Canadians have the privilege of doing business with well-known and reputable financial institutions from Canada, right here in the United States—and especially in South Florida.
For some foreign investors in the U.S., doing business with a U.S. bank has proven problematic. This was the case for Laurent Meyer, who shared his negative experience with us. His story highlights the serious consequences that a simple administrative error at a bank can have when it is not corrected quickly.
On May 12, 2025, a bank account was opened for Harrison Apartments LLC, with documents confirming that Laurent Meyer is the Managing Member, authorized on the account, and that the company is managed on an equal-share basis.
On April 9, 2026, without Laurent Meyer being present, without identity verification, without prior contact, and without authorization, the bank revoked his access to the account. An internal document even states “Member Not Present.”
During April and May 2026, Laurent Meyer and his attorney communicated with the institution, which acknowledged the error but did not correct it. Meyer remained barred from the account, despite its importance: it is used for the day-to-day operations of a building with approximately 200 apartments, including the management of monthly rent.
On June 9, 2026, and again on June 12, the bank’s attorney confirmed that a hold had been placed on the accounts to preserve the status quo until the matter was resolved. However, to date, Laurent Meyer’s access has still not been restored, and the account has not been returned to its original state.
This case serves as a reminder to Canadian investors of the importance of doing business with banks they know well—banks that, for the most part, advertise in the various publications of the Soleil de la Floride.
It is also recommended to keep all documents on file, check your bank access regularly, and take immediate action if you notice any irregularities.
A “hurricane pass” to escape Florida before the storm
A new company, PriorityEvac, offers affluent Floridians an annual subscription for $1,250 that guarantees a seat on a private flight to Atlanta before a hurricane hits. The service, launched this summer, helps users avoid traffic jams, fuel shortages, and skyrocketing commercial flight prices. The planes would take off from six major coastal airports. Although expensive, this system is intended to be an “affordable” alternative to private charters. It specifically targets wealthy residents, vulnerable individuals, and pet owners. Experts point out, however, that most evacuations do not require leaving the state, but acknowledge that the lack of suitable shelters may prompt some to seek refuge farther away.
Brightline Reintroduces Frequent Traveler Passes Between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale
Brightline is reintroducing multi-trip passes to attract regular travelers between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, a corridor experiencing rapid economic growth. Three SMART passes are available: 10 trips for $239; 20 trips for $319; and 40 trips for $359.
This offer is aimed at professionals and commuters traveling between two major hubs where corporate headquarters, financial firms, and tech companies are proliferating. Brightline notes that West Palm Beach has welcomed more than 140 corporate relocations, creating 13,000 jobs. The passes are available on the Brightline website and app.
Alternatively, Tri-Rail offers lower fares, including an unlimited monthly pass for $110 (or $155 with Miami-Dade Transit), but a roughly 10% increase is expected in October. Both systems are seeing a rise in ridership, driven by increasing traffic congestion in South Florida and rising gas prices.
$55 Million Home with a Rooftop Pickleball Court
Ember House, a new ultra-luxury home in Fort Lauderdale, is listed for $55 million.
This fully furnished, three-story, 15,000-square-foot (1,394 m²) home features six bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, an air-conditioned eight-car garage-gallery, a movie theater, a music room, a library of rare books, a gym, a Himalayan salt wall sauna, and an outdoor cold plunge pool. Its standout feature: a rooftop pickleball court! The third floor is reserved for the master suite. Built with 100 metric tons of backlit Brazilian quartzite, it glows at night—hence its name.
Located in Sunrise Intracoastal, it embodies the boom in Fort Lauderdale’s ultra-luxury market.
Florida: Executions Highlight an Aging Death Row
On July 14, the state of Florida executed Dennis Sochor, 74, one of its longest-serving inmates, making him the oldest man ever executed in the state—just ahead of the scheduled execution of another 80-year-old prisoner on July 28.
These successive executions illustrate the aging death row population and the rapid pace of executions in Florida, which has already carried out ten executions by lethal injection in 2026—more than all other states combined.
Sochor, convicted of the 1982 murder of a young woman, had his final appeals rejected by the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tighter Restrictions on Green Card Access (Permanent Residency in the U.S.)
The Trump administration is reinstating the public charge rule, which could deny green cards to immigrants who use public assistance such as food stamps, Medicaid, or housing assistance. Published in the Federal Register, it will take effect on September 18, 2026. Previously implemented in 2020 and then rescinded under Biden, the rule expands the list of programs that could disqualify an applicant, sparking concern and confusion among immigrant families. Officials say they aim to ensure the financial self-sufficiency of new residents, while advocacy groups denounce it as a “wealth test.”
The Florida Policy Institute estimated in 2019 that the reintroduction of this rule would have a “deterrent effect” on nearly 1.6 million Floridians, preventing them from accessing essential programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, and housing assistance for fear of being denied a green card.
It’s hot, hot, hot…
August 2026 is expected to be very hot and humid in South Florida, in line with seasonal trends and the heat waves currently affecting the region. Daily high temperatures are expected to regularly reach between 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius), with high humidity driving the heat index above 105 °F (41 °C).
Long-term weather forecasts, including those from the Farmers’ Almanac 2026 Summer Weather Forecast, highlight above-normal temperatures for the Florida Peninsula during this period, leading to frequent heat advisories and prompting residents and authorities to exercise extra caution. In Fort Lauderdale, even animals are seeking refuge in the water. Outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable: a city employee recently suffered from heat exhaustion. According to CBS News Miami, the city plans to increase shaded areas, while health officials are reminding the public of the importance of staying hydrated, recognizing the signs of heat-related illness, and calling for help if heatstroke is suspected.
