Self-Directed RSPs

• You want a wide range of investment choices
  
• You want a simple way to consolidate your RSP holdings
  

• Invest in a wide range of qualified investments
  It includes: equities, options, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, bonds, new issues, precious metals certificates, t-bills and other money market instruments.
• Convenient way to consolidate your RSP holdings
  
• Adjust your portfolio at anytime
  
• Simplify the management of your portfolio
  
• Reduce administration and brokerage costs by dealing with one institution

• You don't have to sell any of your existing investments or convert them into Scotia investment products.
• Depending on your investment objectives and preferences, you can choose either a self-directed RSP or a full-service brokerage self-directed RSP.

A self-directed RSP is not an investment. It's more like a way of investing. Think of it as a tax-sheltered container into which you can put a number of different investments, including:

• Canadian and U.S. stocks, as well as international stocks listed on a designated exchange
• Mutual funds
• Federal, provincial, and corporate bonds
• Stripped bonds and coupons
• Mortgages
• GICs and Canada Savings Bonds

• More diversification 
  With a self-directed plan, you can hold any qualifying investment you want. You're not limited to one type of asset, such as GICs, or to the products of just one institution.
• Control 
  You call the shots. You manage your own investments and can take on as much risk, or as little, as you want.
• Easier monitoring 
  With all your registered assets in one place, you'll get just one statement. It's easy to see at a glance how your portfolio is doing.

If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, you might want to consider a self-directed RSP.

• I want to hold mutual funds and GICs from a number of different issuers in my RSP
• I want to hold stocks and bonds in my registered plan, as well as cash and mutual funds
• I want to make my own investment decisions. I want to be able to monitor and track my portfolio myself so I always know exactly how I'm doing
• I have a number of different RSPs that I'd like to consolidate into one. That way, I'll need to review only one statement
• I am comfortable paying the annual administration fee, or I can maintain enough assets in my account that the administrator will waive the fee

Tip: "Self-directed" doesn't necessarily mean "self-managed." You can set up a self-directed plan with Scotiabank and still get ongoing investment advice. Just remember that the commissions and administration fees will probably be higher.