OUR TEAM
_edited.jpg)
Principal, Financial Planner
CHRIS MERRICK
With over 20 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to merging a passion for entrepreneurship with deep expertise in personal and corporate financial management. Before founding Merrick Financial, I successfully built and sold my own manufacturing company, which reached $10M in annual sales.
As a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP), I bring a wealth of experience in financial planning, retirement planning, corporate planning, real estate, tax strategies, and investment analysis.
As a fee / advice only financial planner, I sell no insurance or investment products. Whether it’s lowering fees, managing debt, or creating tailored plans for short- and long-term financial goals, I prioritize transparent advice and steer clear of traditional referral fees or commissions.
When I’m not in the office, you can find me at home in East York (Toronto) with my family or outdoors enjoying cycling, sailing, and hockey. I’m also passionate about staying ahead of the curve by reading about global financial issues, ensuring I never stop growing as a professional.
Senior Financial Planner
Daisy xiao
Before joining Merrick Financial, I spent 13 years in Canadian financial planning. I worked at Scotiabank in boutique wealth management at both the Family Office and Advisor levels. Later, at Wealthsimple, I provided financial plans for high-income professionals and business owners who managed their own investments but needed help seeing the full picture.
As a fee-only, advice-only financial planner, I sell no investment or insurance products and accept no commissions or referral fees. Holding both the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designations, I ensure my advice is purely objective and focused on your goals.
I listen before I speak to understand the "why" behind my clients' decisions, not just the numbers. Every recommendation I make exists solely to serve my clients' goals, with no competing financial interest behind it.
Outside of work, I am raising a family in Aurora, Ontario, and am actively involved in the Catholic community. Daily prayers and meditation are what keep me grounded.
I bring 12 years of marketing experience from my tenure at big tech companies, including Amazon, Google, and LinkedIn.
Today, I apply my expertise to ensure more Canadian households and businesses discover the advice-only model, allowing them to experience the true benefits of working with a financial planner; without the pressure of product sales or conflicts of interest.
I personally ensure that every inquiry made through our website or phone is answered within 24 business hours. We understand that financial questions often come with a sense of urgency.
When I’m not working, you can usually find me keeping up with my kids and their busy schedules; which mostly means shuffling them between hockey and swimming. To recharge, I love heading out for a run along Toronto’s beautiful city trails.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
IN THE NEWS
We are a trusted and sought-after source for leading media outlets such as The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, and The Canadian Press.
These organizations consistently rely on us for our impartial perspective and trusted guidance in real estate, financial, and retirement planning. From navigating pivotal life milestones (such as inheritance, property purchases, career transitions, or retirement), we deliver clear, unbiased advice that empowers individuals to make confident, well‑informed decisions grounded in the realities of the Canadian economy.
Explore the latest articles featuring our financial planners' contributions through the links below:
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Merrick Financial Inc. is a proud member of the local communities in Toronto and East York. We are delighted to receive the following recognitions:
2025 Winner for Best Financial Planner in Toronto
The Quality Business Awards recognizes businesses that achieve an average quality score of 95% or greater over the previous 12 months.
2025 Winner FOR BEST FINANCIAL PLANNER IN TORONTO
Toronto Blogs Best Financial Planners
2025 THREE BEST RATEDBEST FINANCIAL SERVICES
WiseCanadian is a guide to the best services in Canada and they put us at the top of the list of the 8 best financial planners in Toronto.
The blog lists the 10 best Financial Planners with a comprehensive list of their services, pros, cons and customer reviews.
Their business analyst team was impressed by the consistent high-quality service provided. They thoroughly evaluated our business based on our rigorous 50-Point Inspection.
