In January 2009, Questrade introduced Mutual Fund Maximizer. This revolutionary
new service rebates trailer fees to our clients – which can amount to up to 1% a
year (or more) of the total value of the mutual funds held by the client. Since
the launch of Maximizer, we have reimbursed thousands of dollars from trailer fees
directly into our client accounts.
Our thinking:
Trailer fees are a kind of commission, collected by the mutual fund company as part
of their MER (Management Expense Ratio), and paid to financial advisors for the
work they do providing guidance to Canadian investors. The trailer fee is even paid
to self-directed brokerages like Questrade, though our clients do their own research.
So we introduced our Maximizer program, and gave that money back.
One fund company decides to block Maximizer rebates:
On September 16th, 2009, Sprott Asset Management LC began blocking Questrade clients
from making new purchases or transfers of Sprott funds to their Questrade accounts.
In addition, Sprott will no longer pay trailer fee rebates to Questrade, meaning
there will be no payment of trailer fees to clients who own Sprott funds.
Questrade’s position:
Questrade stands behind its mutual fund business. We contend that the Maximizer
program redresses a key inequity in the mutual fund industry by rebating trailer
fees (sales commissions) to our clients. Further, Mutual Fund Maximizer is a clear
example of our corporate mission in action: to provide fair, transparent brokerage
services to independent Canadian investors.
What can you do?
If you’re not happy with Sprott’s decision, get your opinion heard.
The mutual fund industry in Canada needs to know what you think. Let Sprott know.
Let us know. Let the regulatory bodies that govern financial services know. Click
on the link below to open a sample letter to Sprott Asset Management. Send the letter
– or write your own – to Sprott, and send copies to us at
marketing@questrade.com, to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and to the Ontario Securities
Commission inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca.
Sprott Asset Management letter »
Trailer fees and Maximizer in the media
Jonathan Chevreau writes in the National Post about Sprott Asset Management’s decision »
Recent stories on trailer fees in the Canadian media called them "shocking"
and "…fees even a few percentage points annually – are one of
your worst enemies as an investor." Read the story in the Globe and Mail »