The digital world
91%
The percentage of Canadians who have at least one social media account.1
In a survey among Canadians,
reported using online banking, and over half said it’s their most common method of banking.2Over
of Canadians spend at least 3 to 4 hours online per day. The most common online activities among Canadians are emailing, banking, using social media, accessing news and shopping.3Have you considered your digital footprint as part of your estate plans? Please read our feature article, “Redefining your estate in the digital age.”
Wills and wealth transfer
How many Canadians have an updated Will?4
For Canadians who don’t have a Will in place,
say they are “too young” to worry about it.5While over half of Canadians intend to transfer their wealth to the next generation after they pass away,
are not comfortable sharing the specific details of their plans in advance, and are not open to sharing any information at all with intended beneficiaries.6Connect with a skilled advisor
Don’t have an RBC advisor and wish to find one? Get in touch with one.For more information on aspects to consider when drafting or reviewing your Will, please see the Will checklists in this edition.
Financial knowledge
According to a recent survey, when asked who in their household regularly participates in wealth planning decisions, only
of respondents noted that their spouse or partner takes part. For respondents who said they personally don’t participate in the planning, the number-one reason given was that “ ” Another common reason was lacking the information or knowledge necessary to be involved.7(1 being not at all confident and 5 being very confident), of survey respondents scored themselves as a when it comes to their knowledge of wealth and money.8
Interested in learning more about financial literacy? Please read “Managing money: Improve your financial management skills at every life stage.”
Making an impact
52%
The percentage of Canadian consumers who look for companies that take a stand on social, cultural, environmental and political issues they feel strongly about.9
Consumers are attracted to organizations that are committed to:10
When it comes to responsible investing, Millennials (those born between 1980 and 1993) are
more likely than Baby Boomers to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions. Millennials are also more likely than Baby Boomers to exit an investment because of objectionable corporate activity on social or environmental issues.11Find out more about ESG issues and responsible investing.
References
- SOCIALscape: Canada’s definitive measurement of social media and messaging platform usage patterns. Pollara Strategic Insights, June 2018. https://www.pollara.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Pollara-SOCIALscape-2018June-Rpt.pdf.
- “How Canadians Bank.” Canadian Bankers Association, March 2019. https://cba.ca/Assets/CBA/Documents/Files/Article%20Category/PDF/SPARK-CBA-How_Candians_Bank-Infographic-2019-EN6.pdf.
- “Canada’s Internet Factbook 2019.” Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) website. Accessed July 2019. https://cira.ca/resources/corporate/factbook/canadas-internet-factbook-2019.
- “What ‘will’ happen with your assets? Half of Canadian adults say they don’t have a last will and testament.” Angus Reid Institute poll. Released January 2018. http://angusreid.org/will-and-testament/.
- Ibid.
- 2017 Wealth Transfer Report. RBC Wealth Management and Scorpio Partnership, 2017. https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/ca/en/wealth-transfer.
- RBC Wealth Management in partnership with Phoenix Marketing. Spring/Summer 2019 Survey findings. Accessed June 2019.
- Ibid.
- “Majority of Canadian consumers buying from companies that take a stand on issues they care about and ditching those that don’t Accenture study finds.” Accenture plc, January 28, 2019. https://www.accenture.com/ca-en/company-news-release-canadians-buying-companies.
- Ibid.
- “Millennials and responsible investing.” RBC Global Asset Management website. Accessed July 2019. https://www.rbcgam.com/en/ca/learn-plan/investment-strategies/millennials-and-responsible-investing/detail ; and 2016 Millennials, Women, and the Future of Responsible Investing Report. Responsible Investment Association, April 2016. https://www.riacanada.ca/research/millennials-women-and-the-future-of-responsible-investing/.