To keep up with the fast-paced growth of Barrie, Investors Group (IG) is opening a second branch in the city’s south end this month.
“A lot of it is that the Barrie community is growing by leaps and bounds,” says new regional director Duane Bentley. “And we’ve grown with the community. We can open our second branch in Barrie because of the support of the community and the growth of the marketplace.”
Currently, IG is one of Canada’s largest financial-services firms. It provides comprehensive financial-planning services and solutions for individuals and businesses.
The original branch, now called Barrie North Investors Group, was established in 1986. It is located on Wellington Street West and employs 49 consultants (including four associate consultants) and 19 administrative support personnel. Bentley says it has grown to be one of the largest branches in the country.
“Barrie is one of the original Investors Group locations in Canada,” he explains. “It definitely has a lineage with the firm.”
The Barrie South location, which is expected to open in early November on Commerce Park Drive, will bring over some of its experienced staff from the north to anchor it while it grows its staffing complement.
As a one-stop shop, both locations will continue to offer a complete range of financial services.
“Investors Group pioneered financial planning in Canada when we brought it here in 1926,” says Bentley. “To help people achieve their financial and personal goals, our consultants have a breadth and depth of service choices to fulfil these solutions.”
IG is the largest mutual fund asset manager in Canada, but it also provides a full line of online banking services through its partner National Bank (where clients can access in-person service).
It draws on its in-house mortgage fund to provide loans and mortgages, and accesses the expertise of its sister company Great West Life (and partners Manulife Financial and Sun Life) to offer a full line of personal insurance, group benefits including retirement, saving and pension plans.
The Montreal-based Desmarais family, through Power Financial Corporation, is the majority shareholder of this publicly traded company. There are more than 4,000 professionals working in 100 offices across the country.
While the wealthy of experience and knowledge in the company can be accessed and shared when necessary among consultants, a client would only have to be concerned with one point of contact.
“What that means is our consultants are able to have stewardship and manage all the financial needs of a client,” says Bentley. “It’s a unique position where you can really help individuals and measure those differences.
“To save for a child’s education, watch that family grow and then see them access that fund to fulfil that personal goal, that’s our reward. It’s a very rewarding thing to see your results, living results. It truly is amazing.”
For more information, call 705-726-7836.
