2025 Canadian Lenders Summit

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.

Strategic digital banking leadership insights are essential for navigating the complex transition from financial oversight to chief executive leadership in a competitive market. In this exclusive fireside chat, Chadwick Westlake discusses his journey from CFO to President and CEO of EQB, highlighting how a focus on scalable infrastructure and funding innovation has positioned the organization as a premier challenger bank. This conversation reveals that successful strategic digital banking leadership insights stem from a deep understanding of how acquisitions and integrations must align with a long-term cultural vision. By analyzing the shift in the Canadian banking landscape, Westlake provides a roadmap for driving growth while maintaining the agility of a digital-first institution.

The session further expands on how strategic digital banking leadership insights can transform traditional operational models into high-growth engines. Westlake shares specific examples of how leveraging diverse funding sources and technical innovation allows a bank to remain resilient during economic fluctuations. Understanding these strategic digital banking leadership insights is vital for professionals looking to implement robust corporate strategies that balance aggressive expansion with sound fiscal responsibility. Finally, the discussion emphasizes that the most impactful strategic digital banking leadership insights are those that prioritize people and culture as the primary drivers of technological adoption and customer trust.

• Analysis of the transition from CFO to CEO and its impact on corporate growth strategy.
• Frameworks for integrating major acquisitions while preserving a challenger bank culture.
• Methods for driving funding innovation and operational efficiency in a digital ecosystem.

Watch the full fireside chat to gain a deeper understanding of the future of Canadian finance.

If your underwriting team is still manually reviewing every low-risk application, you are losing speed, accuracy, and market share. This session moves beyond the hype of artificial intelligence to discuss how leading lenders are actually weaving together automation and human judgement. You will learn how to identify the specific friction points in your current process and where to deploy machine learning to achieve true scalability without compromising risk management.

Key session highlights include:

• Strategic Segmentation: How to automate the easy “yes” and “no” decisions so your experts can focus on complex edge cases.
• Data Orchestration: Integrating alternative data sets to build a more holistic view of borrower creditworthiness in real time.
• Maintaining the Human Element: Why human oversight remains a critical component of a responsible AI-driven underwriting framework.
• Scalability vs. Risk: Practical steps to increase your loan volume by 3x while maintaining consistent credit quality and regulatory compliance.

Stop letting legacy workflows bottleneck your growth. Watch the full session to master the balance of efficiency and precision in your lending operations.

The future of automotive finance technology is moving beyond the traditional dealership model as vehicles transform into sophisticated, data-generating hubs. This session explores how the industry is pivoting toward real-time underwriting and usage-based credit models that leverage telematics. As vehicles become more connected, the future of automotive finance technology will be defined by the ability to process high-velocity data to offer personalized lending rates. This shift allows lenders to move away from static credit scores and toward dynamic risk assessment based on actual driver behavior and vehicle health.

In this deep dive, industry experts discuss how the path to purchase is being compressed through digital-first integrations. Adapting to the future of automotive finance technology means understanding the intersection of consumer electronics and asset management. By viewing the vehicle as a continuous customer touchpoint rather than a one-time transaction, lenders can unlock new revenue streams through subscription services and embedded insurance. The future of automotive finance technology rests on the seamless synchronization of hardware data and financial services. Organizations that fail to embrace the future of automotive finance technology risk obsolescence in an era where speed and precision are the primary competitive advantages.

• Implementation of real-time underwriting using connected vehicle data and telematics.
• Transition from traditional ownership models to usage-based and subscription financing.
• Integration of financial services directly into the vehicle digital ecosystem and interface.

View the full session now to gain a competitive edge in the evolving automotive landscape.

Implementing effective strategies for business lending in uncertain markets is now essential for Canadian lenders facing rapid interest rate volatility and shifting credit cycles. This session explores how top-tier financiers are recalibrating their capital deployment by prioritizing forward-looking cash flow analysis over historical data to maintain liquidity. By adopting these strategies for business lending in uncertain markets, institutions can create flexible deal structures that mitigate risk while continuing to support mid-market growth during economic contractions.

• Analysis of macroeconomic triggers affecting current credit availability and borrower eligibility.
• Methods for utilizing creative financing structures to maintain portfolio health during downturns.
• The critical balance between traditional banking regulations and the flexibility of private credit.
• Identification of industry sectors that remain bankable despite broader market instability.
• Proven strategies for business lending in uncertain markets that emphasize transparent lender-borrower communication.

Watch the full session to gain expert insights and refine your approach to securing business capital today.

Understanding the mechanics of scaling a challenger bank in Canada requires a deep dive into the friction between disruptive technology and a highly concentrated regulatory environment. Daniel Eberhard, the founder of KOHO, pulls back the curtain on how a startup can successfully transition from a niche fintech experiment into a household name that competes directly with the Big Five. The journey of scaling a challenger bank in Canada involves more than just user acquisition; it requires a sophisticated approach to capital allocation and a relentless focus on building consumer trust within a skeptical market. By examining the KOHO story, listeners gain a first-hand look at the structural hurdles and the strategic pivots necessary when scaling a challenger bank in Canada.

The technical discourse in this session explores the complexities of navigating Canadian financial regulations while maintaining the agility of a tech-first organization. Eberhard discusses the importance of unit economics and the specific challenges of fundraising within the domestic ecosystem. Those interested in scaling a challenger bank in Canada will find immense value in the discussion regarding product-market fit and the evolution of everyday banking services. As the landscape shifts, the lessons learned from scaling a challenger bank in Canada provide a blueprint for future founders aiming to democratize financial services and offer better alternatives to traditional institutional banking.

• Strategies for navigating the complex Canadian regulatory framework while maintaining a competitive edge.
• Technical insights into raising venture capital and managing unit economics during periods of hyper-growth.
• Methods for building long-term consumer trust in a market dominated by entrenched financial institutions.

Watch this session to master the strategic requirements of building a disruptive financial brand in a competitive market.

Ai fraud prevention strategies for finance are no longer optional as bad actors leverage machine learning to automate high-frequency attacks. This session from Finance Events explores the critical shift from reactive security measures to proactive, intelligence-led defense systems. The core insight reveals that while AI has lowered the barrier to entry for fraudsters creating deepfakes and sophisticated phishing campaigns, it also provides the foundation for real-time behavioral biometrics that can stop a breach before it occurs.

Implementing ai fraud prevention strategies for finance requires a nuanced balance between rigorous security protocols and a frictionless customer experience. By analyzing the data patterns discussed in the video, organizations can identify how to integrate predictive modeling into their existing tech stacks. These ai fraud prevention strategies for finance prioritize layered protection, ensuring that even if one perimeter is breached, the underlying financial assets remains secure.

Adopting modern ai fraud prevention strategies for finance helps institutions maintain regulatory compliance while building long-term consumer confidence. The presentation outlines a roadmap for digital transformation that moves away from static rules-based systems toward dynamic, self-evolving algorithms. These ai fraud prevention strategies for finance represent the next frontier in digital risk management.

• Integration of machine learning models to detect synthetic identity fraud in real time.
• Methods for reducing false positives to improve the overall digital user journey.
• Techniques for balancing data privacy with the need for high-velocity fraud analysis.

Watch the full session to learn how your organization can deploy these advanced solutions today.

Optimizing capital markets funding structures has become the primary challenge for Canadian originators navigating a volatile interest rate environment. As traditional lending models face increased scrutiny, the ability to pivot between securitization, credit facilities, and flow-through arrangements determines which firms can maintain liquidity. This session provides a masterclass in optimizing capital markets funding structures by examining how top-tier lenders balance the cost of capital against the necessity of risk transfer. We move beyond theory to look at the practicalities of asset-backed securities and the specific requirements of institutional investors in the current market.

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on how market leaders are optimizing capital markets funding structures to shield their balance sheets from systemic shocks. By understanding the nuances of diverse funding vehicles, originators can better position themselves to attract sustainable investment. The dialogue highlights that optimizing capital markets funding structures is not just about the lowest rate, but also about the flexibility and scalability of the facility. Expert panelists share their first-hand experiences in negotiating terms that allow for rapid growth while maintaining strict compliance and risk standards. Mastering the art of optimizing capital markets funding structures ensures your organization remains competitive regardless of macroeconomic shifts.

• Comparative analysis of securitization versus warehouse credit facilities.
• Methods for reducing the weighted average cost of capital through diversification.
• Best practices for meeting the rigorous due diligence demands of capital providers.

Watch the full recorded session to refine your approach to optimizing capital markets funding structures today.

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In this exclusive session, Patrick Ens explores the strategic framework for scaling non-prime lending in Canada while maintaining a rigorous approach to risk management. As the president of goeasy, Ens provides a masterclass on how the organization balances rapid growth with the necessary safeguards required in a volatile economic landscape. The discussion moves beyond surface-level growth tactics to examine the foundational pillars of scaling non-prime lending in Canada, specifically focusing on how regulatory shifts and technological integration influence the credit market.

Understanding the nuances of scaling non-prime lending in Canada requires a deep dive into customer trust and the ethical responsibilities of a dominant market leader. Ens highlights that sustainable growth is only possible when credit access is expanded responsibly. By analyzing real-world data and market trends, he illustrates why scaling non-prime lending in Canada is as much about sophisticated underwriting as it is about empathetic customer service. This session offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the operational discipline and vision needed to lead the next chapter of Canadian financial services.

• The strategic integration of machine learning and traditional risk models to improve credit decisioning.
• Methods for navigating the evolving regulatory environment while maintaining market dominance.
• Techniques for building long-term customer loyalty within the non-prime demographic.

Watch the full fireside chat now to gain professional insights into the future of the Canadian credit market.

Modern digital mortgage lending trends are currently reshaping the Canadian housing market as lenders navigate the delicate balance between rapid technological adoption and tightening regulatory frameworks. This session features senior financial stakeholders who reveal that the future of home finance is being built on automated workflows that prioritize speed without sacrificing security. A key insight from the discussion highlights how modern digital mortgage lending trends are moving toward the integration of real-time affordability tools that provide consumers with instant transparency. By moving away from cumbersome manual documentation, institutions are finding that they can better serve a new generation of borrowers who expect a mobile-first application experience.

The conversation delves into the technical shift toward inclusive credit practices, which is one of the most significant modern digital mortgage lending trends identified for the coming year. These practices utilize alternative data sets to broaden access to homeownership for those with non-traditional income streams. Furthermore, the experts explain how staying ahead of modern digital mortgage lending trends requires a robust investment in API-driven ecosystems that connect lenders, brokers, and appraisers seamlessly. As the industry evolves, these modern digital mortgage lending trends will continue to drive efficiency and lower operational costs across the entire mortgage lifecycle. Understanding these shifts is crucial for any finance professional looking to remain competitive in a high-interest environment.

• Adoption of automated digital workflows to reduce mortgage processing times and errors.
• Implementation of alternative credit data to foster more inclusive lending practices.
• Utilization of real-time affordability calculators to enhance the digital customer journey.

Click through to watch the full session and master the future of residential finance.

Developing a profitable card program strategy requires a deep understanding of how credit products are evolving from traditional revolving lines into complex buy now pay later hybrids. In today’s competitive financial landscape, issuers can no longer rely on legacy models to maintain market share. This session brings together industry leaders to dissect the mechanics of modern product design and the shifting patterns of user behavior. By focusing on developing a profitable card program strategy, organizations can better navigate the tension between aggressive customer acquisition and sustainable risk mitigation.

The panel explores how data-driven insights allow brands to capture long-term loyalty and protect margins in an increasingly crowded market. Whether you are launching a fintech startup or managing a mature portfolio, developing a profitable card program strategy involves balancing technical innovation with regulatory compliance. We dive into the specific challenges of credit adjudication and the rising demand for flexible payment structures. Successfully developing a profitable card program strategy means staying ahead of these trends while ensuring that every swipe delivers value to both the consumer and the enterprise.

• Analysis of the shift toward hybrid credit and BNPL product structures.
• Strategies for risk mitigation and margin protection in volatile markets.
• Techniques for building sustainable customer loyalty through personalized user experiences.

Watch the full session now to gain the technical insights necessary for developing a profitable card program strategy that wins in the Canadian financial ecosystem.

Modern credit risk modelling strategies are undergoing a radical shift as the industry moves away from stagnant credit scores toward dynamic, real-time risk assessment engines. This session from the Canadian Lenders Summit features a panel of risk experts who reveal that relying on traditional bureau data alone is a recipe for missed opportunities and increased default rates. A core insight from the video is that the integration of alternative data—such as utility payments, cash flow patterns, and even behavioral analytics—is now the primary differentiator for successful lenders. By implementing modern credit risk modelling strategies, firms can transition from a reactive posture to a predictive one, allowing them to identify high-potential borrowers that traditional systems would otherwise overlook.

The technical deep dive explores how lenders can leverage AI and machine learning to build more resilient risk engines. Adopting modern credit risk modelling strategies requires a sophisticated approach to data hygiene and model validation to avoid the common pitfalls of algorithmic bias. The speakers provide tactical advice on how to digitally transform legacy systems, ensuring that modern credit risk modelling strategies are both scalable and compliant with evolving Canadian regulations. Whether you are managing a prime or non-prime portfolio, the application of modern credit risk modelling strategies is essential for maintaining margin in a crowded marketplace. This session serves as a definitive guide for any lending professional ready to embrace the data-to-dollars evolution.

• Implementation techniques for integrating alternative data into existing underwriting workflows.
• Strategies for avoiding model overfitting and ensuring long-term predictive reliability.
• Best practices for balancing automated AI decisioning with human-led risk oversight.

Watch the full panel discussion to discover how to modernize your organization’s risk infrastructure.