CMLS

Office address: 18 York Street Suite 1500 Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T8, Canada 
Website: www.cmls.ca  
Year established: 1974 
Company type: Financial services 
Employees: 400+ 
Expertise: Mortgage lending, mortgage valuation, mortgage servicing 
Parent company: N/A 
CEO and key people: Sam Brown, President and CEO 
Financing status: - 

CMLS Financial is one of the largest independently owned mortgage services companies in Canada. The Toronto-headquartered industry giant also has offices in Ottawa, London, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Halifax.  

CMLS Financial offers a range of commercial lending, residential real estate mortgages, and institutional services. The firm caters to a diverse clientele, including homeowners, commercial borrowers, and institutional investors.  

History of CMLS Financial 

CMLS Financial was founded in 1974 as the mortgage services arm of Penmor Investment Services Ltd. The company started as a commercial mortgage intermediary and a direct lender for the investment management firm’s fixed-income accounts. 

Since then, CMLS Financial has grown into one of the largest mortgage services providers in Canada. The company's journey is marked by significant milestones, including a substantial growth in assets under administration from $3.2 billion in 2009 to more than $45 billion in 2023. This growth trajectory reflects CMLS Financial’s commitment to investing in people, processes, and systems, and ensuring efficiency, quality, and reliability in its services. 

Products and Services of CMLS Financial 

CMLS Financial offers a broad spectrum of products and services, tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients: 

• commercial lending services: expertise in commercial real estate mortgages, catering to a range of financial institutions and investors 

• residential real estate mortgage: solutions for buying new homes, renewing, refinancing, upsizing, or downsizing 

• institutional services: comprehensive analytics and tools for market insights, risk rating analysis, and portfolio analysis 

• Mortgage Analytics Group: tools for managing risk/reward in portfolios, crucial for investors and regulatory bodies 

• CMLS Mortgage Fund: aims at preserving capital and earning a premium over publicly traded fixed income securities 

Culture at CMLS Financial 

CMLS Financial prides itself on its diverse and inclusive culture, recognizing that diversity strengthens teams and enhances service delivery. The company is committed to accessibility and respect for all individuals, aligning with the goals of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. 

About CMLS Financial President and CEO Sam Brown 

Sam Brown officially held the role of president and CEO of CMLS Financial in January 2024. He oversees the strategic direction of the CMLS Group, including CMLS Financial, Intellifi, and CMLS Asset Management. 

Brown boasts 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. Throughout his career, he has served several key leadership roles, including as commercial real estate asset manager in London, UK, and a leading audit, tax, and advisory services company. 

Brown is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia. 

The future at CMLS Financial 

CMLS Financial’s solid foundation and customer-forward approach puts the company well positioned for growth and innovation. The firm is well-equipped to adapt to the evolving needs of the mortgage industry, ensuring long-term success and client satisfaction.