The Mortgage Broker Podcast

A Better Way Mortgage Group

We are the partners of A Better Way Mortgage Group, Dean Lawton, Deryk Williamson, & Jason Marshall, which is one of the largest groups in the Dominion Lending Centres network. "The Mortgage Broker Podcast" will focus on you, the mortgage broker, sharing tips, tricks, and knowledge from years of experience. We're here to help you be better brokers, do more business, and have more time to spend with your families.

  1. Oct 1

    77: BEHIND THE LENDER with Steve Kissuk | CCO, Strive Capital

    WATCH ▶️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Deryk & Jason are joined by Steve Kissuk. Steve is a Co-Founder and the Chief Credit Officer of Strive Capital, which has become a top 3 non-bank lender in Canada within their first 5 years of business. Steve has been in the mortgage industry for almost 20 years. After starting as a mortgage underwriter in 2007 with Jencor Mortgage, he then became a Financial Analyst with Alta West Mortgage Capital Corp. A few years later, Steve joined Street Capital Bank of Canada, which then led him to the founding of Strive Capital. Founded in March of 2021, Strive Capital Corporation is a trusted CMHC approved Canadian mortgage lender based in Toronto, Ontario, with a primary focus on originating residential mortgages. Offering both prime and alternative lending solutions, Strive is known for their exclusive broker partnerships and their very practical approach to lending. Steve is here to discuss: → Going all-in and co-founding Strive and how they developed a healthy partnership among the co-owners. → How how they build their team as a start-up, what they do for internal development, and how they created a shared company vision. → How Strive was able to gain the trust of brokers through building deliberate relationships & partnerships, what a well-packaged deal looks like, and the situations where a broker shouldn't try Strive. → Strive's practical approach to files and using niche products as the pipeline to bigger relationships with clients and an additional borrower type they are looking to serve in the future. → How the first 2 years of Strive's alternative product, Aspire, have gone and why you don't always need an exit strategy for an alt file. → How AI in the next 2 years will change the mortgage industry more than the last 15, current market trends, and when the market will bounce back. *** 🌎 Strive Capital Website: www.strivecapital.ca 🔗 Strive Capital LinkedIn: @StriveCapitalCorp 📸 Strive Capital Instagram: @strivemortgage 👥 Strive Capital Facebook: @strivecapitalmortgage 🔗 Steve Kissuk's LinkedIn: @SteveKissuk *** CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:31 Today's Guest: Steve Kissuk 00:04:31 Going All-In & Co-Founding Strive Capital 00:07:59 Developing a Healthy Partnerships Among Co-Owners 00:11:14 How Strive Gained Broker's Trust 00:18:15 Building a Team 00:22:14 Strives AUM & Funding 00:23:58 When a Broker Shouldn't Try Strive 00:29:13 Niche Products & a Practical Approach 00:34:38 Strives Internal Development & Shared Company Vision 00:36:58 The First 2 Years of Strive's Alt Product, Aspire 00:39:16 You Don't Always Need an Exit Strategy for an Alt File 00:42:06 What Does a Well-Packaged Deal Look Like? 00:46:43 Current & Upcoming Market Trends 00:51:31 The Transformative Next 2 Years of Brokering 00:54:03 An Additional Borrower Type Strive is Looking to Serve in the Future 00:55:23 Final Thoughts 00:58:04 Wrap-Up *** CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ The Mortgage Broker Podcast Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 The Mortgage Broker Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MortgageBrokerPodcastNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 The Mortgage Broker Podcast Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS 📋 Justin Noda's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JustinNoda⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Dean Lawton's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DeanLawton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Deryk Williamson's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DerykWilliamson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Jason Marshall's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JasonMarshall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** CONNECT WITH A BETTER WAY MORTGAGES 🔗 A Better Way Mortgages Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.joinabw.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 A Better Way Mortgages Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 A Better Way Mortgages LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 A Better Way Mortgages Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📬 A Better Way Mortgages Tuesday Mortgage Memo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWTuesdayMortgageMemo⁠⁠

    77: BEHIND THE LENDER with Steve Kissuk | CCO, Strive Capital
  2. Sep 17

    76: BEHIND THE LEADER with Leigh Walker | President, Lawrenson Walker Appraisers

    WATCH ▶️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Dean & Deryk are joined by Leigh Walker. Leigh is the President of Lawrenson Walker Real Estate Appraisers Ltd. from the Greater Vancouver Area in BC, who began his real estate career in 1993 and is currently a CRA designated appraiser with the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC) and member of the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board (GVREB). With a strong voice as an industry advocate, Leigh is the co-founder and President of the Business Association of Real Estate Appraisers (BAREA), and also volunteers as a Director of the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association (CMBA). He has also been an Executive Co-Chair of the Vancouver Chapter of the Appraisal Institute of Canada, and the Director of the BC Association of the Appraisal Institute of Canada. Leaders in the field of residential real estate appraisal and consulting, Lawrenson Walker Real Estate Appraisers was established in 1992, and currently service British Columbia and Alberta. Leigh is here to discuss: → How he got into real estate, why he took the business development of LWA so seriously, and where the company is going. → The importance of developing the appraiser-broker relationship, how a broker can make an appraisal harder, and one thing brokers misunderstand about appraisers. → The appraiser-lender relationship: The "90/90/20" rule, if lenders ever visit properties, and why there's increased lender scrutiny of appraisals. → Why an appraisal can come in low, the importance of KYCP (know your clients' property) and conditions, and the cost to build vs the return you'll actually get. → The honest truth about appraisal management companies or AMCs, what they do, and how they work. → Why there is no such thing as a "blanket appraisal", where the term came from, and the ongoing OSFI crackdown. → How unauthorized suites impact appraisals, appraising pre-sales in this market, and how appraisers evaluate rents with no database. → The factors that show the market will turn around in a big way and advice for new brokers. *** 🌎 Lawrenson Walker Appraisers Website: www.lawrensonwalker.com 📸 Lawrenson Walker Appraisers Instagram: @lawrensonwalkerappraisers 🔗 Leigh Walker's LinkedIn: @LeighWalker *** CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:31 Today's Guest: Leigh Walker 02:46 Where LWA is Today and Future Plans 05:57 Sophisticated Readers vs. Homeowners 07:59 The Increased Lender Scrutiny of Appraisals 09:05 Why an Appraisal Can Come in Low 14:15 Do Lenders Visit Properties? 15:36 The Appraiser/Realtor Relationship 18:19 The 90/90/20 Rule & Lender Policies 21:52 The Appraiser/Lender Relationship 23:47 AMCs - Appraisal Management Companies 31:43 KYCP - Know Your Clients Property 34:41 Appraisal Stories 38:30 Appraisal Tips for Brokers 44:07 How Unauthorized Suites Factor Into Appraisals 45:45 Evaluating Rents 46:58 Appraising Pre-Sales & Government Buy-Backs 49:37 Blanket Appraisal & OSFI Crackdown 52:19 The Market Will Turn Around Big 54:34 Advice for New Brokers 56:03 Wrap-Up *** CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ The Mortgage Broker Podcast Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 The Mortgage Broker Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MortgageBrokerPodcastNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 The Mortgage Broker Podcast Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS 📋 Justin Noda's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JustinNoda⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Dean Lawton's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DeanLawton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Deryk Williamson's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DerykWilliamson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Jason Marshall's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JasonMarshall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** CONNECT WITH A BETTER WAY MORTGAGES 🔗 A Better Way Mortgages Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.joinabw.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 A Better Way Mortgages Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 A Better Way Mortgages LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 A Better Way Mortgages Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📬 A Better Way Mortgages Tuesday Mortgage Memo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWTuesdayMortgageMemo⁠⁠

    76: BEHIND THE LEADER with Leigh Walker | President, Lawrenson Walker Appraisers
  3. Sep 3

    75: BEHIND THE LENDER with Colin Johnston | Managing Director - Western Canada, Vault Mortgage

    WATCH ▶️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Dean & Deryk are joined by Colin Johnston. Colin has been the Managing Director of Western Canada at Vault Mortgage since March of 2026, having been at the company since June of 2022 where he started as the SVP of Sales and Operations. A seasoned sales executive with deep experience in Canada's financial services sector, Colin has built and led high-performing for HSBC, HomEquity Bank, Manulife, and Sequence Capital since 2002. Throughout his career, he's set himself apart by combining strategic insights with a people-first leadership style. Vault Mortgage is a Canadian non-bank alternative mortgage lender offering first and second residential and commercial mortgages that are competitive, flexible, and customizable financing for purchasers, homeowners, and builders. Colin is here to discuss: → HIs history in the mortgage industry, how he got into alternative lending, and his day-to-day. → Why he spends so much time investing in relationships with brokers and how he can make a decision on a file in under a minute. → Why brokers need to learn alt lending and the importance of finding creative solutions for clients. → Alt renewals - what to expect, the current broker pitfalls, & why your client always needs an exit plan. → What makes Vault unique from other lenders, how institutionalized capital means consistent rates and rate sheets, and their future plans for a business loan division. → The Vault "Near B" product - it's benefits, tangible ways to position it with clients, & why it's great for the self-employed. → The uniqueness of Vault's industry events and how they support brokers beyond just product knowledge. → The untapped market of accountants as broker referral partners, which ones to go after, and where they are. → Common mistakes brokers make including not understanding rate sheets and why you must stop emailing file submission and credit bureaus. → Current market trends including the struggle of small developers and pre-sale condos, how single family homes are starting to decrease, and advice for new brokers in this tough market. *** 🔗 Vault Mortgage's Website: www.vaultmortgage.ca 📋 Vault Mortgage's LinkedIn: @VaultMortgageCorporation 📸 Vault Mortgage's Instagram: @vault.mortgage 👥 Vault Mortgage's Facebook: @VaultMortgageCanada 📋 Colin Johnston's LinkedIn: @ColinJohnston *** CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:31 Today's Guest: Colin Johnston 03:03 Finding Creative Solutions in Alt Lending 08:42 Colin's Day-to-Day 14:32 Institutional Capital + MIC = Vault 16:05 What to Expect with Alt Renewals 21:14 The Vault "Near B" Product 28:57 Accountants as Referral Partners 34:19 Vault's Events & Supporting Brokers 37:14 Vault's Difference Between Ontario & BC 39:30 The Most Common Mistake Brokers Make 42:02 Stop Emailing File Submissions 44:38 Optimal Vault File Submission 46:46 Current Market Trends 48:30 Vault's Future Plans 50:57 Advice for New Brokers 55:28 Wrap-Up *** CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ The Mortgage Broker Podcast Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 The Mortgage Broker Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MortgageBrokerPodcastNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 The Mortgage Broker Podcast Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS 📋 Justin Noda's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JustinNoda⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Dean Lawton's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DeanLawton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Deryk Williamson's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DerykWilliamson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Jason Marshall's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JasonMarshall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** CONNECT WITH A BETTER WAY MORTGAGES 🔗 A Better Way Mortgages Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.joinabw.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 A Better Way Mortgages Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 A Better Way Mortgages LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 A Better Way Mortgages Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📬 A Better Way Mortgages Tuesday Mortgage Memo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWTuesdayMortgageMemo⁠⁠

    75: BEHIND THE LENDER with Colin Johnston | Managing Director - Western Canada, Vault Mortgage
  4. Aug 13

    74: Fundamentals to the Future: The Best of the Mortgage Broker Podcast (2026)

    WATCH ▶️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, we highlighting the biggest takeaways from our 5 most popular episodes of the past year. *** 🎞️ Clip 1 - Ep 50: Deep Product Knowledge Always Beats Flashy Leads with Anil Kumar Anil is one of the top Mortgage Brokers with Mortgage Architects from Surrey, BC, and is also Hall of Fame Member with A Better Way Mortgage Group, amassing over 25 years of sales experience, with 7 of them being in mortgages. 👉 Full Episode Here: https://podcast.joinabw.ca/episode/ep-50 *** 🎞️ Clip 2 - Ep 51: 3 Tactics to Build Strong Client Relationships with Ruby Bains Ruby is a Mortgage Broker with Mortgage Architects from the Greater Vancouver Area in BC, who's been in the mortgage industry for over 30 years, and with ABW for the past 8. Full Episode Here: https://podcast.joinabw.ca/episode/ep-51 *** 🎞️ Clip 3 - Ep 61: The AI Mortgage Ninja: Eliminating Human Limitations with Shawn Kanungo As a globally recognized innovation strategist and bestselling author, Shawn Kanungo has emerged as one of the world's most sought-after voices on innovation and generative AI. His bestselling book, "The Bold Ones" - celebrated by McKinsey as essential reading for decision-makers - provides a thought-provoking blueprint for professionals and organizations to embrace bold innovation in an era of unprecedented change. 👉 Full Episode Here: https://podcast.joinabw.ca/episode/ep-61-the-agentic-era-with-shawn-kanungo *** 🎞️ Clip 4 - Ep 63: How the New Brain MB AI Will Revolutionize Your Mortgage Business Dean and Jason break down how Dean has integrated AI into their mortgage practice — from 30-second client emails, to instant lender policy search, and automated marketing content. 👉 Full Episode Here: https://podcast.joinabw.ca/episode/ep-63-the-ai-revolution-in-canadian-mortgage-brokerage-from-skeptic-to-operator *** 🎞️ Clip 5 - Ep 67: ABW & DLC Origin Mortgages are Merging! Here's Why with Kyle Green Kyle is the Owner of both DLC Origin Mortgages and The Green Mortgage Team from Vancouver, BC, who has been a Top 25 Broker in Canada since 2017 (volume funded), a Top 10 Broker in DLC, and a member of the DLC Elite Hall of Fame over his nearly 20 years in the mortgage industry. 👉 Full Episode Here: https://podcast.joinabw.ca/episode/ep-67-the-big-announcement-kyle-green-joins-a-better-way-mortgage-group *** CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 03:22 Anil Kumar 07:36 Ruby Bains 14:13 Shawn Kanungo 20:21 Dean & Jason 33:00 Kyle Green 49:00 Outro *** CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ The Mortgage Broker Podcast Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 The Mortgage Broker Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MortgageBrokerPodcastNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 The Mortgage Broker Podcast Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***   CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS 📋 Justin Noda's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JustinNoda⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Dean Lawton's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DeanLawton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Deryk Williamson's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DerykWilliamson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Jason Marshall's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JasonMarshall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***   CONNECT WITH A BETTER WAY MORTGAGES 🔗 A Better Way Mortgages Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.joinabw.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 A Better Way Mortgages Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 A Better Way Mortgages LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 A Better Way Mortgages Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📬 A Better Way Mortgages Tuesday Mortgage Memo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWTuesdayMortgageMemo⁠⁠

    74: Fundamentals to the Future: The Best of the Mortgage Broker Podcast (2026)
  5. Jul 30

    73: BEHIND THE LENDER with Taylor Little | CEO, Neighbourhood Holdings

    WATCH ▶️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Deryk & Jason are joined by Taylor Little. Taylor is the CEO of Neighbourhood Holdings from Vancouver, BC, who has been in the mortgage industry for over 10 years. Prior to joining Neighbourhood Holdings and Conconi Growth Partners, Taylor was a lawyer in the Corporate and Securities Group of Stikeman Elliott LLP, and is still in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia. Certified with the Institute of Corporate Directors designation, Taylor has extensive experience sitting on various company boards throughout his career— including the Conconi Family Foundation, Cycling BC, and 7mesh Industries — which has equipped him with the tools to make the best and most informed strategic decisions. Neighbourhood Holdings is a Vancouver-based alternative mortgage lender born out of a single-family investment office in 2015, specializing in short-term residential financing across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Taylor is here to discuss: → His transition from lawyer to lender, battling imposter syndrome, and his leadership style. → The origin of Neighbourhood Holdings, their conservative lending philosophy, and their avatar client - borrowers in transition. → The brokers Neighbourhood works with, how they've been implementing AI, and doubling down on human connections. → Neighbourhood's acquisition of Fisgard, how it opens up more deals for them, and how the branding will work moving forward. → The realities of M&A and the challenges they've faced since the acquisition, how they've spread the word, and the opportunity to acquire other smaller shops. → Advice for brokers in the alt & private space, where alt & private lending is heading in Canada, and if Canadian MICs or alt lenders would ever enter the US market. *** 🔗 Neighbourhood Holding's Website: www.neighbourhood.com 📋 Neighbourhood Holding's LinkedIn: @NeighbourhoodHoldings 📸 Neighbourhood Holding's Instagram: @neighbourhoodholdings 🌲 Neighbourhood Holding's LinkTree: @neighbourhoodholdings 📋 Taylor Little's LinkedIn: @TaylorLittle 📸 Taylor Little's Instagram: @tjlit *** CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:31 Today's Guest: Taylor Little 00:01:38 Taylor's Background & the Origin of Neighbourhood Holdings 00:08:21 Transitioning from Lawyer to Lender, Battling Imposter Syndrome, & Taylor's Leadership Style 00:12:56 Neighbourhood's Conservative Lending Philosophy & How Acquiring Fisgard Opens Up More Deals 00:17:45 Neighbourhood's Avatar Client 00:22:06 The Brokers Neighbourhood Works With 00:25:08 Implementing AI & Doubling Down on Humans 00:30:48 Neighbourhood's Acquisition of Fisgard & the Realities of M&A 00:40:55 The Branding Moving Forward 00:43:58 How Did They Spread the Word of the Merger? 00:46:56 Biggest Opportunity for Neighbourhood 00:52:17 Where Alt & Private Lending is Heading 00:55:44 Would Canadian MICs & Alt Lenders Enter the US Market? 00:57:41 Advice for Brokers on the Alt/Private Space 01:02:05 Wrap-Up *** CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ The Mortgage Broker Podcast Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 The Mortgage Broker Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MortgageBrokerPodcastNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 The Mortgage Broker Podcast Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***   CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS 📋 Justin Noda's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JustinNoda⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Dean Lawton's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DeanLawton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Deryk Williamson's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DerykWilliamson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Jason Marshall's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JasonMarshall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***   CONNECT WITH A BETTER WAY MORTGAGES 🔗 A Better Way Mortgages Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.joinabw.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 A Better Way Mortgages Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 A Better Way Mortgages LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 A Better Way Mortgages Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📬 A Better Way Mortgages Tuesday Mortgage Memo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWTuesdayMortgageMemo⁠⁠

    73: BEHIND THE LENDER with Taylor Little | CEO, Neighbourhood Holdings
  6. Jul 16

    72: BEHIND THE LENDER with Elena Robinson | VP of Residential Sales, First National

    WATCH ▶️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Dean & Deryk are joined by Elena Robinson. Elena is the VP of Residential Sales at First National from Etobicoke, Ontario, who has been in the mortgage industry for over 35 years. In 1990, she became First National's first BDM, a position she held for 3 years. After taking 20 years away to be a mortgage broker and other industry positions, she returned to First National in 2018 to help re-launch it's alternative lending division, Excalibur, and has been there ever since. A multi-award winner, Elena was recognized as CMP’s Women of Influence for 5 consecutive years from 2021 to 2025, listed as an Elite Women in the Global Best in Mortgage 2022, and the 2025 Mortgage Global 100. First National Financial is Canada's largest non-bank lender, originating, underwriting, and servicing both residential and commercial mortgages. As the leading lender of CMHC and conventional mortgages, First National currently has more than $150 billion in mortgages under administration. Elena is here to discuss: → Her journey in the mortgage industry and always working with brokers, the difference skills needed between sales & leadership roles, and why she went back to First National. → How first National became the largest non-bank lender in Canada and top 3 in the broker channel by offering value and consistency, why they stay committed to the broker channel, and how they measure success. → First National's deal flow, file escalation process, and the importance for brokers to build true partnerships with lenders. → First National's alternative lending division, Excalibur, and portal, Merlin, and how they are looking to combine AI process with the human experience. → The growth of alternative lending in Canada and why brokers must become comfortable with these files. → Current market trends in the Canadian mortgage industry including why volumes are down, what the science says about how many times your really need to be calling clients to get a deal, and why this is the time consumers need to be buying and not sitting still. *** 🔗 First National Website: www.firstnational.ca 📋 First National LinkedIn: ⁠@FirstNational 📋 Elena Robinson's LinkedIn: ⁠@ElenaRobinson 📸 Elena Robinson's Instagram: ⁠@elenarobinson10 *** CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:31 Today's Guest: Elena Robinson 05:24 Difference Between Sales & Leadership Roles 07:11 Are More People Leaving Institutions to Become Brokers? 08:28 Working with Brokers 09:37 Why Elena Went Back to First National 11:01 Why First National Stays Committed to the Broker Channel 14:15 Building True Partnerships Between Brokers & Lenders 19:23 How First National Became the Largest Non-Bank Lender in Canada 23:19 Combining AI Process With the Human Experience 25:53 The Growth of Alternative Lending in Canada 30:03 Excalibur 32:38 Merlin 34:30 First National's Deal Flow 37:03 First National's File Escalation Process 38:53 Mortgage Volumes Are Down 43:00 Don't Sit, Buy Now 46:51 How First National Measures Success 49:54 Advice for Brokers 50:29 Wrap-Up *** CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ The Mortgage Broker Podcast Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 The Mortgage Broker Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MortgageBrokerPodcastNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 The Mortgage Broker Podcast Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***   CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS 📋 Justin Noda's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JustinNoda⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Dean Lawton's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DeanLawton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Deryk Williamson's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DerykWilliamson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Jason Marshall's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JasonMarshall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***   CONNECT WITH A BETTER WAY MORTGAGES 🔗 A Better Way Mortgages Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.joinabw.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 A Better Way Mortgages Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 A Better Way Mortgages LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 A Better Way Mortgages Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📬 A Better Way Mortgages Tuesday Mortgage Memo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWTuesdayMortgageMemo⁠

    72: BEHIND THE LENDER with Elena Robinson | VP of Residential Sales, First National
  7. Jul 2

    71: BEHIND THE LENDER with Rachelle Gregory | SVP of Originations, MERIX Financial

    WATCH ▶️ ⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ *** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Dean, Deryk, & Jason are joined by Rachelle Gregory. Rachelle is the SVP of Originations at MERIX Financial from Toronto, Ontario, who has been with MERIX for over 21 years since becoming their 3rd employee in 2005. Rachelle is analytical and growth-driven with extensive operational leadership experience encompassing sales, business development, customer service, process innovation, and team building. Founded in 2005 and acquired by MCAP in 2021, MERIX Financial has funded over $60 billion in mortgages and provided residential mortgages to over 300,000 Canadians from coast to coast. Rachelle is here to discuss: → Her journey in the mortgage industry, why her parents started MERIX and it's evolution, and what it was like in their early days. → MERIX successful trailer model, if more people are using them in today's market, and the unique ways brokers have used them for financial planning like paying assistants and maternity leave. → MERIX's alternative side, NPX, rolling it out to more provinces, and how leveraging tech can bring more consistency to alternative lending. → MERIX's designated renewal specialists for $10M producers and how it's helped them keep more renewals. → The importance of building relationships with underwriters and the right way to ask for a file escalation. → Why MCAP acquired MERIX, what it's been like combining cultures, and the collaboration between MERIX, MCAP, & RMG. → What a DISC assessment is, how it works, and how it can be beneficial in your business when dealing with co-workers, employees, lenders, and clients. → When she started teaching DISC, how often people should do a DISC assessment, and how brokers have found success by implementing DISC. → Dean, Deryk, & Jason's DISC styles and how it impacts their relationships with each other and also their business. *** 🔗 MERIX Financial Website: www.merixfinancial.com 📋 MERIX Financial LinkedIn: @MerixFinancial 📧 Rachelle Gregory's Email: rachelle.gregory@merixfinancial.com 📋 Rachelle Gregory's LinkedIn: @RachelleGregory 📸 Rachelle Gregory's Instagram: @rachgregory31 *** CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:31 Today's Guest: Rachelle Gregory 00:02:37 The Evolution of MERIX Financial 00:05:16 MERIX's Successful Trailer Model & Unique Use Cases 00:12:21 Is There a Renewal Program with MERIX's Alternative Side, NPX? 00:15:05 Rolling Out NPX to More Provinces & Leveraging Tech 00:20:40 Why Did MCAP Acquire MERIX? 00:23:01 Collaboration Between MERIX, MCAP, & RMG? 00:24:57 Why Did Rachelle's Parents Start MERIX? 00:26:09 How Have MERIX & MCAP Combined Cultures 00:27:24 MERIX's Designated Renewal Specialist for $10M Producers 00:30:31 Building Relationships with Underwriters & File Escalation 00:35:06 What the DISC Assessment Is & How it Works 00:44:53 When Rachelle Starting Teaching DISC 00:46:51 Dean, Deryk & Jason's DISC Styles 01:01:58 How Often Should People Do DISC Assessments 01:02:46 Have Other Brokers Implemented the DISC & Found Success 01:04:32 Advice for Brokers 01:07:24 Final Thoughts ***   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ The Mortgage Broker Podcast Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 The Mortgage Broker Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MortgageBrokerPodcastNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 The Mortgage Broker Podcast Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***   CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS 📋 Justin Noda's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@JustinNoda⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Dean Lawton's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DeanLawton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Deryk Williamson's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DerykWilliamson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Jason Marshall's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JasonMarshall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***   CONNECT WITH A BETTER WAY MORTGAGES 🔗 A Better Way Mortgages Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.joinabw.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 A Better Way Mortgages Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 A Better Way Mortgages LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 A Better Way Mortgages Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📬 A Better Way Mortgages Tuesday Mortgage Memo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWTuesdayMortgageMemo⁠

    71: BEHIND THE LENDER with Rachelle Gregory | SVP of Originations, MERIX Financial
  8. Jun 18

    70: BEHIND THE LENDER | The Private Lending Playbook with Sequence Capital's Christine Perkins

    WATCH ▶️ ⁠⁠⁠Watch this episode on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ *** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Dean & Jason are joined by Christine Perkins. Christine is the Director of Business Development - Western Canada at Sequence Capital from the Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area in BC, who has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry, spending the last 6 in her current role. She is also a repeat guest of the show, having first appeared in episode 32. Sequence Capital is a national, private mortgage lender dedicated to helping homeowners access the equity in their homes. With an experienced lending team and over $1.3 billion under management, they are designed to be a full-service lender, providing custom and competitive solutions for brokers and their clients. Christine is here to discuss: → How every private lender is different, with specific niches and policies, and aren't interchangeable like prime lenders, so brokers should focus on specific privates & MICs. → Why relationships with private lenders & BDMs matter so much in the private space, and how they are critical in unlocking exceptions and getting deals done. → The 3 habits to win private deals - communication, knowing your client and setting expectations, and relationships over rate shopping. → Why it's so important that brokers know their deals inside and out and are able to tell a borrower's complete story, and the effect that has on a deal as opposed to their financial picture. → What you need to know about a borrower, including credit, their exit strategy, and their property & portfolio. → How appraisals regularly hold up files, and the importance of property condition, economic life, and the type, and the risks of buying foreclosed property. → Sequence's new fixed-rate HELOC, what makes it a unique product, and how it can be accessed. *** 🎙️ Christine's 1st Appearance in Episode 32: https://podcast.joinabw.ca/episode/ep-32 *** 🔗 Sequence Capital Website: www.sequencecapital.ca 📋 Sequence Capital LinkedIn: @SequenceCapitalInc 📸 Sequence Capital Instagram: @sequence.capital 👥 Sequence Capital Facebook: @SequenceCapital 📧 Christine Perkins' Email: christine@sequencecapital.ca 📋 Christine Perkins' LinkedIn: @ChristinePerkins 📸 Christine Perkins' Instagram: @cperkins123 *** CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:39 Every Lender is Different: Know Your Deal 04:38 Reaching Out to BDMs Early 06:47 Build Relationships with a Select Group of MICs & Privates 08:07 Do Lenders Research New Brokers? 09:37 The Importance of Telling the Story vs the Financial Picture 15:12 3 Habits That Win Deals - #1 Communication 18:47 #2 KYC & Setting Expectations 22:23 #3 Relationships Over Rate Shopping 24:59 Building Relationships Gets Deals Done 27:41 Know Your Property/Portfolio 31:04 Know Your Borrower 33:39 How to Make Sure an Appraisal Doesn't Hold Up a File 36:56 The Importance of Property Condition, Economic Life, & Type 39:57 Risks of Buying Foreclosed Properties 42:20 Sequence's New Fixed-Rate HELOC 46:53 Can the HELOC Be Used in Construction? 47:49 How to Access the HELOC 48:51 Wrap-Up ***   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ The Mortgage Broker Podcast Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgage⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📺 The Mortgage Broker Podcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@MortgageBrokerPodcastNetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📝 The Mortgage Broker Podcast Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***   CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS 📋 Justin Noda's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠@JustinNoda⁠⁠ 📋 Dean Lawton's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DeanLawton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Deryk Williamson's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@DerykWilliamson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 Jason Marshall's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@JasonMarshall⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***   CONNECT WITH A BETTER WAY MORTGAGES 🔗 A Better Way Mortgages Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.joinabw.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📸 A Better Way Mortgages Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@abetterwaymortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📋 A Better Way Mortgages LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 A Better Way Mortgages Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABetterWayMortgages⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📬 A Better Way Mortgages Tuesday Mortgage Memo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ABWTuesdayMortgageMemo⁠

    70: BEHIND THE LENDER | The Private Lending Playbook with Sequence Capital's Christine Perkins

About

We are the partners of A Better Way Mortgage Group, Dean Lawton, Deryk Williamson, & Jason Marshall, which is one of the largest groups in the Dominion Lending Centres network. "The Mortgage Broker Podcast" will focus on you, the mortgage broker, sharing tips, tricks, and knowledge from years of experience. We're here to help you be better brokers, do more business, and have more time to spend with your families.

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