Canadian Private Lenders’ Podcast
This podcast focuses on private mortgage lending in Canada, hosted by Neal Andreino and Ryan MacNeil of Keystone Capital Group. The hosts share their experience in the private mortgage space and aim to help listeners grow their mortgage business. A particular emphasis is placed on the importance of the Canadian Mortgage Broker channel. The show is positioned as the top podcast on private mortgage lending in the country.
Episodes
Ep.156 | From Hockey Broadcaster to Top 5% Mortgage Broker
Ryan flies solo for Episode 156 and sits down with Jordan Ellis of TMG, The Mortgage Group out of Summerside, PEI, marking the first time the podcast has welcomed a broker from the Island. Jordan brings an unconventional background to the mortgage world, going from calling junior hockey play by play for the Summerside Western Capitals and working in radio sales to becoming one of CIBC’s top ranked
Ep.155 | What Private Lenders Should Do From Day One Through Enforcement
Ryan and Neal take listeners deep into one of the least glamorous but most important parts of running a private lending business: what happens when a borrower stops paying. This episode is a tactical breakdown of how to handle missed payments, when to escalate, and how to actually recover capital without blowing up the deal or the relationship.The guys walk through the three phases of enforcement,
Ep.154 | Two Guys, Zero Banking Background, One Private Lending Company: How We Actually Got Here
For Episode 154, Ryan and Neal skip the deal talk and pull back the curtain on the personal journeys that led both of them into private lending. Neither one of them came from a banking background. Both are engineers by training. And both took very unconventional paths through corporate life, entrepreneurship, and real estate before eventually crossing paths on a private lending deal that would cha
Ep.153 | The CEO Who Started With Mark Cuban Is Now Reshaping Private Lending Software
Ryan and Neal sit down with Jason Alexander, CEO of Mortgage Automator and now also CEO of Lendr, for a candid conversation about the software powering a huge chunk of Canada's private lending industry. Jason unpacks his 30 year career in tech, from his very first job working for Mark Cuban in 1996, to leading multiple software companies through major growth and eventually landing in the CEO
Ep.152 | How Running Through Houses Turned This Halifax Realtor Into a Social Media Star
Ryan flies solo for Episode 152 and sits down with James Goode, a realtor with The Agency in Halifax and one of the most recognizable faces in Atlantic Canadian real estate content. If you have ever scrolled through TikTok or Instagram and watched a guy sprint through a stunning listing set to music, chances are you were watching James. In this conversation, he pulls back the curtain on how a rand
Ep.151 | The Weirdest Assets lenders will actually take
Neal and Ryan are back for a fun one, this time cracking open the strange, sometimes sketchy world of unique lending. Most people think lending means mortgages, car loans, and business lines of credit, but the reality is that almost any asset with real ownership, verifiable value, and a viable exit can be borrowed against. In this episode, the guys walk through the assets that actually get pledged
Ep.150 | RBC and BMO Just Sold Moneris to US Private Equity. Should Canadians Be Worried?
Neal and Ryan hit a big milestone with Episode 150, and they're marking it with one of their most globally minded conversations yet. They kick things off with two massive Canadian deals that just crossed the wire: RBC and BMO offloading Moneris, one of the country's most important payment processors, to US private equity for $2 billion, and Air Canada selling a 25% stake in Aeroplan to B
Ep.149 | Rising Broker Share, and Why Nvidia is Now Lending on Chips
Neal and Ryan are back with a solo news roundup episode covering the biggest stories moving Canadian real estate, lending, and beyond. They kick things off with a wild data point out of Halifax: a brand new 291-unit downtown tower is sitting at just 20% leased, and what that could signal about vacancy risk creeping into REIT-owned portfolios across the country. Then they dig into new Mortgage Prof
Ep.148 | From 7 Employees to 400. Now He's Coming for the GTA Private Lending Market
In this episode, Neal and Ryan sit down with Arees Jiwani, President of TM Investments. Arees walks us through his journey from the Ivey Business School to helping build one of Canada's most rapidly growing financial services groups, going from seven employees to over 400 in a decade. We dig into RFA's acquisition of Street Capital, the launch of TM Investments in 2024, and the group&apo
Ep.147 | The Truth About How Car Dealers Actually Make Money
Neal and Ryan step away from mortgages to tackle a topic Neal has been waiting three years to talk about: cars. In this episode, they pull back the curtain on how Canadian car dealerships actually make their money and spoiler, it's not from the sticker price. From lender commissions and rate markups to negative equity, money factors, and 8-year amortizations, the guys break down every trick,
Ep.146 | From Working at a Brewery to Running a $470 Million MIC - Greg Sinclair
Greg Sinclair did not take a straight line into private lending. He went from teaching school in Ontario and the UK, to selling beer on the night shift at a local brewery, to building out the sales and marketing function for the Peterborough Petes in the OHL, to joining Magenta Capital when Covid shut down the sports world. He is now COO of one of the longest-standing MICs in Canada, a company fou
Ep.145 | The Hands-off Investment That Pays 9% a Year
Part two of the MIC series shifts from structure to strategy. Ryan and Neal make the case for why mortgage investment corporations have become one of the most compelling income investments for Canadians who have already won the real estate game and are looking for somewhere to put the proceeds.They break down where MICs sit in the investment spectrum (between government bonds and equities), who is
Ep.144 | Canada's Big Banks Are Getting Rich Off Your Savings
Most Canadians think mortgages only come from the big six banks. They're wrong, and it's costing them. In part one of a two-part series, Ryan and Neal break down what a Mortgage Investment Corporation actually is, how it works, and why it exists in the first place.They cover the borrowers banks turn away, how non-bank lenders get their capital, and why Canadian MICs are nothing like the
Ep.143 | Building a Real Estate Portfolio Buying Buildings No One Wanted
Episode 143 marks a milestone: CPL has officially passed the total episode count from Neal's old Master Keys podcast. To celebrate, Ryan turns the mic on Neal and runs him through a real estate investing Q&A.Neal started buying property at 19, picking up fully vacant, boarded-up, and fire-damaged buildings in Halifax that nobody else wanted. He breaks down the value-add strategy that made
Ep.142 | Private Lending Is Older Than Canada's Big Banks
Most people think of private lending as something new. It isn't. In this episode, Ryan and Neal trace the complete history of private lending in Canada, from the handshake loans of the pre-WWI era to the creation of Mortgage Investment Corporations in the 1970s, through the mortgage broker boom of the 80s and 90s, the stress test of 2016 to 2018, and the pandemic explosion that followed.They
Ep.141 | Every Broker Needs to Know Alt Lending or Go Work at a Bank
Ryan sits down with the two founders of MCC Premiere Mortgage Centre, Sarah Albert and Sara Wright. They built one of Atlantic Canada's most recognized mortgage broker teams out of Moncton, NB, and are now expanding into Nova Scotia. This episode covers how they met, how they grew a fully salaried team with 12+ year tenure, and why they believe every broker needs to get comfortable in the alt
Ep.140 | AI-Generated Defences & Why Lenders Keep Losing in Court w/ Grechi Carter
The Grechi Carter team is back with a new addition, Amanda Deveaux, a 12-year litigation veteran and Ontario deputy judge who's taking over the firm's entire enforcement practice. Dave, Danielle, and Amanda break down what's really happening in Ontario mortgage enforcement right now: borrowers filing AI-generated defences to stall court proceedings into 2027, why lenders keep losing
Ep.139 | $1 Billion, 40 People & Zero Gated Funds: Inside Canada's Biggest Public MIC
What does it actually look like to run a $1 billion mortgage portfolio with a team of 40? Phil Fiuza, Managing Director of Single Family at Atrium MIC, pulls back the curtain on one of Canada's largest and only publicly traded mortgage investment corporations.Phil started his career in 1988, right as real estate peaked and crashed, and has spent 30+ years learning how to survive every cycle.
Ep.138 | $20K Down Loans, 50 Years of Lending & Rebranding the Industry w/ Dean Koeller
Dean Koeller, President & CEO of Calvert Home Mortgage and Board Chair of CAMLA, joins Neal and Ryan live at the CAMLA Ontario Expo. In this episode, Dean breaks down Calvert's unique $20K-down flip and BRRRR program, how their in-house appraisal team gives real estate investors a genuine edge on after-repair value, and how they've been closing deals in 24 hours since before it was a
Ep.137 | $400M AUM, Zero Principal Lost w/ Yitz Levinson
Neal and Ryan sit down with Yitz Levinson, President of Hillmount Capital, a Toronto-based private lender with over $400M under administration and 22 years in the business. Yitz shares how his background as a licensed insolvency trustee shaped the way Hillmount underwrites every deal: exit first, entry second. The conversation covers their unique MFT structure, how they flex across residential, c
Ep.136 | How Leadout Capital Fills the Gap Between Banks and Private Funds
Ryan and Neal sit down with Brian Suta, Partner at Leadout Capital, live at the CAMLA Ontario Expo. Brian breaks down how Leadout operates as a corporate debt fund, lending to mortgage funds, MICs, and businesses that fall through the cracks of Canada's big banks. From borrowing base structures to a Winnipeg protein powder brand, it's a look at a corner of private lending most people do
Ep.135 | The Riskiest Loan in Private Lending
Construction loans can be incredibly rewarding, but when they go sideways, they can turn your lending business into a project management nightmare. In this episode, Neal and Ryan break down why incomplete construction loans are the riskiest deals in private lending, sharing a real story from their own portfolio where two simultaneous builds went off the rails. They cover the critical decision eve
Ep.134 | How Private Lenders Should Handle Excess Capital
What happens when investor capital is flowing in, but strong deals aren't? In this episode, Neal and Ryan tackle one of the most underrated problems in private lending: having too much dry powder. They break down the dangers of forcing bad deals, the smartest ways to deploy (or hold) idle capital, and the levers you can pull on both the capital and deal-flow side of the business. Whether you&
Ep. 133 | Scotty Wittrup on Alt Lending, Growth & Reputation
In Episode 133, Ryan and Neal sit down with Scotty Wittrup, newly appointed VP of Network Development at DLCG, for a conversation that goes far beyond mortgages.From his early days in sales and brokering, to building a reputation across Canada’s mortgage industry, Scotty shares the lessons he’s learned about leadership, recruiting, credibility, and what truly makes a successful broker in today’s m
Ep. 132 | Mid-Build, Out of Money: Construction-In-Progress Loans Explained
Construction loans are one of the fastest-growing products in private lending but what happens when a borrower runs out of capital halfway through a build? Ryan and Neal break down construction-in-progress loans: what they are, why borrowers end up needing them, and why banks won't touch a project once the shovel's in the ground. They walk through a real deal they funded in Charlottetown
Ep. 131 Debt Consolidation in Private Lending: Reset Tool or Risky Shortcut?
In this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neil break down one of the most common and misunderstood use cases in private lending: debt consolidation.With rising interest rates and increasing consumer debt, more borrowers are turning to private lenders for solutions. But is debt consolidation actually helping, or just delaying the inevitable?The hosts walk through real-world
Ep. 130 The Legal Dream Team: The Lawyers Every Private Lender Needs
In episode 130 of The Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal take listeners inside the legal ecosystem that keeps private lending businesses running smoothly. From corporate structuring to enforcement, discover the key players business lawyers, real estate lawyers, enforcement experts, and more who protect your deals, investors, and long-term success. Plus, the hosts share their take on O
Ep. 129 | Private Credit Panic? Separating Headlines from Reality in 2026
Private credit is everywhere right now, and so are the headlines calling for its collapse.From redemption restrictions to rising delinquencies, investors are starting to ask: Is this the next financial crisis?In Episode 129, Ryan and Neil break down what’s actually happening inside the private credit market. They dive into the rise of “buy now, pay later,” why some funds are gating withdrawals, an
Ep.128 | Condo Corp Lending, MFTs & Construction Finance with Matthew Solda
In this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan and Neal sit down with Matthew Solda, VP at Morrison Financial, to break down one of the most unique lending models in Canada.Matthew shares his journey from working in a high-end family pool construction business to becoming a key player in private lending. He dives into how Morrison Financial built a niche in condo corporation f
Ep.127 | How SEO Is Replacing Brokers in Private Mortgages with Jonathan Alphonso
In this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal sit down with Jonathan Alphonso of Mortgage Broker Store Inc. to break down a completely different approach to private lending.Instead of relying on brokers, Jonathan reveals how his team built a direct-to-borrower pipeline using SEO, high-speed lead response, and aggressive online marketing. They dive into the realities of len
Ep.126 | Are You Really a Private Lender? The Truth About Alternative Lending
In Episode 126 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal tackle a topic that’s quietly reshaping the entire mortgage industry: the difference between private lenders and alternative lenders.For years, the terms have been used interchangeably. But with new perspectives from the Canadian Alternative Mortgage Lenders Association (CAMLA), that definition is being challenged, and it could
Ep.125 | Inside New Brunswick’s Real Estate Boom & the Rise of Strategic Private Lending
In Episode 125 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Zach sit down with Brad Donnelly to unpack one of the most unique journeys in the mortgage industry, from radio broadcasting to building a thriving brokerage.Brad shares how his background in communication and sales became a competitive advantage in the mortgage space, and why making the leap from banking to brokering can dramaticall
Ep.124 | How to Create Real Enterprise Value in the Mortgage Industry | Doug Adlam
In this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal welcome back Doug Adlam for a deep conversation about building real enterprise value in the mortgage industry.Doug has worn many hats, mortgage broker, fintech co-founder, industry executive, entrepreneur, and now author of The Business of Brokering. He shares the lessons he learned scaling brokerages, launching startups, writi
Ep.123 | Who Actually Uses Private Lending? 7 Real Borrower Profiles Explained
In this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal revisit one of their earliest and most popular discussions, the borrower profiles that benefit most from private lending.Since the original conversation nearly 120 episodes ago, the lending market has evolved significantly. With tighter bank lending, shifting real estate markets, and new investor strategies emerging across Cana
Ep.122 | Nova Scotia’s 2% Down Payment Program: Smart Solution or PR Stunt?
Nova Scotia has launched a new 2% down payment pilot program for first-time homebuyers, and it’s making headlines across the mortgage industry.But when you break down the math, does this actually help buyers… or does it increase long-term costs, tighten affordability through stress testing, and expose taxpayers to more risk?In this episode, Ryan and Neal unpack:How the new 2% program compares to N
Ep.121 | The Black Belt Broker: Jack Cameron on Discipline & Private Lending
In this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal sit down with Jack Cameron, 24-year mortgage veteran from The Way Home Mortgage at Premier Mortgage in Halifax.Jack shares how he left the bank in 2002 with no ringing phone and built one of the most respected careers in Atlantic Canada’s broker space. We dive into:The evolution of broker market share in Atlantic CanadaWhy priv
Ep.120 | From Dishwasher to Top Broker: Alex Lavender on Building Trust, Alternative Lending, and Halifax’s Housing Market
In Episode 120 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal sit down with Alex Lavender of the Clinton Wilkins Mortgage Team to unpack his journey of becoming one of Atlantic Canada’s top mortgage brokers.Alex shares how starting with zero network in Halifax forced him to master alternative lending, why unbiased advice and client-first service became the foundation of his success, and ho
Ep.119 | The Future of Private Lending in Canada (AI, Renewals, Regulation & Risk)
In Episode 119 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal break down how mortgage renewals, higher rates, AI, open banking, fraud controls, and regulation are reshaping private and alternative lending across Canada. They explain why more borrowers are moving into private lending, how underwriting is evolving, and what lenders, brokers, and investors need to understand as they head into
Ep.118 | Why Montreal’s Housing Market Is Beating Toronto & Vancouver
In Episode 118 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal break down the latest Canadian jobs data and what rising unemployment means for interest rates and mortgage strategy heading into 2026.They then turn their attention to a market that rarely gets the spotlight: Montreal. With home sales up, prices rising, and inventory remaining tight, Montreal is emerging as one of Canada’s most
Ep.117 | The 5 Biggest Mistakes Private Lenders Make When Scaling (And How to Avoid Them)
In Episode 117 of the Canadian Private Lenders' Podcast, hosts Ryan and Neal break down the five most common and costly mistakes private lenders make when scaling their businesses.Drawing directly on their experience growing Keystone past $25 M in AUM, they unpack real-world lessons on infrastructure, software, deal quality, hiring, and recognizing early market cracks before they turn into se
Ep.116 | Scaling a Private Lending Business to $25M AUM: Systems, Risk & Real Talk
In Episode 116 of the Canadian Private Lender's Podcast Ryan and Neal break down what it really takes to scale a private lending business from $10M to $25M in assets under management in just over two years.They go beyond surface-level growth talk and dive into the realities of scaling: operational strain, investor confidence, underwriting discipline, capital flow challenges, and why saying no
Ep.115 | Fix & Flips in 2026: Market Reality, Risk, and Where the Opportunities Actually Are
Welcome back to Episode 115 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast!Ryan and Neal kick off 2026 by breaking down what fix-and-flip investing really looks like in today’s more balanced Canadian real estate market. With buyer behavior shifting, inventory rising, and exits becoming less predictable, this episode dives into where opportunities still exist, and where lenders and investors need to be fa
Ep.114 | 2025 Recap & 2026 Predictions: Rates, Housing Prices, & Condo Markets
In Episode 114 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal wrap up 2025 by reviewing their bold economic and housing predictions, and grading themselves on what they got right (and wrong).They break down RE/MAX’s controversial condo recovery forecast, analyze rate cuts from the Bank of Canada, unpack national and Atlantic Canada housing trends, and debate what 2026 could look like for h
Ep.113 | Inside Keystone MIC: The Founders’ Story, Roles & What Makes a Deal Work
In this special episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, the Keystone team flips the script.Ryan, Neal, Sam and Zach sit down for an in-depth conversation on how Keystone Mortgage Investment Corp was built, from working out of a living room and funding the first deal with personal lines of credit, to launching a fully structured MIC with registered investments.The team breaks down their in
Ep.112 | The Core Private Lending Deals Every Broker & Investor Should Understand
In this solo episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan MacNeil breaks down the core types of private lending deals and explains when, and why, they make sense for brokers, investors, and borrowers.Ryan starts with major industry news, including EQ Bank’s acquisition of PC Financial, before diving deep into Keystone’s most common loan structures. From single-family construction and reno
Ep.111 | How $82 Billion in Defense Spending Could Reshape Halifax
In Episode 111 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal bring the focus home to Halifax and Nova Scotia, breaking down how Canada’s newly announced $82 billion in defense and aerospace spending over the next five years could transform the local economy, job market, industrial landscape, and housing demand.From Irving Shipbuilding’s growing footprint to the surge in military procureme
Ep.110 | 50-Year Mortgages: Affordability Fix or Future Crisis?
In Episode 110 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal break in their brand-new studio with a deep dive into one of the hottest topics circulating in the real estate and lending world: the rise of 50-year mortgages in the United States.The hosts unpack what a 50-year mortgage actually looks like, who benefits, why the U.S. is considering them, and whether Canada would ever dare to f
Ep.109 | Inside Tembo Financial: Speed, Direct Lending & Market Outlook with Arlen Ekstein
In Episode 109 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino sit down with Arlen Ekstein, VP of Sales & Marketing at Tembo Financial, one of Ontario’s fastest and most flexible direct private lenders.Arlen shares his journey from sponsorship sales into private lending, the origin story of Tembo Financial, and how the company built its reputation on speed, transp
Ep.108 | Neighbourhood Holdings x Fisgard: The Details behind the Deal with Jared Stanley & Taylor Little
In this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino sit down with Taylor Little (CEO) and Jared Stanley (SVP of Originations) from Neighbourhood Holdings to unpack one of the most significant moments in Canadian private lending history, Neighbourhood’s acquisition of Fisgard Asset Management. Together, they walk through how the deal came together, why consolidat
Ep.107 | Insurance Every Private Lender Needs: Protecting Your Portfolio
In this episode of The Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino dive deep into one of the least glamorous but most critical aspects of private lending, insurance. From title and homeowner’s insurance to blanket mortgage impairment, E&O coverage, and even cyber and key person insurance, they break down what every lender needs to stay protected.Ryan also shares a re
Ep.106 | Benjamin Sammut on MIC Growth, M&A, and Capital Raising
In Episode 106 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino sit down with Benjamin Sammut, Founder & Principal of Dabble Capital Advisory, for a deep dive into how institutional money is reshaping Canada’s private lending landscape.Benjamin shares how he transitioned from growing up in a family of mortgage brokers to building a firm that bridges the gap between
Ep.105 | Inside RiverRock MIC: Nick Kyprianou
In this final episode from The Canadian Mortgage Summit, hosts Neal Andreino and Ryan MacNeil sit down with Nick Kyprianou, CEO & Founder of RiverRock MIC, to unpack nearly four decades of mortgage industry experience.Nick shares how he helped grow Home Trust from $200 million to $17 billion, how he built RiverRock into one of Ontario’s most disciplined private lenders, and what today’s market
Ep.104 | How Shane Lakhani and CMP Built Canada’s Largest Mortgage Event
In this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino sit down with Shane Lakhani, Business Development Manager at Canadian Mortgage Professional (CMP) and the mastermind behind the Canadian Mortgage Summit.Shane shares how CMP grew the event from a small industry gathering into a 1,600-attendee powerhouse, bringing together private, alternative, and institu
Ep.103 | How Glass Lake Funding Redefined Private Lending in Canada | Mike Forshee
In this Episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan McNeil and Neal Andreino sit down with Mike Forshee, President of Glass Lake Funding, to explore how the company has skyrocketed from a start-up to over $1 billion AUM in just three years.Mike shares his 25-year journey from Home Trust to founding Glass Lake, backed by Bayview Asset Management, and dives deep into the company’s hy
Ep.102 | Inside Alta West Capital’s Expansion, Innovation & the Future of Private Lending
In this episode of The Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino sit down with Armando Diseri, Chief Sales Officer at Alta West Capital, live from the Canadian Mortgage Summit. Armando shares how Alta West has evolved from a Calgary-based second mortgage lender to a national powerhouse with diversified institutional backing and innovative mortgage products like their L
Ep.101 | No-Fee Lending, Investor Confidence, and Market Strategy with Reaza Ali
In this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino sit down live at the Canadian Mortgage Summit with Reaza Ali, National Broker Relations Manager at Fisgard Asset Management—one of the largest private lenders in Canada.Reaza shares his career journey and provides an inside look at Fisgard’s growth from Western Canada into Ontario, their unique no-lender-
Ep.100 | 100th Episode! - The Future of Canadian Real Estate with Chandler Haliburton
In this milestone 100th episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino are joined by guest Chandler Haliburton—real estate investor, landlord, and past co-host of the Master Keys Podcast.Together, they take a deep dive into the current state of the Canadian real estate and private lending markets. From shifts in multi-unit valuations and softening condo deman
Ep.99 | Lessons From Our First Foreclosure: Risks, Realities & Recovery in Private Lending
In this milestone 99th episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan and Neal share an inside look at Keystone’s very first foreclosure. From red flags during underwriting, to borrower challenges, expired insurance, and the unexpected passing of the borrower, this case study highlights the realities private lenders face when enforcement becomes necessary.They break down the legal pro
Ep.98 | Starting a Private Lending Business from Scratch: Lessons, Pitfalls, and Proven Strategies
In Episode 98, hosts Ryan and Neal dive deep into a thought experiment: what would they do if they had to start a private lending business all over again, with $0 in the bank?From building a business plan and securing the right licenses, to scaling smart, sticking to underwriting criteria, and leveraging marketing for deal flow, this episode breaks down the fundamentals and real-world lessons they
Ep.97 | From Policing to Private Lending: Building Atlantic Canada’s Commercial Mortgage Powerhouse
In Episode 97 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan and Neal sit down with Matt Shallo and Andrew “Hutch” Hutchinson of Indi Commercial Mortgage, two rising stars redefining commercial financing in Atlantic Canada.From Matt’s unconventional career shift from policing to commercial finance, to Andrew’s background in investments and insurance before discovering the broker world, their
Ep.96 | Pioneers of Atlantic Private Lending: The Owen & Derrick MacNeil Story
In this special episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan and Neal sit down with Owen and Derrick MacNeil—the trailblazing brothers behind GraysBrook Capital. Credited as pioneers of Atlantic Canada’s private lending industry, Owen and Derrick share their remarkable journey from flipping homes and working in unrelated industries to building one of the region’s most respected priv
Ep.95 | Non-Arm’s Length Transactions: Unlocking Opportunities in Private Lending
In this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan McNeil and Neil Andreino take listeners through one of the most overlooked strategies in private lending: non-arm’s length transactions.They start by unpacking today’s economic climate — rising unemployment in Ontario, hiring freezes, and the disconnect between stock market optimism and real-world struggles. From there, Ryan and N
Ep.94 | A Day in the Life: Inside Keystone’s Operations
In this behind-the-scenes episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Ryan McNeill and Neil take listeners through a typical day in their roles at Keystone Mortgage Investment Corporation. From broker relationship building and business development to investor relations, cash flow management, and deal sign-offs, they break down the moving parts that keep a private lending business runnin
Ep.93 | Blueprint for Private Lending Success with Sanjay Ramwani of Indigo Blue
In this episode, hosts Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino sit down with Sanjay Ramwani, Chief Operating Officer at Indigo Blue Group of Companies. Sanjay shares his journey from traditional banking to building one of the most respected private lending firms in Ontario and Atlantic Canada.This episode dives into Indigo Blue’s expansion strategy, their risk-first approach to lending, why they chose to b
Ep. 92 | Atlantic Momentum: Growth, Grit & Housing Realities with Daniel Cox & Hannah Martens
In Episode 92, hosts Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino sit down with two powerhouse voices in Atlantic Canada’s mortgage space — Daniel Cox, Team Lead and founder of United Group Mortgage Alliance, and Hannah Martens, rising star broker based in Charlottetown, PEI. This energizing conversation dives into their unique career paths, the evolution of brokerage culture in Eastern Canada, and their shared
Ep. 91 | Airbnb Lending Risks, Regulations, and Exit Strategies Explained
Navigating the financing landscape for Airbnb and short-term rentals isn’t easy—especially when lenders see red flags. In this episode, Ryan and Neil dive deep into the unique challenges of underwriting Airbnb deals from a private lending perspective, how investors can position themselves to secure private capital or institutional financing, and why an exit strategy is critical in short-term renta
Ep. 90 | Should You Lend Your Own Money? The Real ROI of Investing Personal Capital in Private Mortgages
In this episode, Ryan and Neal delve into one of the most crucial decisions a private lender can make. Should you invest your capital, or stick with using other people's money (OPM)?They explore how lending your funds can significantly boost your returns, improve flexibility, and build investor trust. In this episode, Neal and Ryan break down when it makes sense to deploy your cash, the risks
Ep. 89 | Your First Default: How Private Lenders Should Handle Borrower Non-Payment
In this solo episode, Ryan MacNeil breaks down one of the most challenging but inevitable parts of private lending: borrower defaults and enforcement. From the first missed payment to legal recovery strategies, Ryan walks you through the entire process with practical tips and hard-earned experience. He covers borrower communication, provincial differences in enforcement (Nova Scotia, Ontario, New
Ep. 88 | Inside Our Real Estate Portfolios: Wins, Lessons & Why We Still Invest
In this episode, Neal and Ryan pivot from private lending to something even more personal: their real estate investing journeys. They each share how they got started, the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and the deals that changed everything. Together, they cover the realities of scaling, the role of private capital, partnership dynamics, reserve fund strategies, and what they woul
Ep. 87 | Private Mortgage Powerhouses Mortgage Automator & Grechi Carter
In this episode, Ryan and Neal sit down with Joseph Fuchs, co-founder of Mortgage Automator, and returning guests and sponsors Daniele Grechi and Dave Carter from Grechi Carter LLP. Together, they look back on the creation and evolution of Mortgage Automator, born out of the need to bring speed, consistency, and digital transformation to private lending. They discuss their intertwined histories, L
Ep. 86 | What Do Canadians Think About the Housing Market? Insights from the 2025 CMHC Consumer Report
In this fun and insightful episode, Neal and Ryan welcome the newest member of the Keystone team, Sam Horstman, as he joins the show for a special quiz format. Using the recently released 2025 CMHC Mortgage Consumer Survey, Sam tests Neal and Ryan’s knowledge and assumptions on key trends in the Canadian mortgage market. They cover consumer behavior, social media influence, refinancing, home buyin
Ep. 85 | Bank vs. Private Lending: Why Construction Financing is Changing in 2025
What are construction loans, and why are they a game-changer for private lenders, builders, and real estate investors? In this episode, Neal and Ryan take a deep dive into the world of construction loans with a focus on the private lending space. They break down what construction loans are, why banks often avoid them, and how private lenders can fill that gap with speed, flexibility, and a more pr
Ep. 84 | Behind the Mic — Neal and Ryan Share Their Stories and Market Insights
What happens when two seasoned real estate professionals take a break from interviews to talk about their journeys? In this special episode, Neal and Ryan dive deep into their backgrounds, from their early career pivots to building businesses in private lending, real estate sales, and investing.They also break down the MoneySense 2025 housing report, sharing key takeaways on real estate affordabil
Ep. 83 | Investing in Canadian Real Estate with Daniel Foch and Nick Hill
Are you ready to deepen your understanding of Canadian real estate investing and private lending? In this episode of The Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Neal and Ryan sit down with Daniel Foch and Nick Hill, the dynamic duo behind the top-rated Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast. They share their extensive experience as realtors, mortgage brokers, and entrepreneurs, revealing how they built t
Ep. 82 | How to create a Mortgage Fund with Jonathan Lee
Are you curious about the legal side of private lending and fund formation in Canada? In Episode 82 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Neal Andreino and Ryan MacNeil interview Jonathan Lee, founder and principal lawyer at A.G. Truett Law Professional Corporation. Jonathan brings over a decade of experience working with major Bay Street firms and specializes in asset management law, sec
Ep. 81 | How Cyrus Habibi Built a $350M Mortgage Business with Zero Ad Spend
Are you leveraging relationships to scale your mortgage business? In this episode of The Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, we sit down with Cyrus Habibi—a top-producing mortgage broker with Premier Mortgage, consistently ranked #1 in volume in Atlantic Canada for five straight years. From humble beginnings in life insurance to dominating $350M+ in mortgage volume with the Premier Private Client Gr
Ep. 80 | How to grow your private lending business without losing millions
Do you want to scale your lending business without the risk of losing millions of dollars? This episode is for you! In it, Neal and Ryan discuss the strategic ways private lenders can grow their business sustainably and profitably without taking on undue risk. They also discuss growing a business through geographic expansion and diversification. Listen and enjoy the show!Show notes:02:51 - Ryan sh
Ep 79 | Election Recap: How the Liberals Win will Affect the Housing Market
What will be the impacts of the election results for private lenders, builders, and real estate investors? In this episode, Neal and Ryan do an election special by doing a recap on the election results and giving a highlight on the Liberal Party and Conservative Party's platforms in the housing sector. They talked about the Liberal's plan of making the government act as a developer to bu
Ep. 78 | Private Lending vs. Bank Loans: The Smart Choice for Your Construction Projects
What if you could accelerate your construction project without the red tape of traditional banks? In this episode Neal and Ryan reveal why private lending is often the smarter, faster option for construction financing. They break down the complex world of construction financing, explaining how private lenders offer quicker, more flexible funding options compared to traditional banks. They also dis
Ep. 77 | Avoiding Complications at Mortgage Maturity
What would happen if I can't pay out this loan at maturity? Why is the maturity process crucial for a borrower, broker, or investor? These are the questions that will be answered in this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast.Ryan, a seasoned expert at Keystone Mortgage Investment Corp., will walk you through the ideas of renewal, repayments, and potential default consequences in tou
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