Greater Consumer Protection By New Regulations for Manitoba Mortgage Brokers

Greater Consumer Protection By New Regulations for Manitoba Mortgage Brokers
Greater Consumer Protection By New Regulations for Manitoba Mortgage Brokers

As homebuyers in Manitoba, you can be more confident when buying your home through a mortgage broker due to new regulations for mortgage brokers.

Effective on May 1, 2011, the new regulations now protect you by ensuring mortgage brokers are licensed and their activities are regulated.

Manitoba’s new regulations require mortgage brokers to be accountable and provide more information to consumers including disclosing:

  • any fees or commissions they receive for a mortgage referral,
  • any information about fees paid to a mortgage broker by a lender, and
  • details of the responsibilities involved in obtaining a mortgage.

Please note that the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) is working with the Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) to develop and administer courses related to the changes.

Manitoba, Canada

Manitoba News Release

April 29, 2011

CONSUMER PROTECTION ENHANCED
BY NEW REGULATIONS FOR MORTGAGE BROKERS: WOWCHUK

Manitobans who choose to use a mortgage broker will now have access to more information as the province enhances consumer protection for homebuyers through new regulations for mortgage brokers, Finance Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced today.

“Unlike other mortgage industry professionals, mortgage brokers were not subject to regulation.  Homebuyers trust mortgage brokers to give them sound and objective advice on what mortgage best suits their financial situation.  These rules strengthen accountability,” said Wowchuk.

The minister said the new regulations will protect homebuyers by ensuring mortgage brokers are licensed and their activities are regulated.

Brokers will also be required to provide more information to consumers including disclosing:

* any fees or commissions they receive for a mortgage referral,
* any information about fees paid to a mortgage broker by a lender, and
* details of the responsibilities involved in obtaining a mortgage.

“A home is a family’s single biggest investment and by implementing these regulations, homebuyers can now have more confidence when making their big purchase,” Wowchuk said.

Since 2009, the Manitoba Securities Commission has worked in consultation with the industry to strengthen the regulations.  The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) is a special operating agency of the Government of Manitoba that protects investors and promotes fair and efficient investment business practices throughout the province, the minister said.

The minister noted the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) is working with the MSC to develop and administer courses related to the changes, an approach taken by other provinces where similar requirements are in place.

The new regulations come into effect May 1.