Mortgage Broker

memberprofile cANAdiAN mortGAGe BroKer (cmB): tell me about your career. when and how did you get started in the mortgage industry? rB: I spent 14 years with TD Bank. From 2007 to 2010, I was a mobile mortgage specialist, but prior to that I did mortgages at the branch level. I moved into a regulatory management role, and from there I went to Scotiabank, where I led a mortgage team and then decided to become a mortgage agent. One day, I came across Pillar Financial on LinkedIn. I applied for a position with them and had an "Aha!" moment when I spoke with them. I believe in this company; the culture really attracted me. I joined them on May 15, 2017, as a business development manager (BDM). cmB: what services do you provide at pillar financial? rB: We are a mortgage investment company run through W.A. Robinson Asset Management Ltd. Pillar Financial Services has been around for 34 years, servicing all across Ontario. Our two big niches are rural properties, including small towns and large land areas such as farms, as well as construction projects. For the latter, we offer a product that truly allows clients to build their dream homes without the worry of rigid draw schedules. e company's head office is in Sharbot Lake, Ont., and we have a total of about 35 employees. I was originally hired to help elevate the company's profile in southwestern Ontario, although now I'm regional manager of the entire province while I search for two additional team members to help me. cmB: what do you like about working in the mortgage industry? rB: I love the sense of community. If anyone needs help or assistance with a deal or an issue, there is always someone available and ready to help with sound advice. No two mortgage deals are the same, so it really helps to tap into that network. It also helps to connect to my peers through CMBA and other groups that bring mortgage professionals together. As a rising star in the Ontario mortgage industry, Blanco is making his mark on the community he calls his own By liSA GordoN Meet Roberto Blanco l ike many Ontario mortgage professionals, Roberto Blanco hadn't heard much about Pillar Financial. . But that changed when he came across a LinkedIn ad that prompted him to apply for a business development position with the company. During a telephone interview, Blanco, 37, had what he called an "Aha!" moment. . In an instant, he decided to leave his job as a mortgage agent and embark upon a new career with Pillar, a self-described "solution-based" private lending firm that specializes in funding mortgages for all types of clients. . Since joining the company in May 2017, Blanco has shot up through the ranks and is now the regional manager for Ontario. He and his team have contributed to Pillar's most successful year to date, with more than $100 million funded in 2017. . To top it off, Blanco was just elected as a director of CMBA – Ontario and won the association's Outstanding Representative award in March. . at's not bad for a year's work. . Here, Blanco shares his thoughts on career development, his professional philosophy, and the value of connecting with the mortgage community.

• Cover