The Mandeville Private Client Inc. Award for Canadian Advisor of the Year
One of the most prestigious honours at the Wealth Professional Awards is the Mandeville Private Client Inc. Canadian Advisor of the Year. This year the title went to Marvin J. Schmidt, The Schmidt Investment Group. It was something he says reaffirmed his approach. “I am incredibly honoured as I know this is a very big deal in our industry. I have never looked for or expected recognition, because I have always done work I feel my clients expect. To be recognized affirms that industry leaders also believe that we are doing the right thing for our clients.”
At a young age, Schmidt was interested in the stock market and investing. He began in the financial industry in 1992 organizing economic workshops and then in 1993 moved to Toronto and worked with Midland Walwyn on their FAST (Financial Advisor Support Team) Desk. There, he helped advisors with portfolio construction, research and analytics. That inspired him to create his own business plan. “It was a full wealth management approach and I looked to create a family office structure, which was unheard of back then in Canada. I presented it to senior executives at Midland and they hired me. That plan became a part of the training manual for new recruits.”
While Midland was purchased by Merrill Lynch, and later CIBC, Schmidt, and his approach, have remained in the same spot, despite the logos changing. “I have been consistent through it all. I have been a big believer of managed money, and alternatives. We have a significant alternatives practice and separately managed account practice. We have been in that space for over 20 years.”
Schmidt believes that investment management is becoming much more commoditized, which is why he offers his clients all-encompassing wealth management that includes: investment management, tax planning, insurance and estate planning and a full family office suite of services. His approach has helped him achieve compounded annual double-digit growth over the past 25 years and a 99% client retention rate that now spans multiple generations. “Our mission is to simplify our clients’ wealth. A lot of people talk about it, but it’s another thing to do it. Making sure it is done properly has been a competitive advantage for us.” Schmidt continues on to say, “being surrounded by extraordinary professionals each and every day at The Schmidt Investment Group who are equally as passionate as I am truly reflects that this award is more about my overall team and practice than it is about only me.”
In addition, Schmidt has deep expertise in philanthropic and legacy planning. Matching his personal desire to create lasting impact with his clients’ who have a strong desire to give back and instill those values in their children. He notes that many clients do like to share their impacts with family and friends. That is one reason why his practice has created a national public foundation called Expand Hope. “For every new client we bring on, we donate 100% of all our investment management revenue for the first 18 months, in honour of each new client and whoever referred them to us, and then we will build a school in their honour. As we grow, by direct correlation, so does social impact. This has been a compelling story with our clients. They are happy for us to do well, because they know when we do well together, we transform lives.”
While only officially launching the foundation in 2018, they are already on their 10th school in Guatemala, and Schmidt’s goal is to reach 500. Schmidt is excited more than ever to create an exceptional, industry leading wealth management experience for wealthy families in Canada while simultaneously creating progress for humanity through The Schmidt Investment Group’s social impact platform. This is what has made Marvin J. Schmidt this year’s award winner.
BUSINESS CONTACT DETAILS:
Company name: The Schmidt Investment Group
Email: [email protected]
Phone number: 780-970-5309 or toll free 1-800-232-7296 ext. 5309
Website: https://www.theschmidtinvestmentgroup.ca/
