Who is who and
who does what?

Designed Securities Ltd.

Designed Securities Ltd. (“Designed”) is an independent, dual-registered investment dealer providing a range of investment products and solutions. Designed is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory
Organization (“CIRO”).

Designed is also registered as an Investment Fund Manager under the Ontario Securities Commission.  

Regulators in Canada

The Canadian wealth industry is overseen by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), which is Canada’s overarching body comprising provincial and territorial securities regulators. Its mandate is to improve, coordinate and harmonize regulation of the Canadian capital markets.

More information about the CSA can be found at https://www.securities-administrators.ca/.

The provincial and territorial regulators operate under the guidance of the CSA to provide ongoing oversight of the capital markets. These organizations include:

  • Alberta Securities Commission
  • British Columbia Securities Commission
  • Manitoba Securities Commission
  • Financial and Consumer Services Commission (New Brunswick)
  • Financial Services Regulation Division, Digital Government and Service Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Office of the Superintendent of Securities (Northwest Territories)
  • Nova Scotia Securities Commission
  • Nunavut Securities Office
  • Ontario Securities Commission
  • PEI Office of the Superintendent of Securities (Prince Edward Island)
  • Autorité des marchés financiers (Quebec)
  • Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan
  • Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities

Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF)

CIPF is authorized to provide protection (within defined limits) to eligible clients in the event a member firm becomes insolvent and a client suffers property loss consisting of securities, cash, or other property held. Not all holdings, accounts or clients are eligible and coverage is within specific limits.

More information about CIPF can be found at: https://www.cipf.ca/.

Carrying Brokers

A carrying broker is a firm that provides back-office support for other types of firms such as investment dealers. They may support an investment dealer through regulatory compliance procedures, recordkeeping of client account transactions, access to markets, distribution of client documents, and the provision of certain systems and online access support.

Designed uses Aviso Wealth as its carrying broker. More information about them can be found at: www.aviso.ca.

What products and services does Designed offer?

Account Type

Designed Securities Ltd. (“Designed”) is an independent dual registered investment dealer providing a range of investment products and solutions. Designed is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory
Organization (“CIRO”).

Designed is also registered as an Investment Fund Manager with the Ontario Securities Commission.  

Commission-based accounts

In a commission-based account, the client must approve all trades made in their account before the trade is placed. The account holdings generate trailing commissions or upfront commission payments based on the invested assets. As a result, compensation earned from the investments is considered “embedded.”

Fee-based accounts

In a retail, fee-based account, the client must approve all trades made in the account before the trade is placed. Fees in the account are not embedded and are discussed and approved by the client (fees are based on assets in the account). Products that have embedded trailing commissions are not permitted to be included in fee-based accounts.

Managed accounts

In a managed account, a client must be working with a Portfolio Manager and have a signed managed account agreement on file. Fees in the account are not embedded and are discussed and approved by the client (fees are based on assets in the account). The Portfolio Manager makes investment decisions on behalf of the client.

Client name accounts

In a client name account, the account is held directly with a fund company, and certain documents (such as tax slips or trade confirmations) and certain service requests (such as withdrawal requests) can be processed directly with them. The fund company maintains custody of your securities.

Account Sub Type

Under the account types listed above, accounts may be classified as cash accounts, registered accounts (e.g. RRSP, RRIF), Registered Education Saving Plans (RESP), and Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA). Other account types may be available based on client specific information.

Examples are as follows:

Cash accounts

Cash accounts allow an investor to deposit and withdraw funds freely with no limitations set by government or other regulatory bodies. Investments are made dollar for dollar with the funds deposited or earned within the account.

Registered accounts (e.g. RRSP, RRIF)

Registered Retirement Savings Plans and Registered Retirement Income Funds are tax advantaged investment accounts that allow tax deductions on yearly contributions. RRSP accounts are subject to limits on the amount that can be deposited based on individual factors per client.

Registered Education Saving Plans (RESP)

Registered Education Savings Plans provide an opportunity to save for future education and receive government grants within the account. Future withdrawals are taxed to the beneficiaries at the time of withdrawal so long as the beneficiary is attending an eligible school.

Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA)

Tax-Free Savings Accounts allow investors to earn income tax free. There are limits to the total amounts that can be deposited into the account set by the government and unique to the deposits and withdrawals a client has previously made.

Other account types may be available depending on your unique circumstances and it is important to discuss your needs in full with an Investment Advisor or Mutual Fund Representative. They will help determine what account(s) may be appropriate for you.