2024 Canadian Lenders Summit

Gary Schwartz sets the stage for the day highlighting key themes.

Use the Finance Events Network App to setup meetings in the Securian Networking Hall throughout the day. Schedule time in the network hall. Numbers in the app correspond with numbers on the networking area high tops.

The future of non-prime consumer lending in Canada is being redefined by a transition from high-interest debt cycles to a structured journey toward prime credit graduation. Jason Mullins, the long-standing leader of goeasy, shares a powerful insight during this session: over 60 percent of their customers successfully graduate to prime lending within just three years. This shift highlights a significant movement toward responsible credit products that prioritize financial literacy and credit rebuilding over simple transaction volume.

As the industry faces a tightening regulatory environment and shifting APR caps, understanding the future of non-prime consumer lending requires a focus on balancing accessibility with long-term affordability. The session explores how digital transformation and AI-driven decisioning are scaling these efforts, allowing lenders to provide personalized guidance at critical moments in the borrower’s lifecycle. The conversation also addresses the role of intentional corporate culture in driving industry-leading performance while serving the nine million Canadians who currently have limited borrowing options.

Adapting to the future of non-prime consumer lending means moving beyond traditional risk silos and embracing a holistic view of the consumer. By integrating real-time data and maintaining a human touch during the most complex financial decisions, lenders can foster greater trust and operational resilience. This interview serves as a blueprint for anyone looking to understand the future of non-prime consumer lending and the strategic maneuvers necessary to thrive in an evolving financial landscape.

Key session takeaways include:

• The graduation model strategy that helps non-prime borrowers improve their credit scores to access traditional bank rates.
• Analysis of how evolving government regulations and APR caps impact credit availability for underserved populations.
• Best practices for leveraging AI and machine learning to enhance underwriting accuracy while preserving personalized customer interactions.

Watch this exclusive interview to gain a masterclass in scaling a financial institution while navigating the future of non-prime consumer lending.

Lending risk and reward strategies are facing a critical pivot as the market transitions into a declining interest rate environment. While lower rates typically stimulate borrowing demand, they also compress net interest margins and force lenders to re-evaluate their appetite for credit exposure. This expert panel session addresses the specific technical adjustments required to remain profitable when the traditional cushion of high rates begins to disappear. By analyzing the current macroeconomic shift, the speakers demonstrate why static lending risk and reward strategies are no longer sufficient for institutional or private lenders aiming for sustainable growth.

The core of effective lending risk and reward strategies in this new era involves a sophisticated blend of predictive analytics and proactive portfolio management. As the yield curve shifts, lenders must look beyond simple credit scores to understand the underlying resilience of their borrowers. The video explores how to recalibrate internal models to account for increased prepayment speeds and the potential for asset bubbles in specific sectors. Implementing these refined lending risk and reward strategies allows firms to capture market share without compromising the long-term health of their balance sheets.

Furthermore, the session highlights that successful lending risk and reward strategies require constant communication between risk officers and business development teams to ensure that growth targets do not outweigh safety protocols.

• Advanced techniques for maintaining margin integrity during rapid rate compression.
• Data-driven methods for identifying high-yield opportunities in volatile sectors.
• Best practices for stress-testing loan portfolios against shifting economic indicators.

Please view the full session recording to refine your organizational approach to these evolving market dynamics.

Implementing trustworthy AI in lending is the critical frontier for financial institutions looking to move beyond theoretical automation and toward scalable, ethical machine learning models. In this workshop, experts from Layer 6 AI, a TD Bank Company, demonstrate that the primary hurdle for modern banks is not the lack of data, but the lack of a transparent framework to deploy it. By focusing on implementing trustworthy AI in lending, organizations can ensure that their predictive models remain explainable to regulators while simultaneously increasing the speed of credit decisions. This session moves past the general hype to address how high-performance computing and deep learning can be applied to specific credit journeys.

The technical core of implementing trustworthy AI in lending involves bridging the gap between data science and operational banking. Leaders from Layer 6 explain how to build feedback loops that allow models to learn from historical default patterns without perpetuating systemic biases. When a firm prioritizes implementing trustworthy AI in lending, it shifts its strategy from reactive risk management to proactive portfolio optimization. This evolution enables lenders to identify creditworthy borrowers who might be overlooked by traditional scoring methods, thereby expanding market share safely.

Through a focused approach to implementing trustworthy AI in lending, participants will learn how to integrate these advanced technologies into existing legacy infrastructure without disrupting core banking operations.

• Tactical frameworks for deploying explainable machine learning models that satisfy complex regulatory requirements.
• Strategies for using predictive analytics to identify subtle risk signals within large, unstructured datasets.
• Methods for reducing friction in the customer journey through automated underwriting and real-time data verification.

Watch the full workshop now to discover how your organization can begin implementing trustworthy AI in lending to drive measurable ROI.

The future trajectory of small business lending is pivoting away from static, retrospective financial statements toward dynamic, real-time data ecosystems. In this high-impact panel from the Canadian Lenders Summit, industry pioneers discuss how the post-pandemic landscape has accelerated the need for digital transformation within the SMB sector. The core insight reveals that for modern businesses, speed is the primary currency; therefore, lenders must adopt automated workflows that can decision a loan in minutes rather than weeks. By leveraging APIs and cloud-based accounting integrations, financial institutions are finally able to unlock the “Mom and Pop” market with unprecedented precision.

The session explores how the future trajectory of small business lending is being reshaped by the integration of alternative data and smart underwriting solutions. This shift allows lenders to move beyond traditional collateral requirements, focusing instead on real-time cash flow health and behavioral indicators. Experts from leading fintech platforms and major banks debate the strategic importance of building flexible funding structures that can withstand high interest rate environments. They also examine how embedded finance is creating new distribution channels, allowing businesses to access capital directly within the software platforms they use for daily operations.

Mastering the future trajectory of small business lending requires a commitment to balancing marketing automation with rigorous regulatory compliance. As the market moves toward 2026, the successful lenders will be those who can scale their portfolios while maintaining a high-quality user experience and reducing delinquencies through predictive modeling. This discussion serves as a vital guide for executives looking to modernize their core banking stacks and integrate with the next generation of data sources. Understanding the future trajectory of small business lending is essential for any organization aiming to capture market share in the evolving Canadian credit ecosystem.

Key session takeaways include:

• The shift from historical document reviews to real-time API-driven credit assessments for faster approvals.
• Strategies for navigating high-interest rate environments while maintaining profitable SMB loan portfolios.
• The role of embedded finance in reaching underserved small business segments through non-traditional platforms.

Watch the full panel discussion to stay ahead of the critical shifts defining the future trajectory of small business lending today.

Leveraging creditor insurance for risk mitigation offers financial institutions and consumers a robust safety net during unpredictable economic shifts. While many view these policies as standard add-ons, this session reveals how they function as sophisticated tools for credit protection and portfolio stability. By integrating these products into a broader financial strategy, lenders can significantly reduce their exposure to default while providing borrowers with essential peace of mind.

The expert panel explores the technical nuances of policy integration and the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding these financial products. Understanding the mechanics of leveraging creditor insurance for risk mitigation allows professionals to better navigate market volatility and shifting interest rates. The discussion dives deep into innovative application methods that move beyond traditional boundaries, ensuring that both the institution and the client remain protected against unforeseen life events.

Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how leveraging creditor insurance for risk mitigation streamlines the claims process and enhances the overall value proposition of lending products. By focusing on transparency and strategic implementation, organizations can foster greater trust and long-term loyalty within their client base.

Key session takeaways include:

• Strategic frameworks for integrating insurance products into existing lending workflows to maximize coverage efficiency.
• Analysis of current industry trends and the impact of digital transformation on creditor insurance accessibility.
• Best practices for maintaining regulatory compliance while optimizing the financial benefits for all stakeholders.

Watch the full session to master the art of leveraging creditor insurance for risk mitigation in your professional practice.

Balancing innovation and risk management in lending is the ultimate strategic hurdle for financial institutions navigating the modern credit landscape. While the fear of poor implementation often stalls progress, the hidden danger lies in the stagnation that occurs when a lender fails to evolve alongside technological shifts. This session brings together a diverse panel featuring a major bank, a mortgage finance corporation, and an alternative lender to dissect how different organizational structures approach the same fundamental challenge of growth without compromising security.

The discussion explores the concept of the innovators dilemma, where established firms must decide when to pivot away from proven legacy systems in favor of disruptive new technologies. By prioritizing both operational resilience and creative adaptation, these leaders demonstrate that balancing innovation and risk management in lending requires a cultural shift as much as a technical one. They share firsthand accounts of digital transformation, highlighting how to manage internal friction while maintaining the high standards expected by Canadian regulators and consumers.

Mastering the art of balancing innovation and risk management in lending allows organizations to launch competitive products with higher velocity and lower failure rates. The panel emphasizes that successful transformation is rooted in early risk assessment and a clear understanding of where disruption offers the greatest value. Whether you are part of a traditional institution or a fast-paced fintech, balancing innovation and risk management in lending remains the cornerstone of long-term business viability.

Key session takeaways include:

• Strategic frameworks for vetting new lending technologies without exposing the core portfolio to unnecessary volatility.
• Insights into the differing risk appetites and transformation timelines between traditional banks and alternative financial providers.
• Proven methods for fostering an internal culture that views risk mitigation as an enabler of innovation rather than a barrier.

Watch the full panel discussion to learn how industry leaders successfully navigate the complexities of modern financial transformation.

Navigating Canadian financial regulatory compliance has become a primary strategic priority as the 2026 launch of consumer-driven banking fundamentally reshapes the domestic landscape. In this expert-led workshop, industry leaders break down the technical and operational implications of the Retail Payments Activities Act (RPAA) and the first phase of Open Banking. The session provides a tactical guide to the new federal oversight under the Bank of Canada, highlighting that compliance is no longer just about checking boxes but about building a secure, interoperable infrastructure. For lenders, navigating Canadian financial regulatory compliance now involves managing high-stakes requirements such as safeguarding end-user funds and implementing rigorous risk management frameworks to satisfy new supervisory standards.

As the industry moves toward the Real-Time Rail implementation, the burden of navigating Canadian financial regulatory compliance has shifted toward proactive data governance. The panel explores how the reduction of the criminal interest rate to 35% APR and the new NSF fee caps are forcing a total recalibration of revenue models for alternative lenders. Successfully navigating Canadian financial regulatory compliance requires a deep dive into the modernized Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regime, which now includes expanded reporting obligations for mortgage entities and financing firms. By integrating these regulatory updates into their core product design, fintechs can transform a complex legal burden into a competitive advantage for consumer trust and market expansion.

By the end of this session, participants will have a clear roadmap for navigating Canadian financial regulatory compliance while maintaining the agility needed for innovation.

• Breakdown of the RPAA registration timelines and the shift toward Bank of Canada supervision for payment service providers.
• Strategies for aligning with the 2026 Open Banking read-access requirements and upcoming data mobility rights.
• Analysis of the impact of the 35% APR rate cap on credit product design and risk-adjusted pricing strategies.

Watch the full workshop to master the intricacies of navigating Canadian financial regulatory compliance in this era of unprecedented legal transformation.

Scaling embedded lending for business growth has transformed from a niche fintech trend into a fundamental requirement for digital platforms looking to increase customer lifetime value. This session dives deep into how non-financial companies are effectively bypassing traditional banking hurdles by integrating credit products directly into their existing user workflows. By focusing on scaling embedded lending for business growth, brands can offer instantaneous financing at the exact moment of purchase, significantly reducing cart abandonment and driving higher average order values. The experts in this video reveal that the secret to success lies in the seamless technical orchestration between the platform, the data provider, and the capital source.

To achieve success in scaling embedded lending for business growth, organizations must prioritize the technical integration of APIs that allow for real-time credit decisioning. The panel explores the shift toward specialized infrastructure that handles the regulatory and compliance heavy lifting, allowing businesses to focus on the user experience. When a company commits to scaling embedded lending for business growth, it effectively turns a cost center into a powerful revenue stream by capturing interest income and service fees. This technical evolution ensures that financial services are no longer a separate destination but an invisible layer within the global commerce ecosystem.

The discussion provides a clear roadmap for scaling embedded lending for business growth by addressing the specific challenges of data privacy and risk modeling in a distributed environment.

• Best practices for selecting technical partners to ensure modular and scalable credit infrastructure.
• Insights into leveraging proprietary platform data to improve credit underwriting accuracy and speed.
• Strategies for navigating the complex regulatory landscape of multi-jurisdictional financial services.

Watch the full panel session to understand the strategic advantages of scaling embedded lending for business growth within your unique digital ecosystem.

Implementing alternative data in credit scoring is no longer a futuristic concept but a vital necessity for lenders looking to bridge the gap between traditional bureaucracy and modern consumer behavior. While legacy models rely heavily on historical bureau data, this session uncovers how digital footprints—ranging from utility payment consistency to smartphone metadata—provide a more granular view of a borrower’s true financial character. Transitioning to these enriched models allows financial institutions to accurately assess thin-file applicants who were previously deemed unscoreable.

This technical deep dive explores the infrastructure requirements and architectural shifts needed for implementing alternative data in credit scoring effectively. The panel discusses the integration of machine learning algorithms that process unstructured data in real-time, offering a significant uplift in predictive accuracy compared to static traditional methods. Experts also address the critical balance of maintaining regulatory compliance and data privacy while expanding the parameters of creditworthiness.

By successfully implementing alternative data in credit scoring, organizations can reduce default rates and tap into underserved markets with confidence. The session provides a clear roadmap for moving from experimental pilots to full-scale production workflows, ensuring that your underwriting process remains both inclusive and robust in a volatile economic landscape. Mastering the use of implementing alternative data in credit scoring is the definitive step toward a more responsive and intelligent financial ecosystem.

Key session takeaways include:

• Comparative analysis of traditional bureau data versus real-time alternative data sources for risk assessment.
• Technical strategies for upgrading legacy underwriting infrastructure to support high-velocity data integration.
• Best practices for navigating the ethical and regulatory considerations of using non-traditional consumer information.

Watch the full presentation to learn the proven methods for implementing alternative data in credit scoring within your organization.

Securing venture capital for fintech startups in the current Canadian market requires more than just a disruptive idea; it demands a proven path toward scale and a sophisticated understanding of exit architecture. Michael Garrity, Partner at Exit North Ventures, shares a masterclass on the realities of the funding landscape, drawing from his personal journey of building one of the nation’s largest alternative lenders. By focusing on the strategic nuances of securing venture capital for fintech startups, this session clarifies how founders can position their firms to attract top-tier investors during both early-stage rounds and late-stage acquisitions.

The technical complexity of securing venture capital for fintech startups has increased as investors shift their focus from pure user growth to sustainable unit economics and regulatory resilience. Garrity discusses the specific metrics that Canadian VCs prioritize, such as loan book performance, customer acquisition cost efficiency, and the strength of the underlying technology stack. When entrepreneurs master the art of securing venture capital for fintech startups, they gain more than just liquidity; they gain strategic partners capable of navigating the transition from a domestic player to a global powerhouse. The session also addresses the critical gap in the Canadian ecosystem regarding growth-stage capital and what must change to foster more home-grown unicorns.

Navigating the hurdles of securing venture capital for fintech startups is a long-term game that involves meticulous cap table management and a clear vision for eventual divestiture or public offering.

• Insights into the transition from founder to venture capitalist and what happens behind closed doors during the due diligence process.
• Tactical advice on building a capital-efficient fintech model that remains attractive to global institutional investors.
• An analysis of the Canadian fintech ecosystem and the specific policy shifts needed to support international expansion.

Watch this exclusive interview to learn the high-stakes strategies for securing venture capital for fintech startups from a leader who has successfully navigated the entire lifecycle of a firm.

The future of automotive finance technology is moving faster than the vehicles themselves as digital-first lending models replace traditional brick-and-mortar processes. This shift is not just about moving paperwork to a screen but involves a fundamental restructuring of how credit risk is calculated and how consumers interact with dealerships. As the industry moves toward a seamless drive-thru experience for financing, understanding the integration of real-time data becomes paramount for staying competitive in the Canadian market.

In this deep-dive panel from the February 2025 Auto Summit, industry leaders examine how the future of automotive finance technology is being defined by artificial intelligence and machine learning. These tools allow for hyper-personalized credit offers that adapt to individual borrower profiles in seconds. Furthermore, the discussion highlights how the future of automotive finance technology must address the friction points in the current buyer journey to meet the high expectations of modern, tech-savvy consumers.

By adopting a forward-thinking approach to the future of automotive finance technology, lenders and dealers can unlock new revenue streams and increase operational efficiency. This session provides a roadmap for navigating the complexities of digital transformation while maintaining regulatory compliance and data security. Embracing the future of automotive finance technology is no longer optional for those looking to lead the next generation of vehicle sales.

Key session takeaways include:

• The role of AI-driven credit assessments in reducing loan processing times and improving accuracy.
• Strategies for aligning dealership operations with the digital expectations of modern car buyers.
• Analysis of emerging fintech partnerships that are disrupting traditional auto lending cycles.

Watch the full video now to master the latest trends in the automotive sector.

Attracting high quality lending leads is the cornerstone of scaling a successful brokerage in today’s saturated financial marketplace. While many firms struggle with low-conversion traffic and rising acquisition costs, this session reveals the specific architectural shifts needed to pivot from quantity to quality. The video discussion highlights how industry leaders are leveraging data-driven targeting to filter out noise and focus resources on high-intent borrowers who meet strict credit profiles.

The technical framework for attracting high quality lending leads involves a multi-layered approach to digital marketing. Rather than relying on generic broad-match keywords, successful practitioners are utilizing granular audience segmentation and sophisticated lead-scoring models. By understanding the psychological triggers of prime borrowers, you can refine your messaging to address their specific pain points, thereby attracting high quality lending leads while simultaneously reducing your cost per acquisition.

The session further explores the integration of automated nurturing sequences that maintain engagement throughout the decision-making journey. This ensures that the process of attracting high quality lending leads does not end at the initial click but continues until a funded loan is secured.

• Implementation of precision audience targeting to reduce wasted marketing spend.
• Strategies for optimizing landing pages to capture intent-heavy borrower data.
• Advanced lead qualification techniques that streamline the sales pipeline.

Watch the full workshop video above to master these modern acquisition techniques and transform your business growth strategy.

The future of point of sale lending is undergoing a radical transformation as embedded finance moves from a secondary checkout option to a primary consumer expectation. While traditional credit products often struggle with friction at the register, this session explores how instantaneous credit decisioning and seamless API integrations are redefining the merchant-customer relationship. The video analysis emphasizes that the future of point of sale lending depends on the ability to provide transparent, low-friction financing exactly when the buyer is most ready to commit.

Technically, the shift toward the future of point of sale lending is driven by real-time data exchange and alternative underwriting models. Industry experts in this session break down how lenders are now using non-traditional data points to assess risk in milliseconds, allowing for a more inclusive financial ecosystem. As market saturation increases, the future of point of sale lending will likely be dominated by platforms that can offer personalized terms and flexible repayment schedules that adapt to individual borrower profiles rather than utilizing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Understanding the future of point of sale lending is essential for any financial professional or merchant looking to maintain a competitive edge in the digital economy. The discussion highlights that the convergence of mobile wallets and instant credit will soon make physical cards obsolete for high-ticket retail transactions.

• Integration of artificial intelligence to enhance real-time credit risk assessment.
• Impact of regulatory shifts on Buy Now Pay Later and embedded credit models.
• Strategies for merchants to increase average order value through integrated financing.

Watch the full session video to gain a comprehensive understanding of the technologies and trends driving this financial revolution.

Gain insights into strategies for raising credit facilities amidst fluctuating interest rates. Experts will share their experiences and best practices for navigating these challenges.

Join us in celebrating excellence and leadership in our community.

Underwriting credit for newcomers to canada has traditionally been a significant hurdle for financial institutions due to the lack of local credit history. In this session, industry experts discuss how the industry is moving beyond the “thin-file” dilemma by leveraging consumer-permissioned international data. By using advanced platforms like Nova Credit or Equifax’s Global Consumer Credit File, lenders can now access verified credit scores from a borrower’s home country, allowing for a more accurate and inclusive assessment of risk from the moment an immigrant lands.

The panel explores the technical mechanics of translating global credit reports into Canadian-equivalent metrics. Understanding the nuances of underwriting credit for newcomers to canada involves more than just seeing a score; it requires integrating these external datasets into existing digital application workflows. This approach not only speeds up the approval process for credit cards and auto loans but also fosters long-term brand loyalty by providing essential financial services to a rapidly growing and historically underserved demographic.

By prioritizing the process of underwriting credit for newcomers to canada, Canadian lenders can significantly reduce their reliance on secured products and high-interest subprime options. This session provides a strategic roadmap for institutions looking to refine their risk models and capitalize on international credit insights. Mastering the art of underwriting credit for newcomers to canada is essential for any financial professional committed to driving financial inclusion and market growth in 2026.

Key session takeaways include:

• Technical integration strategies for using international bureau data to generate local-equivalent credit scores.
• Analysis of the regulatory and compliance frameworks governing the use of cross-border consumer data.
• Case studies on how major Canadian banks are using international history to offer higher credit limits and better rates.

Watch the full panel discussion to discover how your organization can lead the way in underwriting credit for newcomers to canada.

Optimizing credit card program profitability requires a sophisticated balance between aggressive customer acquisition and rigorous risk management frameworks. In this session from Finance Events, industry experts break down the shift from traditional lending models to tech-driven engagement strategies. The discussion centers on how financial institutions can refine their value propositions to remain relevant in a crowded Canadian fintech landscape. By prioritizing data-driven insights, issuers can better understand consumer behavior and tailor rewards that drive long-term loyalty.

When focusing on optimizing credit card program profitability, legacy institutions must address the friction points in the digital onboarding process. The video highlights that high drop-off rates during application often negate the marketing spend intended for growth. To see real results in optimizing credit card program profitability, firms are now integrating real-time fraud detection and credit scoring modules that speed up approvals without increasing exposure. This technical evolution allows for a more seamless user experience while protecting the bottom line.

Successful leaders realize that optimizing credit card program profitability is not just about interest rates but about becoming the top-of-wallet choice through personalized digital experiences.

• Strategies for integrating AI-driven risk assessment to lower default rates and improve margins.
• Methods for enhancing customer lifetime value through hyper-personalized rewards and engagement tools.
• Frameworks for navigating the regulatory environment while maintaining a competitive edge in product design.

Watch the full panel discussion to master the art of optimizing credit card program profitability in today’s evolving financial ecosystem.

After-Summit drinks.