An award winning advisor tells WP what it takes to excel in the today’s industry
Recognized by the Investment Industry Association of Canada with its 2017 Top Under 40 Award, Matthew Rodier knows firsthand how hard it is to build a thriving advisory practice.
With 15 years at TD to his name, he now heads Rodier Asset Management, but he hasn’t forgotten all it took to get him there.
“It’s an extremely difficult business to get in as a young advisor,” he says. “I was in my mid-20s when I started; approaching people as old as your parents, trying to establish a rapport – it is very challenging. But if you have the right work ethic, have the right strategy, are organized and continue to educate yourself, that certainly helps. There is no recipe for success, but that’s what worked for me.”
As a financial advisor, it’s imperative to develop a strong foundation of trust with a client. That means putting all cards on the table when it comes to finances, which is why Rodier engages in a deep discovery process with each client before discussing before stocks, bonds or any other investment vehicle.
“That gives us their experience in investing, whether it’s positive or negative – if they were burned by something in the past, if they are risk-averse in general and also if there are any major upcoming expenses,” he says.
After that, Rodier and his team look at the client’s savings and balance that against sources of income. It’s usually done in-house, but he will bring in outside resources when necessary.
“We produce a very detailed wealth plan with multiple pillars, including cash-flow analysis, estate planning, wills/power of attorney, as well as tax and retirement planning,” Rodier says. “It gives us a good idea of what the client needs. At that point we can feel confident about making a recommendation for x% in equities versus y% in fixed income.”
Since Rodier broke into the business 15 years ago, the means and methods of communication have changed considerably. But while technology has changed the advisory business in many ways, Rodier explains that some things never change.
“There is still a lot of face-to-face,” he says. “It’s really important that we get to know our clients extremely well. Our clients are entrusting us with their life savings and their future, so it’s something we need to earn. That’s not typically earned through an exchange of emails.”
Those interactions will invariably involve a discussion about compensation, but Rodier doesn't find that to be an awkward conversation. He is confident about the value he provides for clients and fully supports any moves by regulators to make the industry more transparent.
“Since day one I have been extremely open and realistic about the fees being charged and the expected returns over the long run,” he says. “Rodier Asset Management and TD are supportive of [CRM2]; the changes provide more information to clients, which lets them make better informed decisions about their finances and investments – that just makes good sense.”
Heading into the new year, Rodier is confident he has his bases covered. Whether the bull market continues to run or a correction materializes in 2018, he has balanced his portfolios for all eventualities.
“Things can change rapidly in this industry,” he says. “We are very well positioned to absorb a potential interest rate hike or other economic or market-related changes. Our practice is set up in such a way that we are nimble and can pivot easily if need be.”
In the Canadian markets, Rodier plans to maintain exposure to the companies and industries that have served him well in recent years. Chasing the highest possible returns could put his clients’ assets at risk, so keeping one eye on the downside is always foremost in his mind.
“We try and underweight dramatically the riskiest sectors – materials, energy, resources,” he says. “We replace them with sectors such as Canadian financials, telecommunications or consumer staples. We understand that might mean less growth, but it also means less volatility, and those sectors have done quite well for us over the last several years.”
With 15 years at TD to his name, he now heads Rodier Asset Management, but he hasn’t forgotten all it took to get him there.
“It’s an extremely difficult business to get in as a young advisor,” he says. “I was in my mid-20s when I started; approaching people as old as your parents, trying to establish a rapport – it is very challenging. But if you have the right work ethic, have the right strategy, are organized and continue to educate yourself, that certainly helps. There is no recipe for success, but that’s what worked for me.”
As a financial advisor, it’s imperative to develop a strong foundation of trust with a client. That means putting all cards on the table when it comes to finances, which is why Rodier engages in a deep discovery process with each client before discussing before stocks, bonds or any other investment vehicle.
“That gives us their experience in investing, whether it’s positive or negative – if they were burned by something in the past, if they are risk-averse in general and also if there are any major upcoming expenses,” he says.
After that, Rodier and his team look at the client’s savings and balance that against sources of income. It’s usually done in-house, but he will bring in outside resources when necessary.
“We produce a very detailed wealth plan with multiple pillars, including cash-flow analysis, estate planning, wills/power of attorney, as well as tax and retirement planning,” Rodier says. “It gives us a good idea of what the client needs. At that point we can feel confident about making a recommendation for x% in equities versus y% in fixed income.”
Since Rodier broke into the business 15 years ago, the means and methods of communication have changed considerably. But while technology has changed the advisory business in many ways, Rodier explains that some things never change.
“There is still a lot of face-to-face,” he says. “It’s really important that we get to know our clients extremely well. Our clients are entrusting us with their life savings and their future, so it’s something we need to earn. That’s not typically earned through an exchange of emails.”
Those interactions will invariably involve a discussion about compensation, but Rodier doesn't find that to be an awkward conversation. He is confident about the value he provides for clients and fully supports any moves by regulators to make the industry more transparent.
“Since day one I have been extremely open and realistic about the fees being charged and the expected returns over the long run,” he says. “Rodier Asset Management and TD are supportive of [CRM2]; the changes provide more information to clients, which lets them make better informed decisions about their finances and investments – that just makes good sense.”
Heading into the new year, Rodier is confident he has his bases covered. Whether the bull market continues to run or a correction materializes in 2018, he has balanced his portfolios for all eventualities.
“Things can change rapidly in this industry,” he says. “We are very well positioned to absorb a potential interest rate hike or other economic or market-related changes. Our practice is set up in such a way that we are nimble and can pivot easily if need be.”
In the Canadian markets, Rodier plans to maintain exposure to the companies and industries that have served him well in recent years. Chasing the highest possible returns could put his clients’ assets at risk, so keeping one eye on the downside is always foremost in his mind.
“We try and underweight dramatically the riskiest sectors – materials, energy, resources,” he says. “We replace them with sectors such as Canadian financials, telecommunications or consumer staples. We understand that might mean less growth, but it also means less volatility, and those sectors have done quite well for us over the last several years.”
