Recent posts have highlighted the need to reach out to clients on two issues:

1 To discuss and provide reassurance about recent market volatility

2 To prepare clients for the bad news in their September statements

In the perfect world, every client would receive a personal phone call on these matters - and that might still be the case for your best clients.

For many advisors with a significant client base, this is simply not practical.

Instead, consider using email to make initial contact with clients, with a phone call or meeting to follow if needed or where appropriate.

Below are two emails you might consider modifying for your needs - note that the one alerting clients to their September statements was adapted from an email sent by a Toronto based advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy.

Addressing concerns about recent markets

Subject: Recent markets

With record ups and downs in recent markets, it's understandable that many clients are concerned about their investments.

In the next two weeks, I will be contacting as many of my clients as possible to talk about what's happening in the markets. In the meantime, should you have any questions about current market circumstances and their impact on your portfolio as well as prospects for the period ahead, give me a call at 416 xxx-xxxx. If you'd prefer to make an appointment to talk on the telephone or to meet in person, give Lara a call at 416 xxx-xxxx.

Please remember that I am always available to answer any questions you might have - don't hesitate to call if there's ever anything you'd like to talk about

Thank you for the continuing opportunity to work together.

Name of Advisor 416 xxx-xxxx



Preparing clients for September statements

Subject: Your September statement

In the last month, a series of financial and political events in the United States and around the world have rattled global equity markets. As a result, September has proven to be one of those periods that tests every investor's fortitude.

In light of that, I wanted you to know that your September statement will reflect significantly lower values, as most equity markets have recorded declines in the last month in the range of 15% to 25%.

Having watched the events unfold over the past 30 days, we understand that the emotional response to your September statement may be difficult. Many of you may be wondering where you stand and whether you are still on track to achieve your long term goals.

The answer is yes. The biggest issue for most investors in a market like today's is liquidity. The question you need to ask is, "Do I have access to secure funds to meet my income needs over the next few months, or even years?" In other words, can you afford to wait it out until stock markets normalize?

For those clients that need income, we have held onto pools of cash and bonds for years, despite their dismal returns. I can recall conversations 12 and 18 months ago with clients concerned about the poor return on bonds, asking us to increase the equity allocation in their accounts. My response was that bonds were there to limit your portfolio's volatility and provide liquidity for income needs when equity markets corrected. Even better, they would provide a pool of capital to take advantage of times like these when equity valuations are more compelling.

I must admit that there were times when it was difficult to maintain our asset allocation discipline as the energy and material sectors took off and we were buying bonds with low returns.

Now the shoe is finally on the other foot - and we have been rewarded for owning bonds and cash.

As a result, given their low yields relative to inflation, and depressed stock valuations, bonds do not represent good value today. Where clients don't need liquidity, our recommendation will be to take some of your safe, secure money and entrust it to experienced money managers to start buying companies with growing earnings, low debt and solid dividends. You already own many of these companies, but now there is a much larger pool of opportunities from which to choose.

The markets in the last week have seen remarkable swings up and down, as the United States in particular is in a period of unprecedented short term political and financial uncertainty. Extreme short term fluctuations are almost certain to be with us for a while yet; despite those ups and downs, prospects for the mid and long term are very bright - I am confident that we'll look back upon this period as a truly outstanding buying opportunity.

Over the next while, I will be looking at your current holdings and comparing them against other opportunities to ensure that you have the best possible portfolio when a rebound takes place. When the markets recover, it could happen with breathtaking speed as there are tremendous pools of cash waiting on the sideline earning 1% or less.

I will be calling you if we need to modify your portfolio. In the meantime, if you wish to discuss this month's statement, your asset allocation or any other matter, give me a call or call Robert at 416 xxx-xxxx and he will set up a telephone appointment.

Many thanks for your continued confidence and opportunity to work together.

Name of advisor 416 xxx-xxxx