The Investment Function of Canadian Financial Institutions

Except in certain broad areas, law has a limited role to play in shaping the behavior of that most important kind of business-financial institutions. Law can set certain standards for fair dealing in relation to investors and those who are served by financial institutions. But, when it comes to setting the parameters for the conduct of investment functions, the pressures of competition, the drive to attract investors and consumers very often gathers its own force which can blunt public policy. For Canadian financial institutions today the lines are indeed blurred between banks, life insurance companies, mutual funds and trust companies. But, then they were beginning to be blurred when this book was first written.