​We are proud to announce the launch of our Broker-Owner course. Designed for practicing mortgage professionals who are interested in starting their own brokerage, it is the first and only course of its kind approved by RECA.
 
The Broker-Owner course is an advanced program that reviews key industry skills and introduces business concepts that will assist you as a future business owner and team leader. Topics covered include brokerage business models, risk management, employee agreements, legislative responsibilities, and so much more. If you are interested in becoming a broker-owner, you must have at least two years of experience as a mortgage licensee within the past five years and complete the course, its final exam and RECA’s exam.
 
AMBA also offers two other courses: the Fundamentals of Mortgage Brokerage and the Practice of Mortgage Brokerage. Fundamentals is an introductory course that covers the basic topics that a mortgage broker needs to know, including key industry terminology, credit analysis, and understanding the market. Practice builds upon the concepts from Fundamentals, covering risk assessment, prepping a mortgage application, evaluating market trends, and more. These two courses are required to become a licensed mortgage broker in Alberta.
 
AMBA’s role in ensuring excellence in pre-licensing education
 
Every initiative AMBA undertakes is guided by our strategic plan, which is created based on feedback from our membership survey. In 2020’s survey, you told us you wanted AMBA to ensure excellence in pre-licensing education. We heard you! Upon RECA’s divestment of education, AMBA focused on becoming an approved pre-licensing educator for Alberta’s mortgage broker industry.
 
Through the guidance and hard work of our Education and Professional Development Committee and member subject matter experts, we developed the Fundamentals course, updated our Practice course and have now officially launched our Broker-Owner course.
 
AMBA’s goal is to become the leading provider of mortgage broker education and professional development in Alberta by equipping professionals with the highest quality knowledge. The ever-changing landscape of the mortgage industry makes it necessary for mortgage professionals to continue to improve their knowledge through training and experience. By providing high-quality education and professional development opportunities, AMBA endeavors to ensure that the public’s best interests are being protected by the real estate industry.
 
AREF’s commitment to creating a stronger real estate industry
 
The creation of these three courses would not have been possible without the generosity of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF). AMBA was awarded a $250,000 Legacy Grant from AREF which helped us develop relationships with professionals in educational development and course creation that not only helped build our current courses but have laid the groundwork to help create future course offerings.
 
“We heard from our stakeholders that different segments of the real estate sector face different challenges and require unique solutions. This education initiative delivers on the transformational and long-term change for the real estate industry we were looking for through our one-time legacy grant program. Supporting the education and professional development of mortgage brokers protects the interests of Albertans and increases confidence in the mortgage transaction, contributing to a stronger real estate industry,” says Patti Morris, Executive Director of the Alberta Real Estate Foundation.
 
We are grateful for the work that AREF does for the mortgage industry and for their continued support of AMBA. 

​About AREF
 
Created under the Alberta Real Estate Act, the Alberta Real Estate Foundation is a nonprofit organization that makes strategic investments, forms partnerships, and supports initiatives that benefit Albertans through the real estate industry. Since 1991, the Foundation has invested $27.5 million in nearly 700 initiatives across Alberta. The initiatives they fund advance and improve real estate-related education for professionals and consumers, law reform, and research, and seek innovative industry and community solutions.  A stronger real estate industry is a stronger Alberta. Visit them at aref.ab.ca.

​On Thursday, June 8, the Alberta mortgage industry gathered to celebrate their hard work and cheer on the AMBACelebrates nominees at the reimagined Awards + Recognition Gala. Over 160 people flocked to the event, their finest cocktail attire shimmering in the bright sunshine. The celebration kicked off at the lively cocktail hour, where attendees sipped on the signature cocktail, snagged a cigar at the cigar station, and jumped into the photo booth (if you mislaid your photo, not to worry – click here to find a digital copy).
 
AMBA Chair Pam Pikkert began the evening’s program by sharing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the care and hard work of the Awards & Recognition Committee, the AMBACelebrates Judging Subcommittee and the staff team that culminated in a new vision of the AMBACelebrates awards and recognition program. Before passing the mic to our emcee, she toasted the nominees:
 
“Tonight’s award nominees are pioneers of excellence in our industry and their commitment to outstanding customer service, innovative solutions, and unwavering professionalism has made them stand out from the crowd. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of our nominees for their achievements. Your dedication, hard work, and relentless pursuit of excellence have made a significant impact on the mortgage industry, and our association.”
 
Comedian Julie Kim then took the stage, announcing the winners of the first three categories:
 
Industry Choice:
Mortgage Broker of the Year Award – Tara Borle
Industry Partner of the Year Award – Bhavna Bhasin
 
New Professionals:
New Mortgage Broker of the Year Award – Jessica Yip
 
Community Impact:
Community Impact Award – Brian Gentles
 
The program took a brief break while guests enjoyed dinner, before continuing the awards by announcing the winners of the mentorship and professionalism categories:
 
Mentorship:
Broker-Owner Mentorship Award – Sarah Strauss
Peer Mentorship Award – Amanda Woolward
Industry Professional Mentorship Award – Braden Gabert
 
Professionalism:
Professional Development Award – Hayley Cross
Association Supporter Award – Jason Provencher
Support Staff Award – Julie Windebank
 
Our 2022-2023 AMBA volunteers were then recognized on stage for their commitment and service before moving into the final award presentations of the evening.
 
Bill Patton Memorial Award
 
Like the award’s namesake, the Bill Patton Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement is bestowed to a member who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the betterment of the mortgage industry. Bill Patton’s granddaughter, Kyla Hunter from Home Trust, presented this prestigious award to the winner – Paula Hutton, who received a standing ovation.
 
An absolute gift to our industry, Paula shows up to every industry event (and plans plenty of her own, often with a charitable component). She builds a sense of community everywhere she goes and encourages others to do the same.
 
Volunteer Service Award
 
While everyone thought the Bill Patton Memorial Award was the final award of the evening, AMBA had one more trick up its sleeve – the announcement of a new award. A video message from Brad Quinn of tng began playing, talking about the special inaugural recipient:
 
“Serving on AMBA’s Board of Directors for over ten years, and Chair for three, this exceptional individual led the association through a critical period of change, transforming AMBA into the thriving association it is today. In addition to being a well respected and admired industry professional, he is a down to earth and humble human being who spends what little spare time he has seeking adventure outdoors. And, on top of it all, he is a fantastic father to his two amazing daughters.”
 
With that, Pam called Ryan Spence up to the stage as the inaugural recipient of the 2023 Ryan Spence Volunteer Service Award! Thunderous applause resounded throughout the room as attendees stood in celebration of the special surprise in honour of Ryan’s incredible volunteerism and selflessness.
 
The evening concluded with dancing, late-night pizza and the draw for the $1,000 Fairmont door prize, won by Max Singh!
 
Thank you to our sponsors for their generosity and support: Community Trust, CWB, Home Trust, Equitable Bank, MCAN, tng, Manulife Bank, First National, Fisgard, Cedar Peaks, Alta West Capital, Bridgewater Bank, TD Bank, Glengarry Farm Finance, Equifax, MCAP, FCT, BrokerLink and Verico.
 
Congratulations once again to all our award winners! We are proud to celebrate your hard work, dedication, and success – it is members like you that make our association so vibrant.
 
We’ll see you on June 18, 2024 for next year’s gala!