ANTHONY SACHLAS, Senior Investment Advisor, at BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., Montreal, Quebec
ANTHONY SACHLAS
“Trust is the highest compliment I can receive from a client”
Anthony Sachlas, Senior Investment Advisor for BMO Nesbitt Burns, is a seasoned professional with a people-first approach. With over 20 years of experience, he’s built his career on strong relationships, collaboration, and delivering wealth management strategies that go beyond the numbers.
In 1998, Anthony began his career at the Bank of Montreal in the discount brokerage division with BMO InvestorLine. “I spent six years there, learning the ins and outs of the business,” he says. “Even though I wasn’t managing my own clients, I got a firsthand look at how the business worked and how to handle different kinds of client interactions."
Over the course of six years, Anthony worked with a diverse group of clients, each requiring different levels of support, particularly during times of market volatility. “It taught me how to manage expectations and handle difficult situations, which really helped me down the line,” he reflects.
After getting married and having his first child, Anthony realized he wanted a career that offered more flexibility and room for growth. “I started thinking about my next move, and that’s when the idea of switching to full-service brokerage came up,” he says. “It was a big shift, but I felt it was the right time to take on new challenges and expand my professional horizons.”
In 2004, Anthony made the transition to BMO Nesbitt Burns. “It’s been 21 years now, and I haven’t looked back,” he says proudly.
Building Relationships Beyond Numbers
From the beginning, Anthony focused on meeting new people and building genuine relationships. With time, he realized that his role had evolved beyond delivering strong performance. “I discovered that true value comes from building trust and offering holistic support,” he reflects.
Anthony’s commitment to his clients grew deeper with the values his father instilled in him. “From a young age, my father taught me the importance of listening and understanding people’s needs,” he reflects. “As an immigrant from Sparta, Greece who built a successful business from scratch, he showed me how to connect with others. Those experiences shaped my approach to working with clients.”
“During my early years, I also had a valuable mentor, Diana Brett, who taught me how to build relationships with BMO bank branches to generate referrals,” he says. “This strategy was instrumental in growing my business.”
These lessons were foundational to Anthony’s approach with his current clientele today. “Most of my clients are in the later stages of life, typically within 10 years of retirement or up to the age of 80.” With years of experience working closely with this clientele, Anthony has gained valuable insights. “They want to protect what they have while still growing their assets and withdrawing from their Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) or Life Income Fund (LIF) accounts, all while maintaining their wealth for the next 10 to 20 years,” he explains.
Beyond buying a mutual fund or building a portfolio, Anthony focuses on the intricacies of wealth planning, estate planning, and insurance to provide comprehensive solutions for his clients. “Wealth management isn’t just about numbers; it’s about helping clients secure their futures,” he says. With access to a wide range of SMA products through BMO Nesbitt Burns, Anthony is equipped to offer personalized strategies that meet his clients’ diverse needs. "These products have performed very well for clients, and having the right tools is crucial for addressing their goals," he adds.
Creating Comprehensive Support for Clients' Futures
In the past, Anthony’s measure of success was defined by opening accounts and having a positive performance for clients, but as his career grew, so did his perspective. “Now, success is about making sure my clients are happy. I’m dedicated to providing as much value as I can.” For many of his clients, the guidance they need goes beyond investments—whether it’s lending products, mortgages, or estate planning. “If I can help them navigate all aspects of their financial future, that’s what truly satisfies me as an advisor.”
The most meaningful moments in Anthony’s work aren’t defined by big milestones, but by the small, genuine interactions he shares with his clients. A simple “thank you” or a referral from someone who trusts him carries more weight than any major achievement. “I don’t want clients to see me as just the person who buys their mutual funds or builds their portfolio,” he explains. “I’d rather they see me as a trusted friend, someone who genuinely helps them achieve their investment and retirement goals.”
A Unified Approach
Anthony values the strong, collaborative relationships he has with his team, particularly with Karen Abel, his administrative associate. "She’s been with me for a long time, and I really appreciate how well clients respond to her,” he adds. Karen handles much of the workload, allowing Anthony to focus on what he does best: bringing in new clients, regular client reviews, and growing the business.
This trust in his team is pivotal, as Anthony works alongside colleagues who specialize in lending, insurance, and wealth planning. “I fully embrace these partnerships, which aligns with BMO’s approach—acting as a quarterback to oversee my clients' entire financial picture.”
This teamwork reinforces his commitment to managing client expectations, particularly around market performance. “My role is to help clients stay grounded,” he explains, emphasizing the importance of guiding them through market ups and downs. Anthony focuses on a steady, long term strategy. “The goal is to minimize volatility and aim for consistent growth—around 6-8% per year,” he shares. “Stay balanced, stay the course, and over time, we’ll get there.”
To keep clients informed, Anthony sends out quarterly newsletters addressing relevant economic and political themes, as well. “I try to pick things that matter to them, such as how certain investments, like Corporate Class Funds, can help with taxation in taxable accounts, and the importance of a well-diversified asset allocation to manage market volatility,” he shares. “These topics provide clarity and help clients feel confident about their financial future.”
Committed to Supporting Clients for the Next Decade
When he's not working, Anthony stays active with a variety of hobbies, with hockey being a major passion of his. “I was quite competitive growing up, and I still love the sport,” he shares. He enjoys playing with friends and staying involved through his son's teams and coaching. “Hockey has always been a big part of my life.” Anthony is also an avid fan of the Boston Bruins, a passion passed down from his grandfather, who loved to watch Bobby Orr play.
Travelling is another key part of Anthony's life. His family makes it a point to visit Greece once a year and head to Florida in the winter or spring seasons.
When it comes to his career, Anthony isn't ready to slow down. “I’m 53 and I am nowhere near retiring,” he says. He's still focused on growth, particularly by continuing to build his client base through referrals from existing clients and visiting BMO partners at BMO bank branches. “I have an excellent team in place right now to help me grow, and I'd be happy doing this for at least another 15 years.”
If there is one thing Anthony wants clients to take away, it’s that his focus remains firmly on people, not wealth. “I don’t have a high minimum amount opening, and I don’t need to work with millionaire clients only,” he explains. “I’m here to support my community.” This commitment to client-centered service is what drives his passion for the work he does.
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Anthony Sachlas
Senior Investment Advisor
BMO Nesbitt Burns
1 Holiday Ave Suite 100
Pointe-Claire, Quebec H9R 5N3
514.428.2945
BMO Private Wealth is a brand name for a business group consisting of Bank of Montreal and certain of its affiliates in providing private wealth management products and services. Not all products and services are offered by all legal entities within BMO Private Wealth. Banking services are offered through Bank of Montreal. Investment management, wealth planning, tax planning, and philanthropy planning services are offered through BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and BMO Private Investment Counsel Inc. Estate, trust, and custodial services are offered through BMO Trust Company. Insurance services and products are offered through BMO Estate Insurance Advisory Services Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. BMO Private Wealth legal entities do not offer tax advice. If you are already a client of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., please contact your Investment Advisor for more information. Nesbitt Burns Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization. BMO Trust Company and BMO Bank of Montreal are Members of CDIC. BMO (M-bar roundel symbol) is a registered trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under license.