Smart Advice with Carissa Lucreziano

Online fraud is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Today's scams are more convincing, more personalized, and increasingly difficult to recognize, whether they arrive through a phishing email, a fake investment opportunity, a romance scam, or even a voice that sounds like someone you know and trust.
In this episode of CIBC Smart Advice, host Carissa Lucreziano speaks with Joe LoBianco, Chief Information Security Officer at CIBC, about how fraud has changed, the warning signs Canadians should never ignore, and the simple habits that can significantly improve your online security.
Together, they discuss how banks detect suspicious activity before clients even know something is wrong, why scammers rely on urgency and emotional manipulation, and how tools like password managers and multi-factor authentication can provide an extra layer of protection. Joe also shares practical advice on what to do if you believe you've been targeted by fraud and the trusted resources available to help Canadians stay informed.

About Joe LoBianco

Joe LoBianco is Chief Information Security Officer at CIBC, where he leads the bank's cybersecurity strategy and the teams responsible for protecting clients, employees, systems, and data from evolving cyber threats. With more than 20 years at CIBC, he is focused on building trust through innovative security solutions that help keep Canadians safe in an increasingly digital world.

Resources Mentioned / Links List

● CIBC's "Smart Advice" Podcast and Website - Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
● Visit CIBC for more Smart Advice
● Joe LoBianco | Linkedin
● Canadian Anti-Scam Coalition | standagainstscams.ca/
● Stand Against Scams | Instagram

3 Reasons Why You Should Listen to This Episode

Learn how today's most common scams work, and the warning signs that can help you recognize them before it's too late.
Discover practical cybersecurity habits, including password management and multi-factor authentication, that can better protect your personal information and finances.
Understand how CIBC detects suspicious activity behind the scenes and why slowing down may be your best defence against fraud.

Episode Highlights

[02:40] How Banks Detect Fraud Before Clients Know
Joe explains how transaction monitoring, behavioural patterns, and real-time analysis help identify suspicious activity before fraud escalates.
[04:42] The New Reality of Modern Scams
Joe explores how fraud has evolved beyond phishing emails to include romance scams, investment fraud, and increasingly sophisticated impersonation tactics.
[08:21] The Biggest Red Flag to Watch For
"Usually, the fraudsters will try to manufacture some sense of urgency."
Joe explains why pressure and emotional manipulation are at the heart of many scams, and why slowing down can be your best defence.
[10:09] Strengthening Your Everyday Security
Joe shares practical ways to better protect your accounts, from password managers to multi-factor authentication and biometrics.
[19:14] Think Before You Click
"There really is no urgency in most situations to acting."
Joe shares the simple mindset he applies to suspicious emails, texts, and messages, and why taking a moment before responding can prevent costly mistakes.

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!
Protecting yourself from fraud starts with staying informed. CIBC offers a range of resources to help you recognize scams, strengthen your digital security, and stay up to date on emerging fraud trends. Visit our website to explore more articles, tools, and expert advice designed to help you bank with confidence.
Have any questions? You can connect with me on LinkedIn or through CIBC's Facebook or Instagram.
Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 who successfully build and preserve wealth across generations, the most important conversations often have nothing to do with money at all.

In this episode of CIBC Smart Advice, host Carissa Lucreziano sits down with Lana Robinson to explore what she's learned from working closely with successful families and business owners. Through stories and practical examples, Lana shares what successful families have in common when it comes to building wealth, preparing future generations, and creating a legacy that lasts.

About Lana Robinson

Lana Robinson is Head of Ultra-High Net Worth Private Banking and CIBC Family Office. She works with multi-generational families to articulate a vision for their wealth, their families, and their communities.
Partnering closely with ultra-high net worth families and their advisors, Lana helps navigate the complexities of wealth, develop strategies for intergenerational wealth transfer, and build frameworks that support responsible stewardship across generations.
In her role, Lana collaborates with advisors across CIBC Private Wealth and experts throughout CIBC North America to deliver highly customized solutions, from banking and investment strategies to complex credit arrangements and specialized planning. Her work focuses on helping families preserve wealth, prepare future generations, and build lasting legacies.
Lana holds the Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) designations.

Visit Lana Robinson’s profile on CIBC here.

Resources Mentioned / Links List
● CIBC's "Smart Advice" Podcast and Website - Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
● Visit CIBC for more Smart Advice
● Lana Robinson | CIBC
● Your guide to estate planning

3 Reasons Why You Should Listen to This Episode

Discover the habits and conversations that successful families use to build lasting wealth
Learn how to prepare the next generation for inheritance and financial responsibility
Explore how families approach big financial decisions.

Enjoyed this Episode?
If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!
Building wealth isn't just about numbers. It's also about values, communication, and creating a vision for the future. Whether you're planning for retirement, preparing the next generation, or simply trying to make more intentional financial decisions, this episode offers practical insights that can help you build a stronger financial foundation.
Have any questions? You can connect with me on LinkedIn or through CIBC's Facebook or Instagram.
Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 every day actually matters? Are Canadians finally starting to regain some financial stability? And what economic trends deserve more attention over the months ahead?
In this episode of CIBC Smart Advice, host Carissa Lucreziano sits down with Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist at CIBC Capital Markets, to unpack the forces shaping Canada's economy right now. From inflation and consumer confidence to AI, housing and the future of work, this conversation is about separating signal from noise and helping Canadians focus on what will have the biggest impact on their finances.

3 Reasons Why You Should Listen to This Episode

Learn which economic headlines Canadians should actually pay attention to right now
Understand how AI, the labour market and housing are reshaping Canada's future
Discover Benjamin Tal's outlook on inflation, interest rates and where the economy is headed next

About Benjamin Tal

Benjamin Tal is Deputy Chief Economist at CIBC Capital Markets and a member of CIBC's economics team, where he analyzes macroeconomic developments and their implications for fixed income, equity, foreign exchange and commodities markets.
Well known for his research on labour market dynamics, real estate, credit markets, international trade and business conditions, Benjamin not only contributes to the economic conversation but frequently helps shape it. He also advises bank leaders on issues related to wealth management, household credit and risk, and corporate credit and risk.
With nearly 20 years of experience advising clients, industry leaders, corporate boards, trade associations and governments, Benjamin is a regular commentator in the media and a trusted voice on the economic issues shaping Canada's future.
Benjamin is a member of the Economic Committee of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Committee of the Toronto Board of Trade. He also serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Central Ontario and Toronto Financial International.
Visit Benjamin Tal's profile on CIBC here.

Resources Mentioned / Links List

● CIBC's "Smart Advice" Podcast and Website - Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
● Visit CIBC for more Smart Advice
● Benjamin Tal | CIBC Capital Markets Inc.

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!
Canadians are constantly navigating a flood of economic headlines, but understanding what truly matters can make financial decisions feel much more manageable. Whether it's inflation, interest rates, housing or the future of work, focusing on long-term trends instead of short-term noise can help Canadians make more informed decisions about their future.
Have any questions? You can connect with me on LinkedIn or through CIBC’s Facebook or Instagram.
Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 toward turnkey homes, the realities of co-purchasing, and the ongoing costs and planning considerations that can shape a property decision over time.

If you’re weighing a vacation property, rental income, or a shared purchase with family or friends, this episode offers practical perspectives to help you ask better questions and make more informed decisions.

About Scott McGillivray

Scott McGillivray is an entrepreneur, investor, television personality and one of Canada's most recognized voices in real estate. For more than two decades, he has helped Canadians navigate homeownership, renovation and property investing through his television series, educational platforms and businesses.

He is best known as the host and executive producer of Income Property, as well as Scott's Vacation House Rules and Renovation Resort. Throughout his career, Scott has focused on helping Canadians build long-term wealth through strategic real estate decisions and practical investing advice.
Visit Scott McGillivray’s website here.

Resources Mentioned / Links List

● CIBC's "Smart Advice" Podcast and Website - Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
● Visit CIBC for more Smart Advice

3 Reasons Why You Should Listen to This Episode

Learn Scott McGillivray’ss preparing or purchasing framework for navigating today's market
Discover the hidden costs and conversations Canadians often overlook before buying a property
Understand which real estate trends are worth pursuing and which ones may create expensive lessons

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!
Canadians are exploring more ways than ever to enter the real estate market, whether that's buying a second property, investing with family or considering new ownership models. But successful real estate investing isn't about chasing trends. It's about understanding your goals, creating a plan and making decisions that support your long-term financial future.
Have any questions? You can connect with me on LinkedIn, or through CIBC’s Facebook, or Instagram.
Thanks for tuning in! For more updates, visit our website. You can also listen to more amazing episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 rather than drift or personal bias?

In this episode of CIBC Smart Advice, host Carissa Lucreziano sits down with David Wong, Group Chief Investment Officer at CIBC Global Asset Management, to discuss DIY investing, portfolio drift and the blind spots that can quietly undermine diversification.

3 Reasons to Listen to This Episode
Learn how portfolio drift can quietly change your investment strategy over time
Discover why investment FOMO and overtrading can hurt long-term returns
Understand how diversification and discipline help investors navigate market uncertainty

Resources Mentioned / Links List

● CIBC's "Smart Advice" Podcast and Website - Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music
● Visit CIBC for more Smart Advice

About David Wong
David Wong is Group Chief Investment Officer, CIBC Global Asset Management. He is responsible for CIBC Global Asset Management’s managed solutions investment process and portfolio management. His Total Investment Solutions team helps determine asset allocations and portfolio construction, researches and evaluates managers, and monitors investments across the firm’s roughly $80 billion managed solutions programs. The team is also responsible for trading execution, beta management, and performance and risk oversight across all of CIBC Global Asset Management.

In addition, David is a member of the CIBC Family Office Leadership Team and provides institutional asset allocation advice to ultra-high net worth individuals and families.
David joined CIBC Global Asset Management in July 2011 and previously served as Managing Director, Investment Management Research until June 2021. He has more than 26 years of industry experience in New York and Toronto.

Connect with David Wong on LinkedIn.

Episode Highlights

[01:40] Why DIY Investing Feels More Personal Than Ever
Carissa and David discuss why more Canadians are taking a hands-on approach to investing, and how greater access to information, markets and investing tools has fundamentally changed the way people think about building wealth.

[04:11] The Rise of “Finfluencers” and Investment FOMO
David breaks down new OSC research on social media investing behaviours, emotional decision-making and why online investing culture can encourage overtrading and unnecessary risk.

[05:51] The Hidden Risk of Overactivity
The conversation explores how emotional investing, poor timing and frequent trading can create “behaviour gaps” that negatively impact long-term portfolio performance.

[07:30] Building a Portfolio Around Discipline, Not Headlines
David explains why successful investing is less about chasing shortcuts and more about creating a long-term plan built around savings discipline, diversification and compounding.

[13:53] What Portfolio Drift Actually Looks Like
Using the Canadian and U.S. markets during the 1990s and early 2000s as an example, David explains how portfolios can quietly become unbalanced over time and why rebalancing matters.

[17:28] AI, Market Noise and the Danger of Prediction
The discussion turns to artificial intelligence, market headlines and investing trends, and why preparation and diversification matter more than trying to predict what happens next.

[21:58] The Investing Habits That Matter Most
“You're never fully diversified until there's something in the portfolio that you don't like.”
David shares the investing philosophies and mindset shifts that have shaped his approach after nearly three decades in the industry.

Enjoyed this Episode?
If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.