CMP announces the winners of the 11th annual Canadian Mortgage Awards at the James Bond-themed event Friday
CMP announces the winners of the 11th annual Canadian Mortgage Awards at the James Bond-themed event Friday.
From Toronto with love, brokers with a license to party came from across the country to attend the 007-themed awards night.All GoldenEyes (sorry for the bad James Bond puns) were fixed on the stage as the 21 honourees took home the industry’s most coveted prizes.
Tuxes, cocktail dresses, and a few martinis – shaken, not stirred – were spotted at the event, sponsored by the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association.
So too were hundreds of the industry’s top professionals, who eagerly anticipated the announcement of this year’s lucky winners.
Which includedBernadette Laxamana of VericoXeva Mortgage, who took home the award for Mortgage Broker Of The Year, Fewer Than 25 Employees.
“Thank you God and thank you to my better half … my husband said I’m his Wonder Woman because he always wonders what I’ll do next,” she told the audience while accepting her award. “To my partners at Xeva Mortgage: I’m honoured to share this journey with you.”
Overall, the awards cut a wide swath across the broker channel, with winners in 21 categories drawn from Vancouver and Toronto, but also smaller markets. It was produced by KMI Publishing and Events – the organization behind CMP magazine.
The celebration and, indeed the impressive turnout,speak to the industry’s perseverance and victory over increasingly competitive forces. Brokers have been quick to adapt to yet another round of mortgage rule changes that have made it much more difficult for them to do their jobs.
Today’s challenging market did not stand in the way of our honourees, however.
Including CanWise Financial, which took home the award for Best Newcomer, Mortgage Broker Firm.
“It feels good. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished in three years,” James Laird, president of CanWise Financial, told CMP. “It’s the team we have that makes this possible and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”
An unprecedented year for the industry’s largest broker network did not go unnoticed.
Following a year that saw acquisitions, continued growth, and government advocacy, Dominion Lending Centres took home the awardfor National Broker Network of the Year.
“Wow. It’s been a really great night for us. I want to thank all the sponsors, nominees, and partners,” Gary Mauris, president of DLC, said. “So many on this team in the early days took a chance on us.
“We have an incredible family now. It’s been so much fun to be on this ride.”
And the winners are...
The XCEED Mortgage Corporation Award For Best Marketing Effort Of The Year: DLC (We've Got A Mortgage For That!)
The CMP Magazine Award For Employer Of Choice: Durhammortgage.com (The Mortgage Centre)
The Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association Award For Diversifier Of The Year: First Foundation
The Manulife Bank Award For Best Customer Service From An Individual Office: Loewen Group Mortgages
The Award For Best Community Service Effort Of The Year: Mary Grace Tatangelo, MCC, Pilrock Mortgages
The Canadian Mortgage App Award For Best Use Of Mobile Technology: MogoMortage App
The Home Trust Company Award For Best Alternative Lending Mortgage Broker Of The Year: AmeeraAmeerullah, Canada Mortgage Financial Group (CMFG)
The Vector Financial Services Limited Award For Best Commercial Mortgage Broker Of The Year: David Beckingham, Dominion Lending Centres Commercial Capital
The Transunion Award For Lifetime Achievement In The Mortgage Industry: Jared Dreyer, VERICO, Dreyer Group Mortgage
The Street Capital Bank Of Canada Award For Mortgage Brokerage Of The Year, Fewer Than 25 Employees: Champion Mortgage
The Centum Financial Group Award For Best Industry Service Provider: DocAssist
The Canada Mortgage & Financial Group Award For Best Newcomer, Individual Agent or Broker: McKay Wood, Verico Paragon MortgagePalInc
The Award For Best Newcomer, Lender Underwriter: Sarah Spearn, First National Financial
The MortgageBrokerNews Award For Best Lender Underwriter Of The Year: Ida Guilbault, Bridgewater Bank
The Sherwood Mortgage Group Award For Best Newcomer Lender BDM: Chris Woodhouse, Street Capital Bank Of Canada
The Invis / Mortgage Intelligence Award For Best Lender BDM Of The Year: Catherine Halkyard, MCAP Mortgage Service Corporation
The FCT Award For Mortgage Brokerage of The Year, 25 Employees Or More: DLC, Neighbourhood Dominion Lending
The Award For Best Newcomer, Mortgage Broker Firm: Canwise Financial
The Award For National Broker Network Of The Year: Dominion Lending Centres
The Bridgewater Bank Award For Mortgage Broker Of The Year, 25 Employees Or More: Dustan Woodhouse, DLC Canadian Mortgage Experts
The Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association Award For Mortgage Broker Of The Year, Fewer Than 25 Employees: Bernadette Laxamana, VERICO XEVA Mortgage Group
