Home Trust Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Home Capital Group Inc., a publicly-traded Canadian company. As Canada's largest alternative mortgage lender, Home Trust serves borrowers who may not qualify under conventional "A" lending criteria — including self-employed Canadians, newcomers to Canada without established credit histories, and borrowers with minor credit blemishes. Despite the "alternative" label, Home Trust is a federally regulated trust company operating under the supervision of OSFI, and its Accelerator program offers best-in-class mortgage rates that compete directly with the Big Six banks.
Home Trust's Accelerator mortgage program is their flagship product for borrowers who meet conventional underwriting standards — these borrowers benefit from highly competitive fixed rates available in the Canadian market. The 5-year fixed rate is among the most competitive 5-year rates available from any lender, big bank or monoline. Home Trust also offers Classic and Vintage mortgage programs for borrowers with more complex income situations or credit challenges, though those programs carry somewhat higher rates to reflect additional risk. All Home Trust mortgages are distributed exclusively through licensed mortgage brokers.
Home Trust has developed particularly deep expertise in serving newcomers to Canada. Their dedicated newcomer mortgage program can approve mortgages for permanent residents who arrived within the past 36 months, with as little as 35% down for those without established Canadian credit. Self-employed borrowers with two or more years of documented business income are also well-served, with stated income programs available for those whose net income after business deductions does not fully reflect their borrowing capacity. Home Trust's standard charge registration makes switching to another lender at renewal a straightforward and cost-effective process.
Home Trust uses a standard IRD calculation for fixed-rate mortgages. Importantly, Home Trust calculates IRD using contract rates rather than the inflated posted rates used by the Big Six banks — this typically results in significantly lower prepayment penalties. For a borrower breaking a $500,000 5-year fixed mortgage with 3 years remaining, a contract-rate IRD at Home Trust would likely be $5,000–$10,000 compared to $15,000–$25,000 at a big bank in the same scenario. Home Trust does not offer variable-rate mortgages, so the three-month interest variable penalty is not applicable.
The Home Trust Accelerator is Home Trust's prime lending program for borrowers who meet conventional underwriting criteria — essentially, the same qualification standards as a "A" lender. Borrowers in the Accelerator program benefit from Home Trust's most competitive rates, which offer competitive rates — qualification required and rates vary by market conditions. To qualify for Accelerator, borrowers typically need a minimum credit score of 600 (often 680+), verifiable income that passes the federal stress test, and a down payment meeting CMHC or conventional requirements. Borrowers who cannot meet all Accelerator criteria may qualify under Home Trust's Classic or Vintage programs, though at higher rates.
Home Trust is one of the most accommodating lenders in Canada for self-employed borrowers. For the Accelerator program, borrowers with two or more years of self-employment history can use their Notice of Assessment (NOA) from CRA to verify income. Home Trust also has stated income programs under their Classic mortgage product, which allow self-employed borrowers to state their income without full documentation — these programs are designed for borrowers whose tax filings show artificially low net income due to business deductions, but who demonstrably have the cash flow to service their mortgage. Stated income typically requires a larger down payment (usually 20%+) and carries a slightly higher rate than the Accelerator.
Yes. Home Trust has a dedicated newcomer mortgage program that can approve mortgages for permanent residents who have been in Canada for less than 36 months and may not yet have an established Canadian credit history. For newcomers with no Canadian credit, Home Trust can accept alternative forms of credit evidence such as international credit bureau reports, reference letters from employers or landlords, and proof of employment in Canada. Down payment requirements for newcomers without Canadian credit are typically 35% for properties up to $1.5 million. Newcomers who have been in Canada longer and have begun building a Canadian credit profile may qualify under more standard program guidelines with a lower down payment.
Have a specific question about Home Trust rates, products, or eligibility? A licensed broker will review your question and be in touch.