Meet Paul Bruce

Over his 30-year career at MCAP, Paul Bruce has been accountable for running sales, underwriting, credit risk servicing and sub-servicing, default management and more. Having started with predecessor companies before MCAP was even established, Paul has held many roles and worn many hats. Whatever the team, business or objective, Paul has distinguished himself as a leader. When asked about the keys to successful leadership, he cites consistent values as the main factor. “If we all work together and based off of the same values, we will build trust, which also forms the culture of the team.”

Recognizing that a company is really about the people who come together, form relationships and manage the ecosystem of customers, investors and partners, Paul believes that honouring a consistent set of values will enable the team to effectively solve problems and stand behind the brand.

“If we all work together and based off of the same values, we will build trust, which also informs the culture of the team.”

Speaking of culture, Paul believes it is the responsibility of a leader to develop and nurture the culture through communication, trust and transparency. It’s how he brings Blue Culture to life across the company. “Communication, trust and transparency all hang together,” he says. “I think it’s very important from a leadership perspective that your people hear from you on a regular basis and that you have meaningful conversations with them on topics that matter to them from their vantage point.”

“I think it’s very important from a leadership perspective that your people hear from you on a regular basis and that you have meaningful conversations on topics that matter to them.”

As someone who lives the values and promise of Blue Culture every day, Paul also finds ways to apply it to the betterment of the mortgage industry as a whole. “A key component of Blue Culture is the trust factor. You can trust us. We’re going to honour our commitments, we’re going to do what we say we’re going to do and we’re going to do it well, with consistency and in a form that you would expect.” Whether dealing with investors, brokers or homeowners, he feels Blue Culture resonates the same way. “Offering a consistent level of service and being a trusted partner is the underpinnings of Blue Culture.”

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“A key component of Blue Culture is the trust factor. You can trust us.”

Given the length of Paul’s tenure in the mortgage industry, much has changed throughout his career. “There have been a lot of dynamic changes over the last couple of decades. If we go back in time, mortgages were a very traditional product – your rate was your rate. Then we saw the evolution of negotiating interest rates at the time of renewal and things took off from there. The broker channel has also gained a lot of well-deserved respect within the Canadian mortgage financial system, especially since the pandemic.”

Looking ahead, Paul sees further evolution in the mortgage industry, particularly as new players come into the mortgage space and new digital options continue to emerge. “We’re seeing that customers in the moment aren’t necessarily comfortable with a full digital process – they want to have the ability to talk to somebody very quickly to solve their problem.” In spite of continuous evolution, Paul sees that relationships remain paramount in the business.

“Patience, kindness and education are the three points of the triangle that have worked for me throughout my career.”

To stay on top of change, Paul is a proponent of continuous education. “It’s one of the most important career lessons I’ve learned,” he says. “I’ve been in the business for thirty years, and as much as I think I know, I am still learning in many ways.” The number one lesson he’s learned, however, is to be patient and kind. “Patience, kindness and education are the three points of the triangle that have worked for me throughout my career,” he says.

In a business that is founded by relationships and an organization that honours its values and promises, Paul’s is a winning formula that has enabled him to lead with authenticity, transparency and trust – and make an impact in whatever role he’s held.