Smart Advice with Carissa Lucreziano

What do wealthy families talk about differently? Lana Robinson joins Carissa Lucreziano to explore the conversations and the habits that help families build lasting financial legacies.

What if the biggest difference between families who build lasting wealth and everyone else isn't how much they earn, but how they think?

When we talk about wealth, we often focus on investments, markets, and financial strategies. But for families w...

Are Canadians finally catching a break? Benjamin Tal joins Carissa Lucreziano to unpack inflation, interest rates, AI, housing and the economic trends Canadians should actually be paying attention to right now.

Economic headlines are competing for Canadians’ attention. Housing is still stretched, economic signals are mixed, and AI is starting to reshape how people think about work and growth.

But how much of what we hear ev...

More Canadians are considering a second property, purchasing with family, or using real estate to build long-term wealth. But in a more complex market, the right opportunity often depends on more than location or timing.

In this episode of Smart Advice, Carissa Lucreziano sits down with real estate investor and TV host Scott McGillivray to discuss what Canadians should think through before making a move. They explore the shift towar...

Investing has never felt more personal. Canadians today have more access to markets, investing tools and financial information than ever before, but with constant headlines, social media advice and investing trends competing for attention, staying engaged can quickly turn into reacting to short term noise.

How do you stay informed without getting caught up in investment FOMO? And how do you build a portfolio shaped by discipline...

Your inheritors don't need equal—they need fair. Canada is in the middle of its largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history. How do you balance fairness when your children have different financial needs? When is the right time to give? And how do you ensure your intentions don't create unnecessary family tension in the future?

In this episode of CIBC Smart Advice, host Carissa Lucreziano sits down with Dr. Tom Deans&m...

As Canada–US trade dynamics evolve alongside global instability and rising inflation, they break down how major policy decisions are made and what they mean for Canadians in practical terms. This discussion explores the balance between long-term economic growth and short-term affordability, the role of natural resources and energy in Canada’s future, and how global events, from tariffs to geopolitical conflict, are dire...

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Discover the key themes shaping financial decision-making, from economic shifts to evolving investor needs.
2. Understand how resilience emerged as the strongest guide for navigating uncertainty.
3. Learn how expert insights can inspire clearer and more confident choices moving forward.

Resources

• CIBC's "Smart Advice" Podcast and Website - Website | A...

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Understand how Canadian businesses can prepare for generational wealth transition.
2. Gain practical tips on business succession, valuation, and managing complex family dynamics.
3. Reflect on the emotional side of entrepreneurship and how legacy planning shapes the future.

Resources

• CIBC's "Smart Advice" Podcast and Website - Website | Apple Podcast ...

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Gain insight into the practical and emotional complexities of intergenerational wealth transfer, including the rise of living gifts.
2. Discover how wills and estate plans are key to ensuring your wishes are respected and your family’s future is protected, along with strategies on having open family conversations about inheritance.
3. Learn why financial indepe...

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Learn how interest rate cuts actually affect variable and fixed-rate mortgages, and what that means for your next renewal.
2. Understand the regional differences shaping Canada’s housing markets, including why now may be an opportunity for condo buyers.
3. Gain practical strategies for staying financially resilient, from managing employment uncertainty to makin...

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Learn why now is the time to take advantage of Canada’s current capital gains rate and how it can impact your investment returns.
2. Explore the ins and outs of owning property outside of Canada and how to avoid double taxation and cross-border estate issues.
3. Hear practical year-end tax planning strategies, from charitable giving to tax-loss selling, to help...

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Discover why the fixed income asset class is not just the “quiet” side of your portfolio and why everyone should have a portion in their portfolios, offering attractive yields, stability, and protection against market volatility.
2. Learn how investment-grade bond funds and laddering strategies can help you manage reinvestment risk, match your investm...

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Learn how to approach saving for future education as a long-term goal, and with an investor mindset.
2. Learn how to build a resilient RESP investment strategy that adapts to market shifts, and discover investment solutions designed to evolve with your child’s age.
3. Gain insights into how to build financial literacy with your children and family, so you can w...

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Understand the powerful connection between financial well-being and your physical health, and how to disrupt that cycle.
2. Learn practical strategies for building resilience, managing stress, and maintaining balance in a fast-paced world.
3. Gain expert advice on preparing for retirement—emotionally, physically, and financially—so you can enjoy a purpose...

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Understand the rise of alternative investments and why public markets are no longer the full picture.
2. Learn how private equity, private credit, and real assets can enhance diversification and hedge against inflation.
3. Gain clarity on how everyday investors can access and implement alternatives in traditional portfolios.

Resources

• Alternative inve...

Has the current economic landscape led you to revisit your goals or adjust your journey to achieving them? If so, you’re not alone. 

In this episode of Smart Advice, Carissa Lucreziano is joined by Sean Simpson, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Ipsos, to unpack the findings of the inaugural CIBC Ambitions Index. Together, they explore how Canadians are reshaping their goals with a focus on balancing health, fina...

Market volatility isn’t new, but over the past year it has intensified due to tariff tensions, unpredictable interest rates, and persistent inflation, leaving investors to navigate contradictory and confusing economic signals. This raises a critical question for investors: how can you make wise decisions when news cycles outpace policy changes and traditional indicators seem  unreliable?

In this episode of Smart Advice, h...

For many Canadians, real estate is a deeply personal milestone. It’s an investment in the future, and often a building block for wealth. But as we look ahead, a new reality is taking shape. With mortgage renewals on the horizon, economic uncertainty and real estate markets showing varied performance across the provinces, homeowners and buyers alike are facing more complex decisions than ever. Is now the time to look into an i...