Burning at both ends
Taking Stock
Amanda Lang discusses what employers can do to help employees with stress at work with Tara Perry, Lead Talent Acquisition Coordinator at Robert Half Inc. And in her Takeaway, Amanda looks at the urgent need for Canada to determine its strategy for the future of the automotive industry.
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Globe and Mail
26 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Wealthsimple is taking on the big banks - and might just surpass them
Having redefined investing, Wealthsimple has attempted to create the country's best bank account. It's too early to hand this distinction to Wealthsimple because it hasn't fully introduced all of its new banking features, some of which are gimmicky. But who are Wealthsimple's challengers? Big-bank innovation is an oxymoron, and alternative banking has been slow to take advantage. A thought for anyone unhappy with their bank account or curious what modern banking can look like: Open a chequing account at Wealthsimple and give it a try. No monthly fees mean no harm done if you don't like it. Typically, banks are supermarkets selling chequing and savings accounts, mortgages, lines of credit and investments. Wealthsimple comes across like a higher-end retailing experience where all these services interlock in ways that reward loyal clients. The more business you do with the company, the more you receive in interest and the less you pay in fees. Wealthsimple plans paperless cheques and Uber-like delivery of cash to customers' doors Wealthsimple CEO says banks are a tax on Canadians The Wealthsimple credit card offers unlimited 2-per-cent cash back at a monthly fee of $10, but that fee falls to zero if you have $100,000 or more with the company or you set up direct deposits of paycheques totalling $4,000 or more a month. The card also offers zero foreign-exchange fees, compared with the usual 2.5 per cent charged by other cards on purchases outside Canada. The Wealthsimple line of credit, set to arrive by year's end, will let you instantly borrow at rates as low as 4.45 per cent. The amount you can borrow is tied to your level of savings and investments with the company – in other words, how much collateral you have. Rates for a home equity line of credit, which can cost hundreds to set up, start around 5 per cent these days. The no-fee chequing account from Wealthsimple offers interest with a base rate of 1.75 per cent, a lowball offer in today's market. But there's a boost of half a percentage point if you set up a direct deposit of your paycheque, and you can get as high as 2.75 per cent if you have extensive assets with the company. Not having a physical branch network allows alternative banks to offer zero-fee chequing and better rates on savings than the big banks. But no other alt bank leans into digital banking like Wealthsimple, while also providing services people usually access through branches. For example, the company will offer paperless cheques that can be ordered on its app and delivered to the recipient. Cash can be ordered for delivery as well, as can bank drafts. Here we have an example of gimmickry – are there any under-40s in Canada who ever use cheques, or who don't pass a bank machine many times a day? Another question about these services is pricing. Wealthsimple hasn't firmed up the cost for all of them yet, a reminder that there are always limits to free banking. A few more novel features of the Wealthsimple chequing account: Security is obviously on Wealthsimple's mind because the company offers $1-million in deposit insurance through Canada Deposit Insurance Corp. Wealthsimple places deposits at multiple unnamed CDIC-member banks, a workaround for the usual $100,000 coverage limit per eligible account. Wealthsimple began as a robo-adviser, a business it continues to dominate. Next came self-directed investing on a platform that led the way in offering zero-commission trading of stocks and exchange-traded funds, and fractional trades that allow investors to buy less than a full share. Wealthsimple is not the best investing platform, and its move to offer private-equity and debt investments suggests unwise trend-chasing. But Canadian investing is more open and inclusive because of Wealthsimple. On the banking side, there's an expectation that the impending arrival of open banking will spark a wave of innovation and competition. Open banking means bank clients can securely share their information with new apps and alternative financial players. Obviously, Wealthsimple isn't waiting for the federal government to introduce rules for open banking. It's ramming innovations through at a rate that exceeds what big banks do in 10 years. Anyone creating a short list of top alternative banks needs to include EQ Bank, which offers 3.5-per-cent interest for now if you direct deposit paycheques of $2,000 a month or more. The base savings rate is just 1.25 per cent. Koho, Neo Financial and PC Financial are also worth a look for banking, while Questrade is on a hot streak as an investing innovator and is expected to get into banking. What makes Wealthsimple unique is the way it's building a seamless, state-of-the-art financial company that offers everything and rewards clients who take advantage. Ironically, the onetime upstart could turn out to be the next big bank. You should try them. Are you a young Canadian with money on your mind? To set yourself up for success and steer clear of costly mistakes, listen to our award-winning Stress Test podcast.
CTV News
37 minutes ago
- CTV News
Crash closes Hwy. 69 north of Parry Sound
A collision between a transport truck and a passenger vehicle has closed Highway 69 near Pointe Au Baril. A collision between a transport truck and a passenger vehicle has closed Highway 69 near Pointe Au Baril. Ontario Provincial Police are on the scene of the crash and said the collision was a serious one. Police said the highway is closed at Highway 124 on the north side and Highway 522 southbound. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area. 'Updates to follow,' police said. Updated road information can be accessed at Ontario 511. This story will be updated when new information is available.
Globe and Mail
42 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Quebec names mediator as Montreal public transit strike in third day
Quebec's labour minister says he has named a mediator in a labour dispute between Montreal's public transit authority and its maintenance workers that has limited bus and metro service across the city. About 2,400 maintenance workers have been on strike since Monday after more than a year of negotiating. As a result, buses and metros are only operating during morning and afternoon rush hours and late at night. Labour Minister Jean Boulet said Wednesday on social media that the mediator will be tasked with easing tensions between both sides and restoring a dialogue 'conducive to negotiations.' One day earlier, he urged the union and the transit authority to jointly seek mediation to bring them closer to a deal. In a news release on Wednesday, the transit authority — Société de transport de Montréal — said negotiations with the union extended late into the prior night before the two sides agreed on the conditions governing mediation. Both sides filed a joint application for mediation to the Labour Department. 'Meetings with the union continue and are still scheduled several times a week,' the transit authority said. The mediation deal is a 'step in the right direction,' said Marie-Claude Léonard, general director of the agency. But she said, 'we are not one meeting away from reaching a solution.' The agency noted it had proposed mediation as early as May 29. Bruno Jeannotte, president of the maintenance workers union, said in an e-mailed statement that mediation will hopefully accelerate negotiations 'to quickly resolve the issues that separate us.' As part of an agreement reached with Quebec's labour tribunal, regular service will be maintained from Friday to Sunday for the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, but operations will be restricted on other days until the strike is set to end on June 17. Earlier this week, Jeannotte also said his team is in talks with the union representing bus and subway drivers — who have also voted for a strike mandate — on ways to increase pressure on the transit authority. In a post on the X platform, Mayor Valérie Plante thanked Boulet for getting involved. 'This is an important step that will help move things forward,' Plante wrote. 'Our wish is clear: that the dialogue accelerates to reach an agreement.' She also sympathized with Montrealers who've been affected by the service cuts. 'The situation is difficult and complex for thousands of us. Public transit is essential and must resume quickly,' Plante said.
