Investment Management — 49th Parallel Wealth Management
Services  /  Investment management
Investment management

Invest with purpose, grow with clarity.

Discretionary, fee-only portfolios for clients with assets in both Canada and the U.S. — built around your goals, structured for two tax systems, and reviewed on both sides of the border.

See your currency strategy → Book a free consultation
The basics

What is cross-border investment management?

Investment management is the work of making thoughtful decisions about your money so it can grow toward your goals — not chasing trends, but building a clear, steady path with risk managed to a level you're comfortable with.

Cross-border investment management adds another layer: structuring and overseeing those investments for people whose financial lives span more than one country. It accounts for two tax systems, two sets of regulations, two currencies, and reporting requirements on both sides. The aim isn't just returns — it's a coordinated strategy that stays compliant in both countries while supporting the life you're building. You'll always understand what you own, why it was chosen, and how it fits the larger plan.

How we build your portfolio

Built on your goals, not on guesses.

A portfolio built on a clear understanding of your goals, risk comfort, cash-flow needs, and timeline — then actively managed as life and markets change.

We get to know you

Your goals, priorities, and timeline come first — whether that's retirement, a milestone, or long-term growth.

Balance growth & protection

A mix of stocks, bonds, and other instruments matched to your timeline and risk comfort — steady progress over quick wins.

Tax- & treaty-aware holdings

Investments chosen with PFIC rules, currency exposure, and reporting in mind — so nothing is taxed punitively across the border.

Ongoing management

We monitor performance, rebalance, and adjust as markets, tax rules, and your life evolve — explained in plain language.

Currency strategy

Which currency should you invest in?

Where you'll retire, your citizenship, and the type of account each dollar sits in all shape whether it belongs in USD or CAD. Tell us your situation for a starting point — not advice, but the logic we'd walk through with you.

1. Are you a U.S. citizen?
2. Where will you live in retirement?
3. Approximate value of each account type
Answer the questions and we'll suggest which currency each account should be held in — and the reasoning behind it. →
Your currency strategy
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Discuss your currency strategy →

Educational only — a general starting point, not investment, tax, or legal advice. Currency, custodian, and PFIC decisions depend on your full situation and should be confirmed with your advisor. There are generally no tax consequences to converting currency inside registered or qualified accounts; converting inside a taxable account may realize gains.

Fee transparency

See what you'd pay — before you ask.

No opaque schedules. Choose your service level, move the slider to your portfolio size, and see your fee on our real, published rates — tiered and marginal, so you only pay each rate on the way up.

Fees are tiered and marginal — each rate applies only to the dollars within that band, then they're added together.
Your estimated annual fee
$8,750 / year

Illustrative, based on 49th Parallel's published 2026 fee schedule. Fees are tiered and marginal. Comprehensive Wealth Management is designed for accounts over $1M; Management-only carries a $2,500 minimum annual fee, with comprehensive planning available at a 25% discount. Accounts under $200k use the monthly retainer service; balances above $10M are negotiable. Figures exclude investment returns, taxes, and third-party costs. Your actual fee is governed by your written agreement.

Good to know

Investment questions, answered plainly.

Do I need a large amount of money to start investing with you?
No. We work with individuals and families at different financial stages. Whether you're just starting to build a portfolio or already managing significant assets, we tailor our approach to your goals, timeline, and circumstances — including any cross-border complexity that applies.
How often do you review my investments?
We monitor your portfolio on an ongoing basis and conduct full reviews throughout the year. When markets shift, tax rules change, or your life evolves — a move, a new job, a retirement date coming into view — we adjust accordingly. For clients with assets in both countries, we keep the whole picture coordinated.
Will I understand where my money is going?
Yes. We explain every recommendation in plain language and make sure you always know what you're invested in, why it was chosen, and how it fits your overall plan. If something isn't clear, we don't move forward until it is. You should never feel like your money is going somewhere you don't fully understand.
What types of investments do you use?
We work with a range of options including stocks, bonds, ETFs, and other well-researched instruments. The right mix depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals — as well as the tax and regulatory rules of your country of residence. For cross-border clients, we pay close attention to which investments are appropriate to hold where, avoiding products that are taxed punitively across the border.
Can I still access my money if I need it?
Yes. Your plan is designed with liquidity in mind. We help you understand what can be accessed easily and what is better left to grow over time. When distributing money to you, we weigh your investment horizon, transaction costs, rebalancing needs, and the tax implications in each jurisdiction.
Should I update my legal documents if I move across the border?
Yes — and it's one of the most commonly overlooked steps in a cross-border move. Wills, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations valid in one country may not be recognized, or may function differently, in the other. Moving between Canada and the US can change how your documents operate, so they should be reviewed alongside your investments.
How do you handle currency risk for clients invested in both countries?
Currency fluctuations between the Canadian and US dollar directly affect the real value of a cross-border portfolio. We account for this by structuring your holdings around your actual spending needs — if you live in the US, US-dollar returns matter most, and vice versa — and by weighing currency exposure when selecting investments and rebalancing.
What tax reporting obligations come with holding investments in both countries?
Holding investments across both countries creates reporting obligations beyond a standard tax return. US persons must report foreign financial accounts through FBAR (FinCEN 114) when balances exceed $10,000 USD, and may have additional FATCA requirements under Form 8938. Certain holdings — such as Canadian mutual funds held by US residents — can trigger punitive PFIC treatment. We structure investments to stay compliant and avoid these traps.
Are you licensed to manage investments for clients in both the US and Canada?
Yes. We are registered to provide investment management services to clients on both sides of the border. Most investment managers hold registration in one country only, which limits what they can legally advise on. Working with a firm registered in both jurisdictions means your entire portfolio — regardless of which country the accounts are held in — can be managed in a coordinated way under one relationship.
What does the process look like when I first reach out?
We begin with a complimentary consultation to understand your full picture — where you live, what accounts you hold, your goals, and where any cross-border complexity exists. From there we outline the right approach and explain what working together would involve. No obligation, no pressure — just a clear conversation about whether we're the right fit.
Not sure your current setup is right for both countries?
Get a free cross-border second opinion — five questions, an instant read.
Get a free second opinion →
Let's talk

Start with a free consultation.

A complimentary conversation about your goals and portfolio, and how we'd manage it across the border — no obligation.