EQ Bank | Equitable Bank
Join a Challenger
Being a traditional bank just isn’t our thing. We are big believers in innovating the banking experience because we believe Canadians deserve better options, and we challenge ourselves and our teams to creatively transform what’s possible in banking. Our team is made up of inquisitive and agile minds that find smarter ways of doing things. If you’re not afraid of taking on big challenges and redefining the future, you belong with us. You’ll get to work with people who will encourage you to reach new heights. We like to keep things fun, ask questions and learn together.
We are a big (and growing!) family. Overall we serve more than 670,000 people acrossCanadathrough Equitable Bank,Canada’sChallenger Bank, and have been around for more than 50 years. Equitable Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Concentra Bank, supports credit unions acrossCanadathat serve more than six million members. Together we have over$125 billionin 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
) one of the top banks in Canada on the Forbes World’s Best Banks list since 2021.
The Work
Under the general direction of the General Counsel, but directly reporting to the Director, Commercial Banking, the successful candidate will generally work independently within the Legal Department, providing a wide range of services to the business units but with a particular focus on Commercial Banking, including advising on new product introductions and corporate initiatives and assisting with customer and regulatory issues.
The successful candidate will be involved in handling a significant workload, inclusive of inquiries and assignments from different departments, as well as on legal matters arising from various statutory and regulatory changes.
Senior Counsel will preserve the Bank’s reputation for integrity and work with the departments to protect the organization from sanctions with policies and procedures that meet regulatory requirements. The department strives to maintain cooperative relationships with all internal departments, governmental policy makers, and regulatory and self-regulatory agencies that govern the Bank’s businesses.
The Core Responsibilities!
Provide legal analysis, documentation, preparation, negotiation and advice on complex issues with an emphasis on commercial real estate and secured lending in general
Work with internal stakeholders in providing advice on deal structuring, taking effective security and ensuring the Bank’s interests are protected at all times
Provide timely and accurate responses to questions from various departments to facilitate transactions within predetermined timeframes
Contribute to the drafting and negotiation of critical legal agreements
Facilitate the achievement of corporate goals by ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
Research substantial legal issues, as well as federal and provincial legislation to evaluate implications on the Bank
Identify (and occasionally proactively identify) the importance and urgency of issues, and evaluate the legal risks the Bank is exposed for the purpose of escalating these risks to management
Review and advise on developing legal trends (policies/procedures) and their implications on the Bank and recommend courses of action in the best interest of the Bank
Maintain proximity to applicable industry and market trends in Canadian finance, commercial real estate and project development
Interact with various departments within the Bank in connection with advice and legal documentary requirements
Manage the expense of outsourcing legal work and promote efficiencies where possible
Work in a fast-paced, detail oriented, environment and manage multiple deadlines and priorities
Work with minimal supervision and exercise excellent judgement on complex, confidential and sensitive decisions
Provide ‘sign off’ on behalf of Legal Department for certain projects, agreements and initiatives
General Legal Advice/Support (30%)
Provide pragmatic and timely legal advice on a variety of day-to-day issues
Prepare, review and negotiate company contracts, requests for proposals and other legal documentation
Ensure contracts contain requisite protections and regulatory requirements
Develop precedents for business initiatives to streamline internal processes and minimize reliance on external counsel
Conduct legal research and undertake special projects, as required
Help manage the Bank’s overall legal risk position by ensuring that contracts reflect best practice and legal requirements
Interact with various departments within the Bank in connection with advice and legal documentary requirements
Act as ‘expert’ and trusted source of knowledge in key areas and deliver training / education sessions to business units
Provide ‘sign off’ on behalf of Legal Department for certain projects and internal policies
Commercial Lending Transactions (40%)
Review, draft and comment on documentation and processes relating to new commercial lending transactions
Work closely with the Bank’s Originations, Credit and Underwriting teams as a key legal resource in the establishment of new commercial real estate loan facilities and related agreements
Provide legal advice pertaining to the Bank’s active commercial real estate loan facilities by acting as an ongoing legal resource for the Portfolio Management and Special Loans (Defaults) groups
Utilize a business-oriented approach to support the Commercial Department generally in its negotiation and interpretation of inter-lender arrangements
Offer business-oriented legal advice relating to syndicated loan facilities, asset based lending and structured financing to Canadian private lenders
Draft documentation, and amend existing documentation, to support changes in processes and/or enhancements by commercial business managers
Direct and oversee the management of external counsel, as needed, to ensure cost-effectiveness and high-quality service
Corporate Initiatives and Commercial Projects (30%)
Act as primary Legal Department representative on the Bank’s new corporate initiatives and commercial projects
Work with the Commercial Department generally to support launch of new products/initiatives, etc.
Review, draft and comment on documentation and processes relating to commercial projects and initiatives
Provide legal support to the procurement and third-party risk management teams in reviewing various contracts for the Bank’s third party vendors and servicers, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and Bank policies and procedures
Let’s Talk About You!
Degree from recognized Canadian University
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 (at preferably, another bank or financial institution)
Wherewithal in financial services/banking law
Robust knowledge of commercial real estate law
Comprehensive experience with commercial lending transactions, which must include real estate financing
Familiarity with structured finance and asset-based lending transactions
Familiarity with insolvency law and proceedings
Experience with CMHC insured loan transactions would be an asset
Ability to have carriage of multiple transactions at a given time
Working knowledge of consumer provisions and other legislation impacting the regulatory landscape
Familiarity with the relevant regulatory bodies (i.e. OSFI, FCAC, CDIC, FINTRAC, OSC)
Master’s level education (MBA or LLM for example) would be an asset
Proficiency in French would be an asset
Professional and courteous manner
Ability to collaborate with all internal and external stakeholders
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral
Strong prioritization skills
Proficient computer skills
Highly organized and autonomous
Team player and positive attitude
Demonstrate reliability and integrity
Problem solving capability and critical thinking
High degree of discretion with confidential issues and materials
Proactive, willing to take initiative to effect improvements
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!
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