Directory of Organizations - Financial Services
This category is divided into the four "pillars" of Canadian financial services:
- Banks
- Trust companies, credit unions, cooperatives and caisses populaires
- Insurance companies
- Securities
Banks
If you have a concern or problem with your bank, the first thing you should do is try to address it with your branch or service centre. A customer service representative may be able to help you. If not, you should ask to speak with a supervisor or manager.
If your situation has not been resolved to your satisfaction, you should find out what to do next within your bank. Ask a representative or manager who you should contact next.
For a list of domestic and foreign banks in Canada , please visit the Canadian Bankers Association at www.cba.ca/en/industry.asp or contact them at 1-800-263-0231.
When the problem still cannot be settled to your satisfaction, your next move is to involve your bank's ombudsman. An ombudsman's job is to help consumers resolve disputes with their bank. Below is a complete list of the Ombudsmans' offices across Canada .
AMEX Bank of Canada
Toll Free: 1-888-301-5312 |
BMO Financial (Bank of Montreal ) |
Canadian Tire Financial Services Limited |
Canadian Western Bank |
CIBC |
Citibank Canada |
CS Alterna Bank |
HSBC Bank Canada |
ING Bank of Canada |
Laurentian Bank of Canada |
National Bank of Canada |
RBC Financial (Royal Bank of Canada) |
Scotiabank (The Bank of Nova Scotia) |
Toronto Dominion Bank |
If you are unable to resolve your complaint directly with your bank's ombudsman, you may contact the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI). The OBSI is an independent body that investigates complaints from individuals and small business about banking services. Its objective is to provide impartial and prompt resolution of complaints.
Ombudsman for Banking
Services and Investments (OBSI)
P.O. Box 896 , Station Adelaide
Toronto ON M5C 2A1
Tel.: (416) 287-2877
Toll Free: 1-888-451-4519
Fax: (416) 225-4722
Toll Free: 1-888-422-2865
Email: ombudsman@obsi.ca
Website: www.obsi.ca
Self-regulation and Government Regulation of Banks
The Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) develops industry standards and provides a forum for dialogue between the banks and the public. Services include tips on protecting your credit cards and fraud identification for Visa and Mastercard.
PO Box 348
Commerce Court West
30th Floor, 199 Bay Street
Toronto ON M5L 1G2
Tel.: (416) 362-6092
Toll Free: 1-800-263-0231
Fax: (416) 362-7705
Email: inform@cba.ca
Website: www.cba.ca
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) works to protect and educate consumers in the area of financial services, providing consumer information and overseeing financial institutions to ensure that they comply with federal consumer protection measures, including legislation.
6th Floor, 427 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa , Ontario K1R 1B9
Tel.: (613) 996-5454
Toll free: 1-866-461-FCAC (3222)
Fax: (613) 941-1436
Toll free: 1-866-814-2224
Website: www.fcac.gc.ca
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) is the primary regulator of federal financial institutions and pension plans. Its mission is to safeguard policyholders, depositors and pension plan members from undue loss.
National Headquarters
255 Albert Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H2
Tel.: (613) 990-7788
Toll free: 1-800-385-8647
TTY: (613) 943-3980
Fax: (613) 990-5591
Website: www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca
Trust Companies, Credit Unions, Cooperatives and Caisses Populaires
If you have a problem with your financial institution, try to resolve it within your branch. If you cannot resolve your problem, contact one of the government regulators listed below.
Alberta |
British Columbia |
Manitoba |
New Brunswick |
Newfoundland and Labrador |
Northwest Territories |
Nova Scotia |
Nunavut |
Ontario |
Prince Edward Island |
Quebec |
Saskatchewan |
Yukon |
Insurance
When you have a problem, first talk with your insurance agent or broker. Then, if you still need help, you may wish to consider contacting an appropriate industry association or your provincial or territorial insurance regulator.
Industry Associations
Life and Disability Insurance
Canadian Life and Health
Insurance Association Inc.
Suite 1700, 1 Queen Street East
Toronto ON M5C 2X9
Tel.: (416) 777-2221
Fax: (416) 777-1895
Website: www.clhia.ca
Suite 630, 1001 Maisonneuve Blvd. West
Montreal QC H3A 3C8
Tel.: (514) 845-9004
Fax: (514) 845-6182
Suite 400 , 46 Elgin Street
Ottawa , ON K1P 5K6
Tel.: (613) 230-0031
Fax: (613) 230-0297
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) - Head Office
Suite 1900, 151 Yonge Street
Toronto ON M5C 2W7
Tel.: (416) 362-2031
Toll free: 1-800-387-2880
Fax: (416) 361-5952
Email: consumercentre@ibc.ca
Website: www.ibc.ca
Regional Offices
IBC Atlantic Provinces |
IBC British Columbia and Yukon |
IBC Ontario Region |
IBC Prairies, Northwest Territories and
Nunavut |
IBC Quebec Region |
Provincial and Territorial Insurance Regulatory Bodies
Alberta
Toronto Dominion Tower
Life Plaza |
Manitoba |
Newfoundland and Labrador |
Ontario |
Prince Edward Island |
Saskatchewan
Superintendent of Insurance For complaints against agents and brokers in Saskatchewan :
General Insurance Council of Saskatchewan |
Yukon |
|
Securities
Before purchasing securities (i.e. stocks, bonds and mutual funds), you may wish to seek out information and advice. The following groups should be able to answer your questions for you.
ADVOCIS, The Financial Advisors Association of CanadaThe Association can explain the role of a financial planner and give advice on choosing an appropriate planner.
350 Bloor Street East
Toronto ON M4W 3W8
Tel.: (416) 444-5251
Toll free: 1-800-563-5822
Fax: (416) 444-8031
Email: info@advocis.ca
Website: www.advocis.ca
The Institute is the national association of the investment funds industry. Its responsibilities include broadening public awareness and understanding of mutual funds and the overall investment funds industry. It administers mutual fund education courses.
5th Floor, 151 Yonge Street
Toronto ON M5C 2W7
Tel.: 416) 363-2158
Toll Free: 1-888-865-4342
Fax: (416) 861-9937
Website: www.ific.ca
Suite 1800 , 1010 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal QC H3A 2R7
Tel.: (514) 985-7025
Fax: (514) 985-5113
The Centre is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing non-promotional investment materials. It issues publications, holds seminars and has a resource centre, and answers questions concerning investors, bonds, stocks, capital and the market system.
CSI
15th Floor, 121 King Street West
Toronto ON M5H 3T9
Tel.: 1-866-866-2601
Email: customer_support@csi.ca
Website: www.investorlearning.ca
Every province has a securities commission to administer and enforce securities legislation. Their mandates include protecting investors from unfair, improper and fraudulent practices. Complaints can be sent to the commissions. Given the confidential nature of the complaint, some Commissions request complaints be sent in hard copy rather than electronically.
Alberta Note: In Alberta , to be connected to provincial government offices toll free, dial 310-0000 and follow the instructions. |
British Columbia |
Manitoba |
New Brunswick |
Newfoundland and Labrador |
Northwest Territories |
Nova Scotia |
Nunavut |
Ontario |
Prince Edward Island |
Quebec |
Saskatchewan |
Yukon |