Logo

The Future of Lending™

2025 Canadian Lenders Summit

October 20th, 2025 | The Quay, Toronto, Ontario
View Agendaarrow_forward

About This Event

Join over 600 executives to define the future of credit in Canada, focusing on profitable growth and resilient risk management. The 2025 Canadian Lenders Summit is the premier annual gathering where the country’s leading institutions gain actionable strategies across the entire lending lifecycle. The agenda dives deep into the forces reshaping the market: implementing Trustworthy AI in underwriting, navigating key regulatory shifts like Open Banking and the Rate Cap, mastering the rise of Embedded Credit and POS Lending, and leveraging alternative data for effective risk modeling and fraud prevention. Secure the strategic foresight needed to accelerate innovation across consumer and commercial sectors.

This Summit is a must-attend for C-Suite and Senior-Level Executives driving strategy, risk, product, and innovation. The 600+ attendees represent all major segments of the credit ecosystem, including Major Banks, Credit Unions, Alternative Lenders, Fintech Innovators, and Top Industry Vendors. Network directly with industry leaders and policymakers to forge crucial partnerships, gain competitive advantage, and ensure your organization remains at the forefront of Canadian lending.(See last year’s sold out event)

Speakers Include ...

Daniel Eberhard CEO
Chadwick Westlake CEO
Patrick Ens CEO
Michael McGhee SVP & Head, TD Auto Finance
John Kontos SVP & Head Auto Finance
Daniel Rethazy SVP Lending
Adil Hassam Head of Community Banking
David Gens CEO
Malik Yacoubi CEO
Justin Herlick CEO | Founder
Eric Walker VP, Retail Risk Credit Strategy
Kevin Vankampen SVP, Business Banking

Sponsors

Agenda

8:00 - 6:00

8:30 - 9:00

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.

  • LinkedIn
    Sponsored by Co-operators

9:00 - 9:30

Canada’s Challenger Bank: A Fireside Chat with the CEO of Equitable

Strategic digital banking leadership insights from EQB CEO Chadwick Westlake. Learn how to drive growth through funding innovation and cultural transformation.

  • LinkedIn
    Tal Schwartz

    General Partner

    North Exit Ventures

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    Chadwick Westlake

    CEO

    EQ Bank

    Speaker
9:30 - 10:00 Concurrent

How to Automate Your Underwriting Workflow

Learn how to automate underwriting workflow for lenders. Discover expert strategies to balance AI efficiency with human judgment for faster, scalable loan approvals.

  • LinkedIn
    Hamid Akbari

    CEO

    Blanc Labs

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    Maik Taro Wehmeyer

    CEO

    Taktile

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Matt Browning

    President

    Trust Science

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Tyler Haynes

    Sr. Director Global Pre-Sales

    Decisions

    Speaker
9:30 - 10:00

New Rules of the Road: How Auto Finance is Adapting

The future of automotive finance technology is here. Learn how real-time underwriting and vehicle data are reshaping lending and the modern path to purchase.

  • LinkedIn
    D’Arcy Delamere

    EVP, Fintech

    Dealertrack

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    Michael McGhee

    SVP & Head, TD Auto Finance

    TD

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    John Kontos

    SVP & Head Auto Finance

    Scotiabank

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Andy Kuyper

    Head of Partnerships & Secured Lending

    TransUnion

    Speaker
10:00 - 10:30

Morning Coffee

10:00 - 10:30

Business Lending Through Challenging Markets

Strategies for business lending in uncertain markets are vital for success. Learn how top lenders adapt credit models and maintain liquidity in this session.

  • LinkedIn
    Adil Hassam

    Head of Community Banking

    BDC

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    Mike Cussen

    VP of Product Group

    RBC

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Kevin Vankampen

    SVP, Business Banking

    Meridian Credit Union

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Booker Cornea

    AVP, Market Relations

    FNBC

    Speaker
10:30 - 11:30

Building a Bank: A Fireside Chat with the Founder of KOHO

Scaling a challenger bank in Canada requires a unique blend of regulatory savvy and technical agility. Learn how KOHO disrupted the Big Five in this session.

  • LinkedIn
    Kevin Carmichael

    Editor-at-Large

    The Logic

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    Daniel Eberhard

    CEO

    KOHO

    Speaker
11:30 - 12:00

Fraud Inc: Preventing Fraud in the Age of AI

Ai fraud prevention strategies for finance are essential to stop evolving threats. Learn how to use AI-driven detection to protect assets and build customer trust.

  • LinkedIn
    Sue-Ling Yip

    Partner, Financial Crimes

    KPMG

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    Bill Johnston

    SVP Product & Innovation

    Equifax

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Amit Sadhu

    SVP Risk

    RBC

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Daniel Rethazy

    SVP Lending

    CIBC

    Speaker
11:30 - 12:00 Concurrent

Finding Funding: Capital Market Strategies for Originators

Optimizing capital markets funding structures is vital for Canadian lenders. Learn to leverage securitization and credit facilities to reduce costs and manage risk.

  • LinkedIn
    Karanjit Bhugra

    MD Co-Head Capital Markets

    Ventum

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    David Gens

    CEO

    Merchant Growth

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Nur Khan

    Managing Director

    SAF Group

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Keith Lam

    Director

    BC Partners

    Speaker
12:00 - 1:00

Network Lunch

  • LinkedIn
    Sponsored by Securian Canada

1:00 - 1:30

Scaling with Ease: A Fireside Chat with goeasy’s President

Scaling non-prime lending in Canada requires balancing risk and technology. Join goeasy President Patrick Ens for insights on regulation and growth strategy.

  • LinkedIn
    Gary Schwartz

    President | CEO

    Canadian Lenders Association

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    Patrick Ens

    CEO

    easyfinancial

    Speaker
1:30 - 2:00

Home Truths: Reimagining Mortgage Lending in 2025+

Modern digital mortgage lending trends are transforming home finance. Discover how digital workflows and inclusive credit are rebuilding the mortgage industry.

  • LinkedIn
    D.J. Lynde

    Partner, Financial Services

    McCarthy Tétrault

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    Justin Herlick

    CEO

    Pine

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Malik Yacoubi

    CEO

    Nesto

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Aled ab lorwerth

    Deputy Chief Economist

    CMHC

    Speaker
1:30 - 2:00 Concurrent

Swipe Right: How to Use Your Card Program to Scale

Developing a profitable card program strategy is essential in a crowded market. Learn how to optimize product design, manage risk, and capture loyalty in this panel.

  • LinkedIn
    Julie Kobryn

    Director, Product

    Equifax

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    Allison Walsh

    VP Payments Product

    Peoples Group

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Richard Goyder

    VP Lending

    Neo Financial

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Cato Pastoll

    CEO

    Loop

    Speaker
2:00 - 2:30

From Data to Dollars: Next-Gen Credit Modelling

Modern credit risk modelling strategies are redefining creditworthiness. Learn how alternative data and AI can transform your risk engine and drive profitability.

  • LinkedIn
    Brent Reynolds

    CEO | Founder

    Payson

    Moderator
  • LinkedIn
    Samantha Simpson

    Analytics Lead

    Payson

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Jason Appel

    CRO

    goeasy

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Eric Walker

    VP, Retail Risk Credit Strategy

    RBC

    Speaker
2:00 - 2:30 Concurrent

Funding the 99.7%: How to Fix SMB Finance

SMB commercial banking funding gaps hinder 99.7% of Canadian firms. Learn why 1 in 3 businesses fail to secure capital and how banks can modernize lending today.

  • LinkedIn
    Jean Dauvin

    Partner, Financial Services

    Monitor Deloitte

    Speaker
  • LinkedIn
    Ketan Bhole

    Partner, Financial Services

    Monitor Deloitte

    Speaker
2:30 - 5:00

Cocktail Reception

  • LinkedIn
    Sponsored by defi SOLUTIONS

Details

Date

October 20th, 2025

Time

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Venue

The Quay, 100 Queens Quay E 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario