Halifax Mortgage Symposium

Barbara Cook and Lauren van den Berg, MPC
Opening Remarks & Association Update

Remarks by The Honourable David Hickey

Presented by: Ivan Ruiz  
Communication Bootcamp

In this interactive keynote seminar participants will learn an actionable strategy to help them break the ice with new clients, create a unique value proposition and a tactic to become more convincing.

About Ivan:

Bio's are boring. Instead here are some fun facts about Ivan:

* He is a top-rated instructor on Coursera with over 100,000 learners
* He is a top-rated instructor on Udemy with over 50,000 students
* He was the official host for FIFA 2022, Invictus Games 2017 & PanAm Games 2015
* The largest crowd he ever spoke in front of was 50,000
* He wrote a book called "End Boring"
* He can teach you how to salsa dance

Eric Poblete and Ben Levy, Equifax Canada  
Mortgage Credit and Frauds Trends 2.0 Fireside Chat

Join Eric Poblete and Ben Levy for an insightful fireside chat with Equifax as they present an in-depth look at consumer credit and fraud trends in Canada—including insights specific to your local customers. Discover key trends in spending and saving habits, and learn which customers are looking to switch or renew early during this critical mortgage renewal period. Plus, get the latest updates on Canadian fraud trends, FINTRAC regulations, and new compliance rules impacting brokers across the country. Don't miss this opportunity to get your most pressing questions answered!

Eric Poblete is a sales professional with over 30+ years experience working with all vertical markets. In the last 14 years Eric has worked with Equifax Canada with a focus on the mortgage, rental and housing industries. As the Equifax ambassador for the mortgage broker market, he has provided extensive support and education to all the varied stakeholders including brokers, lenders, underwriters, real estate agents, and insurers helping them to understand credit, compliance, financial trends and fraud directly and indirectly related to the mortgage market.

Ben Levy is a Consultant for EFX's Consumer and Fraud solutions, supporting their Small and Medium Enterprise Sales team. He is located in Halifax, NS and has been with EFX for 27 years with the majority of those years seeing to the needs of the Atlantic credit unions. He is responsible for maintaining and growing relationships as well as ensuring that clients receive the top level of service they should expect from Equifax.

Regulatory Update

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority will provide an update on the latest in provincial regulation.

The Honourable Steven Myers, Minister of Housing, Land and Communities

Brian Hutton, M3 Financial Group
Marketing for Growth: Strategies to Propel Your Mortgage Business in 2025

Marketing for Growth: Strategies to Propel Your Mortgage Business in 2025, is designed to equip mortgage brokers with actionable strategies to market effectively, build strong client relationships, and grow their businesses in the ever-evolving industry landscape. We will cover topics like marketing automation, how to leverage digital marketing channels, and emerging tech to enhance the client experience. Packed with practical tips, this presentation provides the tools and inspiration brokers need to thrive in 2025.

Brian Hutton oversees all the digital marketing efforts for the M3 Financial Group and is also the marketing head for INVIS & MI. As the digital marketing lead for the biggest brokerage network in Canada, he is a passionate believer in applying new age technology to his brokers marketing efforts. His in-depth knowledge of SEO, website optimization, AI applications, social media engagement and marketing strategy have helped brokers enhance and streamline their online presence. Brian’s experience and hands on approach with brokers have made him a fan favorite across the country. Brian has over 20 years of marketing experience; notably having previously worked at HBC for 10 years before joining M3 in 2017.

Moderated by: Michelle Drover Panelists: Brad Donnely, Daniel Cox, Joan Flood and Sheila Bianchi  
Broker Panel: Strategies for Success in a Changing Market

Join top industry experts as they tackle the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing mortgage brokers today. From record-high mortgage renewals and client retention strategies to market trends, competitive insights, and regulatory updates, this panel will provide actionable takeaways to help you stay ahead. Learn how brokers are leveraging technology, innovative processes, and strategic client conversations to navigate today’s market—and hear their perspectives on where new growth opportunities lie. Don’t miss this engaging and informative discussion!