The Beginning
The Croft Financial Group Founder and CIO Richard Croft made the transition from public service to the investment world in the early 70’s. Driven by his passion for education and with a knack for writing, he entered the world of financial market journalism in the early 80’s writing for the Globe and Mail and developing a number of investment indices and benchmarks that are still in existence today.
In 1993, at the request of many of his followers, Richard became licensed as an investment counselor/portfolio manager and has been navigating the markets ever since, while having written nine books and thousands of articles and commentaries for Canada’s largest media outlets.
The Vision
Richard’s vision was to build a platform where financial professionals across the industry could access active, discretionary investment management for their clients, offering investment products and solutions not accessible under their existing regulatory framework. The goal was (and continues to be) to reduce the related regulatory, compliance and administrative burdens on the advisors that come with this high level of service, placing it on his experienced team, many of whom are still with the firm.
Where we are today
Our entire team of professionals remain guided by a set of core principles which include honesty, integrity and openness. Our focus is on serving our partners and investors by delivering value ethically and within a culture of compliance, while fostering the same entrepreneurial spirit within the firm and in our partners that the Croft Group was founded on over 30 years ago.
The Power of 3
The Accounting Place and Castlemark Wealth Management, two wholly owned subsidiaries of R N Croft Financial Group Inc., play a strategic role in delivering this integrated wealth management approach. By combining the tax expertise of The Accounting Place with the advanced financial planning services of Castlemark Wealth Management, we provide our advisor partners with added bench strength to address the complex and diverse needs of their clients.
This partnership ensures that every aspect of a client's financial needs is addressed under one roof, empowering advisors with the resources and expertise to deliver exceptional value. This fully integrated approach is designed to optimize financial outcomes and deliver lasting value—ensuring that every decision positively impacts your financial future.
The Commitment
As a licensed Portfolio Manager and Investment Fund Manager, we work with our advisor partners and clients across Canada to deliver an exclusive High-Net-Worth Service that is typically reserved for investors with over one million dollars in assets. Our commitment to each of our clients ensures that we take an unbiased approach to security selection and portfolio composition based on their best interest and financial goals. We work with our associated Financial Planners, Tax Specialists and other industry professionals to implement this approach to the highest standard of care.
The Beginning
The Croft Financial Group Founder and CIO Richard Croft made the transition from public service to the investment world in the early 70’s. Driven by his passion for education and with a knack for writing, he entered the world of financial market journalism in the early 80’s writing for the Globe and Mail and developing a number of investment indices and benchmarks that are still in existence today.
In 1993, at the request of many of his followers, Richard became licensed as an investment counselor/portfolio manager and has been navigating the markets ever since, while having written nine books and thousands of articles and commentaries for Canada’s largest media outlets.
The Vision
Richard’s vision was to build a platform where financial professionals across the industry could access active, discretionary investment management for their clients, offering investment products and solutions not accessible under their existing regulatory framework. The goal was (and continues to be) to reduce the related regulatory, compliance and administrative burdens on the advisors that come with this high level of service, placing it on his experienced team, many of whom are still with the firm.
Where we are today
Our entire team of professionals remain guided by a set of core principles which include honesty, integrity and openness. Our focus is on serving our partners and investors by delivering value ethically and within a culture of compliance, while fostering the same entrepreneurial spirit within the firm and in our partners that the Croft Group was founded on over 30 years ago.
The Power of 3
The Accounting Place and Castlemark Wealth Management, two wholly owned subsidiaries of R N Croft Financial Group Inc., play a strategic role in delivering this integrated wealth management approach. By combining the tax expertise of The Accounting Place with the advanced financial planning services of Castlemark Wealth Management, we provide our advisor partners with added bench strength to address the complex and diverse needs of their clients.
This partnership ensures that every aspect of a client's financial needs is addressed under one roof, empowering advisors with the resources and expertise to deliver exceptional value. This fully integrated approach is designed to optimize financial outcomes and deliver lasting value—ensuring that every decision positively impacts your financial future.
The Committment
As a licensed Portfolio Manager across Canada, we work with our partners to deliver an exclusive High-Net-Worth Service that is typically reserved for investors with over one million dollars in assets. Our fiduciary commitment to each of our clients ensures that we take an unbiased approach to security selection and portfolio composition based on their best interest and financial goals. Working with Financial Planners, Tax Specialists and other industry professionals to implement this approach to the highest standard of care.
meet the team
CROFT FINANCIAL GROUP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jason Ayres
Kenneth Mulders
Christopher Croft
Diane Bode
Richard N. Croft
Jason Keogh
Jordan Rosenberg
OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS
FILTER BY:
Our Team of professionals hold a range of industry designations and accreditations including:
The Croft Financial Group is committed to a multi-stakeholder approach to Integrated Wealth Management: a long-term, multi-generational strategy, designed to keep all stakeholders on the same page under one holistic and unified plan.
We are proudly supporting the REAL WEALTH MANAGER™ (RWM™) DESIGNATION
OUR VALUES & CULTURE
At Croft Financial Group, we are motivated by key guiding principles.
INTEGRITY
We value all our stakeholders equally – including our clients, employees, colleagues, and the community at large – irrespective of age, gender identity, ethnic affiliation, education, livelihood, and regardless of religious, political or philosophical perspectives.
OPENNESS
We believe that the ability to make informed decisions is of critical importance, and in the value of complete, clear, and honest communications with our stakeholders to support good decisions.
HONESTY
We believe in the fundamental value of effective investment capital management to achieve the financial objectives and security, and to enhance the quality of life of our clients and stakeholders.
KNOWLEDGE
We value and will always strive to maintain a level of skill and knowledge necessary to support good investment decisions to fulfill our commitments and obligations to all our stakeholders.
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY
INVESTMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE (IRC)
Investment Review Committee (IRC) Our mission is to deliver superior investment advice and discretionary portfolio management expertise with outstanding service, holding all Portfolio Managers on the Croft platform to the highest standard. All Advising Representatives (Portfolio Managers) and Associate Advising Representatives are accountable to the IRC. With a committee-based, rigorous portfolio building process, our portfolio management team seeks out which assets, sectors and geographical exposures make the most sense for meeting clients’ investment objectives under real-time market conditions. To minimize investor risk and maximize returns, we combine this methodology with targeted active investments and sophisticated option strategies. While each Portfolio Manager may have their own approach, all investments and strategies are vetted through the IRC.
WHY THE COMMITTEE?
The Investment Review Committee (IRC) at Croft is responsible for all investment decisions. While one Portfolio Manager is responsible for the research, each security that is used in a portfolio must be vetted by the IRC. There are several reasons this process is advantageous.
MEET THE CUSTODIAN OF YOUR Investment Accounts
We take client assets and client account safekeeping seriously.
All Croft client investment accounts are held in their own name at National Bank. Committed to independent firms for more than 25 years, National Bank Independent Network is one of Canada’s leading providers of custodial, trading, clearing, settlement and record-keeping services to independent registered portfolio managers, introducing brokers and investment fund managers.
National Bank Independent Network proudly serves over 450 firms from coast to coast and is backed by the strength of National Bank of Canada (NBC). National Bank Independent Network is a division of National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF Inc.), which is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of NBC, a public company listed on Canadian stock exchanges (TSX: NA). National Bank Independent Network is also a registered trademark of NBC used under license by NBF Inc. NBF Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) as well as the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), which is the national self-regulatory organization that oversees all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada.
Once complete the onboarding process and assign an account number, our clients have complete online access to their accounts, statements and tax documents through NBIN’s My Portfolio +.
OVER
450
INDEPENDENT FIRMS
OVER
$300B
ASSETS UNDER ADMINISTRATION
OVER
1M
CANADIAN INVESTORS
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
The Croft Group works closely with our strategic partners to find the best services and opportunities for our clients.
insights
Research Report: September Swoon
Let’s take a collective deep breath. September, which historically is the worst month for stocks, has passed – and it did not disappoint! We saw 10% declines in U.S. markets, while Canadian stocks, buoyed by energy and basic materials, lost less than half that amount.
Research Report: The Impossible Dream
For the past two months financial markets have been stuck in a trading range that runs the gambit between fear and greed – a classic tug of war buttressed by vague macro-economic scenarios that are, at best, subjective.
Efforts to pinpoint the terminal interest rate[1] vary depending on the latest iteration of ‘Fed speak’. Currently, market participants seem to have priced in an interest rate trajectory that will culminate somewhere between 3.75% to 4.25%.
Recession Update
There is much debate about whether the U.S. economy is in a recession. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) advanced estimate, the U.S. economy has contracted for two consecutive quarters (see chart). GDP declined by -1.6% in the first quarter followed by a -0.9% decline in the second quarter ending June 30th.
Research Report: Winning The Inflation Battle?
are causing the imbalances.
What impact are global transportation bottlenecks having on prices along the supply chain? How much of the demand surge is a desperate attempt by consumers to feel normal again? What impact is the Ukraine war having on food and energy prices? Did government sponsored pandemic relief programs provide too much stimulus? Each of these factors has an impact. The chart to the right is our best guess as to the relevancy of each of these components.
Resarch Report: Putin Ouster – Markets & Bonds
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine grinds on with no apparent solution through international diplomacy, some commentators are wondering if an end to the conflict could come if Vladimir Putin is removed from power.
Even U.S. President Joe Biden in a speech delivered in Poland said Putin “cannot remain in power.” Despite White House attempts to downplay the rhetoric, President Biden was steadfast that he was “not walking anything back!”
Managing Emotions During a Market Decline – The Importance of Having a Plan
Many investors are starting to feel uncomfortable watching their investment portfolios decrease in value as markets continue to decline from the November 2021 highs. A review of past market corrections can provide us with some general guidelines to help manage expectations. How much more selling is yet to come, however, and how long it will take for the markets to turn around is still largely unpredictable.