markets Commentary

“Bulls Bounce Back”

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Tax Guide

View the 2023 tax reporting guide for BMO Nesbitt Burns.

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Commonly asked questions

Your BMO Private Wealth professional devotes their time getting to know you and your family, your business or practice, your risk tolerance and your short-term and long-term goals. Based on your needs and market conditions, they build a customized, portfolio allocated into appropriate investment assets. Their planning process is supported by research and they continually rebalance your portfolio or adapt it based on changing needs.
Most advisors at investment management firms have many years of experience in every kind of market environment, a team of support staff behind them, excellent research resources, economic analysis and portfolio management oversight at their fingertips. They will have industry designations demonstrating their expertise, knowledge and integrity. Importantly, they operate according to an objective, disciplined, structured process, not emotion, and can navigate through volatility without losing track of your long-term goals.
High net worth individuals and families use a combination of strategies to build and preserve their wealth. This includes:
- Active management, where their advisor will buy and sell selected securities, in order to respond to market conditions often trying to surpass market returns;
- Passive management, through which index funds are purchased and are designed to mirror the returns of major market indexes to achieve the fund’s benchmark return;
- Top-down macro research which looks at big-picture trends globally and their impact on financial markets to help choose the countries, sectors and currencies to invest in;
- Bottom-up fundamental research looks at a company’s specific details such as its balance sheet, management team, industry standing, and future forecasting; and
- Technical analysis which helps investors select precise buy and sell points.
These investors might also focus on a particular investing style, such as growth, value, momentum, income, domestic, or international.