5 Questions with CMP’s Top 5 Mortgage Brokers in Ontario, Christopher Bisson

Every year, Canadian Mortgage Professionals (CMP) Magazine publishes a list of the top mortgage brokers in Canada. In 2011, the magazine had to increase their list from 50 to 75 brokers – all of whom had submitted their financial details at the end of the year, in order to be ranked. This week, we are talking to the top 5 mortgage brokers in Ontario and finding out what they attribute their success to.

To finish our series, we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Bisson. In 2011, he ranked 15th in Canada, after closing with $80 million in funded deals. With 13 years in the industry, it’s no surprise that Bisson is the Principal Broker at The Mortgage Centre Complementary Realty Services Inc. in Guelph. Bisson attributes his success in the industry to the people who are in his life: his family, his team and his clients. Keep reading to find out how he got into the industry in the first place.

1. How can you attribute your success to making the Top 5?

There are a number of things: support from my family to work the hours that I do; a great team at the office that allows us to handle high volumes in the spring and still keep clients happy; a commitment to learning and being a student of the industry; having a genuine interest in helping my referral sources be as successful as they want to be; and communicating proactively with clients and referral sources.

Also, I always call my leads back first, clients whose applications are moving alone fine second, and respond to issues last. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t procrastinate on the difficult items, I just prioritize. The bottom line is that I get back to everyone within one business day and move all of the files ahead each day. This business is largely one that is built on communication. I’m constantly communicating with my clients (via phone, email, etc.) to keep them in the loop.

2. Do you have a niche that you service?

We serve a large amount of first-time buyers but many of my clients become investors through our coaching. We are experts at using your mortgage to invest and decrease your taxes.

3. What first got you interested in the mortgage business?

Luck. My wife’s first cousin is married to Bob MacDonald. Uncle Bob, as we call him, gently twisted my arm when I was working for a Fortune 500 company. Once I understood the opportunity, and was tired of driving into the GTA from Guelph, I took him up on his offer and give it a try. Bob is a great broker and his agents have nothing but good things to say about him. I couldn’t have done it without him.

4. What’s your personal mortgage product?

National Bank’s All-In-One.

5. Fill in the blank. ‘If I weren’t in the mortgage business, I’d be _____.’

I’d be running a different business, or (hopefully) heading up a division of a Fortune 500 company.