IMBA Mortgage Symposium 2026

The Independent Mortgage Brokers Association of Ontario (IMBA) Mortgage Symposium is a one-day education and networking event held each fall in Toronto. IMBA was founded to represent independent brokerages and agents — as distinct from the large franchise networks — and this independent spirit shapes the conference's programming and tone.

IMBA has historically been one of the more outspoken advocates for broker interests with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), which regulates mortgage brokers in Ontario under the Mortgage Brokerages, Lenders and Administrators Act (MBLAA). The symposium typically features sessions on regulatory developments, compliance obligations, and the ongoing evolution of FSRA's supervision approach for mortgage professionals.

The independent broker focus also means the conference addresses topics that matter specifically to brokers running their own shops: compliance program building, E&O insurance, referral fee structures, marketing compliance under FSRA rules, and succession planning for broker-owners approaching retirement.

Education sessions cover a broad range of technical and business topics. Past symposiums have featured speakers on alternative lending (B-lenders, MICs), construction and renovation mortgages, commercial bridge lending, and underwriting for self-employed borrowers — areas where independent brokers often have an edge over bank-channel mortgage specialists.

The format is compact: a morning of breakout education sessions, lunch and networking, and an afternoon plenary followed by a cocktail reception. The smaller scale compared to the MPC national conference means attendees often have more direct access to speakers and panelists.

Registration opens in the summer through the IMBA website. FSRA-recognized CE credits are typically awarded.