“Money can be one of the most sensitive topics in a relationship,” says new Scotiabank poll
For many Canadian couples, the biggest barrier to investing together isn’t spending or saving habits – it’s agreeing on risk.
A new Scotiabank poll of Canadians in relationships reports that over a third (38 percent) cite aligning on risk tolerance as one of the biggest challenges when investing toward shared financial goals, edging out the 34 percent who point to differences in spending and saving habits.
The findings also highlight a clear need for guidance.
More than a quarter (28 percent) of respondents say they find it difficult to decide whether to combine finances or keep accounts separate, while 20 percent say they are unsure where to start investing.
“Money can be one of the most sensitive topics in a relationship, but it’s also one of the most important,” says Helen He, vice president, Retail Investments at Scotiabank. “Having conversations about goals and risk can help couples make investment decisions they’re both comfortable with.”
She adds that Scotiabank is committed to helping couples find investment approaches that work for both partners.
Despite the friction points, most couples still approach investing as a joint effort.
The majority of Canadians in a relationship say they feel comfortable sharing investment decision-making with their partner, driven by trust in their partner’s financial judgement (66 percent), confidence in their investment knowledge (64 percent), and a belief that investing together can strengthen the relationship (59 percent).
Generational splits add another layer.
Roughly two-thirds (68 percent) of Gen Z Canadians in a relationship see clear benefits to investing together, compared to 52 percent of Gen X and 59 percent of Boomers.
Gen Z is also the most likely to say they need guidance, with 28 percent citing not knowing where to start as a significant challenge.
Boomers are the most likely to struggle with agreeing on risk tolerance (42 percent), followed by Gen Z at 38 percent, underlining how investment needs and concerns can differ by life stage.
“The data highlights the importance of tailored advice and tools that reflect evolving goals and risk preferences over time,” says He.
She adds that for couples, this often starts with a conversation about how much uncertainty each person can accept, which goals are shared or individual, and how they want to begin investing so they can align their priorities and move forward together.
