The safest investments on the planet: If you’re looking for a great way to save and earn more, it starts here!
Fiscal Agents has been in the GICs and term deposits business since our office first opened, in 1977. Let us show you how we can aid you in accessing higher deposit interest rates over the big banks, and consistently obtain the best return on your GIC investment portfolio.
No-fee deposit brokers. At no cost to you, the Fiscal Agents deposit placement desk actively monitors deposit rates from a wide range of financial institutions all across Canada all day long and is ready to make timely purchases to your advantage.
Be in the know. Financial institutions periodically offer special bonus rates, sometimes for just a few hours. Your retail bank branch isn’t tuned into this. We are. This is being in the know. Grabbing these deals can mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars in earnings – and all guaranteed and insured!
Volume bonus. A retail bank branch offers only one brand of deposits – that bank’s own – and rates paid only reflect the retail market. As no-fee deposit brokers, Fiscal Agents can obtain higher wholesale market deposit rates by placing large amounts with a wide range of financial institutions that compete with each other.
Check out our comparison of our rates versus Canada’s top banks.
- Safe Investing
GICs and Safe Investing
Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) and term deposits guarantee both your principal investment and your rate of return in the event the issuer goes insolvent.*
- Deposits placed with banks and trust companies that belong to the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) are federally guaranteed to $100,000.
- Deposits placed with credit unions that belong to provinces with their own insurance schemes (for example, Ontario deposits are insured via the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA)) who, with the exception of Manitoba, are provincially guaranteed to $250,000 – with no limit for deposits in registered plans.
- Deposits placed with life insurance companies are guaranteed by an insurance industry fund to $100,000.
* Coverage is provided only for eligible deposits. CDIC and FSRA will cover foreign currency deposits. CDIC coverage now extends to any term length. Your Fiscal Agents advisor can ensure your money is protected and explain how you can easily multiply this coverage by placing your money with several institutions.
- The Benefits
The Benefits of GICs
- Safety and Security – your deposit principal and accrued interest are protected if the deposit issuer goes insolvent. Usually another institution would assume responsibility. If that’s not possible, you’re paid off to the insured limit.
- Flexibility with a wide range of terms and maturity options.
- Reliable income – the interest payments are guaranteed.
- Available for all account types and investment strategies (RRSP / RRIF / TFSA and non-registered accounts).
- Laddering your GIC investment can yield a higher return and provide more access to your money. Click HERE to see how laddering works.
- Market-linked and variable-rate GICs are available for investors who can tolerate more risk but still want their principal guaranteed.
- GICs issued by life insurers are similar to those from other financial institutions, but can offer estate planning and creditor protection advantages. Ask a Fiscal Agents advisor for details.
- Guaranteed/Insured
The ‘Guaranteed’ in GICs
A GIC has two levels of guarantees. First, the issuer guarantees that you will earn interest at the rate set under your contract and that your full principal will be repaid at maturity. Second, if the issuer fails and cannot meet those commitments, your money is protected to specified limits by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC), or – as an example of provincial insurance schemes – the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), or the insurance industry’s Assuris consumer protection program.
- GIC Laddering
GIC Laddering: Maximize your GIC returns
A laddered GIC portfolio is an easy way to help you maximize GIC returns:
- Reduced risk – diversified maturities reduce the impact of interest rate fluctuations
- Flexibility – you are still able to take advantage of attractive long-term interest rates
- Discipline – a structured approach eliminates the uncertainty of guessing if/when rates will rise
- Liquidity – you can access money without penalty as deposits mature each year.
GIC Laddering Explained – An Interactive Demonstration
Curious about GIC Laddering or how it can benefit your own situation? We’ve produced a simple interactive demonstration to provide you with a clear picture of how it works. Simply specify a starting amount to invest and the interest payment frequency, and from there we’ll show you what to expect in a traditional GIC ladder configuration, using products currently available from our GIC rate table. Click here to give it a try. - Your Strategy
GICs and your Investment Strategy
In summary: Why buy GICs through Fiscal Agents?
- Diversity in the number of issuers
- Higher rates than at the local banks – at no cost to you (click for a comparison of how much higher our available rates are)
- Available for all types of investment accounts (RRSP, TFSA, non-registered)
- Whether your risk tolerance is low, medium or high, there’s a place for GICs and term deposits within your financial plan
- Potential creditor protection and also probate avoidance for your estate plan.
