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Questbank hires Bekim Merdita to lead national broker push
Merdita brings over a decade of mortgage banking experience across North America, most recently overseeing operations at a major mortgage lender where originations reached $3.5 billion in the first half of 2026. Now he's at Questbank, holding the title Head of Sales & Marketing, with a mandate to scale the lender's broker relationships across the country.
The timing matters. Mortgage broker market share among first-time buyers hit 48% in 2026, and brokers now account for a significant portion of new residential mortgage business nationally. Questbank is betting that growth happens through the broker channel.
Why brokers drive volume now
First-time buyers in particular lean on brokers for rate comparisons and access to non-Big Six lenders. That segment grew faster than the overall market in 2026, and lenders without strong broker networks have watched volume go elsewhere. Residential mortgage debt is growing at 4.8% annually as of early 2026, and the lenders capturing that growth are the ones brokers send files to.
Merdita's track record at RFA Bank suggests he knows how to build those relationships at scale. Originations at RFA rose to $2.1 billion in the second quarter of 2026 alone, and much of that volume came through broker submissions. Questbank is bringing him in to replicate that model.
What Questbank is building
The bank is expanding beyond its regional base and positioning itself as a national broker-friendly lender. That means product offerings tailored to broker submissions, faster underwriting turnaround, and commission structures that keep brokers sending volume. Merdita's role is to build the sales team and marketing campaigns behind that expansion.
The hire signals where Questbank sees the next tier of growth: brokers sending files when clients need competitive rates or alternative credit scenarios. Merdita starts immediately.
Merdita brings over a decade of mortgage banking experience across North America, most recently overseeing operations at a major mortgage lender where originations reached $3.5 billion in the first half of 2026. Now he's at Questbank, holding the title Head of Sales & Marketing, with a mandate to scale the lender's broker relationships across the country.
The timing matters. Mortgage broker market share among first-time buyers hit 48% in 2026, and brokers now account for a significant portion of new residential mortgage business nationally. Questbank is betting that growth happens through the broker channel.
Why brokers drive volume now
First-time buyers in particular lean on brokers for rate comparisons and access to non-Big Six lenders. That segment grew faster than the overall market in 2026, and lenders without strong broker networks have watched volume go elsewhere. Residential mortgage debt is growing at 4.8% annually as of early 2026, and the lenders capturing that growth are the ones brokers send files to.
Merdita's track record at RFA Bank suggests he knows how to build those relationships at scale. Originations at RFA rose to $2.1 billion in the second quarter of 2026 alone, and much of that volume came through broker submissions. Questbank is bringing him in to replicate that model.
What Questbank is building
The bank is expanding beyond its regional base and positioning itself as a national broker-friendly lender. That means product offerings tailored to broker submissions, faster underwriting turnaround, and commission structures that keep brokers sending volume. Merdita's role is to build the sales team and marketing campaigns behind that expansion.
The hire signals where Questbank sees the next tier of growth: brokers sending files when clients need competitive rates or alternative credit scenarios. Merdita starts immediately.
Sources
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