Building Wealth

Foundations for Financial Empowerment

 

[Image of Danny Logullo and Alessia]

[Building Wealth]

[Foundations for Financial Empowerment]

[Episode 1: Introduction to Investing]

[CIBC Private Wealth Wood Gundy]

[Orfei Logullo Financial Group]

Episode 1: Introduction to Investing

Danny:

Hello everyone, welcome to our podcast Building Wealth – the Foundations for Financial Empowerment. I am Danny Logullo, Senior Wealth Advisor at the Orfei Logullo Financial Group at CIBC Wood Gundy. Over the last 20 years, I have helped individuals, families and professionals navigate their financial journeys, from building their first investment portfolios to planning for retirement and beyond. I am excited to share insights, strategies, and practical tips as we embark on this journey together.

 

Alessia:
Hi everyone, my name is Alessia, Associate Investment Advisor at CIBC Wood Gundy and I am pleased to co-host this podcast with Danny. I have been with the team for about 7 years, and I share Danny’s passion in making investing accessible and understandable for everyone—no matter where you are starting from.

Danny:

My partner, Tony Orfei, is also a Senior Wealth Advisor on our team and is an integral part of the service we provide. He brings over 30 years of experience delivering insightful advice to families and expertly managing investment portfolios through various market conditions. Our team is further supported by Jenna, Daryn, and Khurshid, dedicated associates who collaborate to ensure a meaningful client experience to address all of your financial needs.

 

Alessia

Welcome to our very first episode, Introduction to Investing! We are excited to kick off this journey with you as we start a brand new year—2026! If you have been thinking about your financial goals, now is the perfect time to take action and set yourself up for success. The “New Year, New You” mindset is prevalent & achievable right now. People are setting goals, making resolutions, and looking for ways to improve their lives, whether it’s health, career, or, of course, your finances. Starting the year with a fresh perspective on your money can really set the tone for the months ahead. Many of you may be wondering, what is investing?

 

Danny:

That is a great question Alessia, one that many individuals ask themselves when starting their financial journey. Investing is putting your money to work so it can grow over time. Instead of just saving, you are giving your money the opportunity to earn more — whether that’s through stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investment vehicles. You may also ask, why should I invest? Investing is one of the most effective ways to build wealth and achieve your goals—whether you are planning for retirement, saving for a home, or funding a child’s education. The earlier you start, the more you benefit from compounding—where your investment earnings generate their own earnings, creating a snowball effect over time. You may have heard the word compounding, but how can it work for you?

 

Alessia:

Compounding is the essence of successful investing and is often described as a powerful force in investing because the longer your time horizon, the greater its effect on your financial growth. It is the process by which investment earnings - such as interest, dividends, or capital gains —generate their own earnings over time. In other words, not only do you earn returns on your original investment, but as Danny mentioned, you also earn returns on those returns. This creates a “snowball effect,” where your wealth grows faster the longer you invest and reinvest your gains. The power of compounding means that even small, regular contributions can add up significantly over time, making it one of the most important concepts in building long-term financial growth.

 

Danny:

So, we strongly encourage you to begin investing today even if it’s a small amount on a regular basis. As Alessia said, the more time you have your investments working for you, the greater the effect of compounding – the power of compounding pays off over the long term. Our team has put together a unique piece explaining this concept, and we welcome you can reach out to us to learn more or visit our client resources center on our website. To summarize, January is such a great time to begin. Making contributions early in 2026 - whether to your RRSP, TFSA, FHSA or other accounts—gives your investments more time to grow. If you are not familiar with the specific types of accounts - we will expand and elaborate in greater detail in episodes to come.

Alessia:
As we start 2026, there are a couple of important updates to keep in mind. First, the TFSA contribution room for 2026 is $7,000. The Tax-Free Savings Account is a flexible investment account available to all Canadian residents 18 or older. It allows you to earn investment income, without having to pay tax on those earnings or subsequent withdrawals. However, a TFSA is not the only type of account you can invest your money, depending on your taxable income a RRSP may be more suitable.

Danny:
That’s right Alessia, there are many different types of accounts that you can use, and each has benefits depending on your unique circumstances. With that said, another account is the Registered Retirement Savings Plan - it is a government registered account designed to help Canadians save for retirement. Contributions you make to your RRSP are tax-deductible, which means you can reduce your taxable income for the year and potentially result in a lower tax bill or a larger tax refund. You have until the end of February to make contributions that count toward your previous tax year. This can help reduce your taxable income and boost your retirement savings at the same time. It is a great way to start the year on the right financial foot.

Alessia:
Danny, can you also use your RRSP for a first home?

Danny:

Absolutely Alessia, a RRSP can not only be used for saving for retirement but also for the purchase of your first home. We will cover this in greater detail in upcoming episodes - but the RRSP is not your only option for starting to save for your first home.

 

Alessia:

Saving for your first home can be overwhelming, however, as Danny mentioned, using the right accounts can help you achieve this goal quicker and more efficiently. In 2023, an alternative type of account called the First Home Savers Account was introduced for first home buyers to assist and incentivize young Canadians to save for their first home.

 

In addition to a RRSP or FHSA, you may also contribute to a Registered Education Savings Plan to save for a child’s post-secondary education. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to our team. We want you to know that throughout our podcast, our goal is to equip investors like you with factual information and clear understanding, so you can make the right decisions for your individual needs.

 

Danny:

No two investors are the same - investing always comes down to your goals and your unique financial picture, which can change as you move through different stages of life.

 

Alessia:

That is exactly why our series will break down the essentials:

Why you want to invest

The different types of investment accounts

The various types of investments in those accounts

And much more

 

Danny:
And do not forget, every investment carries some level of risk. Understanding the relationship between risk and reward is key to making smart decisions. We will talk more about this in future episodes.

Alessia:
We are here to make investing approachable, actionable, and tailored to your needs - no matter where you are starting from. If you are ready to take control of your financial future, now is the time to get started. Understand the importance of financial decisions you make and join us periodically as we guide you through the essentials of building wealth.

Danny:
In our next episode, we will dive right into the types of accounts we just briefly mentioned and the structural benefits of each. These are the building blocks that will set you up for success on your investment journey. Our team looks forward to providing you with tools and timely information to help build a strong financial foundation for you and your family.

Alessia:

And with that, we would like to thank you for joining us on our very first episode of Building Wealth: Foundations for Financial Empowerment. Do not forget to subscribe and start your 2026 investment journey with us!

CIBC Private Wealth consists of services provided by CIBC and certain of its subsidiaries, including CIBC Wood Gundy, a division of CIBC World Markets Inc.

 

This information, including any opinion, is based on various sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. CIBC and CIBC World Markets Inc., their affiliates, directors, officers and employees may buy, sell, or hold a position in securities of a company mentioned herein, its affiliates or subsidiaries, and may also perform financial advisory services, investment banking or other services for, or have lending or other credit relationships with the same. CIBC World Markets Inc. and its representatives may receive sales commissions and/or a spread between bid and ask prices if you purchase, sell or hold the securities referred to above. © CIBC World Markets Inc. 2026.

 

Clients are advised to seek advice regarding their particular circumstances from their personal tax and legal advisors.

 

If you are currently a CIBC Wood Gundy client, please contact your Investment Advisor.