First National Financial Corporation has appointed Hassan Pirnia as its next president and CEO, effective November 2, 2026, marking a significant leadership transition at Canada’s largest non-bank mortgage lender. Pirnia, a BMO veteran with deep roots in the mortgage broker channel, succeeds Jason Ellis after 22 years at the helm.
The appointment signals First National’s continued commitment to broker distribution — a channel that has become increasingly vital to Canada’s mortgage market. Research shows 38% of Canadians now arrange mortgages through brokers, with first-time buyer adoption reaching 48% in 2026.
Pirnia brings credible broker channel expertise, having architected BMO BrokerEdge, the platform that marked BMO’s return to broker distribution in 2024. His mandate includes expanding digital and AI-enabled tools across the mortgage process as First National navigates softer housing conditions and intensified competition from chartered banks.
For GTA real estate professionals and investors, this leadership change underscores the growing influence of mortgage brokers in residential transactions and the industry’s pivot toward technology-driven lending solutions. First National’s $170 billion portfolio under administration and top-three market share position among non-bank brokers makes this transition particularly relevant to Toronto’s mortgage landscape.
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