This has been my primary banking institution for over 40 years, the last 10 remotely from Deep…read moreRiver Ontario and Saskatoon SK. Great people in a great institution. Minimal banking fees and above average interest rates. Highly recommend.

Parama is the best kept secret in banking in Toronto!!…read more Why would you continue banking with one of the big banks when you can get all this from Parama for free, on a clear conscience? It's a small, community based credit union, and of course you have a say in how it's run. And also you get returned a share of the profits! In 2013, they returned something like $250,000 to their members. I originally signed up to this bank because I saw a sign that said they offer free chequing while passing by on the Bloor night bus. I think one of the reasons that this place is a secret is because the hundreds of thousands of people passing underneath it every day don't see this sign. Here are some of the things you get for free that you don't get anywhere else: -Free certified cheques and Money Orders (!) -Free regular cheques -Free pretty much everything else! -Teller service, if you want it -Free use of The Exchange ATMs across the country; you probably have one around the corner and you don't even know it yet... -Only $2 to use Mastercard ATMs in any other country in the world - that's cheaper than they advertise! Potential barriers: -Both branches are in Etobicoke along the Bloor subway line. I live in Vancouver now, though, and that hasn't really stopped me from enjoying their services. -You have to buy a $40 share to join. But you would get the money back if you wanted to leave.

I have been working with mortgage brokers and banks for almost 30 years, and I have to say our…read moreexperience with Karen Mann was the best! With me being retired, looking to renewal our mortgage, and looking at investment opportunities, our situation was a complicated one. I investigated a few brokers and banks to not only complete what we were looking to accomplish, but to do it with the best rates and outcome for us. None of them came close to what Karen was offering. Karen was an absolute professional, and her 'A' personality is exactly what we needed to accomplish our financial goals. She never pressured anything, and it always felt as though she always had 'our interest' as her priority. It was a breath of fresh air to work with someone that is so focused on the client's needs. I highly recommend Karen Mann!

I have in one way or another tried out the main mortgage brokers in the market as well as dealt…read moredirectly with the banks. monster mortgage and namely Ryan Celic were able to help me beyond any other and my expectation. I highly recommend them!

Just called for an appointment to discuss our mortgage possibilities and was rudely told by the…read moreowner that she doesn't meet with people without an application. Oh well. Her loss of well qualified clients. She probably should ask a few questions before spitting that out. Perhaps customer service is not her strength. Update: this lady called me back after a few minutes and we had an appointment yesterday. The staff was friendly and Rakhi was very helpful and full of information that helped us.

I highly recommend taking the time to meet with Rakhi. My wife and I had been to banks in the past…read moreand really didn't have a comfortable or confident feeling after meeting with any of the in-house staff at banks (TD, NBC, Tandia). (FYI - many banks train their staff on the front line in these positions and give incentives to their employees on all the products - meaning many are still fresh and learning - while helping you with one of your biggest life decisions) We took a half hour to sit down with Rakhi before we bought our first home and it was the best 30 minutes we could have invested in our future. Rakhi explained everything to us in layman's terms - helped us understand why getting the lowest rate may not always be the best option and how to avoid large penalties if you decide to move early. We've since sold our first home and bought another one with Rakhi. I've also referred my father to Rakhi (which he also used her services). Whenever I hear my friends mention they are going to a big bank to get their mortgage I have to laugh (and it's always followed up with me giving out Rakhi's info). After all - if I didn't at the very least share Rakhi's info I'd be doing my friends and loved ones a BIG disservice. Rakhi is going to get you a mortgage through one of the banks - it's just that she's in your corner and actually wants to ensure you're happy with the product and is actually available at pretty much any hour to text/call. Rakhi allowed us to feel confident about buying and making the right decision for our family of four. If you want to buy a home - at least spend some time talking to her to find out if you're a good fit to work together. Cheers! Dr. Matt Bradbury

Anyone who has a mortgage knows that one of the msot stressful parts of buying your home is…read moreobtaining/getting approved for your Mortgage. The hoops they make you jump through (like paying off that $27 you owe on a best buy card - seriously?). The second most stressful part "can be" resigning depending on what's going on in the market at that time. I had gotten into a bad mortgage with another broker on a 1 year term, one that was borderline extortion in my opinion and it was coming up for renewal and I was having difficulties with the terms of the new offer - meaning they were sticking the knife in deeper. I had to get out. My realtor, Chanel Uguccioni, introduced me to the broker that their office did a lot of business with, Dominion Lending Centre in the Beaches area, and with that introduced me to Patricia to see if she might be able to help me with my financing woes. Right off the bat she exuded far more confidence once looking at our numbers that she'd be able to get me a way better rate and even help save me some money. Over the next 2-3 weeks, Patricia gave me helpful and detailed instructions on what to do with my financial situation in order to be taken more serious by lenders and made herself available by phone/text/email 24/7 anytime I was having a momentary freak out. She knew exactly what was coming and what to say to keep me calm and on point. After jumping through many hoops for lenders Patricia was able to get me a rate nearly at market with Scotiabank - a huge savings and longer term from what I currently had. To say Patricia is a maker of dreams would be an understatement but also she knows her craft extremely well and really went above and beyond on the customer service side of things to help us out! Give her a call and I hope she can help you out the same way she helped me. Thanks Patricia!

Excellent service, open mind team that maintains a non-judgmental space for borrowers and brokers…read more I found Home Trust Company, the staff and leadership are always willing to listen, come to a fair resolution and stretch their limits to help clients attain their goals. I have been in the mortgage industry since 2001 and I have learned so much over the years. When I was a rookie, I would call the underwriters or BDM to understand how to structure the transaction for approval and funding. 2 decades later and I still pick up the phone and call Davila Ross or Remco or Cristie or Mike or Randy and so many of the underwriters for help when I am stuck. They have come to the rescue many times! The company has one of the most inspiring leader in the industry today - CEO, Yousry Bissada. Thank you to the team there at HTC and I recommend brokers and clients to reach out for support and solutions. CEO, Ameera Ameerullah Canada Mortgage and Financial Group www.cmfg.ca

Word of advice NEVER use this company for anything. They give you unreasonable terms even when you…read moredo everything they make you do more. They lost our mortgage paperwork. Then made us late for our closing date. After they sent all the papers were signed they told us well we need you to pay off other debt. A day before our second closing date!! They are hard to get a hold of and customer service sucks. They don't care about your deadlines. Very unreliable!!!! Very unprofessional!!! Just a nightmare!!!!!!

I am extremely impressed with Jagdeep Dhugga at AKAL Mortgages. I was treated with dignity and…read moregiven clear and detailed information needed to make my choice of options regarding my refinancing. I am very grateful to Jagdeep Dhugga who kept me informed daily of my HELOC application progress. He kindly checked in with me, even after my application was approved. I highly recommend him for all of your mortgage needs!

Gogi Luthra at Akal Mortgages Inc. is an amazing Mortgage Agent. He helped us to get our mortgage…read morerenewed at the best market price. He is knowledgeable and well-experienced in his field. I greatly appreciate his professionalism, valuable advice, suggestions and recommendations. Having him as my mortgage agent gave me great peace of mind. I would recommend Gogi to any of my friends or family members.

Extremely high rates but understandable as paying off a debt consolidation but the fees are very…read moreexpensive including a payout to the debt consultant and when paying out the 2nd mortgage 3 months early - huge fees much greater than the 3 month penalty. Then the 2nd mortgage proceeded to deposit the Oct. cheque after the home was sold and the 2nd mortgage paid out!!! Very disappointing and unprofessional - now I must stop payment going forward !

I REALLY wish I could say I had a good experience. Rob was very professional and kind over the…read morephone when I spoke with him, but Rob never called me back after telling me I would hear from him "tomorrow", which was now 4 days ago. (Not) Sorry guys. I can't wait forever. I honestly can't recommend calling them if you're planning on actually taking action towards your next (or in my case, first) mortgage. I'm sure there are plenty of other brokers that would be happy to help me and my wife purchase our first home. Whether or not this is a common occurrence, I couldn't say, but Northwood has burned the bridge for me. I can safely say I'll look elsewhere for mortgages for now and in the future.