GRANT WHITE

GRANT WHITE
Investment advisor
National Bank Financial

In Winnipeg, the White name holds some weight in the business community, to say the least. The family has owned and operated different companies in Manitoba’s capital since the 1930s. In more recent years, that acumen has transferred specifically into wealth management and planning, and Grant White now represents the lineage as an advisor with National Bank Financial. Given his background, it’s not surprising that White takes the role very seriously and expects those in the industry to follow suit.   

“The biggest challenge we face is developing the reputation of the profession itself,” he says. “I don’t think advisors get the respect we deserve, but at the same time, I do think we have done that to ourselves. We really need to work on building the optics of our profession.” 
Stints with Rogers, BMO Nesbitt Burns and Wellington West eventually led White to National Bank Financial, where he was named Rookie of the Year in 2013 as he built a solid client base. Now with 10 years of industry experience behind him, White has become well-versed in the intricacies of wealth management and financial planning; for him, convergence has been the main difference since he broke into the industry a decade ago.  

“The main change I’ve seen is a greater push toward a comprehensive wealth management approach –providing full financial services like tax planning, estate planning, and really taking a look at a clients’ overall financial situation and offering advice for their needs,” he says. “Our team is structured here to manage all the needs a business owner or professional may have.” 

With $65 million in assets under management, White’s approach has clearly borne fruit, but he believes greater change is required for the industry at large to reach its full potential. Similar to many of this year’s Young Guns, the Winnipeg native welcomes the implementation of CRM2. However, he believes its provisions could and should reach even further. 

“I think the new regulations haven’t gone far enough,” he says. “I would like to see more transparency on management fees. I would like to see fees all in one place, something like a mutual fund fee. Our team here is very transparent with our clients. Certain things like deferred sales charge commissions are banned in our firm, and I would love to see that be the same right across the industry.”