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Data

Members Only: Digital Canadian Lenders Quarterly Report

WOWAWOWA Data Labs

Confidential – For Recipient's Use Only.

Canadian Lenders Report

Q1 2026

Data as of

January 2026

Version 3.0 · Released May 12, 2026

Confidential – For Recipient's Use Only.

Letter to Readers

WOWA

It has now been approximately one and a half years since we began publishing our lenders reports. What started as a report of fewer than 50 pages has grown to nearly 180 pages in its current form, reflecting our ongoing commitment to expanding scope and depth. Today, the report covers more than 100 Canadian lenders, including banks, credit unions, MFCs, and MIEs with assets or assets under management exceeding $0.5 billion.

What We Cover

The report covers the key aspects of the lending business, including loan and deposit portfolios, their composition, and how they have evolved over time. For loans, we examine market share, structure, risk exposure, and geographic distribution across Canadian lenders. We give particular attention to Real Estate Secured Lending (RESL), where we provide additional detail on lender rates, term popularity, insured versus uninsured lending, and portfolio structure. Together, these sections are designed to equip executives and policymakers in the financial sector with a data-driven perspective on current conditions and emerging trends.

Our Data

The report combines two complementary sources. The majority of our analysis draws from aggregated, publicly available data sourced from hundreds of institutions. We supplement this with proprietary insights derived from user activity on wowa.ca, which now receives approximately 500,000 unique visitors each month.

Our Process

Data accuracy and clear presentation are central to our mission. Each section undergoes a multi-step review: data collected by one team member is reviewed by a peer, and a third reviewer audits randomly selected data points, outputs, and visuals to ensure consistency and reliability.

Acknowledgements

This report would not be possible without an exceptional team. Most members have been with WOWA for over four years and bring deep expertise in both our data and the Canadian banking industry. My sincere thanks go to: Ali Nassimi, PhD; Jimmy Nguyen; Sanika Purohit; and Chris Wan.

Hanif Bayat

Hanif Bayat, PhD

Founder & CEO, WOWA Leads Inc.

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Confidential – For Recipient's Use Only.

Executive Summary:

Canadian Lending Landscape

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Canadian lending sector for the first quarter of 2026, with a primary focus on Real Estate Secured Lending (RESL) across banks and credit unions.

1. Market Scale and Growth in Loans

  • Global Loan Dominance: RBC and TD continue to lead the market, managing massive global loan portfolios of $1.06 trillion and $989 billion, respectively.
  • Canadian RESL Market Share: RBC holds the dominant position inside Canada with an 18.4% market share ($495.8 billion), followed closely by TD at 15.5% ($418.4 billion). Other major players include Scotiabank (12.5%), CIBC (10.9%), and BMO (8.0%).
  • High-Growth Institutions: National Bank saw an 18% annual growth in Canadian RESL, bolstered by its Canadian Western Bank acquisition. Desjardins followed, growing its portfolio by 10.5%.

2. Residential Mortgage Trends

  • Origination & Channels: Based on CMHC and Statistics Canada data, total Canadian residential mortgage originations reached $220.9 billion for the July-September 2025 period. Chartered banks remain the dominant force, holding a 70% market share ($154.5 billion). Our primary data indicates that 59.5% of borrowers finalized their mortgages directly with lenders, compared to 40.5% via brokers.
  • Variable Rate Shift: Based on Statistics Canada data, borrower preferences have shifted toward variable-rate mortgages, which surged to 45.1% of new bank originations by December 2025, up from 28.8% a year prior. However, our borrower-weighted primary data suggests fixed rates (71%) still dominate among individual survey respondents.
  • Insured vs. Uninsured: Uninsured residential mortgage balances reached $1.25 trillion at chartered banks, significantly outpacing the shrinking insured market ($376 billion). Across the Big 7, 79% of outstanding mortgage balances are now uninsured, up from 48% a decade ago.
  • Mortgage Default Insurers: Within the insured segment, CMHC commands 59% of the insurance-in-force market share, followed by Sagen (24.1%) and Canada Guaranty (16.9%). Mortgage default insurers remain highly profitable, with CMHC collecting $2.9 billion in premiums and fees in 2025 while paying out minimal claims.
  • Amortization & Renewals: A dominant 70% of Big 6 banks plus Desjardins' mortgages have amortizations of 25 years or less, and negative amortization has been nearly eliminated (0.01%). A wave of renewals is imminent, with 25.3% of outstanding residential mortgages scheduled to mature within one year.
  • LTV Ratios: The average Loan-to-Value (LTV) for uninsured RESL portfolios across the Big 6 stands at 57%.

3. The Non-Bank Sector: MFCs and MIEs

  • Mortgage Finance Companies (MFCs): These non-bank lenders fund mortgages via securitization and institutional investors rather than customer deposits. First National and MCAP together account for over $320B in mortgages under administration alone.
  • Mortgage Investment Entities (MIEs): MIEs are alternative lenders that pool investor capital for borrowers falling outside traditional bank criteria. MCAN leads with $8.27B in assets under management, followed by ACM Commercial Mortgage Fund at $4.8B.
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4. Regional Highlights

  • Ontario & BC: RBC maintains a commanding lead, holding $250.1 billion in Ontario (21.9% share) and $98.6 billion in BC (22.5% share). TD holds a strong second place in both markets.
  • Quebec: The Quebec market remains highly distinct; Desjardins (35.7% market share) and National Bank (15.2%) dominate the province, capturing a larger combined share than the Big Five banks combined.
  • Alberta & Prairies: RBC remains the volume leader in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. However, National Bank posted massive decade-long growth rates (157% in AB, 195% in MB/SK) largely due to the CWB acquisition.
  • Atlantic Canada: RBC leads with a 30.1% market share ($24.1 billion). Scotiabank, despite its historic roots in the region, is the only major lender to record a decade-long decline (-0.6%) in its Atlantic RESL portfolio.

5. Risk Factors and Credit Quality

  • Credit Losses (PCL & Net Write-offs): Provision for Credit Losses (PCLs) on residential mortgages rose to $199 million across the Big 6 in Q1 2026. Scotiabank continues to account for an outsized share, representing $27 million of the $38 million total Big 6 residential mortgage net write-offs. Total residential mortgage Allowance for Credit Losses (ACLs) represent just a small fraction of the Big 6's total ACL ($3.7 billion out of over $37.6 billion).
  • Delinquency Rates: The national mortgage delinquency rate remains historically low at 0.24% as of Q4 2025. In the insured segment, delinquency rates are incredibly well-contained, recorded at 0.32% for CMHC and 0.21% for Sagen in December 2025.

6. Macroeconomic Outlook and Rate Path

  • Growth Outlook: 2026 is expected to be a period of below-potential economic growth, limiting income growth and constraining household flexibility during the renewal cycle.
  • Policy Rates: The Bank of Canada policy rate is expected to stabilize near 2.25% through most of 2026.
  • Bond Yields: 5-year Government of Canada bond yields are projected to average 3.08% by March 2027, reaching ~3.18% by year-end. While below 2023 peaks, these yields will still cause significant "payment shock" for borrowers renewing from 2020/2021 record-low rates.
  • Labour Market: Unemployment should remain elevated near 6.5% through 2026. However, major banks forecast a gradual decline to 6.0% by the end of 2027, pointing to an eventual easing of credit stress.
  • Housing: Forecasts indicate continued home price weakness in 2026, followed by a gradual recovery in 2027. Downside risks are heavily concentrated in high-priced urban markets in Ontario and B.C., where the condo segment faces ongoing oversupply and investor liquidation pressures.

Terminology Note

  • Big 5: RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC
  • Big 6: Big 5 + National Bank
  • Big 7: Big 6 + Desjardins

The grouping referenced varies by data availability. Credit risk metrics (PCL, ACL, net write-offs) use Big 6 data; market share analysis typically includes all Big 7 institutions.

Table ofContents

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WOWA
Section 1

Summary of Canadian Lenders: Global Loan Portfolios and Balance Sheet Metrics

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Global Loan Portfolios of Canadian Lenders with Over $500M Assets

January 31, 2026 (Q1 2026)

Institution NameNet Loans
(in $ Billions)
1. RBC$1,054.9
2. TD$988.8
3. Scotiabank (Inc. Tangerine)$763.5
4. BMO$668.2
5. CIBC$592.5
6. Desjardins1$314.7
7. National Bank$304.1
8. First National Financial1$166.2
9. MCAP10$155.5
10. Nesto/CMLS12$73.0
11. ATB1$60.5
12. Equitable Bank (Inc. Concentra)$44.8
13. Laurentian Bank (Inc. B2B)$36.2
14. Manulife Bank$30.0
15. Fairstone Bank$29.1
16. Servus Credit Union$26.4
17. Vancity1,13$26.1
18. Meridian Credit Union1$23.6
19. Coast Capital Savings13$19.4
20. RFA Mortgage Corporation (Estimated)$15.5
21. First West Credit Union1,13$13.0
22. Access Credit Union1$12.4
23. Beem Credit Union1,13$11.7
24. Steinbach Credit Union1$9.6
25. Assiniboine Credit Union1,13$8.6
26. MCAN Mortgage Corporation9$8.3
27. Alterna Savings1,13$8.3
28. HomeEquity Bank$8.2
29. Questbank$6.8
30. Think Financial (True North)$6.7
31. Affinity Credit Union1$6.7
32. Conexus Credit Union1,13$6.7
33. Canadian Tire Bank$6.7
34. FirstOntario Credit Union1$6.4
Institution NameNet Loans
(in $ Billions)
35. DUCA Financial1$6.2
36. Libro Credit Union1,13$6.1
37. Prospera Credit Union2,13$5.9
38. VersaBank$5.3
39. ACM Commercial Mortgage Fund11$4.9
40. Citibank Canada$4.9
41. UNI Financial Cooperation$4.3
42. Cambrian Credit Union1$4.1
43. PC Bank$4.0
44. Haventree Bank$3.9
45. Innovation Federal Credit Union13$3.8
46. ICICI Bank Canada$3.8
47. General Bank$3.2
48. Coastal Community Credit Union1,13$3.0
49. Your Neighbourhood Credit Union1,13$2.9
50. Romspen Mortgage Investment Fund (RMIF)9$2.5
51. RFA Bank$2.4
52. Northern Credit Union1,13$2.3
53. Caisse Populaire Alliance2$2.3
54. Kindred Credit Union1$2.1
55. Kawartha Credit Union2,13$2.1
56. Amex Bank of Canada$2.1
57. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Canada)$2.0
58. Vision Credit Union5$1.9
59. KEB Hana Bank Canada$1.9
60. Sunrise Credit Union1$1.8
61. Bridgewater Bank$1.8
62. Synergy Credit Union1,13$1.8
63. Bank of China (Canada)$1.7
64. Cornerstone Credit Union1,13$1.7
65. Prosperity Credit Union1,13$1.7
66. Kootenay Savings Credit Union1,13$1.6
67. KingSett High Yield Fund8$1.6
68. KingSett Senior Mortgage Fund8$1.6
  1. Row 20 (RFA Mortgage Corporation) marked as Estimated.
  2. Data dates vary by institution type — see footnote superscripts on original page.
  3. Loan portfolio as of Dec 31, 2025 for most institutions.
  4. For mortgage finance corporations, the presented balance is loans under management.
Confidential – For Recipient's Use Only.© May 2026 WOWA Data Labs

Global Loan Portfolios of Canadian Lenders with Over $500M Assets (Continued)

January 31, 2026 (Q1 2026)

Institution NameNet Loans
(in $ Billions)
69. East Coast Credit Union1$1.5
70. Fusion Credit Union1$1.5
71. Radius Financial$1.5
72. Provincial Credit Union1$1.4
73. Tandia Credit Union2,13$1.4
74. Trez Capital Yield Trust U.S.1$1.2
75. Timbercreek Financial1$1.2
76. Ukrainian Credit Union1$1.2
77. SBI Canada Bank$1.2
78. Mainstreet Credit Union1$1.1
79. Amur Capital Income Fund9$1.1
80. Nicola Canadian Mortgage Fund9$1.1
81. Santander Consumer Bank$1.1
82. Credit Union Atlantic Limited (CUA)1$1.0
83. Stride Credit Union1$1.0
84. Shinhan Bank Canada$1.0
85. Rogers Bank$1.0
86. Mortgage Company of Canada Inc. (MCOCI)8$1.0
87. Brunswick Credit Union1$0.9
88. Buduchnist Credit Union (BCU)2$0.9
89. Antrim Balanced Mortgage Fund6$0.9
90. Atrium Mortgage Investment Corporation9$0.9
91. Trez Capital Yield Trust (F Series)1$0.9
92. Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union2$0.9
93. Sunshine Coast Credit Union2,13$0.9
94. IC Savings & Credit Union6$0.8
95. 1st Choice Savings & Credit Union Ltd4$0.8
96. Timbercreek Real Estate Debt — U.S. Fund8$0.8
97. Romspen U.S. Mortgage Investment Fund9$0.8
98. First Nations Bank$0.8
99. Khalsa Credit Union1$0.8
100. VWR Capital Corp.12$0.8
Institution NameNet Loans
(in $ Billions)
101. PenFinancial Credit Union Limited1$0.7
102. Cascadia Credit Union1,13$0.7
103. Rosenort Credit Union Limited8$0.7
104. PHL Capital MortEq Fund10$0.7
105. Capital Direct I Income (Class C)9$0.7
106. Community Savings Credit Union3$0.7
107. Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union Limited2$0.7
108. Integris Credit Union1,13$0.7
109. StellerVista Credit Union1$0.7
110. Weyburn Credit Union Limited1$0.6
111. Firm Capital Mortgage Investment Corporation10$0.6
112. TCU Financial Group1$0.6
113. Northern Savings Credit Union1$0.6
114. First Credit Union2,13$0.6
115. Motor City Community Credit Union Limited7$0.6
116. Parama Credit Union Limited1$0.5
117. St. Stanislaus – St. Casimir's Polish Parishes Credit Union Limited1$0.5
118. Bow Valley Credit Union Ltd.4$0.5
119. ACM Mortgage Fund Two11$0.5
120. Westboro Mortgage Investment Fund (Class F)9$0.5
121. Niverville Credit Union Limited1$0.5
122. Sharons Credit Union1$0.5
123. Atlantic Edge Credit Union1$0.5
124. Sudbury Credit Union Limited1$0.5
125. Pathwise Credit Union1$0.5
126. UBS Bank (Canada)$0.5
127. CTBC Bank Corp. (Canada)$0.4
128. Lakeland Credit Union Ltd.4$0.4
129. Bulkley Valley Credit Union1$0.4
130. Radius Credit Union Limited1$0.4
131. Citco Bank Canada$0.0
Windsor Family Credit UnionN/A
Marathon Mortgage CorpN/A
Strive CapitalN/A
8Twelve Mortgage CorporationN/A
  1. Footnotes 1–12 and the Credit Union Mergers note are on page 11.
  2. * The presented balance for MFCs and MIEs is loans under management.
  3. Note: Balances include loans held both inside and outside Canada, representing global loan portfolios.
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Global Loan Portfolios of Canadian Lenders with Over $500M Assets (Continued)

January 31, 2026 (Q1 2026)

Notes:

1Loan portfolio as of Dec 31, 2025

2Loan portfolio as of Dec 31, 2024

3Loan portfolio as of Sep 30, 2025

4Loan portfolio as of Oct 31, 2025

5Loan portfolio as of Oct 31, 2024

6Loan portfolio as of Jan 31, 2025

7Loan portfolio as of Mar 31, 2025

8Most recently available public figure.

9Loan portfolio as of Mar 31, 2026

10Loan portfolio as of Feb 28, 2026

11Loan portfolio as of Apr 30, 2026

12Loan portfolio as of Aug 31, 2025

Credit Union Mergers

13Several credit unions shown in these tables have recently merged or rebranded. Historical balances may reflect predecessor institutions, while current names may reflect the post-merger organization. Recent effective dates include:

  • Jan. 1, 2025 for Beem/BlueShore, Assiniboine/Caisse/Westoba, Northern/Copperfin, and Prosperity (Diamond North/Cypress/Prairie Centre)
  • June 1, 2025 for Beem and Compensation Employees
  • July 1, 2025 for Cascadia (Osoyoos, Revelstoke, and Summerland Credit Unions)
  • Aug. 1, 2025 for Your Neighbourhood and Comtech Fire
  • Dec. 1, 2025 for Vancity and First Credit Union
  • Jan. 1, 2026 for Alterna/Tandia, Conexus/Cornerstone/Synergy, Kootenay Savings/Columbia Valley, Coastal Community/Integris and Kawartha/Libro
  • Apr. 1, 2026 for Innovation/ABCU, First West now operating as Tru Cooperative Bank
  • May 6, 2026 for Prospera/Coast Capital/Sunshine Coast

* The presented balance for MFCs and MIEs is loans under management.

Note: Balances include loans held both inside and outside Canada, representing global loan portfolios.

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Global Balance Sheet Metrics For Banks & Credit Unions with Over $1B Assets

January 31, 2026 (Q1 2026)

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Global Balance Sheet Metrics For Banks & Credit Unions with Over $1B Assets (Continued)

January 31, 2026 (Q1 2026)

Confidential – For Recipient's Use Only.© May 2026 WOWA Data Labs

Global Balance Sheet Metrics For Banks & Credit Unions with Over $1B Assets (Continued)

January 31, 2026 (Q1 2026)

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