On June 2nd, 2025, discover how next-gen FIs are partnering with fintech to accelerate innovation across all sectors.
Join over 600 banks, credit unions and fintechs in our networking hall building partnerships. The expert panels will take a deep dive into BaaS, AI, Risk, Fraud, InsurTech and much more. (See last year’s sold out event.)
Breakfast & Registration
Grab your lanyard and a coffee and start networking!
Don’t forget to download the Finance Events mobile app to book meetings with other attendees in the networking room. The CLA will donate $25 for every meeting to Sinai Health Foundation.
Breakfast Networking
Morning Schmooze
Workshop: Why Embedded Insurance is Having a Moment
Grab a coffee and join us to discuss embedded finance. In a time of rising consumer anxiety and financial strain, lenders and insurers are turning to new forms of embedded creditor protection to support borrowers. This forward-looking session opens with a snapshot of market dynamics and emerging models of loan, income, and bill payment protection. A cross-sector panel will then explore how Canadian companies are adapting international innovations to meet evolving borrower needs—leveraging technology to build trust and resilience. Attendees will leave with insight into the strategic value of creditor insurance and the critical ingredients for designing protection programs that resonate in today’s economy.
COO
Walnut
Moderator
Investor
Telus
Moderator
Founder | CEO
Symend
Moderator
VP Head of Product
Fig
ModeratorThe New Bankers Playbook: Room to Grow
Fairstone pulls back the curtain on their growth strategies. Learn how Scott and his team is rewriting the playbook to stay competitive in a shifting financial world.
President | CEO
Canadian Lenders Association
Moderator
CEO
Fairstone Bank
SpeakerSpeed Limits: Balancing Marketing Automation with Compliance
As marketing teams race to automate, compliance pressures loom large. This panel unpacks how fintechs and banks walk the tightrope between speed and regulatory responsibility.
Head of Sales
Naehas
Moderator
Managing Principal
Capco
Speaker
AVP Marketing
TD
Speaker
VP Marketing
RBC
SpeakerNetworking Lunch
Victor Fedeli: On Trump & Trade
Ontario Minister Victor Fedeli has been at the forefront of Canada’s trade response to the Trump administration. With a recent U.S. federal court ruling blocking President Trump’s sweeping global trade tariffs—citing overreach of executive authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act—Fedeli will unpack what this means for Ontario’s economy and Canada’s financial institutions. In this keynote, expect insider insights into the new North American trade dynamics, how Canada is adapting, and what comes next for our cross-border economic strategy.
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Government of Ontario
SpeakerAffinity and Beyond: Rewards and Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are evolving beyond points and discounts. This panel explores how personalization, gamification, and embedded financial benefits are reshaping customer rewards and engagement.
EVP
Bond Brand Loyalty
Moderator
Chief Banking Officer
Neo Financial
Speaker
VP, Business Enablement & Chief of Staff at AIR MILES
BMO
Speaker
VP Loyalty & Partnerships
Scotiabank
SpeakerEmbedding Finance: Auto, Home and Travel
Embedded lending is reshaping the consumer journey, from checkout to credit. On a scale from 1 (paper-based and painful) to 10 how auto, home and travel are improving the way we buy. This session dives into how lenders integrate financing into purchases — and what’s next.
Managing Director, Head of Financial Inst. & FinTech
Raymond James
Moderator
CEO
Clutch
Speaker
Chairperson
Financeit
Speaker
Managing Director
FlexPay
SpeakerAfternoon Networking
Discussion: Post-Election Pulse
Grab a coffee and join us to discuss what a Carney Government means for Canada’s financial future? Join us for a timely open discussion as Navigator and Blakes unpack the implications of the recent federal election and offer early insights into Prime Minister Carney’s agenda. This interactive session will explore what a more hands-on approach to the financial sector and fiscal policy could mean for lenders, investors, and institutions across Canada.
Expect sharp analysis and the opportunity to field your most pressing questions as we assess the state of the nation and what lies ahead under the Carney government. Come with questions.
Partner
Blakes
Speaker
Principal
Navigator
SpeakerStablecoins: Still Hype or Finally Here?
Stablecoins promised to bridge crypto and traditional finance, but where do they stand today? This panel debates whether they’re ready for prime time — or still stuck in theory.
Partner, Fintech, Securities Regulatory & Investment Products
McCarthy Tétrault
Moderator
CEO
Coinbase Canada
Speaker
GC & Head of Business Development
Shakepay
Speaker
CEO Founder
Stablecorp
SpeakerAre Fintechs Winning Canada’s Business Banking Race?
Small businesses are demanding more from their financial providers — and fintechs are answering. This panel examines whether fintech challengers are pulling ahead in Canada’s business banking market.
General Partner
North Exit Ventures
Moderator
CEO | Founder
Float
Speaker
CEO | Founder
KEEP
SpeakerEQ Bank Finance Awards
Group Head of Commercial Banking | CLA Board Member
Equitable Bank
Sponsored by EQ Bank
Can I Buy You a Drink?
After-Summit drinks.
Fueling Fintechs: The Hidden Opportunity for Canadian Banks
Behind every fintech card and payment app is a sponsor bank powering the rails. This panel explores how Canadian banks can unlock growth by supporting fintech card issuing, embedded payments, and sponsor banking relationships — instead of just competing with them.
Editor-at-Large
The Logic
Moderator
President
Digital Commerce Bank
Speaker
CCO
Peoples Group
SpeakerDavid Becoming Goliath: How Questrade and Wealthsimple are Reinventing Banking
Once scrappy challengers, Questrade and Wealthsimple are poised to reshape Canada’s banking landscape. Hear how they broke through, scaled up, and are forcing incumbents to rethink the rules.
Leader of Financial Services & Technology
Gowlings
Moderator
VP, Payments Strategy & CCO
Wealthsimple
Speaker
Head of Strategy
Questrade
SpeakerBeyond Buzz: AI Use-Cases in Banking & Payments
Forget the buzzwords — where is AI actually delivering results in Canadian finance? Join this panel to explore practical, high-impact applications transforming banking and payments today.
Principal, Financial Services
Lahave
Moderator
Head | Product Innovation
Zafin
Speaker
Banking and Insurance Lead
SAS Canada
Speaker
SVP | CIO
EQ Bank
SpeakerJune 2nd, 2025
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The Quay, 100 Queens Quay E 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario
