Mortgage Squad vs. CENTUM (2026): An Honest Comparison for Mortgage Agents

CENTUM is one of Canada's established national mortgage brokerage franchise networks and regularly comes up when agents are choosing where to hang their licence. This comparison is written by a competitor, so read it critically and verify every detail directly with both brokerages before you decide. See also: the questions every agent should ask before signing.

The short answer

CENTUM is a national mortgage brokerage franchise network in Canada with a broad agent footprint and established brand recognition. Mortgage Squad is a boutique, FSRA-licensed brokerage (#13737) built around published commission tiers, a single low refundable fee, and live hands-on training. If you value a large national network, CENTUM is worth exploring. If you value transparent terms and direct mentorship from our Broker Manager, Mortgage Squad is built for that. Neither is the right answer for everyone — it depends on where you are in your career and what you need to succeed. Explore Mortgage Squad careers.

What CENTUM is

CENTUM is a long-standing national mortgage brokerage franchise network operating across Canada. Like most franchise models, the network provides a brand umbrella, lender relationships, and a compliance framework, while individual franchisees or offices set their own operational terms — including commission splits, monthly fees, and day-to-day training and support. That structure means the CENTUM experience can vary meaningfully from one location to another. The honest takeaway: you're partly evaluating the brand and partly evaluating the specific franchise. Ask to speak with current agents at that office, not just the recruiter.

Is CENTUM good to work for?

That question is best answered at the office level, not the network level. The four things that actually determine your experience:

• Commission split — is the tier schedule published and written, or do you have to ask?
• Monthly fees — what do you pay, and are any refundable against production?
• Training — live and ongoing, or a video library? Who delivers it?
• Mentorship — will a senior broker work your early deals with you, or is it open-door only?

More detail: what to look for in training and mentorship.

How Mortgage Squad compares

We publish our terms because we think agents should be able to compare before they commit — not after. Here's what we offer:

• Published commission tiers — 60% while you're in training (with our Broker Manager co-signing every deal so you're never on your own), rising through 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, and up to 100% at high funded volume. The full schedule is at the commission tier table — no negotiation required, no surprises.
• One flat $100/month platform fee, fully refunded at year-end for agents who fund $5M or more. No desk fee, no franchise fee, no tech-stack add-ons.
• Live training on weekdays and weekends, led by our Broker Manager — not a recorded library. See the training program.
• Structured one-on-one mentorship with a senior broker through your first deals — how mentorship works.

See also: the best mortgage brokerage for new agents in Canada.

Franchise network vs. boutique brokerage: which model suits you?

A franchise network gives you a recognized national name — useful for client credibility and lender access. The trade-off is that your day-to-day experience depends on the individual franchise, and fees reflect that overhead. A boutique brokerage trades the national brand for consistent, published terms and direct access to the principal broker. When you have a deal question at Mortgage Squad, you reach our Broker Manager directly — not a regional rep. The fuller version of this debate is in franchise vs. independent brokerage in Canada.

What to ask CENTUM (or any brokerage) before you sign

• What is my split, and is the tier schedule in writing?
• What are all monthly costs— fees, desk charges, tech, E&O — and are any refundable?
• Who delivers my training, and how often does it run?
• Will a broker work my deals with me in my first year?
• What happens to my book if I leave?

Any good brokerage should answer these readily. If answers are vague, that's information too. Agents already in the business: see how to switch brokerages in Ontario.

Alternatives to CENTUM worth considering

Don't stop at two options. Other comparisons agents find useful: vs. Dominion Lending Centres, vs. The Mortgage Group, vs. Mortgage Alliance, and vs. VERICO. For the income picture across brokerages, see mortgage agent salary and income in Ontario.

Frequently asked questions

Is CENTUM a good brokerage to work for?

CENTUM is a well-established national mortgage franchise network in Canada. Agent experience varies by location because individual franchisees set many of their own operational terms — including splits, fees, and support. The network's quality at your specific office is what matters most, so speak with agents already working there before committing.

What is the CENTUM commission split?

CENTUM operates as a franchise network, and commission structures are typically set at the individual office or franchisee level rather than published uniformly by the network. Terms vary by location — confirm the exact split, any associated fees, and whether the schedule is published directly with the CENTUM office you're considering.

What do CENTUM agent reviews say?

Reviews for CENTUM reflect a wide range because each franchise operates independently. Agent experience — training quality, support, culture — depends heavily on the specific office. Reviews for your local franchise are more useful than aggregate network scores.

What are the best alternatives to CENTUM for mortgage agents?

It depends what you're optimizing for. Boutique brokerages like Mortgage Squad offer published tiers and structured mentorship. National networks like DLC, VERICO, and The Mortgage Group are also worth comparing. Focus on split transparency, fees, live training, and mentorship — the specifics matter more than the name.

Is this an unbiased comparison?

No — it's written by Mortgage Squad, so we have an obvious interest. We've aimed to describe CENTUM fairly at a high level without inventing specific numbers or policies. Verify everything directly with each brokerage. The framework is useful regardless of who you choose.

Ready to see exactly what Mortgage Squad offers? Apply confidentially or browse everything about careers at Mortgage Squad — no obligation, and every conversation stays private.