These Membership Terms and Conditions (these “Terms”) govern membership in the Cross-Border Private Lenders Association. By submitting a membership application, paying the annual membership fee, or otherwise using CBPLA's website, member portal, directory, courses, events, or other resources, the applicant or member (“you” or the “Member”) agrees to be bound by these Terms, CBPLA's Privacy Policy, and CBPLA's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, each as amended from time to time.
1. Membership categories and eligibility
CBPLA offers the following membership categories. Each category has an annual fee in Canadian dollars, plus 13% HST, and a set number of included representatives, as shown on the CBPLA website and in the Membership Application:
- Student — $99 per year, for one verified student currently enrolled full- or part-time at an accredited university or college, subject to proof of enrollment.
- Individual Professional — $395 per year, for one individual lender, investor, originator or professional joining in a personal capacity.
- Corporate Lender — $1,995 per year, for a lending company or fund, with up to 5 representatives.
- Professional Service Provider — $2,500 per year, for a business providing legal, tax, compliance, title, servicing, insurance, technology or other specialized services to private lenders, with up to 5 representatives.
- Institutional Capital — $4,500 per year, for an institutional capital provider, with up to 10 representatives.
- Founding Circle — $5,000 per year, for an organization joining as an inaugural supporter, with up to 10 representatives and permanent recognition as a CBPLA Founding Member, subject to approval.
CBPLA may introduce, discontinue, or modify membership categories, and may change annual fees, on a prospective basis by posting updated terms on its website or providing notice to affected Members.
2. Application and approval
1. Membership is not automatic upon application. All applications are subject to review, acceptance, and approval by CBPLA in its discretion.
2. The applicant represents that the information provided in the membership application is complete and accurate to the best of the applicant's knowledge, and that the person submitting the application is authorized to act on behalf of the applicant organization.
3. CBPLA may request additional information reasonably required to assess or confirm eligibility, and may condition, delay, or decline an application on that basis.
4. Payment of the annual fee does not guarantee acceptance of an application. If an application is declined, the annual fee received, including HST, will be refunded.
5. Institutional Capital Membership and Founding Circle Membership are, in addition to the foregoing, subject to specific application and approval requirements described in the Membership Application.
3. Membership term and renewal
1. Membership begins when an application is approved and payment has been received, and continues for twelve (12) months unless otherwise stated in the applicant's acceptance notice.
2. Membership must be renewed annually. CBPLA may provide renewal reminders in advance of the expiry date, but the absence of a reminder does not extend a membership term.
3. Renewal is at the annual fee in effect at the time of renewal, which may differ from the fee paid in a prior term.
4. Membership does not renew automatically. Each renewal requires payment of the annual fee for the following twelve (12) months.
5. Founding Circle Members retain permanent recognition as a CBPLA Founding Member after their first year, but must renew under the applicable membership category, at that category's then-current annual fee, to continue receiving active Member benefits.
6. Membership benefits cease immediately when membership expires, is suspended, or is terminated. Continued use of the CBPLA name, designation, or emblem after membership ends is prohibited.
4. Fees and payment
1. Membership fees are annual fees only, stated in Canadian dollars and subject to 13% HST. There are no monthly or installment payment options.
2. Accepted payment methods are credit card through CBPLA's secure online payment page, electronic funds transfer (EFT), wire transfer and Interac e-Transfer. Card payments are processed by CBPLA's third-party payment processor, and CBPLA does not store full card numbers. Instructions for EFT, wire transfer and Interac e-Transfer are provided with the CBPLA invoice. Members must not send credit card details, banking passwords or other sensitive financial credentials to CBPLA by email or through CBPLA forms.
3. Except as expressly provided in Section 2(4) above (declined applications) or as otherwise required by law or expressly approved by CBPLA in writing, annual fees are non-refundable once membership has been approved and activated.
4. CBPLA reserves the right to suspend portal, directory, and other Member benefits for accounts with outstanding or failed payments, upon reasonable notice.
5. Representatives
1. Each membership category includes a defined number of named representatives, as set out in Section 1. Additional representatives may be added to an organization membership for $395 per person annually, plus 13% HST. Each representative uses a separate account.
2. Named representatives may participate in CBPLA activities and access Member benefits only while employed by, affiliated with, or otherwise authorized by the approved Member organization.
3. CBPLA may require a Member to replace a named representative whose conduct is inconsistent with the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct or these Terms.
4. Membership is personal to the approved individual or organization and may not be assigned or transferred to another individual or organization without CBPLA's prior written approval.
6. Member directory
1. Members may authorize CBPLA to publish a directory profile containing approved business information, and may specify which categories of information (such as organization name, contact details, business description, jurisdictions served, lending criteria, or services offered) are included, consistent with the directory preferences made available through the member portal or membership application.
2. A Member may update its directory preferences at any time by written request or through the member portal, where available.
3. CBPLA reserves the right to edit, decline, or remove directory content that is inaccurate, misleading, unlawful, inappropriate, or inconsistent with Association policies.
4. Listing in the CBPLA directory does not constitute an endorsement, certification, guarantee, or recommendation of any Member, its representatives, services, or transactions by CBPLA.
7. Use of the cbpla name, logo and designation
1. CBPLA authorizes Members to use its approved organization name and logo, and any applicable Member or Founding Member designation, solely for member directory listings, member announcements, event materials, and other uses approved in writing by CBPLA, and only while membership remains active and in good standing.
2. A Member must not use the CBPLA name, logo, designation, or member emblem in a manner that implies approval, certification, licensing, verification, or endorsement of the Member, its representatives, services, transactions, or counterparties by CBPLA.
3. A Member must not represent that any transaction, service, investment, lender, broker, provider, or opportunity has been approved or guaranteed by CBPLA.
4. This authorization may be withdrawn prospectively by CBPLA on written notice, subject to materials already produced or distributed in accordance with these Terms.
8. Code of ethics and professional conduct
As a condition of membership, each Member and its representatives agree to comply with CBPLA's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, as amended from time to time, which addresses honest and professional conduct, compliance with applicable Canadian and U.S. laws and licensing requirements, accurate communication, fair treatment of borrowers and counterparties, management of conflicts of interest, protection of confidential and personal information, and other standards of professional conduct. A Member is responsible for ensuring that its representatives participating under its membership are informed of the Code of Ethics.
9. Committees, councils and programs
1. Members may apply for participation in CBPLA committees, councils, or the Founding Industry Board. Appointment is at CBPLA's discretion and is not automatically included with membership.
2. Committee, council, and board participation does not provide equity or ownership in CBPLA, corporate voting rights, authority to bind CBPLA, guaranteed compensation, guaranteed speaking opportunities, or guaranteed commercial referrals.
3. Participation in CBPLA educational programs, including LendCheck and LendReady, webinars, roundtables and third-party conferences, is subject to separate program terms and, where applicable, the terms of the relevant third-party event organizer.
10. No regulatory status; no endorsement
1. CBPLA is a privately owned, for-profit corporation. Membership in CBPLA does not create a shareholder, partnership, agency, fiduciary, or joint-venture relationship with the Association.
2. Membership in CBPLA is not a license, regulatory approval, professional credential, or authorization to engage in lending, brokerage, securities, legal, accounting, tax, insurance, or other regulated activity.
3. Membership, and any CBPLA credential (including a LendCheck completion badge or LendReady Certified credential), does not constitute an endorsement, verification, warranty, or guarantee of a Member, its representatives, services, transactions, financial condition, or regulatory standing.
4. CBPLA does not guarantee referrals, introductions, transactions, funding, speaking opportunities, sponsorship benefits, business opportunities, or financial results.
5. Each Member remains solely responsible for obtaining its own independent legal, tax, accounting, licensing, regulatory, investment, and compliance advice, and for its own compliance with all applicable laws in every jurisdiction in which it operates.
11. Disclosure and regulatory history
Applicants and Members must disclose material licensing, regulatory, or disciplinary history as requested in the Membership Application. Disclosure does not automatically disqualify an applicant or Member; CBPLA may consider the nature, seriousness, relevance, age, and finality of any matter disclosed, and any remedial steps taken, in determining eligibility for membership or continued membership. A Member must promptly notify CBPLA of any material change affecting its membership eligibility, license status, regulatory standing, business activities, or directory information.
12. Communications
By becoming a Member, you consent to receive membership-administration communications, renewal notices, and other communications reasonably necessary to process, administer, or maintain your membership. You may separately consent to, and withdraw consent from, optional communications such as regulatory and industry updates, event invitations, educational announcements, newsletters, approved sponsor or partner communications, and marketing communications, through the preferences made available in the member portal or by written request. CBPLA will not sell Member personal information to third-party advertisers.
13. Suspension and termination
1. CBPLA may reject, condition, suspend, or terminate membership in accordance with these Terms, its governing documents, and the Code of Ethics, including where a Member breaches these Terms, provides false or misleading information, fails to pay the annual fee when due, or engages in conduct that CBPLA reasonably determines is harmful to CBPLA's reputation, its Members, or the cross-border private lending industry.
2. A Member may resign its membership at any time by written notice to CBPLA. Except as required by law or expressly approved by CBPLA, annual fees already paid are non-refundable upon resignation.
3. Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination or expiry of membership — including Sections 7 (Use of the CBPLA Name, Logo and Designation), 10 (No Regulatory Status; No Endorsement), 15 (Intellectual Property), 16 (Limitation of Liability), and 17 (Indemnification) — will survive.
14. Privacy
CBPLA's collection, use, and disclosure of personal information provided in connection with membership is governed by CBPLA's Privacy Policy, available on the CBPLA website, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.
15. Intellectual property
1. All CBPLA content — including state and provincial guides, webinars, the Cross-Border Lender Readiness Assessment, LendCheck and LendReady course materials, and other resources made available to Members — is owned by or licensed to CBPLA and is provided for the Member's internal business use only.
2. A Member must not reproduce, distribute, sell, or create derivative works from CBPLA content without CBPLA's prior written consent, other than sharing a validly issued LendCheck badge or LendReady Certified credential for legitimate professional purposes (such as a professional profile or website).
3. CBPLA may use a Member's approved name, logo, and profile information for directory, membership-recognition, and Association promotional purposes, subject to the permissions the Member has selected under Section 6.
16. Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, CBPLA, its directors, officers, employees, and agents will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, or for any loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunity, arising out of or in connection with a Member's participation in CBPLA, its resources, courses, events, directory, or Cross-Border Connection Desk introductions, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. CBPLA's resources and introductions are provided on an “as is” basis, without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including as to accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.
17. Indemnification
Each Member agrees to indemnify and hold harmless CBPLA, its directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of the Member's breach of these Terms, the Member's use of CBPLA's name, logo, or directory listing, or the Member's own transactions, services, or conduct, except to the extent caused by CBPLA's own gross negligence or wilful misconduct.
18. Governing law and disputes
These Terms are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Each Member irrevocably attorns to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario for any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Member's participation in CBPLA.
19. General provisions
1. Amendment. CBPLA may amend these Terms from time to time by posting updated terms on its website or otherwise notifying Members. Continued membership or use of CBPLA resources after an amendment takes effect constitutes acceptance of the amended Terms.
2. Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with the Membership Application, the Privacy Policy, and the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, constitute the entire agreement between a Member and CBPLA with respect to membership, and supersede all prior discussions, understandings, or agreements, whether written or oral, on that subject.
3. Severability. If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
4. No Waiver. CBPLA's failure to enforce any provision of these Terms is not a waiver of its right to do so later.
5. Notices. Notices under these Terms will be given in writing and delivered by email to the addresses used by the parties for ordinary membership communications, or such other address as either party designates in writing.
Cross-Border Private Lenders Association · Jasmine Daya & Co. serves as legal counsel to CBPLA.