Moïse Amselem, F. Pl., Financial Planner, Scotia Financial Planning, Montreal, QC.
- NATALIE NOBLE
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
Moïse Amselem
“Together, let’s build something special for your future.”
In the ever-changing world of finance, finding the right Financial Planner and Advisor who supports financial well-being and helps clients navigate life’s broader challenges, is a game changer. “Currently, inflation has spiked, the cost of living is up dramatically, interest rates are high, and the housing market has boomed,” says Moïse Amselem, F. Pl., Financial Planner, and Advisor with Scotia Financial Planning. “We’re seeing geopolitical tensions and it’s a changing world. It’s my job to ensure clients aren’t complacent about risk and they’re protected through proper financial planning and risk management.”
In that pursuit, Moïse takes a client-first, personalized, planning-focused, long-term approach. “We’re relationship builders, and we’re process-driven in ways that protect our long-term partnerships,” he says. “I’m guiding my clients through their accumulation years to their retirement. Ideally, I’ll manage their kids’ money one day, even their grandkids’. Working together, we’re building something meaningful for the future.”
The infinite potential in proactive financial planning
Moïse’s drive and determination led him through the industry’s ranks at an accelerated yet knowledge-packed track. Through post-secondary studies at Québec’s Dawson College and then business school at John Molson School of Business (JMSB), Moïse found his passion. “In finance, I saw infinite potential,” he says. “The opportunity to work one-on-one with clients was appealing. I wanted to see my efforts compound over time on both sides of the relationship.”
Starting from the ground up, Moïse has experienced various industry roles. “I set a plan, stuck to the process, and stayed laser focused,” he says. Promoted to an advisory role in less than a year, his young age presented challenges. “It’s rare to see Financial Planners in their mid-20s.”
Motivated and determined, Moïse turned his attention to Scotiabank’s Financial Planning team. Presenting a clear path forward in a supportive environment, he worked alongside an esteemed Financial Planner while simultaneously earning his credentials over that year.
With exposure to exceptional mentors, Moïse’s supportive circle of experience grew. He applied the learnings and experience to his work, melding it all into his own philosophy. “I’ve learned valuable lessons from great people. But it’s also important to know that what works for some won’t always work for others,” he says. “I’ve learned not to rely too heavily on generic ‘rules of thumb.’ Those rules change depending on clients’ personal and financial circumstances. There can be misconceptions when it comes to personal finance. Determining optimal pension-draw timing, or maximizing RRSPs to get tax deductions while overlooking TFSAs tend to be common costly mistakes that sacrifice the long term for the short term.”
Stay proactive with a financial plan
Moïse continues to grow his clients’ success, seeing the compounding results he once envisioned now a reality. He believes in active client involvement, a planning-first approach, and a strong emphasis on risk awareness. “When I work with engaged clients, we stay on track to achieve their goals, or quickly adapt when needed,” he says. “Planning allows us to identify where adjustments are needed so we can stay proactive.”
Understanding each individual client’s risk profile is essential. “I’ve overviewed new clients’ account histories. I’ve seen people who sold at low points, like March 2020 when markets dropped, and that hurts,” he says. “Or in 2022, with the war in Ukraine, many sold right before the market started rebounding in October.”
In these moments where emotion overrides logic, Moïse steers clients through. “My job is to communicate these developments clearly and explain how they affect each person,” he says. “By managing risk properly via their Financial Plan, we can reassure clients we have planned for worst-case scenarios, such as geopolitical tensions, wars, recessions, inflationary events, and so on. As a result, my clients feel confident staying the course during market turbulence, while remaining open to making changes when their circumstances or objectives evolve.”
Licensed in Québec and Ontario, Moïse works with client families as they progress through life’s inevitable changes. His services are especially suited to individuals and professionals in the early wealth accumulation stages, but he also loves navigating clients through their retirement and succession planning. “We’re going to be together for years, ideally decades,” he says. “Money is personal. It’s critical we build trust and strong partnerships early.”
Through that deep understanding, Moïse identifies two common tendencies: overspending or oversaving, particularly later in life. “I have clients in their 80s and 90s,” he says. “When I show them what they can comfortably spend each month, or what dreams they can fulfill with low risk while still preserving a safety buffer for the unexpected, it brings them true peace of mind. I love those moments when I can say, ‘based on your situation, you may already have everything you need. The kids are established; now it’s time for you to enjoy it.’”
Between the two scenarios, it’s critical clients plan for their later life stages well before time or events force decisions around considerations like at-home care or assisted living. “These situations are costly. Because people don’t want to face them, they get overlooked,” says Moïse. “The burden often falls to the children with more stress. It’s critical we alleviate the weight of that decision making by hoping for the best, while planning for contingencies.”
Educating clients is also a priority. “In today’s world where information is easily accessible – often AI-generated – misinformation and oversimplification are very common,” says Moïse, adding that improving his market knowledge is a never-ending, exciting process. “It’s my job to stay alert and on top of market developments. The biggest investors of all time have written books with invaluable knowledge sharing their investment philosophies. Learning from them adds tremendous value and I love to explain my learnings according to current implications to my clients. Headlines can alarm them. But I can help them see that over the long term, and within their financial plan, they are better positioned for their future.”
Because of the specialized services Moïse provides, he prioritizes a hands-on, customizable approach. “I believe in quality over quantity when it comes to the people I work with,” he says. “This results in lasting relationships where I hold a deep understanding of my clients’ needs and objectives as things develop over the years, and throughout their lives.”
Supporting people through inevitable and important life transitions is what drives Moïse every day. “When clients reach out to say, ‘thank you,’ it makes all the work worthwhile,” he says, adding that one of the most meaningful trust indicators is a referral. “A growing number of clients are introducing me to their spouse, their parent preparing for retirement, their friend who just sold a home, and so on. Seeing them advocate for me in this way, that’s the ultimate compliment.”
Natalie Noble’s love of writing stems from her passion for hearing and sharing people’s stories. Over the years, she has written for various business, real estate, and agriculture publications. At the heart of her work is a desire to continuously learn and connect.
Moїse Amselem
Financial Planner
Group Savings Plan Dealer Representative*
Tel: (514)464-7798
Scotiabank | Scotia Financial Planning
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