Michael C Ballard- Biography

Michael C. Ballard, MBA

Senior Investment Advisor

Michael C Ballard has over 30 years of experience in Wealth Management. He has held executive positions in the industry but has chosen to focus exclusively on clients. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from McGill University and a Master of Business Administration (Finance) from Concordia University.

He is an active member of his local community helping to organize community events and recreational hockey leagues.

Michael and his wife Diane have three grown children and live in Verdun, Quebec

Why do I do what I do?

Going through university I always knew I would work in finance or business but never really knew in what capacity. It was always my plan to join a large Canadian bank and build a career around what I enjoyed.

I started with a major chartered bank in retail banking shortly after graduating and held every position in a bank branch from teller to assistant branch manager in my first 2 years with the bank.

The position I enjoyed the most was called an Investment Officer, I helped clients buy Canada Savings bonds when interest rate were 10.5 %. I also helped them with RRSP contributions and term deposit renewals. I really enjoyed working with clients and helping them meet their financial needs.

One day, an existing bank customer that worked for a full service investment firm suggested I apply at his firm to become an Investment Advisor. I knew I would love the work so I wrote the exams, he hired me, I trained in New York City for one month and voila, here I am 30 years later.