Tag Archives: RRSP

How to Buy a GIC at BMO InvestorLine with the New (2015) Fixed Income Investment Screens

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When one of the GICs in my children’s RESP matured recently, I decided to re-invest the money in a new 1-year-term GIC. Since the last time I bought a GIC, BMO InvestorLine has re-designed their fixed income investment screens so the procedure has changed: here’s how I bought the guaranteed investment certificate.

Buying a Guaranteed Investment Certificate at BMO InvestorLine

  1. Sign in to your InvestorLine account.
  2. From the drop-down list at the right side of the screen, make sure you are looking at the information for the account within which you want to buy the GIC. For example, I made sure it was our RESP account, not my RRSP account.
  3. Hover the cursor on the Trading tab and from the list, click on Fixed Income.
  4. Click on the blue View GIC Offerings button.

GIC Offerings Page

The GIC Offerings screen has become much more complicated. Down the left side of the screen are the choices:

  • Quick Picks
  • Cashable
  • 1 year
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years

And across the top of the data are tabs for:

  • Annual Pay
  • Compound
  • Semi-annual Pay
  • Monthly Pay

I wanted to buy a 1-year annual pay GIC, so from the list on the left side of the screen, I clicked on the 1 year box, then clicked on the Annual Pay tab.

Although I had not requested to see Cashable GICs, I notice three BMO cashable GIC products lead the list. All the other listed GICs are N/A for Cashable. In other words, they cannot be cashed before maturity.

Fortunately, BMO InvestorLine still lists the GICs in order from highest paying to lowest (if I ignore the BMO cashable products.)

Click on the name of the company offering the rate you want. For example, I clicked on Home Trust Co.

GIC Order Entry Page

The familiar GIC Order Entry screen opens.

  1. In the Amount box, type how much you want to invest in this GIC with a minimum purchase of $5000 in a RESP.
  2. Ensure the interest rate and payment terms you want are the ones beside the selected radio button.
  3. In the Daytime Phone Number box, type where you can be reached.
  4. Click on the button: Review Order
  5. Read the disclosure statement that warns you that BMO InvestorLine gets a commission from the sale. (You do not pay this separately. It is built into the lower interest rate you are getting for the GIC. So you will get the interest rate advertised and they will get some $$$ from the vendor.)
  6. Click on the Continue button if that’s ok.

The GIC Order Review Page

  1. Review the details of your request.
  2. If it all looks good,
    Type your trading password in the field: Please enter your trading password to submit this order:
  3. Click on the button: Submit Order

GIC Order Confirmation Page

Make a note in a secure location of the Order Reference Number in case of any problems.

As usual, your Cash Balance does NOT immediately reflect your purchase.

You’re done!

Does the New BMO InvestorLine Fixed Income Process Work Better for GICs Than the Old One?

Personally, I didn’t find it any easier. In fact, it took a few more clicks to get started with the purchase. It does look prettier, though. I’m glad they still show the GIC interest rates in the useful format of highest to lowest with no required clicks.

Overall, I’d rate the change as neutral, neither better nor worse, for GICs.

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Do you buy GICs in your RESP to keep the cash safe during the last few years before the educational institute gets it all? Please share your strategy with a comment.

How to Buy a RRSP GIC from Peoples Trust

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Peoples Trust is offering one of the best interest rates for RRSP GICs this year. You can buy a GIC for your RRSP from Peoples Trust website and mail in your cheque to pay for it but if you want to claim it on your 2014 tax return, you have to place your order by the end of February 28.

These instructions assume you do NOT already have an account with Peoples Trust. It’s shorter and faster if you already have an investment with them.

Buying a GIC Online from Peoples Trust for Your RRSP

Go to their website at http://www.peoplestrust.com/high-interest-accounts/rrsp-accounts/rrsp-gic/

Click on the link called Click here to open your account now.

Step 1 The Product Information Page

  1. From the drop-down list click to select the answer to Are you an existing Peoples Trust client?
    I selected No.
  2. From the drop-down list, choose the product you wish to buy.
    I selected RRSP.
  3. From the drop-down list, choose how long you want to invest your money in the GIC. NOTE: It can not be cashed before the end of the term.
    I selected 1 year.
    The Rate box will show you the rate for that choice.
  4. In the Amount box, type how much you want to invest in the GIC. The minimum is $1000.
  5. Click on the Next button.

Step 2 The Contact Information Page

  1. Click to select the button beside the title you prefer such as Mr. or Dr.
  2. Type to fill in the following fields:
    • First Name
    • Initial
    • Last Name
    • Street Address
    • Suite
    • City
    • Postal Code
    • Home Telephone
    • Business Telephone
    • Email Address
    • Social Insurance Number
    • Occupation
  3. And from the drop-down lists select the appropriate answer for
    • Province
    • Date of Birth
    • Gender

Designating Your RRSP Beneficiary

  1. Click to select the option “Yes, I would like to designate a beneficiary to this plan.
  2. Type in the appropriate information in the text fields for
    • Beneficiary First Name
    • Beneficiary Middle Name
    • Beneficiary Last Name
    • Relationship to Account Holder
  3. Then read and if acceptable, click to select the box beside the message:
    “I hereby designate the above as my elected Beneficiary to the said Plan, whereby the Beneficiary will be entitled to all payments and benefits payable hereof in the event of my death. I hereby revoke any previous Beneficiary designated by me and shall ensure this designation is legal and binding pursuant to the applicable Provincial Territories and Federal Laws of Canada, while reserving the right to cancel this designation under the terms and conditions governing the plan.”
  4. ONLY if the contribution is for a Spousal RRSP, click to select “Yes, please include my spouse in my contribution plan.”
  5. Click on the Next button.

Step 3 The Legal Verification Page

The Citizenship and Residency Section

  1. Click to confirm you reside in Canada, the US or Other as appropriate.
  2. If you live in the US please provide your TIN by typing it in the field.
  3. Click to select Yes or No to answer the question Are you a U.S. citizen.

The Third Party Information Section

From the drop-down list, select to confirm whether or not anyone else will benefit from this RRSP contribution.

Note: they are worried about some person hiring or forcing you to “launder” money from illegal activities. Most people will be answering No to this question. It doesn’t mean will your spouse be happy, etc.

The Politically Exposed Person Section
Answer the Yes No question about how important you and your family are in the government, politics and military.

The Intended Use of Account Section

Click to select Retirement.

The Identification Verification Section
Click if you agree to permit Peoples Trust to check your id and credit rating.

Click on the Next button.

  1. Step 4 The Payment Information Page
    You can pay for your RRSP GIC by cheque or by transferring money from another RRSP at another institution.
  2. Click to select your method of payment.
  3. Click on the icon beside Terms and Conditions to review the terms and conditions.
    If they are acceptable, click on the box beside: I agree to Terms & Conditions
  4. Type the Captcha code in the text field.
  5. Click on the Preview button.
  6. If it all looks ok, click on the Finish button.
  7. Write down your deposit confirmation number.

You’ll now need to mail in your cheque or your RRSP transfer form to fund the purchase of the GIC.

The instructions say to make the cheque payable to yourself. I was surprised by that, but the Peoples Trust service representative confirmed it’s correct when I phoned and asked.

Write your deposit confirmation number on the front of your cheque to make it faster.

Mail the cheque to the address provided on the screen. On February 27 2015 this was:

Peoples Trust Company
1400-888 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3K4

Disclaimer: I have not personally purchased a GIC from Peoples Trust, yet.

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Do you use Peoples Trust for your TFSA or RRSP GICs? Please share your experiences with a comment.