Smarter Investing
Ultra-Low Fees, Exceptional Quality, for Everyone.
How Much Can I Save?
Smart, Simple & Extremely Effective
Efficient Account Structure
No more buying expensive mutual funds. Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) are the future of investing. An SMA is an investment account held directly by you, with each individual security (stock or ETF) owned by you in your name. After you have chosen your investment program, SciVest will implement your program, trading your securities on an ongoing basis in your SMA. You simply set it, and forget it!
Smartest Investment Line-up
SciVest offers over 20 highly engineered investment portfolios comprising of either low-cost index-based ETFs, or individual stocks (Canada or the US). Each portfolio is strategically designed to be diversified and unique - each a remarkably robust investment on its own. However, when multiple portfolios are combined within a single investment account, the magic really happens!
Superior Investment Management
SciVest was founded and is led by a Western University Adjunct Professor of Portfolio Management who holds a PhD in Finance from the Ivey Business School. SciVest has been registered and professionally managing investment portfolios for clients for over two decades. Long enough to know that you don't have to take unnecessary risks with your investments in order to maximize your overall wealth.
Best-in-Class Statements & Transparency
Our exclusive investment statements provide comprehensive reporting, yet are easy to read and understand. No more guessing at your investment performance or fees paid - all aspects of your portfolio and its activity are presented clearly and concisely. For clients with multiple investment accounts (e.g., cash, TFSA and RRSP), we also provide a "consolidated" statement which shows all your assets combined together is a single report. As geeky as it sounds, we're actually very proud of our statements!
Industry Leading Fee Structure
Canadians face some of the highest investment fees globally. The 2022 Morningstar Global Investor Experience Study revealed that out of 26 major countries, Canada ranked dead last for balanced mutual fund fees, sixth last for equity fund fees, and fifth last for fixed-income fund fees. This is largely attributed to the high concentration and oligopolistic power of our major financial institutions. In contrast, SciVest Direct's fees are a small fraction of the industry average and amongst the lowest in Canada.
Dedicated Client Relationship Manager
Each SciVest Direct client is assigned a dedicated Client Relationship Manager (CRM) who is reliably available to address your needs. Your CRM is ready to assist you with any inquiries, concerns, advice, changes to your investment plan, or to discuss your financial progress. Whether in person, via email, phone or Zoom, your dedicated CRM is accessible however and whenever you require support. No more getting a different uninformed person everytime you contact your investment provider!
What our clients say...
"SciVest consistently demonstrates exceptional expertise in market analysis and investment strategy ensuring my investments are well managed and aligned with my financial goals. I wholeheartedly recommend SciVest to anyone seeking a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and dedicated financial adviser. I am impressed by their exceptional service and commitment to client success."
"John and Carolyn have been fabulous to work with. I came in with very little knowledge of investment portfolios and they took the time to explain everything to me in a way I could easily understand. My partner and I hold all our major investments with them now and we have watched them grow thanks to the sound financial advice we have received. They are also very accessible and quick to respond to any questions or concerns that I have. I highly recommend SciVest to anyone looking for trustworthy and informed investment accounts management."
"The SciVest team made it very simple for me to start investing better than I was. They walked me through how to set up both an RRSP and a TFSA account with them, how to set up direct payments through my bank, and now I have an app on my phone that shows me all of my investments, and how much I’m making on them. I’m up WAY more $$ on my investments in 2024 than I ever did letting the bank do my investments! AND the fees are WAY lower!"
"I trust SciVest with my investments implicitly. I don't know very much about investing, so I rely on John's expertise to make sure I have cash flow every month. My statements are better than anything I got before, and I know that my retirement is secure. The team is always friendly and very quick to respond!"
"SciVest Capital Management Inc. offers exceptional customer service, a wide selection of investment choices, and low management fees. Over the last two years, my experience with the company has been outstanding. John and Carolyn are knowledgeable financial professionals with decades of experience who have helped me progress toward my financial goals. SciVest is strongly committed to putting the best interests of its clients first."
I've started to invest like the wealthy. I'm not advocating for increased debt, but this is my personal experience. My father often quoted, 'The easiest way to get wealthy is to use the bank's money,' but never provided a clear strategy. To leverage this idea, I remortgage my home to its maximum affordable monthly payment. However, like my father, I lacked a low-risk investment strategy for the additional funds. Seeking advice, I consulted a professor from a local Ivy League university who specializes in investing. He had experience managing investments for a small group and developed a low-risk strategy tailored to my situation, considering the borrowed nature of the funds. The approach aimed to capture 80% of potential gains while limiting downside exposure to 20%...
...As my portfolio grew, I gradually became more comfortable with riskier strategies, leading to significant financial benefits. This relationship has been pivotal in securing my family's financial future. Reflecting on my experience, I've come to understand the power of early investment. Even small initial investments can compound over time, leading to substantial wealth. I urge others to consider starting their investment journey sooner rather than later. As a closing note I feel it’s important to mention that a significant part of my portfolio is now due to some of the lowest fees in the industry. This really helps the money grow faster..
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the minimum account size to start investing with SciVest Direct?
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Asset Allocation Portfolios: The account minimum is $5,000. SciVest has created nine (9) unique, balanced, global Asset Allocation Portfolios that allow you to choose, with our guidance, a portfolio that best fits your particular investment goals and risk profile. Each SciVest Asset Allocation Portfolio offers the best level of long-term expected return for its targeted risk profile for the then current economic and market environment.
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Individual Stock Portfolios: The account minimum varies by strategy starting at $12,000. SciVest has created eight (8) Individual Stock Portfolios established from three (3) unique, equity-based, investment strategies each specifically designed to meet specific investment objectives; Low Volatility Dividend Income, Growth of Dividend Income, and Price Momentum Strategies.
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What types of accounts do you offer?
Your investment account is set up at one of our approved broker/custodians – currently either Interactive Brokers Canada Inc. or Aviso Wealth (Credential Qtrade Securities Inc). As broker they provide brokerage trade execution of your SciVest Direct Separately Managed Account security trades, and as custodian they hold and protect all of your separately managed account investment portfolio assets. The broker/custodian also provides all tax reporting, as well as Canadian Investor Protection Fund (“CIPF”) insurance on your SciVest Direct separately managed account. Our broker/custodians were chosen because of their large size, safety, service offering, and competitive pricing.
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Will I be able to do my own trading in my SciVest Direct account?
No. You will have no authority to trade the account yourself while SciVest is your investment advisor. When setting up your investment account, an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) is constructed with your individual risk tolerances and investment objectives in mind. As it is your account and your money, and we are your fiduciary, we can discuss your IPS any time you wish and if deemed appropriate, we can change your asset mix in the direction that you wish.
If you wish to trade yourself, we encourage clients to open a separate trading account! It just has to be independent from your SciVest account. And yes, you can hold both accounts through the same custodian.
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Can I own Crypto or Bitcoin in my portfolio?
No. At SciVest, we implement very strict stock selection and risk parameters to ensure clients have the best possible portfolios for their individual long-term needs. Should you wish to partake in your own personal trading style, we encourage you to do so in your own separate account.