First step: Review the ASC's Alberta-based registrant list and Investment caution list
To help market participants and investors access accurate information about Alberta-based registrants, the ASC provides a list of active, registered Alberta-based firms. This list includes firms on the National Registration Database that have their head office in Alberta, and contains each firm’s name, address, telephone number and website, as well as its registration category.
Investors are encouraged to consult this list if they are considering investing with a financial institution or firm, especially if they are approached with an unsolicited investment opportunity.
Carefully review the contact details about the firm, and for further information and/or to confirm the legitimacy of any investment opportunity, contact the firm directly using the contact information provided on this list.
Note: Certain financial institutions that operate in Alberta, but that have their head offices in another province, will not appear on the list the ASC maintains. If you have any concerns about a financial institution or firm that does not appear on this list, consult the National Registration Search (NRS) database to check their contact information and determine if they are registered. If not, or if there is a discrepancy between the information you’ve been provided and the information you find on the NRS, contact the ASC at registration@asc.ca.
This list will be updated regularly. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this list, however, said accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
To help inform and protect investors, the ASC provides a list of companies and individuals that are not registered with the ASC and that appear to be engaging in activities that either require registration under Alberta securities laws or may be investment scams. Investors are encouraged to consult this list if they are considering investing, especially if they are approached with an unsolicited investment opportunity.
Who are the Canadian Securities Administrators?
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is an umbrella organization of Canada’s provincial and territorial securities regulators whose objective is to improve, coordinate and harmonize regulation of the Canadian capital markets. As a member of the CSA, the ASC works to improve, coordinate and harmonize the regulation of Canada’s capital market.
In addition to the National Registration Search, the CSA also offers the Disciplined List and cease trade orders database, enabling you to see if any disciplinary decisions or cease trade orders have been issued against individuals and/or firms.
Why is checking registration important?
Registration helps protect investors like you from investment fraud because securities regulators will only register firms and individuals if they are properly qualified and comply with investor protection laws. Individuals and firms are registered by category, with each category having different education and experience requirements, and permits different activities. By checking registration you can verify that the individual or firm:
- Is registered and qualified to be selling securities in Alberta
- Does not have any disciplinary decisions or cease trade orders against them
- Is permitted to be selling the types of securities they are offering you
How to conduct a registration check
STEP ONE: Visit the Canadian Securities Administrators National Registration Search by clicking the Check Registration link below.
STEP TWO: Click on the blue button labelled “Check if an individual or firm is registered” to be taken to the National Registration Search.
STEP THREE: Select whether you’re searching for the registration of an individual or firm.
STEP FOUR: Enter the individuals name or the firm exactly as it is spelled on any documentation or business card provided to you.
STEP FIVE: Review the results and check the following:
- Are they registered?
- Is their registration current?
- Are they subject to any terms and conditions of registration?
- What category are they registered and what products and services are they permitted to offer?
- If you found the firm online, have you verified the website URL by calling the firm’s phone number listed on their registration search result to confirm?
STEP SIX: Round out your registration check by searching the Disciplined List and Cease Trade Orders database on the CSA website and by searching the ASC’s website for enforcement notices and decisions.
The ASC website also provides an up-to-date list of active Alberta-based registrants that includes each firm’s name, address, telephone number, website URL, and registration category as well as an Investment caution list which details companies and individuals that are not registered with the ASC and that appear to be engaging in activities that either require registration under Alberta securities laws or may be investment scams.
Questions about checking registration?
Checking registration is the most important step you can take before investing. If you have any questions about an individual or firm you have checked or have discovered the individual or firm you are dealing with is not registered, or is offering you something they don’t seem permitted to, contact the Alberta Securities Commission.
inquiries@asc.ca
Telephone: 403.355.4151
Toll free: 1.877.355.4488
