ModernAdvisor Invites Canadians to Try Online Investing With $1,000

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb. 19, 2016) - Online investment manager ModernAdvisor today announced the launch of "Springboard," a test-drive program that enables Canadians to experience online investing risk-free for three months, using $1,000 of ModernAdvisor's funds. At the end of the trial, investors could be eligible to keep any gains earned during the trial period. The program was designed to help Canadians become more comfortable using online tools to manage their investments.

ModernAdvisor expects Springboard to appeal to first-time investors and millennials who are already comfortable banking and filing taxes online, but have limited experience with investing. However, even seasoned investors -- those currently managing their own investments or who are thinking of transitioning from a traditional advisor to an online service -- may be interested in participating in a trial before making a decision.

"Springboard will help investors realize that investing with an online financial advisor is easy and convenient. It also gives them an added incentive to follow through with the investment plan they receive as part of the trial, by giving them the opportunity to benefit if the trial period goes well," said Navid Boostani, co-founder and CEO of ModernAdvisor.

ModernAdvisor designs diversified investment portfolios using low-cost exchange traded funds (ETFs) and provides automatic rebalancing in response to changing market conditions. Proprietary technology also allows ModernAdvisor to keep their fees low, ranging between 0.35 per cent to 0.50 per cent a year, or less than a third of what an investor might pay for a typical mutual fund through a traditional advisor.

"Until recently, high-quality investment management was a privilege only available to wealthy individuals," added Boostani. "Our technology allows us to offer sophisticated investment management at an exceptionally low cost to clients with as little as $1,000 to invest. This allows us to fill in a large gap and serve a larger market."

Springboard is being offered on an ongoing basis. Space is limited within the program, which can support up to 250 users at any point. For more information on the program, visit http://modernadvisor.ca/springboard.

About ModernAdvisor

ModernAdvisor is an online investment management platform helping Canadians reach their investment goals, and the first to offer responsible investing portfolio options based on ESG (environmental, social, governance) principles. ModernAdvisor is registered in all Canadian provinces and the Northwest Territories.

ModernAdvisor's mission is to help more Canadians reach their investment goals through transparent and unbiased investment management services. The company uses technology to bring Canadians intelligent investing at a fraction of the cost of a traditional advisor.

About Springboard

Program participants will receive a temporary account credited with $1,000 of ModernAdvisor's funds. The funds will be allocated based on suitability questions completed during signup. Investors will be able to track the performance of the portfolio for up to three months, using ModernAdvisor's comprehensive web-based dashboard and iOS app. This allows new investors to experience online investment management for up to three months, completely risk-free. Investors who go on to open a permanent account will get to keep any gains made on the portfolio at the end of the three-month trial period.

Canadians can visit ModernAdvisor.ca to open an account or preview the service, including a personalized asset allocation recommendation, free of charge.