Richardson Partners Financial

Perhaps now isn’t the best time to start reviewing investment bankers and mutual funds, but what the hell. Richardson Partners seem to fit the old-​money mould, and aren’t too good on the personal, one-​on-​one interaction with investors (maybe bigger accounts get more attention; once I make my first million, I’ll let you know). They do like to send a lot of paper reports, though.
I was at their fancy Bay Street offices once for an investor schmoozing function, where I got to enjoy free wine and stuff my face on sushi, as well as take a look at their corporate collection of Canadian art. The clientele appeared to be mostly retirees who were impressed by the spread («Careful with that green stuff, it’s hot!»). I just couldn’t help wondering how much of this was coming out of the MER.