What it takes to win a Canadian Mortgage Award
Anne-Marie Koebel (pictured top), senior mortgage underwriter at RFA Mortgage Corporation, won that award at the 2025 ceremony. With the industry’s leading prime underwriters vying for that role, she told Canadian Mortgage Professional it was “amazing” to come away with the top prize. “I was surprised, humbled, and excited,” she said.
What drives an award-winning mortgage underwriter?
Underwriting occupies a critical space in the mortgage industry. Broker expectations, lender guidelines, and client timelines all converge on an underwriter’s desk – but while it can be a high-pressure position, Koebel said her enthusiasm and passion for the role were key factors behind her win last year.
“What truly drives me is the satisfaction of helping make homeownership a reality for people and their families,” she said. “I work hard to bring a collaborative, transparent, and customer-first approach to every relationship I build, and I’m incredibly grateful that my industry partners and peers value that approach enough to have taken the time to nominate me.”
That nomination process is central to how the CMAs work, with the window still open (until August 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET) for this year’s awards.
Submissions can come from brokers, colleagues, or employers, with no fee attached and self-nomination permitted.
