Canada’s Independent Financial Advisors & The Client Relationship
Despite a changing landscape, our research reveals how independent advisors are re-focusing their practices to overcome industry challenges and better serve Canadians.
Bernice CheungVP - Cultural Markets & Financial Services
Bernice brings over 12 years of marketing and management consulting experience from various industries, including consumer goods, retail, financial services, and healthcare. She helped clients with quantitative and qualitative market research, customer valuation, segmentation, and targeting. Prior to joining Environics, Bernice led the Ethnic Practice Area at Nielsen and Altus Strategy Group.
Bernice is a frequent speaker at conferences, specializing in insights about the lucrative newcomers consumer segment. As a result, she has consulted with over 80 CPG and retailers and often appears in the media to speak and write about the lucrative Canadian ethnic market. She has appeared in both mainstream (The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Canadian Grocer, etc.) and ethnic media (Fairchild TV, OMNI TV, Sing Tao, Ming Pao, etc.).
She received her MBA from Ivey Business School, with a concentration in marketing and strategy, and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree with distinction from DeGroote School of Business.
Explore the latest insights from Cultural Markets and Financial Services
2019 Recipients of the Environics Award for Excellence in Advanced Social Research Announced
In September, we selected the 2019 recipients of the Environics Award for Excellence in Advanced Social Research.
Canadians Are Adopting AI, But Want To Understand How It’s Being Used
A recent study conducted by Environics Research for TD Bank reveals that a majority of Canadians are comfortable with companies using AI if it means they'll receive better and more personalized [...]
Understanding What Decision-making Drivers Matter Most
Our competitive brand benchmarking research has allowed us to build a greater understanding of the dimensions that actually drive sales.
The Problem With NPS
VP of Financial Services Rob Stel explains the key shortcomings of Net Promoter Scores along with our recommendations for a more effective client engagement feedback process.
Insights from the FinTech Forum: Driving Canadian Consumer Adoption
We recently invited seven prominent guest speakers from FinTech companies, incumbent banks and venture capitalist firms to share their views about Canadian consumer adoption of financial service [...]
Physicians with retirement plans far outpace their peers on savings
The results of our recent MD Physician Retirement Readiness Study for MD Financial Management have been released. Read about the state of physician retirement readiness in the full report.
Political and Economic Uncertainty, Climate Change and AI, Pressing Concerns for Canadian Directors
Our recent survey for the Institute of Corporate Directors points to political and economic uncertainty as top-of-mind issues for the country's board directors.
Most Canadian First-time Home Buyers Anxious They Will Miss Out Because Of An Insufficient Down Payment
Our survey for Genworth Canada, in collaboration with Royal LePage, analyzed key trends among first-time homebuyers who purchased a home within the last two years.
Generation Relocation: Millennials Dreaming of Their Next Home Need to Move Out to Move Up
According to our recent survey, even though a third of Millennials report that city living is their preference, nearly two-thirds are willing to consider a shift from urban to suburban life in [...]
Canada’s Entrepreneurs Say Not Getting Paid on Time Hinders Growth
According to our survey for Interac Corp., seven in ten Canadian side hustlers and micro-businesses struggle to get paid on time, and spend valuable time chasing late payments
Insights from The Globe and Mail Advisor Forum: Strengthening Investor Relations
Read our Financial Services Team’s key takeaways from the recent Globe and Mail Advisor Forum: Strengthening Investor Relations.
Fraud-ucation: Fraud Still Catching Canadians off Guard
Our recent survey for TD found that financial fraud continues to impact Canadians, and as technologies become integrated into everyday life, fraudsters are targeting Canadians in new ways
Growing Number of Canadians Unprepared for Retirement
According to our recent TD survey, nearly two-thirds of Flexforce Canadians anticipate needing to work into their senior years because they won't have enough saved for retirement.
Economy and Political Stability Have Canadian Directors Concerned
The latest Institute of Corporate Directors’ Director Lens survey conducted by Environics Research shows that board directors have declining confidence in Canada’s economy and political stability
Canadian Life and Health Insurance Industry Launches National Campaign to Combat Fraud
According to our recent survey conducted for the CLHIA, 75 percent of Canadians incorrectly believe that the only punishment for benefits fraud is having to pay higher premiums
The Millenni-factors: Wealthy Millennials Are More Likely Than Wealthy Boomers To Feel Leaving A Legacy Is Important
Our recent survey for TD reveals wealthy Millennials are more than twice as likely as wealthy Boomers to feel that leaving a legacy is important
Go Big or Stay Home: Seven in ten Canadian Boomers Have a Travel Bucket List
A recent TD Insurance survey conducted by Environics Research revealed that Canadian Boomers are travelling more frequently and for longer periods of time.
Four In Ten Canadian Small Business Owners Are Uncertain About Retirement
A majority of Canadian small business owners may be close to retirement, yet many are uncertain about their post-business life, according to our recent survey.
Double or Nothing: Are Millennials Gambling with Their Financial Future?
A recent survey conducted by Environics Research for TD Bank found that many Canadian Millennials are not seeking financial help or professional advice when they receive an inheritance.
Reaching Canadian Newcomers: The IFSE Institute’s Digital Marketing Strategy
Bernice Cheung recently sat down with the Managing Director of the IFSE Institute to discuss the digital marketing strategy used to reach Canadian newcomers.
Canadians’ Saving Habits Don’t Align with Their Goals, According to an Environics Research Poll for EQ Bank
Environics Research’s recent survey for EQ Bank found that the savings behaviour of Canadians does not seem to align with their overall financial goals.
Canadian Millennials Expressed Concerns with Working Gig Jobs in Environics Research Survey for TD Insurance
Although Millennials report flexibility and work-life balance as benefits with working gig jobs, a recent Environics Research survey for TD Insurance found that 87% of them say they have a [...]
INFOGRAPHIC FinTech in Canada: A Global Comparison
Find out why Canada is well positioned to become a global leader in the FinTech industry with our interactive infographic.
INFOGRAPHIC What Social Values Have Taught Us about Tech Enthusiasts
While many organizations have a stereotypical idea of what makes these tech enthusiasts tick, our research shows that this increasingly important segment of consumers is often quite misunderstood.
What We Took Away From The Smart Money with Rob Carrick and Shannon Lee Simmons Discussion
Last week, David MacDonald and Bernice Cheung attended The Globe and Mail subscriber event Smart Money with Rob Carrick, featuring author Shannon Lee Simmons. Here are a few take-aways from the [...]
Millennials Are The Engine Of The Real Estate Market According To Recent Study Commissioned By Genworth Canada
According to a national study conducted by Environics Research and commissioned by Genworth Canada, six in ten Millennials have already achieved their homeownership dreams.
A majority of first-time homebuyers feel anxious about the process, according to our recent survey for TD
A new survey conducted by Environics Research for TD reveals that almost six in ten Canadian first-time homebuyers are anxious and afraid that they'll forget to take a crucial step as they gain [...]
Stressed-out working Canadians want to invest in themselves but can’t afford it, according to a recent survey conducted by Environics Research
Working Canadians are stressed. According to a recent TD survey, two-thirds say they experience moderate to high levels of stress at their job.
Understanding Millennials and Finance – Part 1
Our Group VP of Financial Services, David MacDonald, and VP of Financial Services Rob Stel sat down for a candid discussion about Millennials, the social values that define them, their role in [...]
EQ Bank officially launches Stnce in response to study results
Last night was the official launch of Stnce, a sold-out event that demonstrated the importance of the topic of increasing women's confidence regarding financial issues.
New Canadians Represent an Important Opportunity for Canadian Auto Dealers
There is a massive and growing market segment for Canadian auto dealers that marketing campaigns seem to ignore far too often: Canadian newcomers. As we on the Environics Research Cultural [...]
Fraud-ucation: Is Your Smartphone a Friend or Foe?
According to a new survey conducted by Environics Research for TD, nearly three-quarters of Canadian Millennials say they feel at risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime. And risks to mobile [...]
Environics Research Survey Shows Affluent Canadians are worried about wealth transfer
A new poll conducted by Environics Research for IPC Private Wealth revealed that the majority of affluent Canadians are keeping their heirs in the dark on how they plan to pass on their wealth.
Environics Research Study for Pointman! News Creation Finds Canadians Continue Contentment with Investment Advisors
Our recent survey conducted for Pointman News Creation shows that an average of only 3% of Canadians who use financial advisors were dissatisfied with the services they received.
Me, Myself and My Retirement: Environics Research Poll for TD Bank finds almost half of Canadians planning to retire solo are concerned about their savings
According to TD's Retiring Solo survey conducted by Environics Research, nearly of Canadians 40 years of age or older planning to retire solo share this concern - many fearful of rising daily [...]
Two weeks in Canada – an in-depth interview with a savvy New Canadian
Watch our VP of Cultural Markets and Financial Services, Bernice Cheung, interview recent immigrant to Canada, Sumantra De. Sumantra is a seasoned research, insights and advisory professional who [...]
Canadian Xennials Feel the Retirement Savings Squeeze According To Environics Research Survey For TD
According to a new survey from TD conducted by Environics Research, three-quarters (74 per cent) of Canadian Xennials say they would like to contribute more than they currently do, but everyday [...]
Environics Research poll reveals gap in financial confidence of women
Our recent survey conducted for EQ Bank reveals that, compared to men, Canadian women are significantly less confident about their financial knowledge and less satisfied with their financial knowledge.
Environics Research survey finds three out of four directors think Canada can thrive outside of NAFTA
An Environics Research conducted survey for the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) found that 76 per cent of board directors in Canada believe the country’s international trade can thrive [...]
2016 Census Results Highlight Canada’s Increasing Diversity
Our interactive infographic illustrates just a few of the exciting new data points that highlight the increasing diversity Canada is currently experiencing.
TD Releases Environics Research conducted Survey – Sense over sensibility: Why homebuyers need to leave their emotions at the front door
As your biggest financial investment, house hunting should be a rational, logic-driven process. In reality though, buying a house is often an emotional rollercoaster
Mackenzie Investments Unveils 50 Insights for Advisors With Study Conducted by Environics Research
The 50 thought-provoking data points are built from an extensive survey of both advisors and investors sponsored by Mackenzie Investments and conducted by Environics Research as well as data from [...]
Canadian Immigration Trends Quiz
How much do you know about immigration trends in Canada? Test your knowledge with our interactive quiz!
Banks Need to Keep Newcomers in Mind with Air Canada / Aeroplan Split
According to Environics Research’s latest Financial Services among New Canadians Syndicated Study, TD, CIBC and American Express have an opportunity to surprise and delight, or to disappoint a [...]
First-Time Homebuyers Continue to Believe Owning a Home is a Wise Financial Decision and Can Adapt to Today’s Challenging Housing Market
According to Genworth Canada's new 2017 First-Time Homeownership Study, almost half of first-time buyers (49%) believe owning a home is a wise financial decision.
How Important Is Chinese New Year To Chinese Canadians?
Canada is home to 1.5 million Chinese Canadians – and with Chinese New Year fast approaching, many of them are gearing up to celebrate the Year of the Rooster. To illustrate how important this [...]
Canadian newcomers and technology: Reaching your target in the digital age
To better understand technological savviness, we asked newcomers about mobile / tablet ownership, as well as social media tools.
The New Canadian Newcomer Finance Story
Rather than observing more of the same struggling newcomer narrative over and over, our team has discovered a new story emerging—one that tells the tale of a more prepared population.
RRSP Season is Here – How Not to Miss Out on the Lucrative New Canadian Market
According to data from Environics’ Financial Services Among New Canadians Study, over half of all newcomers who immigrated to Canada less than 10 years ago have registered investment products, [...]
Capturing the $4-billion Credit Card Spending of Canadian Newcomers
Environics Research spoke with over 1,000 Canadian newcomers to build an understanding of the attitudes, behaviours and financial goals of this extremely lucrative segment of the population.
Grey Divorce
Our research indicates that the proportion of people who are divorced later in life is on the rise in Canada
Environics Lunch Event: The New Chinese Consumer
A presentation on the New Chinese Consumer given to guests at an Environics Lunch Event by Priscilla Sze, owner of our partner company, N-Dynamic Market Research & Consultancy in Shanghai.
Are Health and Finance Related? A Social Values Analysis
A recent social values analysis of engaged investors revealed a link between participation in the financial planning process and health as a priority.
Watch: The Bank Of Mom And Dad
Watch CBC News’ coverage of Genworth Canada’s First-time Homebuyer study, conducted by Environics Research.
First-time Homebuyers Take Financially Fit, Well-Informed Approach
First-time homebuyers are doing their homework and making responsible financial decisions, according to a new study conducted by Environics Research.
Migration Nation – The 1st Comprehensive Book on Multicultural Marketing in Canada
The first book of practical, data-driven insights about Canadian multicultural markets. Learn how your organization can connect and thrive from Migration Nation.
Growth from Cultural Tension: The BlueFocus – Cossette Acquisition
An in-depth look at the effect ethnic cultural difference could have on the recent acquisition of Cossette by the Chinese company, BlueFocus.
Diwali In Canada: Are Canadian Companies Capitalizing?
Diwali is one of the most important holidays among Indo-Canadians, giving Canadian Companies a huge opportunity to build a rapport with one of the largest and fastest growing cultural groups in Canada.
Why Are Investors Using Multiple Advisors?
These days, when it comes to investing, there are more options then ever. Unfortunately, all those options amount to even more investing pitfalls that, without the right expertise, can be [...]
Women And Young People Increasingly Turn to Online Investing
A TD survey conducted by Environics Research finds the profile of online investors is changing.
Home ownership: Not Just For Nuclear Families
According to TD, substantial numbers of Canadians are buying homes solo or with friends.
Why do four in ten Canadians not take their vacation time?
A new Environics survey commissioned by TD has revealed a substantial minority does not take all the vacation time their employers allow them.
Bridgehouse Asset Managers launches Investor Knowledge Index powered by Environics Research
In recognition of Financial Literacy Month in Canada, Bridgehouse Asset Managers today releases the results of the Bridgehouse Investor Knowledge Index.
Standard Life and Environics help Canadians tackle Financial Inertia
Using Environics Social Values research, Standard Life has developed a new online tool to help Canadians better understand their own values and motivations around saving and investing.
