Update on CI Financial’s Pandemic Response

At the CI Financial group of companies, we are committed to supporting you through this difficult time and extend our heartfelt wishes to our clients, business partners and shareholders for their good health and safety.

CI has seamlessly transitioned to this new environment and, as an essential service, all aspects of our business continue to operate. CI was prepared with a robust pandemic response plan – which we began implementing in February – that allowed us to move quickly to protect the health of our employees, clients and business partners while continuing to operate our company. More than 95% of our corporate employees are working remotely, with technology that allows them to perform their duties effectively and collaboratively. For those staff who must be present at our offices, we have taken additional steps to support them and assist them in maintaining social distancing.

CI has equipped its investment teams with top-rated technology, allowing them to access information and research, buy and sell securities, interview corporate management teams, and take any other steps necessary to manage their portfolios while working remotely. This technology also allows our portfolio managers, analysts and traders to maintain the team dynamic that is so important in their work, and they remain focused on achieving the best possible results for investors.

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, our advisory firms – Assante Wealth Management, Stonegate Private Counsel and Surevest Wealth Management – have closed their offices to the public. However, our advisors remain available to serve and are actively reaching out to support and assist clients.

Our companies continue to process transactions in a timely manner in co-operation with our business partners. We use a number of electronic services to facilitate operations at this time, and we continue to adopt new services that will allow us to conduct even more of our business electronically, while ensuring accuracy and security.

Please continue to follow the usual procedures for obtaining information about your accounts and services with us, whether that’s through your advisor, our client services teams, or our online services.

In addition, with the extreme volatility on global financial markets in response to the pandemic, CI firms have been diligent in providing regular updates, analysis and other commentary to our clients. These include:

• The CI Investments Coronavirus Updates page, with commentary from portfolio managers and other resources
• Assante’s Wealth Matters and COVID-19 Updates page, with investment commentary and updates on government economic response plans.

CI continues to monitor and respond to developments in Canada and globally and the actions and recommendations of government, health authorities and other institutions. We will provide further updates as necessary.

Thank you for your understanding and support.