Independent advisors now offer “more than your typical GIC”
TORONTO, Dec. 2, 2002 – Manulife Investments is launching an innovative suite of Guaranteed Interest Contract (GIC) investments sold through independent financial advisors across the country.
The new Manulife Investments GIC allows Canadians to invest in a Basic GIC account, plus specialty Laddered and Escalating Rate options to best suit their personal needs. With a minimum $5,000 investment, investors have the choice of several different GIC investment options all within one contract.
“Now Canadians can choose from far more options than currently available through traditional GICs,” said Roy Firth, Senior Vice President, Manulife Financial. “Investors looking for safety of capital and guaranteed returns can choose from a wider range of products with the assurance their investment is secure. At the same time, they can access important features only available from life insurance company investment products.”
Manulife Investments Laddered GIC
One of the major concerns when choosing fixed-term investments is determining which term lengths to purchase. To address this concern, many financial advisors recommend a laddered portfolio – staggering investment terms to ensure part of the portfolio renews each year at current rates.
Investors looking to reduce the impact of fluctuating interest rates should consider ‘laddering’ their investments over a five or ten-year period, explained Mr. Firth. “Our new Manulife Investments Laddered GIC Account takes the guesswork out of selecting individual terms and reduces interest rate risk by automatically laddering the GIC investment. Renewals then occur automatically at attractive long-term rates. This relieves both investors and advisors from the stress of trying to figure out where interest rates are heading.”
Previously, setting up a fixed-term ladder included the need to invest in shorter terms, initially at lower rates. With the Manulife Investments Laddered GIC Account, the investor receives one attractive rate on all initial terms invested. This way, the laddered portfolio earns a higher rate of return right from the beginning in a simple transaction for both investors and their advisors.
Unique GIC Features
The new Manulife Investments GIC also offers unique features including a half-year rate bonus for adding six months to a standard-length term on the Basic Accounts; 30-day rate guarantees on new investments; plus 30-day “better-of” rate guarantees for renewals.
The Manulife Investments GIC also offers other benefits only available through life insurance company investments, such as tax advantages for non-registered GICs, avoidance of probate fees on death when a beneficiary is named, plus potential creditor protection.
A Manulife Investments GIC could form a key part of an integrated and balanced portfolio of other investment products, explained Mr. Firth, including Manulife Investment’s MIX mutual funds, Insured Portfolio Funds (segregated funds) and Manulife Bank investment products.
About Manulife Investments
Manulife Investments is the brand name identifying the personal wealth management lines of business offered by Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries in Canada. As one of Canada’s leading integrated financial services providers, Manulife Investments offers a variety of products and services including segregated fund contracts, mutual funds, annuities and guaranteed interest contracts.
About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 15 countries and territories worldwide. Through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners, Manulife Financial offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services. Funds under management by Manulife Financial were Cdn$139.2 billion as at September 30, 2002.
Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.
For more information about Manulife Investments GICs, visit www.manulife.com.
