Tri-City investors seeking shelter from roller coaster markets have somewhere to go to share war stories and get the latest information about new investment opportunities.
It's the TD Waterhouse Investors Centre inside the TD Canada Trust Branch at 1140 Johnson St. across from Coquitlam Town Centre. Aside from being comfortable and open to visitors, the centre offers investors access to WebBroker trading centre kiosks, investment research and specialty publications.
In a few weeks, a ticker-tape style announcement board will go up both inside and outside the office showing the latest market developments, including the value of Google and Apple for all those tech stock watchers. Several seminars are also planned to give both new and experienced investors the latest in market research and investment options.
Self-directed investors will appreciate the opportunity to get the latest market developments, make stock purchases on line or over the phone or they can meet with financial planners and advisors to get one on one support.
But you don't have to bank with TD to take advantage, says business development manager Bruce Hansen.
"It's (a place) to get educated and information, and (for) getting comfortable about many of the investment opportunities," Hansen explained.
The one-stop shop where people can meet and talk about markets and investment seems to go against the trend of the warrior day-trader sitting alone in a darkened office in front of a glowing screen watching stock prices rise and fall.
Human Alghabi, senior regional manage for TD Waterhouse in Western Canada, said people are hungry for information especially when markets are volatile.
"It's a misconception that you have to do this by yourself. This is a place for like-minded investors to share ideas," Alghabi said.
He's hoping that the opening of the new Investor's Centre will create a buzz while also demystifying the market for people. The open concept plan of the newly-renovated TD Bank is supposed to make people feel more at home and more comfortable talking about their finances, and so far that seems to be happening.
"It's really the comfort factor of what a lot of investors are looking for," he said.
Being informed is also critical for investors and the TD Waterhouse seminars have been well attended since they were introduced a few weeks ago. The seminars are free and cover topics ranging from how to use TD's WebBroker, to information about types of investment, including the popular Exchange Traded Funds, called ETF's.
Hansen and Alghabi say education has always been a key commitment for TD Waterhouse and the Investors Centre is one of many initiatives in recent years. "I think it's been a huge tool for investors," Hansen said.
An upcoming presentation on ETF's is planned for March 8 at 6 p.m. email [email protected] for more information.
The center is wheelchair accessible and open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information please visit www.tdwaterhouse.ca or call 604-927-5761.
