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[pdf] Levelize the tax on your fixed income investments with participating whole life (individual clients)
Simplified Alternative ID Process is Now Available We have updated form 1710 to help you validate your client’s identification when you are not face-to-face, or if your client does not have one of the primary sources of ID.

Form 1710, Verification of Identity for Policyowner, will simplify the ID collection process currently in place. This form will help you with the validation of ID and provide you with space to record the details. New with this form is the ability to validate your client’s ID over a video call by documenting the details of the ID, and then having your client hold up the document and read the information for you to validate. You no longer need to obtain and submit copies of the identification documents to Equitable.

If your client requests the use of the Alternate ID process for a paper application, you can use this form to satisfy your identification validation requirements.
For more information, please see Section 2 of Form 1710 entitled “Alternate ID”. As well, you can refer to the “how to complete form 1710” Guide for further details.

Additional resources:
- Details for completing form 1710
- 1710 form
Will Equitable Life sponsor an advisor?
Elevate your business with industry best practices and needs-based selling Keeping your business aligned with industry best practices is vital for your success. It not only supports the fair treatment of clients – it also helps you meet certain market conduct requirements and Equitable’s expectations for needs-based selling.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has a program that checks how well advisors follow the Insurance Act and its conduct rules. FSRA looks at how well advisors follow industry best practices and fair treatment of clients guidance (see CLHIA’s guidance document, “The Approach”). Their focus is on key areas such as giving sound advice, managing conflicts of interest, and putting clients’ needs first. FSRA selects advisors’ client files and looks for documentation that indicates needs-based selling.

In December 2024, FSRA released its latest Market Conduct Supervision Report. It highlights the need for advisors to follow certain rules and industry best practices. The report found five key areas where improvement is needed:

1. Missing notes from client meetings and calls
2. Inadequate advisor disclosure
3. Missing sales illustrations for different product options
4. Missing insurance needs analysis
5. Missing policy delivery receipts

By following industry best practices and keeping thorough records, you show your commitment to providing clients with the solutions they need. For example, taking notes during client meetings helps you track all discussions that support your recommendations. Having an insurance needs analysis shows you are providing clients with suitable advice to buy the solutions that best meet their needs.

Resources: Equitable^® has resources that can help improve your business practices and help you treat clients fairly. We encourage you to check these out:

1. PPT: “Ensuring a Compliant, Needs-based Insurance Sale”. The steps to follow in needs-based selling and the records to keep.

Get CE credits! We offer the above as a self-study course that qualifies for 1 Continuing Education (CE) credit. Access it here: https://equitable-life-education.teachable.com/. (Use your contracted email to log in).

2. Client File Reference: The records to keep when selling investments, life insurance, or critical illness insurance, including key documents insurers and regulators look for during compliance audits.

3. Investor Profile Questionnaires: These will help you document your sales recommendations for:
● Universal Life (UL) sales: 1190.pdf, and
● Pivotal Select (Segregated Fund) sales: 1165.pdf

Questions? Contact your Equitable wholesaler. They are ready to support your success!
[pdf] S&R Quick Reference Guide
[pdf] CLHIA MGA Compliance Survey
[pdf] UL Transfers & Allocations How To
[pdf] Claimant Statement for Entities
[pdf] Underwriting cover letter template
Regulator Reviews of Advisor Business Practices The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) began targeted life agent examinations in 2021 as part of its Market Conduct: Life and Health Insurance Agent Supervision Framework. In March 2022, FSRA released its industry report which included a summary of the top regulatory violations or business practice gaps identified during those reviews, which included:

● Agent Disclosure – failure to ensure proper disclosure to clients regarding the insurers that the agent is authorized to represent, conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest and agent compensation;
● Continuing Education Credits – failure to complete CE credits as required or misrepresentation to the regulator regarding completion;
● Failure to complete the Life Insurance Replacement Declaration with clients when replacing an existing insurance policy;
● Missing or inadequate financial needs analysis and/or risk assessment (wealth) and insurance needs analysis;
● Missing or inadequate Reasons Why Letters for insurance recommendations;
● Missing evidence of policy illustrations;
● Missing or inadequate AML/ATF programs; and
● An overall lack of adequate notes to document client conversations and support recommendations made.

While these reviews are focused on agents licensed in Ontario, the review findings are helpful for all licensed advisors to ensure your business practices are aligned with regulatory and industry standards. Following these standards also helps you meet Equitable Life’s Advisor Code of Conduct. FSRA’s full report includes a copy of the Insurance Agent Market Conduct Questionnaire and can be viewed at https://www.fsrao.ca/newsroom/new-life-and-health-agent-supervisory-framework-enhances-consumer-protection.