RFA Mortgages, Explained

RFA is a broker-only lender group built from two companies working side by side — a prime mortgage lender and a Schedule I bank for alternative lending. That combination means RFA can often keep a file in-house even if it doesn’t fit a standard bank box. Here’s how the two sides of RFA work, and how we get your file to the right one.

Quick answer: RFA is actually two lenders under one roof, reachable only through a mortgage broker. RFA Mortgage Corporation writes prime mortgages for well-qualified borrowers, while RFA Bank of Canada (formerly Street Capital Bank) handles alternative lending with more flexible, common-sense underwriting. That split lets RFA serve straightforward files and more complex ones without you having to shop two separate companies. We assess your file, place it with the right side of RFA, and compare it against 30+ other lenders.

Broker-only

Not offered directly to consumers

Prime + Alt

Two lending arms, one lender group

Schedule I bank

RFA Bank of Canada

Formerly Street Capital

RFA Bank of Canada’s earlier name

Prime and alternative under one roof

Most lenders specialize in one lane — prime or alternative — and send you elsewhere if your file doesn’t fit. RFA is built differently. RFA Mortgage Corporation handles prime mortgages for borrowers with straightforward income and credit, while RFA Bank of Canada handles alternative lending for files that need more flexible underwriting. Because both sides sit under the same lender group, we can place — or move — your file to whichever arm fits best, without starting over with a different company.

Who is RFA?

RFA Bank of Canada is a Schedule I bank, formerly known as Street Capital Bank of Canada. RFA Mortgage Corporation is its broker-channel arm for prime mortgages. Together they make up the RFA lender group — reachable only through a licensed mortgage broker, not by walking into a branch or applying directly online. We deal with RFA regularly and know which side of the business tends to fit which type of file.

RFA’s mortgage line-up

The two sides of RFA we place deals with

Division	What it is	Best for
RFA Mortgage Corporation (Prime)	Traditional fixed and variable-rate mortgages	Well-qualified borrowers with straightforward income and credit
RFA Bank of Canada (Alternative)	Common-sense underwriting outside standard bank guidelines	Self-employed, credit rebuild, or non-traditional income

Why brokers like having RFA in the toolkit

Because RFA covers both prime and alternative lending, it gives us a fallback inside the same relationship if a file doesn’t quite fit the “A” box — instead of restarting the search with an entirely different lender. It’s a broker-exclusive lender, so you won’t find RFA at a branch or be able to compare it yourself online; that legwork is what we’re here for.

How a Calgary mortgage broker helps with RFA

RFA doesn’t deal directly with the public — a broker is the only door in. Here’s what we do with it:

We assess which side of RFA — prime or alternative — actually fits your file, and place it there first.
We compare RFA’s offer against 30+ other lenders so you know it’s competitive, not just convenient.
If your circumstances change mid-process, we can pivot between RFA’s prime and alternative arms without starting from scratch.
It’s free, with no credit hit to start and no obligation.

Mortgage Application

Get RFA’s best fit — prime or alternative — in one place

2-minute form
No credit check to start
Bank-level encryption
No obligation

Frequently asked questions

Who is RFA?

RFA is a lender group made up of RFA Bank of Canada (a Schedule I bank, formerly Street Capital Bank) and RFA Mortgage Corporation, its prime broker-channel arm. Together they offer both prime and alternative mortgages, available only through a mortgage broker.

Is RFA the same as Street Capital?

RFA Bank of Canada was formerly known as Street Capital Bank of Canada. It’s now part of the RFA lender group, alongside RFA Mortgage Corporation.

Can I get an RFA mortgage without a broker?

No. RFA is a broker-only lender group — its mortgages aren’t available by walking into a branch or applying directly online.

What’s the difference between RFA Mortgage Corporation and RFA Bank of Canada?

RFA Mortgage Corporation handles prime mortgages for well-qualified borrowers, while RFA Bank of Canada handles alternative lending for files that need more flexible, common-sense underwriting.

Is RFA a good fit for self-employed or alternative borrowers?

It can be — RFA Bank of Canada’s alternative lending arm is built for files that don’t fit standard bank guidelines, such as self-employed income or credit rebuild. We’ll assess your file and confirm if it’s a fit.

Thinking about an RFA mortgage? Let’s find the right fit

Whether your file is straightforward or needs more flexible underwriting, we’ll place it with the right side of RFA — and show you how it compares to everyone else. Apply online in about two minutes, or book a no-pressure discovery call.

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Free · No credit check to start · No obligation

This article is general information, not financial, mortgage or legal advice. Lender products, rates, features and underwriting criteria vary, are subject to change and depend on lender approval. RFA is not affiliated with Mortgages for Less and no endorsement is implied. Please speak with a licensed mortgage professional about your specific circumstances. Mortgages for Less with INDI Mortgage.