CSI Updated IFC Exam Questions and Answers by avery

New taxes on foreign direct investment increase the cost of investing in a country, making it less attractive for foreign capital and likely causing capital outflows. The feedback from the document explains:

"Capital moves in and out of a country based on a variety of risk factors. Increased trade barriers or increased taxes on foreign investments would typically reduce the attractiveness of a country for foreign investment. (a), (c), and (d) would all indicate positive trends in a risk factor analysis."

The element of the Know Your Client (KYC) information that Malik has been able to learn is Charlotte’s risk preference. KYC information is a collection of personal and financial information that registered firms and individuals must obtain from their clients before providing any investment advice or services. KYC information helps registered firms and individuals understand their clients’ needs, goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and personal circumstances, as well as comply with regulatory obligations such as suitability, disclosure, and reporting. One of the components of KYC information is risk preference, which is a measure of how much risk an investor is willing to take on in their portfolio. It reflects the investor’s attitude, personality, and emotional factors that influence their investment decisions. Risk preference can be classified into three categories: risk-seeking, risk-averse, or risk-neutral. Based on Charlotte’s statement that she does not know much about trading ETFs, but she wants to invest in ETFs, and that she feels fortunate to have this money and that she’s not worried about losing it because she never planned on having any of it, Malik can infer that Charlotte has a high-risk preference or a risk-seeking attitude. This means that Charlotte is willing to take on more risk in exchange for higher potential returns, even if it means losing some or all of her money. Therefore, option C is correct regarding what element of KYC information Malik has been able to learn. The other options are not correct regarding what element of KYC information Malik has been able to learn. Option A is false because risk profile is not an element of KYC information; rather, it is an outcome of KYC information that summarizes the investor’s overall suitability for different types of investments based on their KYC information. Option B is false because risk capacity is not an element of KYC information; rather, it is a measure of how much risk an investor can afford to take on in their portfolio based on their financial situation and goals. Option D is false because risk tolerance is not an element of KYC information; rather, it is a measure of how much risk an investor can handle in their portfolio without losing sleep or changing their plans. References: [Know Your Client (KYC) | IFIC], [Know Your Client (KYC) | GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca], [Risk Preference | Investopedia]

Your client, James, would like to work beyond the normal retirement age. He comes to you for advice on his registered retirement savings plan (RRSP). What are the rules regarding terminating an RRSP?

James must terminate the plan by the end of the year he turns 65.

James must terminate the plan by the end of the year he turns 67.

James must terminate the plan by the end of the year he turns 70.

James must terminate the plan by the end of the year he turns 71.

Answer: D

According to the Canadian Investment Funds Course, an RRSP is a retirement savings plan that allows individuals to defer taxes on their contributions and investment income until they withdraw the funds. However, an RRSP cannot be held indefinitely and must be terminated by the end of the year the annuitant turns 71. At that point, the annuitant has three options to withdraw the funds from the RRSP:

Make a lump-sum withdrawal, which is subject to withholding tax and income tax.

Convert the RRSP to a registered retirement income fund (RRIF), which provides a steady stream of income with a minimum amount that must be withdrawn each year.

Purchase an annuity, which offers a guaranteed income for life or for a specified period.

 1: Canadian Investment Funds Course - IFSE Institute 2 (Unit 9: Retirement)

This question would give you the most information regarding your client’s familiarity with investing because it tests their basic knowledge of one of the fundamental concepts in finance. The relationship between risk and return is the trade-off that investors face when choosing between different investments. Generally, the higher the risk, the higher the expected return, and vice versa. A client who understands this relationship would be able to evaluate the potential outcomes and costs of their investment decisions and choose the ones that match their risk tolerance and return objectives. A client who does not understand this relationship might have unrealistic expectations or make unsuitable choices.

References = Risk-Return Tradeoff Definition - Investopedia, Risk and Return - Corporate Finance Institute, Risk and Return: An Introduction - Morningstar

Fixed-income securities, including mortgage funds, decrease in value when interest rates rise because existing mortgages with lower rates become less attractive compared to new, higher-yielding mortgages. The feedback from the document states:

"Fixed-income securities move in the opposite direction to market interest rates… Let’s assume you are the fund manager for a mortgage mutual fund, which has mortgages paying 5%. If mortgage rates suddenly increase to 6%, only the interest rates on newly negotiated mortgages would increase… The investor would not pay you par for a 5% rate. If you wished to sell the mortgages, then you would have to lower your price until the price paid—given the 5% fixed payments to be made—results in a return to the buyer of 6%, the ‘going rate’ on mortgages. In other words, the market value of your par value mortgages must fall."