Canadian Lenders Association Appoints goeasy’s Patrick Ens as Vice Chair
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadian Lenders Association Appoints goeasy’s Patrick Ens as Vice Chair
Appointment strengthens representation of non bank and alternative lenders on the CLA Board
Toronto, ON, December 12, 2025 – The Canadian Lenders Association (CLA) today announced that Patrick Ens, President of easyfinancial, has been appointed Vice Chair of the CLA Board of Directors.
Ens, who will soon assume the role of CEO at goeasy, brings deep expertise from the non-bank and alternative lending sector, with a career focused on expanding responsible access to credit for Canadians who are often underserved by traditional financial institutions. In his role at easyfinancial, Ens has led national growth initiatives, strengthened customer-centric credit strategies, and advanced data-driven risk and underwriting practices.
The appointment reflects the CLA’s commitment to ensuring balanced leadership across banks, non-bank lenders, fintechs, and ecosystem partners as the lending landscape continues to evolve.
“Patrick brings an essential perspective to the Vice Chair role,” said Gary Schwartz, President & CEO of the Canadian Lenders Association. “Non-bank lenders play a critical role in Canada’s credit ecosystem, particularly for near-prime consumers and small businesses. Patrick’s experience scaling a national platform while maintaining a strong focus on consumer outcomes and responsible lending will add tremendous value to the Board.”
As Vice Chair, Ens will work closely with Chair Michael McGhee and the Board to advance priorities that include:
- Ensuring policy frameworks reflect the realities of non bank and alternative lenders
- Promoting fair, transparent, and inclusive access to credit
- Supporting innovation in underwriting, data, and customer lifecycle management
- Strengthening collaboration between banks, non banks, fintechs, and regulators
“I am honoured to step into the Vice Chair role at the Canadian Lenders Association,” said Patrick Ens, President of easyfinancial. “Non-bank lenders are a vital part of Canada’s financial system, helping millions of Canadians access credit responsibly. The CLA provides an important forum to ensure that regulatory discussions, innovation strategies, and industry standards reflect the full lending ecosystem. I look forward to contributing to that work alongside the Board and membership.”
Ens’ appointment comes as the CLA continues to expand its policy engagement, executive roundtables, and national events focused on credit access, fraud, affordability, and responsible innovation across consumer and small business lending.
About the Canadian Lenders Association
The Canadian Lenders Association (CLA) represents banks, credit unions, non bank lenders, fintechs, and ecosystem partners committed to innovation, transparency, and responsible access to credit for Canadians. The CLA provides advocacy, research, peer collaboration platforms, and sector-specific events that support stronger consumer and business lending outcomes nationwide.
About goeasy
goeasy Ltd. is a Canadian company, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, that provides non-prime leasing and lending services through its easyhome, easyfinancial and LendCare brands. Supported by over 2,600 employees, the Company offers a wide variety of financial products and services including unsecured and secured instalment loans, merchant financing through a variety of verticals and lease-to-own merchandise. Customers can transact seamlessly through an omni-channel model that includes online and mobile platforms, over 400 locations across Canada, and point-of-sale financing offered in the retail, powersports, automotive, home improvement and healthcare verticals, through approximately 11,200 merchant partners across Canada. Throughout the Company’s history, it has acquired and organically served approximately 1.6 million Canadians and originated over C$17.5 billion in loans.
For more information, visit www.canadianlenders.org