Mortgage Suitability - UPDATE


Good Afternoon,


As many of you are aware, we (ABW) have been exploring and fine tuning Mortgage Suitability compliance requirements. These requirements have been actioned by many for some time now but we chose to take time to digest, better understand find a reasonable solution before implementing. As an example, Mortgage Architects presented this in September of 2024. We are now ready to action the new Mortgage Suitability Forms for both DLC - A Better Way & Mortgage Architects - A Better Way (as attached.)

Why Is This Necessary?



Mortgage Borrower Suitability Forms are a critical compliance tool used by mortgage brokers to assess and document whether a mortgage product is suitable for a borrower's financial situation, goals, and risk profile. These forms help ensure that Brokers & Agents:

  • Act in the best interest of the borrower, especially when complex or alternative products are involved.
  • Justify their recommendations with documented rationale, reducing the risk of borrower misrepresentation or misunderstanding.
  • Provide transparency around risks, costs, and alternatives, supporting informed decision-making.
  • The forms act as a compliance safeguard in the event of disputes, audits, or lawsuits—showing that the broker followed regulatory expectations.


In today’s lending landscape, where product diversity and borrower risk levels vary widely, Mortgage Borrower Suitability forms are not just best practice—they are a foundational element of ethical, compliant, and defensible Mortgage Brokering. They help ensure fair treatment, transparency, and informed borrower consent.


Regulators expectation is for suitability to be documented after a lender & product have been selected, tying together why the specific product selected was suitable based on the client’s particular situation.


If you were not doing so already, as of today, May 26 2025, we expect that Suitability Forms will be completed on all new and pending applications. 


Attached you will find:

  • Mortgage Suitability Form - DLC A Better Way (Fillable)
  • Mortgage Suitability Form - Mortgage Architects - A Better Way (Fillable)
  • You can also find these documents on the ABW Intranet:
  • DLC - https://www.joinabw.ca/dlc-agent
  • Mortgage Architects - https://www.joinabw.ca/mtg
  • Please ensure you are using the correct Suitability Form (DLC vs MA)



Thank you for your cooperation.