More than One Out of Four Quebec Investors Invests Independently According to National Bank Direct Brokerage Survey

MONTREAL, Feb. 6, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ -

• 28% of Quebec investors do some or all of their investing through a direct brokerage institution. Five years from now, this percentage is expected to climb to 35% of respondents surveyed.
• 80% of self-directed investors are considered "hybrid," i.e., they manage part of their assets themselves and entrust another portion to a professional.

Based on a survey conducted for National Bank Direct Brokerage, do-it-yourself investing is more popular than ever! More than a quarter of Quebec investors (28%) manage all or part of their assets themselves. Five years from now, this percentage is expected to climb to 35% of Quebec investors.

This percentage is even higher among 18-34 year olds as more than a third (38%) of Quebec investors in this age group invest independently. In addition, nearly half of these individuals (47%) expect to be managing their assets themselves five years from now.

Over half of self-directed investors (56%) started less than 5 years ago: an indication that it is not just active traders who are interested in direct brokerage, but also investors who are looking for more control, independence and freedom. Furthermore, independent investing does not appear to be a passing fad: 76% of self-directed investors plan to maintain or increase their level of do-it-yourself investing over the next 5 years.

The vast majority of self-directed investors want to continue doing business with a financial professional as well. Survey results also show that 80% of self-directed investors are considered "hybrid," i.e., they manage part of their assets themselves and entrust the other part to a professional.

According to the study, the most important thing for self-directed investors is to stay informed. Almost all do-it-yourself investors (96%) consult several sources of information before investing. These sources include:

• Financial websites (consulted by 54% of self-directed investors)
• Financial advisors (consulted by 37% of self-directed investors)
• Newspapers, magazines and other publications (consulted by 34% of self-directed investors)

The results of this report stem from an online survey fielded by Extract Recherche Marketing between October 18 and November 4, 2013, with a sample of 1,184 Quebec residents 18 years and older. Overall results for a probability sample of this size would be accurate +/- 2.8 %, 19 times out of 20.

About National Bank Direct Brokerage
National Bank Direct Brokerage is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Bank of Canada. National Bank Direct Brokerage Inc. offers no advice and gives no investment recommendations. The client alone is responsible for the financial and tax consequences of his or her investment decisions. National Bank Direct Brokerage is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

About National Bank of Canada
With $188 billion in assets as at October 31, 2013, National Bank of Canada (www.nbc.ca) together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups, and has been named among the 20 strongest banks in the world by Bloomberg Markets magazine. The Bank has close to 20,000 employees and is widely recognized as a top employer. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank's activities via social media and learn more about its extensive community involvement at clearfacts.ca and commitment.nationalbank.ca.

SOURCE: National Bank of Canada

(The telephone number provided below is for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives.)

Marie-Pierre Jodoin
Senior Advisor - Public Affairs
National Bank
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