FEATURES
COVER STORY: YOUNG GUNS PRAKASH BECTOR Team lead, business development, GTA Equitable Bank Age: 34
Prakash Bector has been in the mortgage industry since 2009, working directly with mortgage brokers throughout his entire career. As team lead of business development in the GTA for Equitable Bank, Bector serves as the regional business manager for several large mortgage brokerages throughout Toronto, while also providing support and training to six regional business managers across the GTA. “Equitable is a branchless bank that serves mortgage brokers directly,” he says. “We generate the majority of our business through brokers from coast to coast, so we do understand how important the need is for strong lending partners for the broker community as a whole.” In addition, Bector is currently an instructor for the mortgage agent course offered through CMBA Ontario and is focused on expanding the education offered to brokers. “Being employed with a mortgage lender, I can appreciate how vital education is for brokers, especially with all of the regulatory changes happening in our industry,” he says. Earlier this year, Bector was awarded Equitable Bank’s Spirit Award and CMBA Ontario’s Leadership Award.
JANEL MELO Senior mortgage underwriter Street Capital Bank of Canada Age: 30
With a background in banking, Janel Melo joined the mortgage realm in 2011 as a mortgage collector with Resmor Trust. Her prior experience assisting brokers while working at a call centre for Lloyd’s Bank, as well as her work as a mortgage administration officer and in the underwriting department at Scotiabank, prepared her well for her current position as a senior mortgage underwriter at Street Capital Bank of Canada, a role she was promoted to in July 2016. Her underwriting prowess landed Melo on the list of finalists for Best Newcomer, Lender Underwriter at this year’s Canadian Mortgage Awards.
DAN PATCHING Mortgage planner DLC City Wide Mortgage Services Age: 31
A mortgage specialist for first-time homebuyers, Dan Patching is ranked among the top mortgage brokers in Canada based on 2016 sales. A native of Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Patching entered the industry four years ago to assist his generation with the often daunting process of purchasing a home. When he’s not focused on mortgages, Patching can be found cycling for charity. Since 2012, he has organized the Vancouver Tweed Ride, a costumed fundraising ride through the city that has so far raised more than $30,000 for charity. Patching is also a member of the Mortgage Brokers Association of British Columbia, Mortgage Professionals Canada and the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, where he was recognized as Rookie of the Year in 2016.
26
www.mortgagebrokernews.ca