It was another 365 (we mean 366 – hello leap year!) days of investor education from the BC Securities Commission (BCSC). From a new investing resource designed specifically for women to the latest information on using artificial intelligence for investing, we’ve continued to help British Columbians navigate the ever-evolving world of investing.
Here’s a look back at our 2024 activities.
Women and Investing
In a stride towards fostering investment empowerment, we launched a resource designed for women – a comprehensive guide to investing, appropriately dubbed Women and Investing.
This online guide provides unbiased, research-backed information that aims to not only bridge the gender investment gap but also instill confidence in women when it comes to making informed investment decisions.
Women and Investing covers the following topics:
- Investing and saving
- Understanding investment goals
- Retirement
- Diversification
- Working with a registered investment advisor
- Using a robo-advisor or doing it on your own through self-directed investing
We also hosted our first investing masterclass this year – the Women and Investing Masterclass. In just 40 minutes, you can gain the knowledge and confidence to successfully navigate the world of investing. Watch now.
Reject Elder Financial Abuse
Every June, the BCSC recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), but elder financial abuse can occur anytime. Understanding the severity of elder financial abuse – especially in a world where financial abuse is on the rise – is a critical first step to protecting seniors in BC.
Read this article to learn about important facts and empower yourself to recognize the signs of elder financial abuse.
New Research on Self-directed Investors
The BCSC commissioned a national survey of Canadian investors to better understand the attitudes, behaviours, and trends of self-directed or self-managed investors (also known as do-it-yourself or DIY investors). The study focused on how self-directed investors differ from those who work with advisors, how they research investment opportunities, and the influence and role of social media in their decision-making. While self-directed investing is growing, the findings show that it’s catching on faster with younger and newer investors.
Read about the detailed findings.
AI Resources
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a type of computer technology that aims to mimic human-like reasoning. AI is creating new opportunities in many fields, including investing.
AI is attracting interest from investment professionals because it can analyze huge amounts of data quickly, enabling it to assist with researching and picking stocks, predicting market trends, optimizing investment portfolios, managing risks, and building custom portfolios based on an investor’s preferences and risk tolerance. But it’s crucial to remember AI investment tools are just software, not magic. Be cautious about using AI-generated information for investment decisions.
The BCSC wants British Columbians to empower themselves with the information they need to spot AI-related investment scams and other online investment fraud. Learn about AI-related scams.
We encourage investors to inform themselves about AI investing before using it as a part of their investing strategy. Learn about AI and the steps you should take when using AI for investing.
Join us on Instagram
Last year, we launched our Instagram account, @BCSC_InvestRight. This was a step forward in our efforts to connect directly with British Columbians on a platform our research shows they already use to get information. In case you missed it, below are our top posts from the past year.
Explain it Like I’m 5 (ELI5)
Our ELI5 series was created to break down investment related topics in a simple, easy-to-understand way. You can also find these on YouTube Shorts!
Mining Gold with Vicki Yehl
This video was a fun and educational way for the BCSC’s Manager of Mining, Vicki Yehl, to showcase a gold collection and educate our followers on the BCSC’s role in mining and mineral exploration regulation in BC.
Q&A
With the help of subject matter experts, we compiled two Q&As this year on two very important topics. Sammy Wu answered audience questions on pig butchering scams, including the origin of the name, its recent rise, and how investors can stay protected. Our next Q&A was on the BCSC’s Whistleblower Program. Nicola Pfeifer answered questions about how the program works, how tipsters can get paid, and more.
If you’re not following us yet – what are you waiting for? Find us at @BCSC_InvestRight. Thanks for engaging with us on Instagram, and keep an eye out for more exciting content next year.
Report a Concern
If you have any concerns about a person or company offering an investment opportunity, please contact BCSC Contact Centre at 604-899-6854 or 1-800-373-6393, or through email at [email protected]. You can also file a complaint or submit a tip using the BCSC’s online complaint form.
InvestRight.org is the BC Securities Commission’s investor education website. Subscribe to receive email updates from BCSC InvestRight.
