At BlueShore Financial, we provide access to “robo” or “digital” investing through our VirtualWealth platform for those clients who want a simple, low-cost, online option to build their wealth without spending time selecting, monitoring and rebalancing their investments.

And unlike many robo platforms, ours is a “hybrid” advice model, combining the ease and convenience of robo investment with a dedicated advisor to help you make sure your savings plans stay on track.

Getting started is quick and easy. Tell us a little about yourself, decide how much to invest, and through our online goal-based questionnaire we’ll help you choose the investment portfolios that matches your needs, timeline and comfort zone for risk.

It’s all in the mix

Investing success in large part depends on asset allocation and diversification – holding a strategic mix of investments from different industries and economic regions. With VirtualWealth, your money is invested in Canadian, U.S. and global stocks and bonds through the use of ETFs (exchange-traded funds) or Responsible Investing mutual fund portfolios.

Both options are low-cost, diversified and efficient investments for your portfolio. Account types include non-registered, TFSA, RRSP, RESP, RRIF and more.

Pay less, save more

With VirtualWealth, you pay a low fee, based on a percentage of your assets, providing both portfolio management and service (advice). And for non-registered accounts, the fee may be tax deductible (consult your tax specialist). A lower fee means you keep more of your money invested, so you save more and reach your goals faster.

There’s no minimum dollar amount required to open a VirtualWealth account; as soon as your cash balance reaches $2,000 it is automatically invested in the portfolio that is suited to your needs.

Clear insights

Straightforward account information is always available online. You can track your progress, see all account activity, and update your personal information. When you have questions, knowledgeable support from a licensed BlueShore representative is available by phone or email.

When is robo-advice the right choice?

As a general rule of thumb, robo-advice services are a good low-cost solution for investors who are starting to build their portfolios. However, digital-only robo solutions do put the onus on investors to make sure they remember to contribute to their investments, increase their contributions over time, and avoid selling low and buying high.

What they don’t provide is financial planning assistance and proactive, expert advice on how to deal with market volatility – so “hybrid” robo investing with the benefit of access to an accredited advisor can educate and guide you to where you want to be with your money, and help to keep you on track to reach your goals.

For those who value a knowledgeable financial partner who is proactive in looking for your interests, building a relationship with an advisor may be the preferred option.

Robo-Advice Investing FAQs

What is 'robo advice' or 'digital advice'?

It's an online investing service to help you reach your financial goals. It's simple and easy to use, so you don't need to spend a lot of time making decisions about your investments. An interactive questionnaire matches you with a smart, well-diversified portfolio designed around your goals. Your investments are continuously monitored, and if market forces shift your asset allocation, your portfolio is automatically rebalanced so it always stays aligned with your target mix.

Who is VirtualWealth?

VirtualWealth is an automated investing service that takes the most time consuming aspects of investing –researching stocks, building a portfolio, monitoring its performance, and rebalancing – and packages them in an easy and convenient online service that anyone can use, regardless of investing knowledge or experience. Simply take our investing questionnaire to set your goals, invest your funds and let VirtualWealth do the rest. VirtualWealth is a trade name of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc., which is a division of Aviso Wealth.

Aviso Wealth is a national, integrated financial services company. We serve the wealth management needs of virtually all of Canada's credit unions, as well as a range of independent financial organizations.

Where are my investments held?

VirtualWealth is part of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc., which is where your money is held. Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund, which protects investors from losses should their brokerage become insolvent.

Is my money safe?

As a VirtualWealth client, your money is in good hands. VirtualWealth is part of Aviso Wealth, a national, integrated financial services company with decades of experience, which is a trusted partner to hundreds of credit unions and independent financial institutions across Canada.

Aviso Wealth is owned by the provincial credit union Centrals, CUMIS and Desjardins. VirtualWealth accounts are protected by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. The CIPF protects assets and cash you have invested up to $1 million in case of the bankruptcy of a member firm.

Who regulates or oversees VirtualWealth?

VirtualWealth is part of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc., which is a Member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). In Canada, regulation of the securities industry is carried out by provincial securities commissions and self-regulatory organizations (SROs), which includes IIROC. IIROC monitors client complaints and disciplinary matters to proactively identify emerging regulatory issues at Member firms. When you open an account, VirtualWealth will provide you with a copy of the IIROC brochures “How IIROC Protects Investors” and “An Investor's Guide to Making a Complaint.”

How much does VirtualWealth cost?

A transparent fee will be collected from your account quarterly that covers professional portfolio management, oversight and rebalancing, trading fees and account reporting as well as support from a team of Virtual Wealth representatives and your BlueShore advisor.

How does VirtualWealth recognize the accounts in my household?

VirtualWealth will automatically group together all accounts with the same residential address to aggregate the value of the assets, ensuring you pay the lowest available fee.

Are VirtualWealth fees tax deductible?

Fees charged may be tax deductible for non-registered accounts. (Please consult your tax professional for advice specific to you.)

Is there a minimum amount that I must have to open an account?

There is no minimum amount to open a VirtualWealth account. Once your cash balance reaches a minimum $2,000, it is automatically invested in the portfolio that is suited to your needs.

How can I add money to my account?

Adding money to your account is easy. You can use Electronic Funds Transfer (upload a void cheque image), bill payment from your BlueShore account or transfer in cash from another investment account. And you can set up automatic monthly contributions to ensure you save and invest regularly.

What does VirtualWealth invest in?

Through Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Mutual Fund products, VirtualWealth invests in hundreds of companies worldwide. The investments in the portfolios include a mix of everything from small Canadian companies to big brands that everyone knows. The portfolios are diversified across geographies, industries and sectors, so they are always well balanced.

What is Responsible Investing (RI)?

Responsible Investing (RI) is a strategy that incorporates an analysis of a company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact into the investment decision-making process. By performing traditional and ESG analysis, portfolio managers are able to select investments that provide sustainable value and reduced risk. All while supporting companies that are aligned with their investors’ values.

What is ESG?

ESG refers to an organization’s Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance performance. How a company performs in these areas often has a direct link to how it performs for its investors. By analyzing what environmental, social or governance risks a company faces, fund managers can engage with companies to help them avoid costly mistakes, or they can avoid investing in them altogether.

What is the difference between VirtualWealth and VirtualWealth RI?

VirtualWealth uses ETFs to invest across the market, building diversified portfolios that include a wide variety of organizations. VirtualWealth RI invests with portfolio managers that analyze how companies perform on ESG criteria to create diverse, responsible portfolios.

What is an asset allocation and why does it matter?

Asset allocation refers to the specific proportion of different types of investments in your portfolio, such as stocks, bonds and cash instruments. Investing success largely depends on asset allocation and diversification, which includes holding a mix of assets from different industries and economic regions. Because investments within these industries and regions do not move in lock step, combining them in portfolios can help provide exposure to upside, while limiting volatility and downside exposure.

What is 'rebalancing' and why is it important for my portfolio?

Over time, your contributions or withdrawals, along with the ups and downs of the market, can cause the asset allocation in your portfolio to stray from its original target. If it strays too far, it may no longer reflect your goals or your personal tolerance for risk. Rebalancing means periodically buying and/or selling holdings to restore the target asset allocation. VirtualWealth continuously reviews your portfolio and automatically rebalances any asset classes that drift beyond their prescribed thresholds.

What happens if my goals or risk tolerance change?

We encourage you to update us if, at any point, your financial circumstances, investment objectives or your personal risk tolerance change. We'll review your new profile and, if appropriate, propose adjustments. Once you confirm the new proposal, we'll reallocate your portfolio to fit your new profile.

How can I track my performance?

Your portfolio performance is shown on the home page dashboard when you log in and from there you can easily see your account performance and activity.

Is there a mobile app?

Yes! There is an easy-to-use mobile app available through the App Store and Google Play Store.

How do I get started to open a VirtualWealth account?

Call our Solution Centre at 604.982.8000 (1.888.713.6728) and one of our Associates will talk you through the set-up process and send you the referral link you need to answer the goals-based online questionnaire that is used to identify your savings goals and risk tolerance. You then upload the required ID documents (scanned images) and provide your eSignature online. You fund the account using Electronic Funds Transfer (upload a void cheque image) or online bill payment.