Ottawa Mortgage Symposium

2026 is expected to bring one of the largest mortgage renewal cycles on record, creating unprecedented opportunity for brokers who engage clients early and strategically. While many brokers wait for renewal dates, top brokers use mortgage penalty insights to determine when to engage, how to position options, and where real opportunity exists.

In this session, Prepayment Penalty Mentor Matt Imhoff, Canada’s mortgage penalty expert, and Hugo Dos Reis, a top 1% mortgage broker and partner at Vine Group, break down how mortgage penalties actually work and why they matter even when a client ultimately chooses not to break their mortgage.

The session combines penalty education, client psychology, and proven real-world strategies used by top brokers to drive earlier conversations, uncover hidden opportunities, and win renewal, refinance, and move-up business that others miss in 2026 and beyond.

What Attendees Will Learn

• How top brokers use penalty math to engage clients months or even years before renewal
• How to identify high-rate mortgages where breaking early may cost less than staying put
• How to clearly demonstrate when interest savings outweigh the cost of a penalty
• How to evaluate “break now vs. wait” scenarios and time decisions more effectively
• Practical frameworks brokers can apply immediately to capitalize on record renewal volumes

About the speakers: Matt Imhoff is a leading expert on prepayment penalties, dedicated to helping mortgage brokers understand and navigate Interest Rate Differentials (IRDs). With years of hands-on experience, Matt has become a trusted resource for top brokers across Canada, helping them anticipate IRDs and develop strategies to protect their clients. Since entering the mortgage industry in 2015, Matt has been known for his deep knowledge, sharp analytical skills, and passion for empowering brokers through education. His expertise in IRDs and mortgage penalties makes him a sought-after mentor in the industry. Before entering the mortgage industry, Matt served as a Marine Technician in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserves. He embarked on a 3,500 km hike along the Appalachian Trail with his dad in 2010. Now based in Downtown Vancouver, he continues sharing his knowledge and supporting brokers in making informed mortgage decisions.

Hugo Dos Reis is a Mortgage Broker and Partner at Vine Group, one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing mortgage brokerages. With over 13 years in the industry and more than $100MM in annual personal production, Hugo has built a referral-driven business by focusing on better client conversations rather than more leads. Beyond his own production, Hugo leads brand, marketing, and growth strategy across Vine Group and Prepayment Penalty Mentor (PPM). He builds the systems, education, and workflows used by 100+ brokers nationwide to uncover hidden opportunities, navigate complex files, and create more predictable deal flow. Hugo is also deeply involved in the real estate investor community, having spoken to thousands of investors across Canada and created the Blueprint mortgage strategy to help investors plan, scale, and acquire more real estate. He is known for mentoring brokers into top-tier producers by bridging technical knowledge with practical, client-first sales execution.

The Canadian mortgage landscape is changing quickly shaped by shifting consumer expectations, digitization, regulatory updates, and evolving risk dynamics. Mortgage professionals are being asked to do more with less, deliver faster with greater accuracy, and maintain trust in a competitive, compliance-driven environment. This session will provide attendees with practical, actionable strategies to navigate these pressures while improving operational performance, customer experience, and long-term business resilience. Drawing on real-world examples and emerging industry trends, the presentation will give participants a clear sense of where the industry is heading and how to position themselves for success.