EQB Inc. reported a 22% year-to-date return and a 36% gain over the past year at the 25th Annual CIBC Eastern Institutional Investor Conference on September 24, 2026. The company's shares traded at $88.63, with a market capitalization of $3.77 billion. Anilisa Sainani, EQB's Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the company's growth trajectory and credit challenges.
EQB's customer base expanded to 4 million following the acquisition of PC Financial, reaching 18 million Canadians through the PC Optimum loyalty network. The company's revenue mix shifted by 400 to 500 basis points toward more diversified income sources in the first month after the acquisition. PC Financial generates CAD 32 billion in annual spending and earns insurance commissions from 90,000 policies.
EQB targeted CAD 30 million in cost synergies over the first few years, with 50% of that annual target realized in the first month alone. The company reported a loss of $0.22 per share over the last twelve months ending Q3 2026, with an expected return to profitability and projected revenue growth of 37% for fiscal 2026. The long-term target is to return to mid-teen return on equity (ROE) levels.
The housing backdrop was described as a 'one in 25-year event' driven by the most aggressive rate-tightening cycle in about 25 years. Average loan-to-value (LTV) ratios in the single-family book are about 65% to 70%. More than 85% of the commercial portfolio is insured, with about two new loan formations on an uninsured basis in Q3.
Anilisa Sainani emphasized the importance of credit cards as early warning signs: 'Cards are different. They are unsecured, so they carry higher loss rates, obviously. Cards can be a little bit of the canary in the coal mine. You will not pay your credit card bill before you will not pay your car, before you will not pay your mortgage.' She also stated the goal of making EQB a household name: 'I hope we're talking about EQB being a household name next year. You cannot compete if people don't know you exist.'
