RBC Wealth Management uses creative approach to recruit women investment advisors

Twitter: Interested in a career as an investment advisor? Learn about the role in this new video series from @RBCwealth

Video series aims to debunk myths about the investment advisor role

TORONTO, Dec. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - As Canada's #1 brokerage firm¹, RBC Dominion Securities is always looking for new ways to recruit investment advisors to its Canadian team. A recent review of recruitment efforts revealed that men are more likely to join the firm directly after postsecondary education, while women often become investment advisors after a successful career in another field. The organization decided to highlight this trend in a new series of videos designed to recruit women who have not previously considered a career as an investment advisor.

"Being an investment advisor is a rewarding career in a thriving industry," says David Agnew, Chief Executive Officer, RBC Wealth Management Canada. "We are focused on helping families and the next generation of investors achieve their financial goals. Recruiting and advancing women advisors helps us serve our clients and grow our leadership position in the Canadian financial services industry."

The new recruitment campaign kicks off with two videos of current investment advisors talking about the paths they took to the role, and four additional videos will be released in December. The advisors tell their personal stories, often reaching back decades to describe what attracted them to the industry and how they overcame challenges and their own doubts. While their backgrounds are different, they are united in their belief that, first and foremost, this is a business based on strong relationships.

The campaign aims to dispel any myths about the investment industry and focuses on the flexibility and autonomy RBC Dominion Securities offers investment advisors.

"Many people think this job is highly technical, highly analytical, but I think the most important thing you can bring to the table is caring, caring about your clients and wanting to build a relationship with them because that's really the power of what we're doing," says Michelle Vickers, VicePresident and Portfolio Manager, RBC DS. "We talk to clients and listen to what their fears are; we're listening to what opportunities they need to take advantage of and most importantly, we're helping them set their goals."

The firm supports the growth and success of women advisors through a variety of initiatives such as its IA Leave Program, IA Mentorship Program, the RBC DS Women's Advisory Board and Women's Symposium, and other forums that facilitate returning to work, enhancing career skills, and supporting mental health.

According to a recent survey² commissioned by RBC Wealth Management, 92% of high-net-worth Canadian women believe that women have greater opportunities to be involved in financial planning today. With more women controlling wealth than ever before, it's important that the industry makes an effort to reflect its clients. Already sitting at nearly a quarter female representation among investment advisors and associate advisors, RBC DS aims to increase this number over the next few years.

The recruitment campaign has a dedicated landing page at rbcwm.com/YourPath and also includes videos and ads in traditional and social media.

About RBC Wealth Management
RBC Wealth Management is one of the world's top five largest wealth managers*. RBC Wealth Management directly serves affluent, high net worth and ultra high net worth clients globally with a full suite of banking, investment, trust and other wealth management solutions, from our key operational hubs in Canada, the United States, the British Isles, and Asia. The business also provides asset management products and services directly and through RBC and third party distributors to institutional and individual clients, through its RBC Global Asset Management business (which includes BlueBay Asset Management). RBC Wealth Management has C$971 billion of assets under administration, C$665 billion of assets under management and more than 4,800 financial consultants, advisors, private bankers, and trust officers. For more information, please visit www.rbcwealthmanagement.com.

About RBC Dominion Securities
RBC Dominion Securities is the Canadian leader¹ in investment management for affluent and high net worth investors, on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. While investment management is the core offering, our more than 1,700 investment advisors and portfolio managers also provide a full scope of wealth management advice and solutions, such as insurance, retirement, estate and tax planning and charitable giving to help our clients preserve, grow and pass on their wealth.

SOURCE RBC Wealth Management