Financial Businesses for sale in Canada

Map every product and province served before valuing the business. Securities, insurance, mortgage, lending and money-service activities can involve different federal, provincial or territorial regulators, registration categories and operating conditions.

Do not assume a licence or registration follows the assets or shares. Confirm change-of-control notices, regulator approval, individual registrations, minimum capital, bonding and responsible-person requirements before setting the transaction structure or closing date.

If the business is a reporting entity, review registration status, risk assessment, compliance policies, training, client identification, beneficial-ownership records, transaction reports and examination findings. Price any overdue remediation before you acquire the operation.

Reconcile every trust, custodial and operating account to client ledgers and external statements. Investigate shortages, unreconciled items, withdrawal authority, segregation controls and whether the transaction requires client consent or a new custodian agreement.

Analyse revenue by client, product, provider and adviser, including renewal dates, cancellations, trailing commissions and clawbacks. Confirm contracts can transfer and measure how much of the book depends personally on the departing owner.

Request complaint files, regulatory correspondence, privacy breaches, cyber incidents, professional-liability claims and coverage history. Confirm run-off protection for past advice and adequate insurance for the services you will provide after closing.