A new Accelerated Lending Program being offered by Toronto’s Cameron Stephens Mortgage Capital Ltd., has been greeted with a rapid uptake within the commercial real estate industry, topping $100 million in loan commitments in just four months.

Launched during the summer, the Accelerated Lending Program offers single-advance inventory, term, bridge, and land loans up to $15 million, with “a streamlined commitment process of under 15 days” the company states. The first $100 million in commitments span a diverse mix of residential inventory, residential land and commercial assets.

The range of assets demonstrates the fund’s “ability to deliver creative capital solutions across multiple stages of the development cycle and a broad range of CRE asset classes” the announcement states.

The program draws capital from Cameron Stephens’ existing internal mortgage funds — including Cameron Stephens Mortgage Trust, Bay Street High Yield Fund, and Western Canada High Yield Fund, part of its efforts to significantly reduce time to close.

“Crossing the $100-million mark this quickly validates what we’re hearing from the market — borrowers experiencing longer approval timelines with traditional lenders and need private capital that can move with speed and precision,” the firm’s president and CEO, Steve Cameron, said in the announcement. “The Accelerated Lending Program lets us deploy smart capital efficiently, supporting our clients’ projects while maintaining the discipline our investors (expect).”

Fund backed by existing mortgage platforms

The program is backed by up to $500 million in discretionary capital from the Cameron Stephens’ mortgage funds, providing capacity for growth as the platform scales.

“The early momentum in this program has been very strong, both in terms of deal quality and volume,” Katie Bonar, SVP, investment management, added. “The short-duration, well-structured loans we are originating through the Accelerated Lending Program are delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns and complementing our broader credit strategies across the funds.”

Bonar had told RENX during an interview about the fund in August she hoped to achieve $100 million in loans by the end of 2025.

The loans are currently available in Ontario, Alberta and B.C., the provinces in which Cameron Stephens is licensed. It's offices are in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. However, it is working toward becoming a CMHC-approved lender to expand its geographic reach.

The company also leverages expertise from its investment committee, which is actively involved in real estate development and property management in the three provinces in which it operates.

About Cameron Stephens

Founded in 2004, Cameron Stephens is a Canadian real estate investment firm with nearly $3.6 billion in assets under administration. 

Cameron Stephens offers institutional and private investors opportunities to invest in commercial real estate, emphasizing consistency and stability in returns. It specializes in mortgage solutions through Cameron Stephens Mortgage Capital for developers across Canada.

Established in 2021, Cameron Stephens Equity Capital provides equity opportunities for strategically positioned developments.