In an industry characterized by cycles and rapid change, reaching the half-century milestone is a huge achievement. This October, the Community Trust Corporation (CTC) celebrates its 50th anniversary. For a privately held agency, this milestone is not only a testament to its resilience, but a powerful story of strategic growth and the power of a trusted partnership with the mortgage broker community.
From its humble beginnings to its current position as one of Canada’s leaders in alternative lending, CTC’s journey is intrinsically linked to the success of its brokerage partners. This anniversary provides a moment to reflect on a shared history and look toward a future built on the same trust and shared success.
From local roots to national power
Community Trust was established in the Greater Toronto Area in 1975 with a clear and prescient mission to provide alternative financial options that meet the diverse needs of Canadians. Originally operating in local communities like Bloor West Village, the company’s core philosophy is simple yet powerful: build trust and lasting relationships, one client at a time.
This people-focused approach naturally leads to a strong focus on commercial and retail mortgages. Over time, CTC became a leader in finding flexible solutions for borrowers who don’t qualify for traditional loans. These include the self-employed, entrepreneurs, new Canadians and people rebuilding their credit – an important part of the Canadian economy that has historically been overlooked.
For mortgage brokers, CTC becomes the go-to partner for managing complex documents and providing options for clients who need a lender that goes beyond their credit score.
A new era of accelerated growth
The modern chapter of Community Trust’s story began with its acquisition by Questrade Financial Group in 2019, a move that spawned a period of incredible expansion. This acquisition is a natural fit, bringing together two organizations with a shared mission to help Canadians become more financially successful and secure.
Since 2019, the Community Trust has grown exponentially in its assets and, more importantly, in the number of Canadians it supports.
Today, Community Trust is proud to work with a network of approximately 2,500 mortgage brokers who together help approximately 14,000 Canadians realize their dream of homeownership each year. The expansion transforms CTC from a regional specialist to a national player, offering its unique lending brand to a broader network of brokers and their clients.
Brokers are the heart of the business
Throughout its growth journey, one thing has remained constant: CTC’s unwavering commitment to the broker channel. The company’s philosophy is that brokers are more than just a distribution channel – they are the heart of the business.
This broker-centric model is evident in every aspect of the operation, from approachable underwriters and dedicated business development managers to a consistent focus on service excellence.
This commitment has not gone unnoticed. CTC’s efforts have been recognized with numerous industry honors, including the prestigious DALBAR Award for Service Excellence in 2023 and 2024; lender broker Rates and transparent commission structure. These awards are a direct reflection of the positive feedback from the broker community, which is the ultimate measure of success.
“Our 50-year history is something to be incredibly proud of, but it’s a history we share with our broker partners. Every milestone we’ve reached, from our first mortgage funding to our national expansion, has been achieved hand-in-hand with the broker community. They are on the front lines, advising Canadians and building our communities, and our primary role is to be their most reliable and responsive partner. Our success is a direct reflection of their success, and we never lose sight of that.”
– David Furlong, Chief Operating Officer
Community Trust Company
Building the next 50 years
As the Community Trust celebrates its fifth anniversary, our focus is on the future. The mortgage landscape is constantly evolving with new technologies, regulatory changes and changing economic conditions. In this environment, CTC is committed to continuing its legacy of adapting and innovating to ensure its brokerage partners are ready for what’s next.
This means investing in technology to streamline processes, enhancing product offerings to meet the needs of emerging markets and, most importantly, doubling down on the human element of the business, which is critical to its longevity. The goal is to combine 50 years of lending wisdom with the tools and agility required by the modern market.
“While we honor our past, our vision is focused on the future. Canada’s housing dream is facing new challenges, and our role is more important than ever. We are committed to investing in systems, products and talent that will allow us and our broker partners to thrive for the next 50 years. Our plan is to continue to grow, innovate and find new ways to help Canadians be more financially successful and secure.”
– Eduard Holodenko,
President and CEO of Cathay Financial Group
As CTC marks this incredible 50-year milestone, its message to its partners is one of deep gratitude and forward-looking optimism. The past five years have been built on collaboration and mutual success. So will the next five.
To all our wonderful partners across the country: thank you. Here’s to another 50 years of building dreams together – and many more exciting things to come.
Have questions about alternative loans? Click here to get in touch.
Visited 1 times, visited 1 time today
Community Trust Mortgage Brokers Community Anniversary Sponsored by Questrade Financial Group
Last modified: October 18, 2025
