top of page
First-Island-3.jpg

About Us:

First Island Financial Services Ltd. is a locally owned and operated independent Mortgage Investment Company (MIC). We service Alberta and British Columbia with the majority of our clients based on Vancouver Island and surrounding areas. Our office is located in Cordova Bay.

We have a diversified portfolio mix to enhance security, and a rigorous application process for prospective borrowers as well as conservative lending guidelines.

 

There is a team of professionals behind each investment, providing hands on services from selection and approval through to completion of the real estate project. First Island maintains an active role throughout the duration of all projects, applying our proven management system to each development. We proudly hold an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau for over 30 years. 

 

First Island's owners also have monies invested in our MIC, further endorsing the confidence we all have in our proven formula of success for our 500+ investors receiving superior returns.

Contact us today for any questions or to find our more about First Island!

Our Team:

Phil Wooster, B. Comm., R.I. (BC)

First-Island-13_edited.jpg

Chief Mortgage Officer

Phil Wooster is a Commercial Mortgage Broker, a graduate of the UBC Faculty of Commerce and a long-standing member of the Real Estate Institute of BC. Phil is a Member of First Island's Board of Directors.

Phil's career started at the Royal Bank where he began focusing professionally and academically on real estate investment and financing. Phil is responsible for sourcing and underwriting qualified investments for First Island's real estate portfolio. Through diligence, research, and an emphasis on service, Phil provides a high caliber product in a niche market. This contributes to the high quality reputation held by First Island in the industry.

Darrell Morgan, B.Comm., CPA, CGA

KGP01504_edited.jpg

President, CFO

Darrell Morgan is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UBC. Darrell joined First Island in 2001 as Chief Financial Officer and became President in 2018. He is a Member of Board of Directors and the Lending Committee.

Darrell's accounting and financial experience includes Ernst and Young Chartered Accountants, Trident Trust Company (Cayman Islands) and Coast Capital Savings Credit Union - Treasury and Finance departments. Darrell manages First Island's financial and investor accounting/reporting along with compliance requirements and audits. He also administers the real estate investment portfolio and assists with the client portfolio.

Kirstie Ralph, CPA, BBA

First-Island-11_edited.jpg

Controller

Kirstie Ralph is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Administration in Accounting from Camosun College. Kirstie joined First Island in January 2015 and is a Member of Board of Directors and the Lending Committee.

 

Kirstie oversees the accounting operations of First Island. In addition, she completes mortgage transaction activity and loan financial administration, as well as year-end and audit preparation.

Prior to joining First Island, Kirstie had several years of accounting experience and also worked within the customer service department at BC Ferries for over 6 years.

Kyla Sobkowicz

Copy of First-Island-9_edited_edited.jpg

Mortgage Officer & Administrator

Kyla Sobkowicz is a registered sub-mortgage broker with the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) Registrar of Mortgage brokers, completing course requirements with UBC Sauder School of Business in 2019. Kyla also holds Administration, Office and Accounting Certificates with North Island College. Kyla joined First Island in January 2017 upon her return to Victoria after working in the Hospitality industry on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, in Tofino for over 8 years. 

Kyla is involved with the sourcing and underwriting of qualified investments for First Island’s Real Estate portfolio and all mortgage financing related responsibilities. Additionally, Kyla assists with office administration, accounting operations, marketing, and social media.

Alyssa Catinus

KGP01475_edited.jpg

Manager, Investor Relations

Alyssa joined the First Island team in February 2020 as an Administrative Assistant. She has many years of administrative & customer service experience in both finance and post-secondary education. She holds certificates in Accounting and Exempt Market Proficiency and is a Registered Dealing Representative. 

 

In June 2022, Alyssa took on the role of Investor Relations Manager and now oversees & administers all investment operations. 

Loan Proposals by :

Phil Wooster

Chief Mortgage Officer

Kyla Sobkowicz

Mortgage Officer & Administrator

Loan Review Committee:

Mark W.L. Lindholm

B.A., L.L.B

Darrell Morgan

B.Comm., CPA

Kirstie Ralph

CPA, BBA

Alyssa Catinus

Dealing Representative

bottom of page