Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat: I’d be interested in your view of Equitable Group. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Equitable Group Inc., $54.19, symbol EQB on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 15.6 million; Market cap: $789.7 million; www.equitablebank.ca), is a niche mortgage lender that provides first mortgages through its wholly owned subsidiary, Equitable Trust. For first mortgages on single-family homes, the company focuses on customers who are unable to meet the tougher lending criteria of the big banks. Equitable Group also focuses its efforts on multi-unit residential and commercial mortgages. The company’s lending is mainly financed by accepting deposits for GICs issued through Equitable Trust. The stock fell in early October after Ottawa announced new rules for mortgage providers. They include tougher standards for all lenders that access mortgage insurance from the government-backed Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC). As well, Ottawa will require those lenders to stress test borrowers to see if they can handle a future increase in interest rates. The new rules could slow demand for new mortgages, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver. In the three months ended September 30,…