TORONTO, April 30, 2020 /CNW/ - CI Financial Corp. ("CI") (TSX: CIX) is pleased to announce the launch of the Be Well-Advised program, which will provide free financial advice to Canadians experiencing financial hardship through advisors with Assante Wealth Management (Canada) Ltd. ("Assante"). This initiative is entirely volunteer-led with Assante advisors donating their time to listen and deliver guidance to those affected by the current economic turmoil.

Assante advisors will be supported by resources from across CI – specialists in retirement, taxation, accounting, and estate planning from the Wealth Planning Group, a division of CI Private Counsel LP, and CI Tax, Retirement and Estate Planning, a division of CI Investments Inc.

"Within hours of putting out the call to our advisors, we had more than 80 volunteers signed up wanting to help," said Sean Etherington, President of Assante. "We believe that now, more than ever, access to financial advice is essential in navigating the many hurdles facing Canadians, whether it's job losses, health setbacks or understanding government programs."

The Be Well-Advised program will operate across the country with the goal of helping Canadians who do not normally have access to professional advice and have specific questions they want to address. Through one-on-one sessions, Assante advisors will answer questions, offer guidance and most importantly, help their communities. Members of the Wealth Planning Group will also be available to offer support wherever needed. There is absolutely no expectation from participants to enter into a full-time financial planning agreement following their participation in the Be Well-Advised program.

CI has also been helping Canadians manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by making donations to Canada's most impoverished communities, where many people and families are struggling during these unprecedented times. These donations are being facilitated by Second Harvest, which is a food rescue organization that collects fresh, surplus food and delivers it to social services agencies for distribution to people in need.

"I have been incredibly impressed with how CI employees and advisors have responded to COVID-19, whether it's going the extra mile to support our clients, working seamlessly and collaboratively in a remote working environment, or giving back to communities and people in need," said Kurt MacAlpine, Chief Executive Officer of CI. "This speaks to the quality and dedication of our people."

For information on accessing the Be Well-Advised program, please visit Assante.com/be-well-advised.

About CI Financial
CI Financial Corp. (TSX: CIX) is an independent company offering global asset management and wealth management advisory services. Its primary operating businesses are CI Investments Inc., Assante Wealth Management (Canada) Ltd., CI Private Counsel LP, GSFM Pty Ltd. of Australia, WealthBar Financial Services Inc., BBS Securities Inc. and Surevest Wealth Management of Phoenix. Further information is available at www.cifinancial.com.

About Assante Wealth Management
Founded in 1995, Assante Wealth Management is one of Canada's largest firms providing wealth management solutions. Our 830 professional advisors, located in communities throughout the country, have approximately $43 billion of Canadians' family wealth under their care. Assante provides its clients with a complete approach to planning that incorporates all aspects of their financial lives – combining investment management with financial, estate, tax and insurance planning.

SOURCE Assante Wealth Management

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