CMLS | Canada's Mortgage Company
The Advisor
Dan Putnan

Dan’s
Monthly Update

Businesses were stretched to their limits in 2020. Despite COVID-19 and the market concern it raised, CMLS experienced a record year of funding, thanks largely to the mortgage broker community taking initiative and working tirelessly to service the needs of their customers.

Looking ahead this year, we see great potential for the real estate industry and overall mortgage market in 2021. This is why we have retooled our volume bonus program, expanded our Prime and AVEO sales teams, added dedicated sales management and established a strong presence in Quebec through Adapt, Powered by CMLS.

First, I would like to welcome our new Prime and AVEO sales team members.

Sunny Sarai , AVEO.
Steve Maess , AVEO.
Colleen Williams , CMLS.
Clinton J. Grayson , CMLS.
Christa Boyd , CMLS.
Rodrigo Cubric , CMLS.

On the sales management side of things, I am thrilled to announce that Paul Gajdos and Sam Rizzo have been appointed Head of Mortgage Broker Sales, West and East respectively. Paul and Sam are part of the original CMLS Regional sales management team and we couldn’t be prouder to promote these two individuals to manage our growing team of Regional Sales Managers.

And finally, we are excited to be entering our first full year as a lender participant in the Quebec mortgage market under Adapt, Powered by CMLS. We are fully committed to working exclusively with the mortgage broker community in Quebec to originate residential mortgage products and are thrilled to have Claude Girard leading the sales charge for us. Claude recently hired Angelo Ghaleb to assist him with mortgage broker business development and support.

2021 holds great opportunities, and in expanding our programs, teams and reach, CMLS is preparing to take full advantage. Stay tuned for more details.

Dan Putnam AMP

Senior Vice President, Business Development, Residential

JOIN THE 2021 CMLS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

The Rewards
You Deserve

Our new 2021 CMLS Partnership Program rewards you for high sales of our CMLS Prime, AVEO and Adapt mortgage products. As a CMLS Partner, you can receive a host of volume bonuses for sales from $5 million to $35 million, with rewards increasing by sales volume. Earn up to 10 basis points, receive enhanced compensation and get a dedicated underwriter. Become a CMLS Partner, and gain the rewards you deserve.

Become a CMLS Partner Today

Regional Manager Feature

Claude Girard

Regional Manager, Business Development, Residential Mortgages, Team Lead Quebec

One of our new Regional Managers, Claude Girard brings a vast amount of experience to CMLS. Spearheading our new launch into Quebec under our Adapt brand, Claude’s knowledge of the Quebec financial services sector and the strong relationships he has built with mortgage brokers throughout the years are of tremendous strength to a new brand. Get to know Claude better by taking a few moments to read his interview below.

Question:
Who is someone you consider a hero?
Claude:
Maurice Richard.
Question:
Where was your best vacation memory from and why?
Claude:
Varanasi, India: to see all these believers plunge into the Ganges.
Question:
What really makes you angry?
Claude:
People not following the rules, especially during COVID-19.
Question:
What motivates you to work hard?
Claude:
Customer satisfaction. Never forget, it is the customer that is paying our salary.
Question:
What is the favorite thing about your career at CMLS?
Claude:
To start a new brand in Québec, almost from scratch.
Question:
What is your proudest accomplishment business or personal?
Claude:
Giving back to society. I have always been involved in voluntary work.
Question:
What is a favorite book you have read recently?
Claude:
The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Question:
If you could choose to do anything to try for one day, what would it be?
Claude:
Teach history to teenagers.
Question:
What would you sing at Karaoke night?
Claude:
What’s Going On (Marvin Gaye).
Question:
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Claude:
Sushi.

Underwriter Feature

Jason Gress

Escalation Manager

Jason Gress has worn many hats at CMLS throughout the years. He has been an escalation manager, branch leader, and now has taken on the challenge of growing some of our white label brands underneath the CMLS family. Get to know Jason better by taking a few moments to read his interview below.

Question:
Where was your best vacation memory from and why?
Jason:
A few years ago, I was lucky enough to be able to take a golf trip to Pebble Beach. Days were spent golfing; nights were spent touring around the Monterey Peninsula and the San Francisco area. All with my best friend at my side.
Question:
What motivates you to work hard?
Jason:
My team. I strive to give my underwriters everything they need to succeed, and to provide support in a timely manner so that efficiencies are as high as they can be.
Question:
What is the favorite thing about your career at CMLS?
Jason:
By far my favorite part of being at CMLS is working with some of the most intelligent and talented people in the mortgage industry. There is obviously some bias, but department after department, the number of superstars working at CMLS makes me proud to be a part of the team.
Question:
What is your favorite thing to watch?
Jason:
Reality TV. I find it therapeutic to shut my brain off and allow myself to be entertained.
Question:
What is a favorite book you have read recently?
Jason:
Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell.
Question:
If you could choose to do anything to try for one day, what would it be?
Jason:
I’ve always wanted to be a pilot.
Question:
What would you sing at Karaoke night?
Jason:
Bohemian Rhapsody.
Question:
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Jason:
That’s easy. Pez. Cherry flavoured Pez. No question about it.

Snapshots by CMLS.

Daniela Peeva
Executive Vice President
Mortgage Alliance Commercial
Sarah Fenwick
Mortgage Intelligence
Devin Cristo and Wes Will of Your Mortgage in Saskatoon SK
Donna MacDonald
Mortgage Alliance, Carleton Place, Ontario

What’s new.

SVG

Under AVEO’s retooled volume bonus program:

  • New maximum loan of $2M available in Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria (previously was at $1.5M).
  • No sliding scale applicable for properties over $1M value.
  • Rental properties in approved centres can involve gifted funds and gifted equity.

In September 2020, I accepted the role of Director during unprecedented times. As a team, we have had to navigate our way through a pandemic and come up with innovative methods and create efficiencies.

Despite these uncertain times, I am so proud of the successes we have had since as we exceeded our targets by 25%, making it the most successful year since its inception in 2015.

To continue this momentum of success, we have tripled our credit team and hired a dedicated AVEO Sales team. The future of AVEO is looking bright and I’m excited to lead this team to greater heights. We know we would not be able to do this without your support: our national broker partners.

At AVEO, we are broker focused, and along with my experienced underwriting team, we are committed to help you achieve even better results in the coming year. We care about your business and our mutual end clients!

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to working with you in 2021 and beyond.

For more information on AVEO, please contact us today. Contact

For the most up-to-date rates, download our rate sheet. And link to this: https://www.cmls.ca/brokers/download-resource?id=119

SLG

A new name with the same great experience! The SLG group is currently undergoing minor rebranding to better communicate our tailored offering, while maintaining the same great experience and reputation we have built over the last three years. In the coming weeks

you will notice our online marketing material change from “Specialized Lending Group” to “Strategic Lending Group”.

SLG began as a two-man show covering the entire country and has since grown into a team of seven, experiencing “hockey stick-like” growth. To help manage this growing portfolio, Senior Director Aaron Goddard has joined us as team manager. Aaron has been with CMLS for over eight years and brings valuable experience and knowledge to insured multi family financing. Aaron is always open for a COVID-friendly zoom call, and when not crunching through deals he can be found at home with his wife and two kids.

So much has changed over the last three years, but we have the right mix for a great 2021!

Brian Ingrim

Brian Ingrim

Regional Manager,
Ontario, Specialized Lending
Group, Residential Mortgages

905.875.6370 brian.ingram@cmls.ca

Steve Ennis

Regional Manager,
Western Canada, Specialized Lending Group

604.787.4885 steve.ennis@cmls.ca
Tips for Submitting a Deal and a Case Study

Tips for Preparing your Documents

Loan Submission Notes:

  • Notes will tell a story and prevent back and forth with underwriting to help expedite a file.
    • Provide a story and explain derogatory credit / income.
    • If a life-changing event has occurred, please provide a timeline and how it affected their financials.
    • OSFI regulations and AML have strong influence.

Review Documents Upfront:

  • Risk profile of loan can change based on documents provided.
  • Review documents and advise underwriter of any discrepancies along with explanations.
  • Documents maybe required upfront for underwriter to make a decision of at request of investor.
  • ALL BFS Alternative Income Confirmation (Stated Income) submissions.
    • Must have BFS Income Declaration Form and 6 months bank statements, 3 invoices upfront.
    • Underwriters will not review until documentation provided.

Location:

  • Before submission, discuss the application with your Regional Manager.
  • If a property is within an Approved Lending Area: does not necessarily mean we will lend on the property.
  • Google Maps is your best friend, assess the marketability by reviewing the surrounding area and if any adverse influences.

Subscribe.

Subscribe now to automatically receive both our Commercial Mortgage Commentary and Looking Forward Newsletter.


Thank you for your interest. We look forward to getting in touch.

THE ADVISOR ISSUES

Introducing Our
New Facebook Pages.

CMLS CMLS CMLS CMLS Aveo
The Broker Corner

Tom Winski from John Heath Mortgage Architects Mortgage Teacher.

“Just checked the time stamp on my submission - submitted at 3:00pm flat, RECEIVED the approval at 3.34pm. That’s how it’s done folks.”

Power of No Stress!

What’s New with SLG.

On March 7th CMHC began accepting applications for their new multi-family insurance program targeting affordable, energy efficient, and accessible buildings…and the terms and conditions are FANTASTIC! It’s called MLI Select and if the building earns 100 “CMHC points” the borrowers will qualify for up to 95% LTV, 50-year amortization, 1.1x debt service coverage ratio with a 1.0% CMHC premium.

Snapshots by CMLS.

Here’s the latest from our CMLS community across Canada.