Archive for October, 2025

VELA Wealth Acquires McCurdy Financial to Further Growth

Friday, October 24th, 2025

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, October 20, 2025 – VELA Wealth Management Inc. (“VELA Wealth”) is pleased to announce the acquisition of McCurdy Financial Planning Inc. (“McCurdy Financial”). The transaction represents an important milestone in VELA’s growth strategy—strengthening its presence in Vancouver and advancing its goal of surpassing $2 Billion in Assets under Advice (AUA) by 2030.

As part of the transaction, McCurdy Financial Founder, Diane McCurdy has announced her retirement. Under the continued leadership of President, Brandon Epp, McCurdy Financial will operate as it does today, maintaining its brand and services, while becoming an independent subsidiary of VELA Wealth.

“This new chapter reflects our shared commitment to putting clients first and ensuring continuity for the families and businesses we serve,” said Brandon Epp, President of McCurdy Financial. “Joining the VELA family allows us to build on the foundation we’ve established, with the added benefit of VELA’s resources and support.”

“McCurdy Financial has earned a reputation for trusted advice, personalized service, and long-term client relationships,” said Jason Boudreau, Founder of VELA Wealth. “We are honoured to carry forward that legacy while providing additional structure and resources to support the McCurdy team.”

“This acquisition underscores the importance of cultural and values alignment,” added Rob Wallis, Partner at VELA Wealth. “We’re committed to ensuring continuity for clients while creating a strong foundation for future growth.”

Strategic benefits of the transaction

  • Client Continuity: McCurdy advisors and service teams remain in place.
  • Expanded Support: Access to VELA’s broader resources and expertise.
  • Enhanced Systems: Improved tools for service and communication.
  • Shared Values: A culture centered on client-first service and long-term relationships.

Clients can expect the same personalized service they value, strengthened by the additional support and tools that VELA provides.

 

About VELA Wealth

VELA Wealth is a boutique financial planning firm based in Vancouver, BC. The firm helps business owners, professionals and affluent families design purposeful financial strategies through a culture of collaboration and client-first service.

About McCurdy Financial

Founded by Diane McCurdy—one of Canada’s foremost financial planners—McCurdy Financial has served clients nationwide for more than 25 years with a commitment to designing personalized financial programs using a diversified approach.

Advisors

Fort Capital Partners acted as financial advisor to VELA Wealth. Koffman Kalef LLP served as legal advisor.
VEER Business Advisors acted as financial advisor to McCurdy Financial. Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP served as legal advisor.

 

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#40 Q3 2025 Market Outlook with Keith Allan

Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

In our quarterly Polestar Podcast update, Kevin Parton and Portfolio Manager Keith Allan review Q3 2025 and the path ahead. Despite bouts of volatility earlier in the year, staying invested and rebalancing have rewarded clients as the bull market—led by tech and ongoing AI tailwinds—continued. They address today’s big questions: elevated valuations, mixed economic signals (inflation, unemployment), uncertain rate cuts, and the role of gold after a powerful run. The takeaway: avoid market-timing, keep cash at prudent levels (not as a strategy), diversify across assets, and stick to a rules-based rebalancing framework aligned to your goals and risk tolerance.


 

Episode Highlights:

  • Strong YTD for equities: Clients who stayed invested captured the 2025 bull market.
  • Valuations are high, but room remains: Tech/AI leadership and retail flows can still support gains.
  • The market and the economy don’t move in lockstep: Softer labour data and mixed inflation don’t directly dictate stock moves.
  • Rates are uncertain: One cut behind us; future cuts are data-dependent—plan, don’t predict.
  • Gold’s big run: Keep it as a diversifier; consider trimming profits rather than overweighting it.
  • …and more.

 

About the Guest – Keith Allan

Keith Allan is a Portfolio Manager with Harness Investment Management. Harness has engaged in a strategic partnership with VELA Wealth and provides discretionary portfolio management for many of VELA’s clients. With more than 15 years of buy-side investment management experience, Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide insight and guidance to clients regarding their investment portfolios. At Harness, Keith is responsible for developing and maintaining investment portfolios for VELA clients. To learn more, please visit Harness Investment Management team page.

 

About the Host – Kevin Parton

Kevin Parton, CFP professional, specializes in personal and business financial planning, tax reduction, and estate planning. Kevin is diligently concentrating on client education as a powerful strategy for building financial certainty. As no financial situation is the same, Kevin and his team monitor clients’ plans and implement personalized strategies to reduce their personal and corporate taxes, and protect their income, assets, and loved ones against the financial consequences of a serious illness, injury or death, ensuring clients maintain financial certainty and peace of mind. To read more, please visit the VELA team page.

 

The episode is also available on:

  

  

 

Disclaimer

The information provided in the podcast transcript is designed for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or investment product.

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