Basics of supervision

By supervising federally regulated financial institutions and pension plans in Canada, we’re protecting Canadians. Our goal is to contribute to public confidence in Canada’s financial system.

Our supervisory activities ensure financial institutions and pension plans follow our regulations and meet our expectations.

What’s included in supervision

  • Analyzing trends in the environment to identify issues that could affect financial institutions and pension plans
  • Evaluating risks facing financial institutions and pension plans by weighing the benefits of their activities versus the potential harm they could cause
  • Being transparent about our practices to keep us, financial institutions, and pension plans accountable 

What’s not included in our supervision

  • Directly influencing financial decisions or day-to-day operations of financial institutions and pension plans
  • Taking complaints about financial institutions or brokerage services of financial institutions
  • Answering questions about banks, insurance companies, and trust and loan companies
  • Dealing with contracts, business practices, and underwriting criteria of financial institutions
  • Looking after financial institutions and pension plans regulated by the provinces and territories

If you have a consumer complaint

Our mandate is to supervise financial institutions and pension plans from a financial and corporate perspective, not a consumer one. We’re unable to help resolve consumer complaints on your behalf. Here is a list of organizations who may be able to help you.