Headquarters:
Toronto, ON
Year founded:
1986
Number of employees:
250+
Phone:
(416) 925 4757
Email:
marketingrequests@heb.ca
Website:
chipadvisor.ca
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/homeequitybank
"We are constantly living by our core values: integrity, impact and teamwork"
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
Read on
IB Top Brokerages
Award Winner
SHIELDED INSURANCE BROKERS
Award Winner
HOMEEQUITY
BANK
Steven Ranson
President and CEO
Yvonne Ziomecki
Executive Vice President
Marketing and Consumer Sales
Eric Bisaillon
Executive Vice President
Referred Sales and Partnership
Leadership
Steven Ranson has been a guiding force in the creation of HomeEquity Bank, leading it through the 2002 public offering of Home Equity Income Trust, and the subsequent creation of HomeEquity Bank in 2009. He sets the strategic direction of the bank, focusing on its growth. As a result, HomeEquity Bank has delivered performance consistent with the interests of clients, the general public, employees, and owners. Under his leadership, HomeEquity Bank has expanded to become Canada’s undisputed reverse mortgage market lender with $5 billion under management.
President and CEO
Steven Ranson
In the decade Yvonne Ziomecki has been with HomeEquity Bank, progressing from SVP, Marketing and Sales to EVP and CMO, she has been instrumental in defining the brand by completely reshaping its marketing strategy. Over the years, her campaigns have shifted the narrative around aging and retirement, effectively changing the conversation and age bias in the industry. Her passion for HomeEquity bank customers shines through in her leadership, making them the top priority while also generating remarkable growth.
Executive Vice President
Marketing and Consumer Sales
Yvonne Ziomecki
Eric Bisaillon has led the referred sales and partnership division since 2017, growing its loan originations by 80% and the broker channel sales by 105%. His formidable efforts have solidified the company’s position as Canada’s largest provider of reverse mortgages to its entire partner referral network. He further expanded this network by launching a new wealth management channel, turning conventional notions of reverse mortgages on their head by positioning them as a tax-efficient capital preservation tool for affluent Canadians.
Executive Vice President
Referred Sales and Partnership
Eric Bisaillon
SPECIAL REPORT
Home
Bio
“We are constantly living by our core values: integrity, impact and teamwork”
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
“Now, we have much more frequent recognition awards because we want to celebrate people staying at CAAT and recognize the contributions that they bring to the organization”
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
Read on
Award Winner
HOMEEQUITY
BANK
Vivianne Gauci
Senior Vice President
Marketing and Contact Center
Yvonne Ziomecki
Executive Vice President
Marketing and Consumer Sales
Steven Ranson
President and CEO
Leadership
Headquarters:
Toronto, ON
Year founded:
1986
Number of employees:
250+
Phone:
(416) 925 4757
Email:
marketingrequests@heb.ca
Website:
chipadvisor.ca
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/homeequitybank
Steven Ranson has been a guiding force in the creation of HomeEquity Bank, leading it through the 2002 public offering of Home Equity Income Trust, and the subsequent creation of HomeEquity Bank in 2009. He sets the strategic direction of the bank, focusing on its growth. As a result, HomeEquity Bank has delivered performance consistent with the interests of clients, the general public, employees, and owners. Under his leadership, HomeEquity Bank has expanded to become Canada’s undisputed reverse mortgage market lender with $5 billion under management.
President and CEO
Steven Ranson
In the decade Yvonne Ziomecki has been with HomeEquity Bank, progressing from SVP, Marketing and Sales to EVP and CMO, she has been instrumental in defining the brand by completely reshaping its marketing strategy. Over the years, her campaigns have shifted the narrative around aging and retirement, effectively changing the conversation and age bias in the industry. Her passion for HomeEquity bank customers shines through in her leadership, making them the top priority while also generating remarkable growth.
Executive Vice President
Marketing and Consumer Sales
Yvonne Ziomecki
Vivianne Gauci is responsible for increasing brand awareness and affinity, driving originations growth through digital and direct to consumer channels. She also oversees advertising and PR, supporting the sales team’s expansion of HomeEquity Bank’s reach through banks, wealth, and mortgage broker channels, product marketing, and leading the consumer contact center. Her “people first” leadership and strategic sense have led to consistent growth across the consumer and referred channels, enabling the company to build a brand that connects with its partners and clients.
Senior Vice President
Marketing and Contact Center
Vivianne Gauci
SPECIAL REPORT
Home
Bio
For the second year running, Shielded Insurance Brokers has claimed the number-one spot among IB’s Top Brokerages. In 2020, it was record-setting growth that drove the company’s impressive success. This year, says managing director Stuart Brady, the key ingredient behind the win is the Shielded culture. Brady is proud of the shared vision for constant improvement across all aspects of the business. “We are thrilled to take out the win again, and it’s hats off to the team for their hard work over the past year,” he says.
“Now, we have much more frequent recognition awards because we want to celebrate people staying at CAAT and recognize the contributions that they bring to the organization”
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
“We are constantly living by our core values: integrity, impact and teamwork”
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
Read on
Award Winner
HOMEEQUITY BANK
Cindy Martel
Vice President,
Finance
Yvonne Ziomecki
Executive Vice President
Marketing and Consumer Sales
Steven Ranson
President and CEO
Leadership
Headquarters:
Toronto, ON
Year founded:
1986
Number of employees:
250+
Phone:
(416) 925 4757
Email:
marketingrequests@heb.ca
Website:
chipadvisor.ca
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/homeequitybank
SPECIAL REPORT
Home
Bio
Steven Ranson has been a guiding force in the creation of HomeEquity Bank, leading it through the 2002 public offering of Home Equity Income Trust, and the subsequent creation of HomeEquity Bank in 2009. He sets the strategic direction of the bank, focusing on its growth. As a result, HomeEquity Bank has delivered performance consistent with the interests of clients, the general public, employees, and owners. Under his leadership, HomeEquity Bank has expanded to become Canada’s undisputed reverse mortgage market lender with $5 billion under management.
President and CEO
Steven Ranson
In the decade Yvonne Ziomecki has been with HomeEquity Bank, progressing from SVP, Marketing and Sales to EVP and CMO, she has been instrumental in defining the brand by completely reshaping its marketing strategy. Over the years, her campaigns have shifted the narrative around aging and retirement, effectively changing the conversation and age bias in the industry. Her passion for HomeEquity bank customers shines through in her leadership, making them the top priority while also generating remarkable growth.
Executive Vice President
Marketing and Consumer Sales
Yvonne Ziomecki
Vivianne Gauci is responsible for increasing brand awareness and affinity, driving originations growth through digital and direct to consumer channels. She also oversees advertising and PR, supporting the sales team’s expansion of HomeEquity Bank’s reach through banks, wealth, and mortgage broker channels, product marketing, and leading the consumer contact center. Her “people first” leadership and strategic sense have led to consistent growth across the consumer and referred channels, enabling the company to build a brand that connects with its partners and clients.
Senior Vice President
Marketing and Contact Center
Vivianne Gauci
For the second year running, Shielded Insurance Brokers has claimed the number-one spot among IB’s Top Brokerages. In 2020, it was record-setting growth that drove the company’s impressive success. This year, says managing director Stuart Brady, the key ingredient behind the win is the Shielded culture. Brady is proud of the shared vision for constant improvement across all aspects of the business. “We are thrilled to take out the win again, and it’s hats off to the team for their hard work over the past year,” he says.
Vivianne Gauci
Senior Vice President
Marketing and Contact Center
Vivianne Gauci is responsible for increasing brand awareness and affinity, driving originations growth through digital and direct to consumer channels. She also oversees advertising and PR, supporting the sales team’s expansion of HomeEquity Bank’s reach through banks, wealth, and mortgage broker channels, product marketing, and leading the consumer contact center. Her “people first” leadership and strategic sense have led to consistent growth across the consumer and referred channels, enabling the company to build a brand that connects with its partners and clients.
Senior Vice President
Marketing and Contact Center
Vivianne Gauci
Eric Bisaillon
Executive Vice President
Referred Sales
and Partnership
Eric Bisaillon has led the referred sales and partnership division since 2017, growing its loan originations by 80% and the broker channel sales by 105%. His formidable efforts have solidified the company’s position as Canada’s largest provider of reverse mortgages to its entire partner referral network. He further expanded this network by launching a new wealth management channel, turning conventional notions of reverse mortgages on their head by positioning them as a tax-efficient capital preservation tool for affluent Canadians.
Executive Vice President
Referred Sales and Partnership
Eric Bisaillon
Eric Bisaillon
Executive Vice President
Referred Sales and Partnership
Eric Bisaillon has led the referred sales and partnership division since 2017, growing its loan originations by 80% and the broker channel sales by 105%. His formidable efforts have solidified the company’s position as Canada’s largest provider of reverse mortgages to its entire partner referral network. He further expanded this network by launching a new wealth management channel, turning conventional notions of reverse mortgages on their head by positioning them as a tax-efficient capital preservation tool for affluent Canadians.
Executive Vice President
Referred Sales and Partnership
Eric Bisaillon
Cindy Martel
Vice President, Finance
Cindy Martel earned her CMA (CPA) designation in 1995, and gained extensive experience while working in the private sector, fulfilling various leadership roles in the areas of finance and human resources. She joined the Fillmore Construction team in 2014 as controller and progressed into her current role as VP of finance in 2021.
Vice President, Finance
Cindy Martel
Cindy Martel
Vice President,
Finance
Cindy Martel earned her CMA (CPA) designation in 1995, and gained extensive experience while working in the private sector, fulfilling various leadership roles in the areas of finance and human resources. She joined the Fillmore Construction team in 2014 as controller and progressed into her current role as VP of finance in 2021.
Vice President, Finance
Cindy Martel
Vivianne Gauci
Senior Vice President
Marketing and Contact Center
Cindy Martel earned her CMA (CPA) designation in 1995, and gained extensive experience while working in the private sector, fulfilling various leadership roles in the areas of finance and human resources. She joined the Fillmore Construction team in 2014 as controller and progressed into her current role as VP of finance in 2021.
Vice President, Finance
Cindy Martel
The Canadian mortgage market is in overdrive. As many housing markets across the country continue to see a flurry of activity, borrowers are approaching lenders with offers that need to be processed quickly. Existing homeowners are looking to tap into their home equity with a range of second mortgage options that allow them to profit from this robust market.
HomeEquity Bank, a top specialist mortgage lender for more than 35 years, has established itself as an expert in the industry. The bank is aware of the many advantages that utilizing existing equity brings for homeowners, remaining focused on the traction this specialist mortgage option has gained among Canada’s fastest-growing demographic.
“While other companies are just recently shifting into the space to address this growing market, we have spent years focusing on this customer base and have built a brand synonymous with the term reverse mortgages,” says Vivianne Gauci, SVP of marketing and customer experience at HomeEquity Bank.
“This expertise, brand recognition, and customer-first policy has paid dividends, seeing HomeEquity bank pass $1 billion in originations in 2021 even though we have more competitors than ever before.”
Another top priority for HomeEquity Bank is providing a supportive and collaborative work culture for its valued employees. By putting employees first, the lender is keenly aware that the productivity and success of their employees will flourish which directly benefits the lender’s client base.
“We leverage the expertise we’ve developed over 35 years in the business to be customer obsessed. We also have passionate employees and have maintained our strong market awareness, which has fueled our rapid growth,” Gauci says.
Cultivating a progressive work culture is front and center for HomeEquity Bank.
“We encourage this [work culture] through many different avenues. For starters, listening to our people through formal and informal surveys, continuous performance conversations, and company meetings and events,” she says.
HomeEquity Bank further enhances its work environment with a diverse array of programs that address the physical, mental, and financial wellness of employees and their families.
Not to be overlooked, the lender has also made a concerted effort to allow for a healthy work and life balance for its employees by providing the platform for managing competing priorities through a “culture of flexibility”.
Focusing on what its employees need most, Gauci pinpointed the preparation that mortgage specialists are given to know the products and customers inside and out. This expertise positions all HomeEquity Bank employees to easily address questions about the reverse mortgage product.
“Our specialists have the technical know-how to dive deep into issues and solve almost any problem in the mortgage process,” Gauci says. “This ensures that our mortgage employees feel supported every step of the way and can confidently guide clients through the process.”
With the impending addition of a robust onboarding program to ‘enrich the new employee experience’ and further investment in their core programs, HomeEquity Bank is keeping employee satisfaction at the forefront of its initiatives.
“Our people-focused culture with open and transparent communications demonstrates our genuine care and respect for others, building employee-inspired corporate values and ensuring our leadership remains approachable and visible is another facet of what sets HomeEquity Bank apart,” says Gauci.
HomeEquity Bank is the leading provider of reverse mortgages to Canadian homeowners aged 55 and over. Headquartered in Toronto and with regional offices in Vancouver and Montreal, the Bank works hard to help Canadians live on their terms and improve the lives of those who prefer to age in the homes they love. Through the company’s CHIP Reverse Mortgage, CHIP Max, CHIP Open, and Income Advantage products, homeowners have options as to how they can access the equity in their home to meet their financial goals.
“Now, we have much more frequent recognition awards because we want to celebrate people staying at CAAT and recognize the contributions that they bring to the organization”
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
Brent Fillmore
Founder
Cody Woolf
Director, Health, Safety and Environment
Karen Bannister, CM
Vice President, Marketing
Sarah M Stewart
Associate Vice President,
Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Fillmore Construction was founded by Brent Fillmore in 1991. He was looking to start his own small construction business and the opportunity presented itself with many repeat client relationships. Through lessons learned from 13 years of managing projects, developing business and holding various VP roles with his previous employer, Brent formulated his own approach to running his company. He knew that the key to success was based on relationships and bringing repeated value to them. He was dedicated to the idea that one does not need hundreds of clients and instead must focus on ensuring that a smaller pool of clients was given the best service possible. With over 40 years of construction management experience Brent has remarkable expertise in nearly every facet of the construction industry.
Founder
Brent Fillmore
Cody Woolf joined the Fillmore team in 2011 and holds the title director of health, safety and environment. He is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP). He also has extensive safety experience and background in criminal justice, which provides a depth of experience for the implementation of Fillmore Construction’s health and safety program. Cody is responsible for creating a positive and safe work environment and strives to promote safety as not only a policy but a lifestyle. He has initiated and implements a range of health, safety and environmental features that have been of critical importance to the overall safety objectives, operations, and profitability of Fillmore Construction. The results of his impact are evident in the positive statistical results and policies that have been developed since he joined the company and the emphasis on safety program development.
Director, Health, Safety and Environment
Cody Woolf
Karen Bannister has over 20 years of marketing expertise and has a Chartered Marketer designation from the Canadian Marketing Association. She is a strategic marketing leader with a career record of success in developing and executing effective marketing strategies, growing revenue, and overseeing multi-talented teams. She also holds five certifications for marketing and brand management.
Karen has successfully completed the Mini-MBA, Essentials of Management program at Schulich School of Business, and most recently completed the Communications and Leadership Program at The Ivey Academy.
Vice President, Marketing
Karen Bannister, CM
Sarah M Stewart has more than 15 years of strategic leasing and customer care experience in residential property management. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Centurion’s national leasing platforms, residential lead generation, and overall customer experience excellence through operation of the company’s internal customer service department.
Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Sarah M Stewart
Brent Fillmore
Cody Woolf
Sarah M Stewart
Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Karen Bannister, CM
Vice President, Marketing
Cody Woolf
Director, Health, Safety and Environment
Fillmore Construction was founded by Brent Fillmore in 1991. He was looking to start his own small construction business and the opportunity presented itself with many repeat client relationships. Through lessons learned from 13 years of managing projects, developing business and holding various VP roles with his previous employer, Brent formulated his own approach to running his company. He knew that the key to success was based on relationships and bringing repeated value to them. He was dedicated to the idea that one does not need hundreds of clients and instead must focus on ensuring that a smaller pool of clients was given the best service possible. With over 40 years of construction management experience Brent has remarkable expertise in nearly every facet of the construction industry.
Founder
Brent Fillmore
Cody Woolf joined the Fillmore team in 2011 and holds the title director of health, safety and environment. He is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP). He also has extensive safety experience and background in criminal justice, which provides a depth of experience for the implementation of Fillmore Construction’s health and safety program. Cody is responsible for creating a positive and safe work environment and strives to promote safety as not only a policy but a lifestyle. He has initiated and implements a range of health, safety and environmental features that have been of critical importance to the overall safety objectives, operations, and profitability of Fillmore Construction. The results of his impact are evident in the positive statistical results and policies that have been developed since he joined the company and the emphasis on safety program development.
Director, Health, Safety and Environment
Cody Woolf
Karen Bannister has over 20 years of marketing expertise and has a Chartered Marketer designation from the Canadian Marketing Association. She is a strategic marketing leader with a career record of success in developing and executing effective marketing strategies, growing revenue, and overseeing multi-talented teams. She also holds five certifications for marketing and brand management.
Karen has successfully completed the Mini-MBA, Essentials of Management program at Schulich
School of Business, and most recently completed the Communications and Leadership Program at
The Ivey Academy.
Vice President, Marketing
Karen Bannister, CM
Sarah M Stewart has more than 15 years of strategic leasing and customer care experience in residential property management. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Centurion’s national leasing platforms, residential lead generation, and overall customer experience excellence through operation of the company’s internal customer service department.
Associate Vice President, Leasing and
Call Centre Operations
Sarah M Stewart
Brent Fillmore
Founder
Karen Bannister, CM
Vice President, Marketing
Cody Woolf
Director, Health,
Safety and Environment
Sarah M Stewart
Associate
Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Fillmore Construction was founded by Brent Fillmore in 1991. He was looking to start his own small construction business and the opportunity presented itself with many repeat client relationships. Through lessons learned from 13 years of managing projects, developing business and holding various VP roles with his previous employer, Brent formulated his own approach to running his company. He knew that the key to success was based on relationships and bringing repeated value to them. He was dedicated to the idea that one does not need hundreds of clients and instead must focus on ensuring that a smaller pool of clients was given the best service possible. With over 40 years of construction management experience Brent has remarkable expertise in nearly every facet of the construction industry.
Founder
Brent Fillmore
Cody Woolf joined the Fillmore team in 2011 and holds the title director of health, safety and environment. He is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP). He also has extensive safety experience and background in criminal justice, which provides a depth of experience for the implementation of Fillmore Construction’s health and safety program. Cody is responsible for creating a positive and safe work environment and strives to promote safety as not only a policy but a lifestyle. He has initiated and implements a range of health, safety and environmental features that have been of critical importance to the overall safety objectives, operations, and profitability of Fillmore Construction. The results of his impact are evident in the positive statistical results and policies that have been developed since he joined the company and the emphasis on safety program development.
Director, Health, Safety and Environment
Cody Woolf
Karen Bannister has over 20 years of marketing expertise and has a Chartered Marketer designation from the Canadian Marketing Association. She is a strategic marketing leader with a career record of success in developing and executing effective marketing strategies, growing revenue, and overseeing multi-talented teams. She also holds five certifications for marketing and brand management.
Karen has successfully completed the
Mini-MBA, Essentials of Management program at Schulich School of Business, and most recently completed the Communications and Leadership Program at The Ivey Academy.
Vice President, Marketing
Karen Bannister, CM
Sarah M Stewart has more than 15 years
of strategic leasing and customer care experience in residential property management. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Centurion’s national leasing platforms, residential lead generation, and overall customer experience excellence through operation
of the company’s internal customer
service department.
Associate Vice President,
Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Sarah M Stewart
