Toronto | November 7, 2025 — Home Trust Company, one of Canada’s largest alternative mortgage lenders, has announced a major strategic comeback to the prime lending space with the relaunch of its well-known “Accelerator” mortgage program. The move signals renewed competition among Canadian lenders after a year of cautious lending and subdued housing activity.

Home Trust Re-Enters the Prime Segment

The “Accelerator” program had been a flagship Home Trust product catering to borrowers with strong credit and income documentation — essentially the traditional prime segment. The company temporarily paused it in 2023 amid market volatility and tighter funding costs.

As of November 2025, the program is back with new underwriting parameters designed to attract quality borrowers while maintaining prudent risk controls. According to Canadian Mortgage Trends, Home Trust confirmed that Accelerator mortgages will offer competitive fixed and variable rates for insured and insurable borrowers meeting standard lending ratios and full documentation standards.

Executives say the relaunch reflects both market opportunity and lender confidence. “Our return to the prime space aligns with our long-term diversification strategy,” a Home Trust spokesperson noted. “We believe Canadians deserve more choice in competitive lending.”

Why This Matters for Borrowers and Brokers

Over the past two years, mortgage competition in Canada has been largely shaped by big banks and credit unions, while alternative lenders focused on near-prime and uninsured niches. The re-entry of Home Trust introduces a new variable for both brokers and consumers looking for flexible prime options.

Industry observers view it as a vote of confidence in housing stability and liquidity availability. For mortgage brokers, it adds another trusted non-bank channel for prime clients who might not wish to rely solely on the major banks.

“Competition is heating up again,” said a senior Toronto broker. “When lenders like Home Trust come back with strong pricing, banks will have to sharpen pencils on rate discounts and refinance offers.”

Current Market Context

The timing of the relaunch coincides with a period of policy-rate stagnation — the Bank of Canada held its benchmark at 5 percent earlier this week. Bond yields, however, have eased modestly, giving lenders a little breathing room on fixed-rate funding.

Rate-tracking platforms show insured 5-year fixed mortgage rates around 3.69 percent, while variable-rate insured programs hover near 3.45 percent under specific lender promotions. These numbers are attractive compared with early-2024 highs, yet affordability challenges persist due to high qualification stress tests and elevated home prices in core markets.

For borrowers with strong credit and full income proof, Home Trust’s Accelerator may now stand as a competitive alternative — especially for purchase or transfer deals that need personalized service without the bureaucracy of the big banks.

The Broader Industry Signal

The decision also illustrates how non-bank lenders are positioning for a 2026 rebound. After a subdued 2024 and mid-2025 period marked by slower origination volumes, many institutions are looking to grow their prime portfolios again.

Analysts point out that Home Trust’s move is a test case: if it gains traction, others may follow. “It’s a sign that liquidity channels have stabilized,” said a housing-finance analyst. “Investors and funders are again comfortable supporting prime mortgages outside the Big 6.”

Moreover, the company’s strong track record in compliance and technology-driven underwriting could help it capture digital-first borrowers — a segment increasingly seeking transparent, app-based mortgage journeys.

Borrower Considerations

Eligibility: Must meet standard prime lending criteria — typically credit scores > 680 and GDS/TDS ≤ 39 % / 44 %.
Documentation: Full income verification required; self-employed applicants can qualify under stated-income options with strong documentation.
Use Case: Ideal for purchases, refinances, or transfers where the borrower wants competitive pricing but flexible service.
Rate Outlook: With BoC’s cautious tone, rate cuts may not arrive until mid-2026 — locking a prime-rate deal now could provide cost predictability.

Home Trust’s Accelerator comeback marks a confident step toward re-energizing Canada’s mortgage landscape. It reintroduces healthy competition in the prime segment at a time when borrowers need choice, brokers need flexibility, and markets seek stability.

For Canadians planning renewals or purchases in 2026, this program could be a valuable signal: lenders are ready to lend again — responsibly, but with renewed optimism.