Join a Challenger
Being a traditional bank just isn’t our thing, so we challenge ourselves to get
creative in providing innovative banking solutions for Canadians.
How do we get there? With a talented team of inquisitive and agile challengers
that break through the status quo. So, if you’re passionate about redefining the
future of banking—while having fun—this could be your next big opportunity.
Our company continues to grow, and today we serve more than 670,000 people
across Canada through Equitable Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™, and have been
around for more than 50 years. Equitable Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary,
Concentra Bank, supports credit unions across Canada that serve more than six
million members. Together we have over $125 billion in combined assets under
management and administration, with a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian
banking to enrich people's lives. Our customers have named our EQ Bank digital
platform (eqbank.ca [https://www.eqbank.ca/]) one of the top banks in Canada on
the Forbes World's Best Banks list since 2021.
The Work
Reporting to the Senior Director, Legal – Commercial Banking, the successful
candidate will provide strategic legal support primarily to the Commercial
Banking division, advising on a broad range of legal matters including
commercial lending transactions, regulatory compliance and risk management, new
product development and corporate initiatives, and assisting with customer
issues. The successful candidate will be a proactive legal advisor with
expertise in commercial banking and real estate lending, capable of identifying
and managing complex legal issues, and partnering with cross-functional teams
and business units.
As Senior Counsel, you will help preserve the Bank’s reputation for integrity
and work with the Bank’s stakeholders to support policies and procedures that
meet regulatory requirements, and maintain cooperative relationships with
governmental policymakers, and regulatory and self-regulatory agencies that
govern the Bank’s businesses.
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The Core Responsibilities!
- Provide legal analysis and transactional support, including the review,
preparation and negotiation of agreements and documentation, and providing
advice on complex issues with an emphasis on commercial real estate and
secured lending
- Working closely with the Bank’s Originations, Credit and Underwriting,
Portfolio Management and Special Loans (Defaults) teams, provide advice on
deal structuring, intercreditor arrangements, taking effective security, and
ensuring the Bank’s interests are protected
- Provide timely and accurate responses to questions from internal stakeholders
and business partners to facilitate transactions within predetermined
timeframes
- Assist with internal governance, policy development, and training initiatives
to promote legal awareness, risk mitigation and a culture of compliance
- Support new product development and strategic initiatives by identifying
legal implications and ensuring compliance with applicable laws
- Research substantial legal issues and federal and provincial legislation to
evaluate implications for the Bank, and undertake special projects as
required
- Proactively identify emerging issues and legal trends, and evaluate the legal
risks to the Bank for escalation to management as necessary
- Maintain proximity to applicable industry and market trends in Canadian
finance, commercial real estate and project development, and participate in
industry groups
- Work in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment and manage multiple
deadlines and priorities
- Work with minimal supervision and exercise excellent judgment on complex,
confidential and sensitive decisions
- Contribute to the development of precedents, commercial templates, playbooks
and best practices for business initiatives to streamline internal processes
and minimize reliance on external counsel
- Direct and oversee external counsel to ensure cost-effectiveness and
high-quality service
Let's Talk About You!
- Graduate of a recognized law school (L.L.B. or J.D.)
- Called to the Ontario Bar/Member in good standing of the Law Society of
Ontario
- 4-6 years of post-call experience in private practice or in-house, preferably
in a financial institution with a focus on commercial banking or financial
services
- Strong knowledge of Canadian banking laws, lending practices, and regulatory
frameworks
- Comprehensive knowledge of commercial real estate law and real estate
financing. Experience with CMHC insured loan transactions would be an asset
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to distill
complex legal issues into clear, actionable advice
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic
environment
- Strategic thinker, collaborative and proactive mindset, and excellent
interpersonal skills
- Familiarity with insolvency law and proceedings would be an asset
- Proficiency in French would be an asset
- Demonstrated reliability and integrity
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LI-Hybrid
What we offer [For full-time permanent roles]
💰 Competitive discretionary bonus
✨ Market leading RRSP match program
🩺 Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits
📝 Employee Share Purchase Plan
👶🏽 Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one
🏝 Generous vacation policy and personal days
🖥 Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues
🎓 Annual professional development allowance and a comprehensive Career
Development program
💛 A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a
new kind of banking experience
The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working
from Equitable Bank’s additional office space located at 2200-25 Ontario Street,
Toronto, ON.
Equitable Bank is deeply committed to inclusion. Our organization is stronger
and our employees thrive when we honour and celebrate everyone’s diverse
experiences and perspectives. In tandem with that commitment, we support and
encourage our staff to grow not just in their career path, but personally as
well.
We commit to providing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment
for all applicants. Please let us know of any accommodations needed so that you
can bring your best self to the application process and beyond. All candidates
considered for hire must successfully pass a criminal background check and
credit check to qualify for hire. While we appreciate your interest in applying,
an Equitable recruiter will only contact leading candidates whose skills and
qualifications closely match the requirements of the position.
We can’t wait to get to know you!
