3 Reasons Why Smaller Broker Houses Appreciate Bridgewater Bank

Bridgewater Bank is a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank that offers your clients the protections of the big banks but with more personalized customer experience. If you’re a broker who understands everyone’s situation is unique (because life happens) and that every client should be treated as an individual, not a number, we think you’d be a great fit.

Focused on mortgages

We offer three types of financial services—mortgages, GIC investments and savings accounts, and we do all of those things well. However, our special passion is alternative lending, and we go above and beyond to help brokers like you find a solution for your clients.

Alternative mortgage financing has its advantages

With mortgage rules becoming stricter, and more self-employed people and small business owners having a harder time getting approved through traditional banks, alternative lending is a fast-growing specialty in the mortgage world. Gain a competitive advantage by working with our expert underwriters and business development managers, who are incredibly skilled and knowledgeable about alternative mortgage financing. They are always available to discuss a deal and find a way to make a mortgage work for your clients.

Lending is about people, not numbers

Our underwriting system does not treat your client purely as a number. We do our due diligence, but we also want to know your clients’ story. Your clients may not qualify with other lenders due to their credit history or non-traditional source of income . We’re willing to look at all the circumstances that brought your client to this point, because one blip in their past credit does not mean they shouldn’t have the chance to build their future.

Help fix past credit issues

We understand that your client may need an alternative lender at this time. We actually want clients to leave us when their mortgage term is up, because this means we’ve helped them re-establish their credit so they can qualify for a better rate with a traditional lender.

It’s really about giving people a hand so they can live their best life, and sometimes that means they need a little help with their finances. Our focus on our broker relationships and their clients comes straight from the top. We’re proudly owned by the Alberta Motor Association, the largest membership organization in Alberta, and we share the AMA philosophy that our customers are practically family and we look after them that way.

Bigger isn’t always better

Size matters, and sometimes bigger isn’t better. We’re a smaller bank of 130 employees, and it’s in our DNA to care, and be accessible and nimble. We know you’re looking for quick decisions to help your clients find a lender. Unlike commercial banks, our underwriters would love to have a conversation with you and be on a first name basis. That’s how we like to do things.

Relationships matter

We value long-term relationships with brokers, and want you to get to know our people over time. Why? Simply put, our employees love their jobs. We have low turnover, so you’ll work with many of the same people each time you do a deal. In fact, if you work with us regularly, we’ll assign a dedicated underwriter to your deals, which will make it easier for you to serve your clients.

When employees are happy, it shows in customer service, and we’ve won many awards that demonstrate just how happy our employees and brokers are.

If you prefer the personal touch that comes with working with a smaller organization, give us a try. We think you’ll be glad you did.

Contact us today and talk to one of our underwriters or business development managers.