Deposit products fulfill many client objectives. They enhance returns by augmenting or replacing fixed investments in a balanced portfolio and can be used to generate income or grow capital. Deposit products can be structured to ensure that principal and interest are guaranteed by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or a provincial insurance program.
Entering the deposit industry is straightforward. If you are a financial professional who already deals with a RDBA Financial Institution member, you can ask them about establishing an agency contract for client name deposits. The RDBA can connect you with Financial Institutions that are accepting new Deposit Brokers.
You may also decide to offer deposit instruments as a Deposit Broker Affiliate. In this capacity you solicit deposits on behalf of one or more Deposit Brokers and have written contractual relationships with them. The RDBA can provide applicants with the names of Deposit Brokers who are accepting new Affiliates, and this information may be provided by a Financial Institution member as well. You can also be a full Deposit Broker member if you have one agency contract with a Financial Institution and process GIC transactions through a Deposit Broker.
If you or your company hold direct agency contracts with any RDBA Financial Institution members, we ask that you complete the following requirements.
After completing the online application, the applicant must submit to the RDBA character references from at least three sources, two of which must be either a trust company, credit union or bank. These can also be provided by three RDBA Financial Institution members with whom you have agency contracts. Please send these to:
RDBA
92 Caplan Avenue, Suite 243
Barrie, Ontario, L4N 9J2
Fax: (705) 730-0477
Email: headoffice@rdba.ca
Each new member is required to complete the RDBA onboarding training and test and must successfully complete our AML training
As a requirement for all soliciting members, an independent third party will conduct a criminal background check on behalf of the RDBA.
Once approved, each new Deposit Broker member must complete the annual RDBA Broker Compliance Questionnaire. The results of this questionnaire are available to each Financial Institution member with whom the Deposit Broker has direct agency contracts.
Anyone soliciting ‘client name’ GICs from any of our financial institution members is required to hold an RDBA membership and complete the RDBA AML Training (See sidebar). According to the RDBA rules and regulations, “Solicit” or “Soliciting” means activities that include, but are not limited to:
- Providing an explanation of the features and characteristics of a Deposit Product to a client;
- Receiving an application or instructions regarding a Deposit Product from a Depositor;
- Remitting an application or a related payment to a FI Member; or
- Validating a Depositor’s identification and other activities required to comply with the anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing laws, that are intended or can be reasonably seen as intending to result in the purchase or acquisition of a Deposit Product;
An RDBA Affiliate member is not party to a contract with an RDBA member FI. Instead, they are only party to a contract with RDBA Deposit Broker members to solicit FI deposits for the FIs with which that RDBA Deposit Broker member has agency contracts. A Deposit Broker member is party to a contract directly with a member FI.
RDBA developed the Canadian Deposits Course to ensure students have solid industry knowledge with an excellent understanding of their ethical and professional responsibilities. This course is open to anyone who wants to learn about the Canadian deposits industry, and it is voluntary for members. Members who complete this comprehensive course are eligible for CE credits and earn a designation.
Who should enroll?
Enroll in the Canadian Deposit Course if you are:
- An existing deposit broker or financial professional
- An advisor who offers deposit-based products as part of your client investment portfolios
- An employee of a financial services firm who wants to gain greater expertise
- A financial institution employee serving deposit intermediaries
What will you learn?
- Consumer deposit insurance protection
- Deposit products and investment strategies
- Registered investment plans
- Anti-money laundering and privacy requirements
- Estate and tax basics
- Managing an effective brokerage
Earn Your Professional RDB, RDA or CDS designation
RDBA members who complete this course and who maintain a membership in good standing earn an industry designation of:
- Registered Deposit Broker (RDB) – for Deposit Broker members
- Registered Deposit Agent (RDA) – for Deposit Broker Affiliate members
- Certified Deposit Specialist (CDS) – for Financial Institution employees
Course Fees:
- RDBA member rate: $250
- Non-member rate: $350
An online PDF version of the textbook is included in the course fee and students are required to complete an online exam to successfully complete the course.
RDBA members can contact our office for details on how to receive the member discount.
Register for the Canadian Deposits Course