Canadian Finance Summit
On May 28th, 2026, discover how next-gen FIs are partnering with fintech to accelerate innovation across all sectors.| Join over 700 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.)
Proud partner of the Canadian Lenders Association
Past Speakers
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Scott Wood CEO -
Jason Mullins CLA Vice Chair | CEO -
Stephen Smith Chairperson -
Amit Sadhu SVP, Risk -
Alain Henry Vice President | CEO -
Andrew Moor CEO -
Gayle Ramsay Head, Everyday Banking, Segment & Customer Growth
Sponsors
Agenda
8:00am - 6:00 pm
Non-Stop Networking
Download the event app and book meeting at the high tops throughout the day. Simply book a 20 minute time slot and you will be allocated an available table number. Speak to our network concierge anytime.
The CLA will donate $25 for every meeting to the Sinai Health Foundation. The top 5 power networkers will win incredible LEGO® buildings and racing cars at the end of the day.
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Sponsored by Co-operators
Breakfast Networking
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.
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Kevin Carmichael
Editor-at-Large
The Logic
Moderator -
Pamela Draper
President
Digital Commerce Bank
Speaker -
William Keliehor
CCO
Peoples Group
Speaker
David 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.
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Parna Sabet-Stephenson
Leader of Financial Services & Technology
Gowlings
Moderator -
Hanna Zaidi
VP, Payments Strategy & CCO
Wealthsimple
Speaker -
Taryn Mason
Head of Strategy
Questrade
Speaker
Beyond 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.
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Thomas Purves
Principal, Financial Services
Lahave
Moderator -
Rob Dunlap
Head | Product Innovation
Zafin
Speaker -
Simon Sun
Banking and Insurance Lead
SAS Canada
Speaker -
Janet Lin
SVP | CIO
EQ Bank
Speaker
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.
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Jil Macdonald
COO
Walnut
Moderator -
Mike Titkov
Investor
Telus
Speaker -
Hanif Joshaghani
Founder | CEO
Symend
Speaker -
Daniel Shain
VP Head of Product
Fig
Speaker
The 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.
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Gary Schwartz
President | CEO
Canadian Lenders Association
Moderator -
Scott Wood
CEO
Fairstone Bank
Speaker
Speed 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.
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Steve Dobrenski
Head of Sales
Naehas
Moderator -
Mark Mountan
Managing Principal
Capco
Speaker -
Lipika Sahoo
AVP Marketing
TD
Speaker -
Larry Jacobs
VP Marketing
RBC
Speaker
Networking Lunch
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Sponsored by Securian Canada
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.
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The Hon. Victor Fedeli
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Government of Ontario
Keynote
Affinity 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.
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Rob Daniel
EVP
Bond Brand Loyalty
Moderator -
Timothy Morris
Chief Banking Officer
Neo Financial
Speaker -
Nurin Thawer
VP, Business Enablement & Chief of Staff at AIR MILES
BMO
Speaker -
Donna Lue-Atkinson
VP Loyalty & Partnerships
Scotiabank
Speaker
Embedding 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.
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Sean Martin
Managing Director, Head of Financial Inst. & FinTech
Raymond James
Moderator -
Dan Park
CEO
Clutch
Speaker -
Michael Garrity
Chairperson
Financeit
Speaker -
Denise Heffron
Managing Director
FlexPay
Speaker
Afternoon 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.
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Alexis Levine
Partner
Blakes
Speaker -
Matt Barnes
Principal
Navigator
Speaker
Stablecoins: 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.
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Lori Stein
Partner, Fintech, Securities Regulatory & Investment Products
McCarthy Tétrault
Moderator -
Lucas Matheson
CEO
Coinbase Canada
Speaker -
Eric Richmond
GC & Head of Business Development
Shakepay
Speaker -
Alex Mcdougall
CEO Founder
Stablecorp
Speaker
Are 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.
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Tal Schwartz
General Partner
North Exit Ventures
Moderator -
Rob Khazzam
CEO | Founder
Float
Speaker -
Oliver Takach
CEO | Founder
KEEP
Speaker
EQ Bank Finance Awards
- Executive of the Year
- Risk Officer of the Year
- Auto Finance Award
- SMB Finance Award
- Consumer Finance Award
- Real-Estate Finance Award
- New-to-Canada Finance Award
- Equipment Finance Award
- Sustainable Finance Award
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Darren Lorimer
Group Head of Commercial Banking | CLA Board Member
Equitable Bank
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EQ Bank
Sponsored by EQ Bank
Can I Buy You a Drink?
After-Summit drinks.
Details
Date
May 28th, 2026
Time
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Venue
The Quay, 100 Queens Quay E 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario
