A number of government agencies have revealed they will start keeping closer tabs on private mortgages but do brokers think that’s necessary?
Documents from a meeting between the Department of Finance, the Bank of Canada, and CMHC suggest the department of finance is keeping a close eye on private mortgage lenders – but do brokers have anything to worry about?
“I have no issue if they keep closer tabs on private lenders,” Steve Gilmour, a broker with Dominion Lending Centres Alliance, told MortgageBrokerNews.ca. “Brokers who operate above-board and require the proper conditions shouldn’t have a problem.”
The documents, which were obtained by The Canadian Press through Access to Information legislation, indicate the unregulated mortgage market was among the topics discusses in a November meeting. According to CP, the Bank of Canada warned of potential risks these lenders pose on the country’s financial stability.
However, many brokers argue there is no risk being posed by private lenders – who make up a small percentage of mortgages being written.
“I don’t think they need to keep tabs and I don’t think we need more regulations,” Bob Cameron, a broker with Cameron Financial Consultants, told MortgageBrokerNews.ca. “I don’t think private lenders pose a risk to the housing market.”
CMHC told the Canadian Press it is monitoring the unregulated mortgage market.
"Unregulated lenders are an important part of the overall mortgage market, providing healthy competition to the banks and credit unions," the crown corporation said in an email to CP. "CMHC diligently underwrites every mortgage application applying the same standards to all lenders. We have not seen any evidence to indicate that unregulated lenders are contributing to additional risk to our portfolio."
Private lenders -- often referred to as “shadow” lenders in the media -- have been a hot button issue in the mortgage broker community. Many have called for more education for consumers, who are often misled by various media reports.
“I have no issue if they keep closer tabs on private lenders,” Steve Gilmour, a broker with Dominion Lending Centres Alliance, told MortgageBrokerNews.ca. “Brokers who operate above-board and require the proper conditions shouldn’t have a problem.”
The documents, which were obtained by The Canadian Press through Access to Information legislation, indicate the unregulated mortgage market was among the topics discusses in a November meeting. According to CP, the Bank of Canada warned of potential risks these lenders pose on the country’s financial stability.
However, many brokers argue there is no risk being posed by private lenders – who make up a small percentage of mortgages being written.
“I don’t think they need to keep tabs and I don’t think we need more regulations,” Bob Cameron, a broker with Cameron Financial Consultants, told MortgageBrokerNews.ca. “I don’t think private lenders pose a risk to the housing market.”
CMHC told the Canadian Press it is monitoring the unregulated mortgage market.
"Unregulated lenders are an important part of the overall mortgage market, providing healthy competition to the banks and credit unions," the crown corporation said in an email to CP. "CMHC diligently underwrites every mortgage application applying the same standards to all lenders. We have not seen any evidence to indicate that unregulated lenders are contributing to additional risk to our portfolio."
Private lenders -- often referred to as “shadow” lenders in the media -- have been a hot button issue in the mortgage broker community. Many have called for more education for consumers, who are often misled by various media reports.
