New survey reveals that 65% of Canadian grandparents who financially support their children or grandchildren say this is altering their own retirement savings

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As young Canadians continue to grapple with rising living costs, the 2024 Financial Support Sentiment survey issued by Bloom Finance in Partnership with Angus Reid, found that intergenerational financial support has become a common practice. The survey sheds light on growing financial pressures collectively faced by Canadian families, revealing that one in three Canadian grandparents are financially supporting their children or grandchildren. This further illustrates the delicate balancing act that Canadian grandparents are facing amid the cost of living crisis, with more than half (65%) of survey respondents saying that financially supporting their children and grandchildren has affected their retirement savings.

The survey released today finds that:

FINANCIAL SUPPORT TRENDS:

• One-in-three Canadian grandparents support their children or grandchildren financially
• 43% of those who do support their adult children and 37% of those who support their grandchildren feel obligated to do so, with the main reasons for feeling obligated due to:
  • They are in need of financial support (68%)
  • Rising living costs (44%)
  • The culture of paying it forward: their parents/grandparents helped them (24%)
• 53% say the amount or frequency of financial support they provide to children and grandchildren has increased over the last two years
  • Of those who are supporting their children, 42% are providing more than $5,000 per year
  • Of those who are supporting their grandchildren, 22% are providing more than $5,000 per year
• 55% currently support their children/grandchildren with everyday living expenses including groceries, gas, clothing, and cell phone bills, followed by extracurricular activities or child care (33%), and rent or mortgage payments (26%)

IMPACT ON RETIREMENT PLANS:

• 65% of Canadian grandparents say their financial support obligations have affected their retirement savings, with 66% of Canadian grandparents indicating that the increased cost of living has altered their retirement plans
• To address any shortfall in retirement savings due to financial support, 67% of Canadian grandparents plan to adjust their own lifestyle or spending habits, while only 18% plan to reduce the financial support they provide to their children or grandchildren
• Of those who have an upcoming mortgage renewal, nearly one quarter (22%) say it will impact their financial stability

“Intergenerational financial support has become ingrained in our cultural fabric, and while it’s admirable, the rising costs of living are jeopardizing Canadian seniors’ financial outlook. Canadians shouldn’t have to choose between their loved ones and themselves,” said Ben McCabe, Founder and CEO of Bloom. “Solutions like ours empower Canadian seniors to access their home equity, allowing them to assist family members when needed while maintaining their own financial independence.”

As many Canadian seniors are bearing the burden of choosing between financially supporting their loved ones and investing in their retirement, Bloom Finance is bringing innovative and accessible financial alternatives to help Canadian grandparents find financial relief through the wealth accumulated in their homes.

For more on Bloom Finance, visit bloomfin.ca.

About Bloom Finance Ltd.

Bloom is a leading Canadian fintech company dedicated to assisting homeowners aged 55 and above in accessing the wealth accumulated in their homes to enjoy more comfortable retirements. Through the integration of cutting-edge technology and innovative product delivery, the company is reshaping home equity access to be adaptable, enduring, and user-friendly. Bloom’s overarching mission is to alleviate financial stress among retired homeowners, enabling them to relish the golden years of their lives. Licensed in ON:13338, BC:MBX600455, and AB. Discover more at www.bloomfin.ca.

Methodology

These are the findings of a study conducted by Bloom Finance from September 18 to 22, 2024 among a sample of 503 online Canadians aged 55 and over who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Contacts

For media inquiries:

Amy Sarkany

Category Communications

amy@categorycomms.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Slate Grocery REIT (TSX: SGR.U) (TSX: SGR.UN) (the “REIT”), an owner and operator of U.S. grocery-anchored real estate, announced today that the Board of Trustees has declared a distribution for the month of October 2024 of U.S.$0.072 per class U unit of the REIT (“Class U Units”), or U.S.$0.864 on an annualized basis.

Holders of Class U Units may elect to receive their distribution in Canadian dollars and should contact their broker to make such an election.

Holders of class A units of the REIT (“Class A Units”) will receive a distribution equal to the Canadian dollar equivalent (based on the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate at the time of payment of the distribution) of U.S.$0.072 per Class A Unit, unless the unitholder has elected to receive distributions in U.S. dollars. Holders of class I units of the REIT (“Class I Units”) will receive a distribution of U.S.$0.072 per Class I Unit, unless the unitholder has elected to receive distributions in Canadian dollars. Holders of units of subsidiaries of the REIT that are exchangeable into Class U Units (“Exchangeable Units”) will receive a distribution of U.S.$0.072 per unit.

If a holder of Class U Units or Class I Units elects to receive distributions in Canadian dollars, the holder will receive the Canadian dollar equivalent amount of the distribution being paid on the Class U Units or Class I Units, as applicable, based on the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate at the time of payment of the distribution.

Distributions on all unit classes of the REIT, and distributions on Exchangeable Units, will be payable on November 15, 2024, to unitholders of record as of the close of business on October 31, 2024.

About Slate Grocery REIT (TSX: SGR.U / SGR.UN)

Slate Grocery REIT is an owner and operator of U.S. grocery-anchored real estate. The REIT owns and operates approximately U.S. $2.4 billion of critical real estate infrastructure across major U.S. metro markets that communities rely upon for their daily needs. The REIT’s resilient grocery-anchored portfolio and strong credit tenants provide unitholders with durable cash flows and the potential for capital appreciation over the longer term. Visit slategroceryreit.com to learn more about the REIT.

About Slate Asset Management

Slate Asset Management is a global alternative investment platform. We focus on fundamentals with the objective of creating long-term value for our investors and partners. Slate’s platform focuses on four areas of real assets, including real estate equity, real estate credit, real estate securities, and infrastructure. We are supported by exceptional people and flexible capital, which enable us to originate and execute on a wide range of compelling investment opportunities. Visit slateam.com to learn more, and follow Slate Asset Management on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information herein constitutes “forward-looking information” as defined under Canadian securities laws which reflect management’s expectations regarding objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the REIT. The words “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate”, “projects”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results “may”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur”, “be achieved”, or “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the REIT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the filings of the REIT with securities regulators.

SGR-Dist

Contacts

For Further Information
Investor Relations

+1 416 644 4264

ir@slateam.com

55-agent team bolsters Real’s Twin Cities presence bringing more than 1,000 home sales valued at nearly $370 million since 2021

TORONTO & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–$REAX #therealbrokerage–The Real Brokerage Inc. (NASDAQ: REAX), a technology platform reshaping real estate for agents, home buyers and sellers, today announced that the Grant Johnson Group, a fast-growing team serving the St. Paul/Minneapolis area has joined Real. The addition brings 55 agents to Real, which now has more than 22,000 throughout the U.S. and Canada, an increase of more than 8,000 agents since the end of 2023.

A 30-year real estate veteran, Johnson formed his current team in 2021 with 12 agents, and attributes the team’s fast growth to the people he has surrounded himself with.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Grant and his powerhouse team to Real. It’s fitting that a fast-growing team, focused on building a strong culture, has helped us surpass 22,000 agents,” said Real President Sharran Srivatsaa. “In a short time, Grant and his team have carved out a unique space in Minneapolis’ ultra-competitive market, and we’re looking forward to partnering with them to achieve even more.”

The team, which relies on internet lead generation for more than 70% of its business, has completed more than 1,000 home sales with a transaction value of approximately $370 million since 2021. This includes 300 sales valued at $110 million in 2023. The team is on track to sell 450 homes in 2024.

“Real is in alignment with our culture. Its collaborative approach is designed to prevent silos and offers the best platform from which to grow,” Johnson said.

The leadership team at Grant Johnson Group includes Jeff Montgomery (Finance), Tammi Roach (Agent Attraction), and Amber Urlacher (Operations), all of whom also serve as producing agents. They are supported by Katie Mahler, who manages shared operations, and Megan Nelson, who leads marketing efforts.

About Real

Real (NASDAQ: REAX) is a real estate experience company working to make life’s most complex transaction simple. The fast-growing company combines essential real estate, mortgage and closing services with powerful technology to deliver a single seamless end-to-end consumer experience, guided by trusted agents. With a presence throughout the U.S. and Canada, Real supports more than 22,000 agents who use its digital brokerage platform and tight-knit professional community to power their own forward-thinking businesses.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “likely” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may”, “will”, “should”, “could” or “might” occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as of the date hereof. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limiting the foregoing, expectations regarding Real’s ability to continue to attract agents.

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to Real’s business objectives, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business projects and opportunities and financial results. Real considers these assumptions to be reasonable in the circumstances. However, forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, slowdowns in real estate markets, economic and industry downturns, Real’s ability to attract new agents and retain current agents and those risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 14, 2024, a copy of which is available under the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors should be carefully considered and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Real cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Real assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Contacts

Investor inquiries, please contact:

Ravi Jani

Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Planning & Analysis

investors@therealbrokerage.com
908.280.2515

For media inquiries, please contact:

Elisabeth Warrick

Senior Director, Marketing, Communications & Brand

elisabeth@therealbrokerage.com
201.564.4221