Lakmal Ferdinandez, one among top three Mortgage Advisors for Bank of Montreal

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

Sri Lankan- born Lakmal Ferdinandez has emerged one among top three Mortgage Advisors for Canada’s oldest bank, Bank of Montreal (BMO) .

Ferdinandez, hailing from Moratuwa, began his career at HSBC Colombo, handling personal loans and high- end corporate commercial accounts for nearly six years.

Later he migrated to Canada and found employment at HSBC Toronto as a premier relationship manager. “I worked for HSBC for nearly three years in the personal banking and Housing market sales segment, he said.

“My job was basically to link customers with real estate builders and ensure that clients go through HSBC when obtaining credit to purchase property, Ferdinandez said.

He recalled that due to his perseverance he soon became the bank’s number one business volume generator in this segment each year.

Ferdinandez then joined Bank of Montreal doing the same job and was given a sales target of CAD 20 million. “However, I bettered this each year and in the third year after joining the bank I managed to bring over CAD 55 million, he explained.

Fernandez added: ‘Today I account for a CAD 500 million business to the bank selling over 1,500 housing units within the past 6 years. Due to my success, the BMO bank, which is a Canadian multinational investment bank and financial services company, has also allowed me to be an independent mortgage advisor to bring my own clients.

“My background has given me hands -on experience in all areas of Building Relationships. Exceptional communication with strong negotiation skills and presentation skills have helped me to achieve this target.

“Whenever a project is planned, top real estate companies as well as builders contact me, requesting my assistance to make pre-sales. I find clients and arrange credit to them through BMO bank.

“Whenever a Canadian citizen or a family wants to settle in Toronto by purchasing their ‘next home’, or ‘first home’, choosing the right mortgage is an important undertaking for them. These clients come to me and I help them to find the right financing to suit their needs and make their mortgage experience as uncomplicated as possible. As a service-focused, home financing specialist, I have the experience and expertise to provide them with sound advice starting from applying for a pre-approved mortgage, financing their first or next home and any renovations, transferring their mortgage to BMO Bank of Montreal and also refinancing a mortgage loan or tapping into the equity in their current home.

“I have helped many foreign nationals in this process, including Sri Lankans, who come to Canada to settle down, with permanent housing. Last year due to its turnover, BMO placed me among the top three Mortgage Advisors in Canada, a proud feat for a Sri Lankan.”