Managing director
Obsidian Mortgage Corporation
Richard Samuels has been in the finance industry for almost three decades and began specializing in mortgages in the late 1990s. Determined to create a “mortgage-friendly mortgage brokerage that delivered unparallelled service for its clients and hard-working agents alike,” he founded Obsidian Mortgage Corporation in 2007.
Considered by many to be the original pioneer of 90% LTV equity-driven mortgages, Samuels has mentored several mortgage agents and brokers during his career. Over the years, he and his team have won numerous awards, including being named Best Newcomer Mortgage Brokerage at the Canadian Mortgage Awards in Obsidian’s founding year. Most recently, the Toronto Star Readers’ Choice Awards named Obsidian a Best Lender Services business. Through it all, Obsidian has remained one of the nation’s top independent mortgage brokerages.
The mortgage industry landscape has changed since Samuels first started his career, but his drive to evolve in response to these changes and continue to be a “mortgage-friendly mortgage brokerage” remains. “Assisting all those we serve by creating rock-solid starts and helping clients get the financing solutions best suited to their personal needs, and giving our team of mortgage professionals the best solutions available to assist their clients and grow, is still the mission,” Samuels says. “This is quite an honour, and one I humbly share with my team, clients, business affiliates and family. The fact that I am being recognized is most likely due to the fact that I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by all-stars every day.”
