Investments

Investment Options

Mutual Funds

Investing in mutual funds allows you to pool your money with others who have similar investment interests. When you purchase mutual funds you are buying units of a particular fund. The fund is made up of a variety of investments that can include shares of companies on various stock exchanges, bonds, and treasury bills. The varying degrees of risk and return associated with a mutual fund are derived from the investments that make up the fund.

We offer you access to more than 1600 mutual funds offered through Qtrade Asset Management Inc. Based on your investment objectives, you can choose from a wide range of recommended fund families. These include:

- Ocean Rock - Meritas SRI Funds
- A.G.F. - MacKenzie
- Fidelity - C.I.
- Dynamic - and many more

Setting up Pre-authorized contribution (PAC) to help you stay on track Expand/Collapse

You can maximize your mutual fund investment by making an automatic monthly contribution, or PAC. There are many benefits to this investment strategy including convenience, maximizing your return and dollar cost averaging. Once you set up your PAC, your investment is made automatically each month on the date you choose. Invest as little as $50 or as much as your budget allows. This strategy helps you "pay yourself first". Maintaining a PAC is easier and requires less discipline than saving up for a lump sum investment. When you invest monthly, you begin to earn valuable compounding returns. Instead of saving up your money to make a lump sum investment at the end of the year, set up a PAC and begin investing and earning a return earlier.

What is the dollar cost averaging? Expand/Collapse

Dollar cost averaging is a tool to help you achieve balance during market ups and downs. The key is to invest a fixed amount of money at regular intervals and stick with this schedule. History tells us that there are long-term rewards in accumulating your investment over time, which also alleviates the pressure of timing a lump sum purchase.

 

Socially responsible investing

It isn’t what we say that makes a difference in the world, it’s what we do. As a co-operative enterprise, owned and controlled by the members we serve and guided in everything we do by the seven co-operative principles, we care about the needs of our members and the communities we serve as well as the bottom line.

While we believe that it is not our role to make ethical decisions on behalf of our members, by offering a full range of mutual fund investments, including Socially Responsible Investing funds that meet the highest standards in terms of their social, environmental and governance impact, we’re helping you to achieve your most important goals and attain financial well-being without compromising your beliefs.

Expert Advice to Get You There

Through our mutual fund dealer Qtrade Asset Management, GFCU and our financial experts work closely with Meritas SRI Funds, Northwest and Ethical Investments as well as other major Canadian SRI fund families that provide both competitive financial returns and positive social returns.

GFCU is a member of the Responsible Investment Association (RIA), which is a national membership-based organization that includes financial institutions, investment firms, financial advisors, and various organizations and individuals interested in socially responsible investment.

The RIA's mandate is to promote the practice of socially responsible investment (SRI) in Canada. SRI is the integration of environmental, social and governance factors in the selection and management of investments.

4 Reasons to Work With a Financial Advisor >

Financial Planning Fact Sheet >

Take the Next Step

If you would like to learn more about how to incorporate Socially Responsible Investing into your portfolio, simply set up an appointment with one of our Wealth Management Specialists today or drop by the Credit Union where our staff will be happy to answer all of your questions.

Time spent now with a Wealth Management Specialist will benefit you and your family for years to come.

To talk to us or contact our MoneyWork Wealth Management Specialist, come to our branch to arrange an appointment, or call:

Sarah Lawrence

Tel:  250-442-4002
Fax: 250-442-5644
slawrence@gfcu.com
 
447 Market Avenue
PO Box 2500
Grand Forks, BC  V0H 1H0
 

Serving Grand Forks, Christina Lake and the Boundary Region.

4 Reasons to Work With a Financial Advisor >

0948859 B.C. LTD. doing business as GFCU MoneyWorks

 

*Mutual funds and securities related financial planning services are offered through Qtrade Asset Management Inc., Member MFDA. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. OceanRock Investments Inc. is the trustee, manager, portfolio adviser and promoter of the Meritas SRI Funds. OceanRock and Qtrade Asset Management Inc. are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Aviso Wealth.