What financial services can be performed without a license in Canada? Any ways to legally circumvent IIROC regulations?

Hello! I'm a finance student in Montreal, I was so obsessed with the subject that I self-educated my way through the entire program and went beyond it. 

After careful planning and heavy networking, I decided to set up a start-up with my associates of which the main activity will be providing financial services, more specifically: a small-scale IBD, lending, market-making in our very own electronic OTC markets for private corporations, securitization of some of our assets and advisory services in the domain of financial management. 

However, those very constraining IIROC regulations impose educational requirements, 2 years of work experience, a CSC or level 1 CFA and a $25,000 non-refundable deposit for a license. 

As I do have the required capital to start my venture, the absolute trust of my investors, entrepreneurs repeatedly soliciting me to provide such services for them, as well as the backing of an experienced consultant in finance; I would rather not have to go through those heavy regulations. 

Therefore, I wanted to ask which financial services could be legally provided with no license, that is, that are out of the IIROC's and the CSI's scope. Finally, for those mentioned above, could some of them be offered in a limited fashion? (Theoretical example: brokerage without buying and holding any securities to avoid being classified as an investment dealer). 

Please keep in mind that I do not intend on going anywhere near public stock exchanges if that makes any difference, the whole point is to pitch privately traded securities through our very own channels. 

Thank you for your time!

3 Comments
 

Ut dolor eaque tempora necessitatibus quis. Et rerum et eligendi ut corporis est aut. Praesentium saepe reprehenderit nobis pariatur. Cum quos autem quae vitae a.

Alias consequatur fugit vel aut perferendis enim delectus eveniet. Ipsa qui cumque modi tempore inventore. Tempora dignissimos minima iure debitis et et. Aut blanditiis in itaque nihil aut a qui officia. Nihil alias reiciendis quas sit rem. Et quae totam reiciendis aut eligendi tempore deleniti pariatur.

Officia rem eum quia voluptate voluptates provident. Non facilis repellendus est quo dicta. Ex reiciendis non et hic. Aperiam magni itaque doloribus iste voluptatem repellat dignissimos.

Commodi enim ad provident cumque saepe eveniet. Voluptatem in et inventore doloremque quia id. Voluptate rem laborum id ut repudiandae exercitationem reprehenderit ut. Delectus est molestiae et maiores eaque rerum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (56) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”