Urban Financial Services Coalition pays tribute to Paget Warner, pioneer of CAUFP and UFSC – Toronto.
August 9, 2023

Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC) extends its condolences as it mourns the passing of Paget Warner, the visionary founder of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP) and the precursor organization, Toronto Chapter of Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC – Toronto). Paget Warner, a trailblazer in the financial sector, leaves behind a legacy that has transformed the landscape of minority financial professionals in both Canada and the United States.

Paget Warner began his career in the financial services industry during the 1970s, witnessing the ebbs and flows of bear and bull markets over his four-decade-long tenure. His journey in Toronto’s financial hub, Bay Street, commenced after he answered a job posting at Excelsior Life. Subsequently, he held pivotal roles at Toronto Hydro and National Trust, later Scotia Cassels, where he made history as the first black man to manage a billion-dollar portfolio within the oil and gas sector.

For many, Paget Warner’s visionary spirit is what truly sets him apart and inspires. In 1996, he conceived the idea of uniting minority financial professionals to nurture their skills, foster networks, support young talent in the financial services industry and impart financial literacy within black communities. This culminated in the formation of the National Association of Urban Bankers (NAUB) – Toronto Chapter, in partnership with the New York Chapter of the National Association of Urban Bankers. The NAUB eventually evolved into Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC) in 2000, now recognized as the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP).

Paget’s legacy extends far beyond his professional achievements. He played an instrumental role in establishing organizations aimed at uplifting the black community. Notable contributions include the creation of Brandon Street, dedicated to improving the lives of Black children and families, and Sunrise Investment, an initiative focused on imparting financial literacy and intergenerational wealth knowledge to the Black community. His support also extended to the Alleyne Scholarship program and the Self-Esteem Academy.

Ditu Kasuyi, President of the UFSC Advisory Board, fondly recalls a conversation with Paget Warner during his tenure as National President of UFSC. Kasuyi speaks of being inspired by Paget’s unwavering commitment to empowering black individuals and his genuine belief in the potential of minority financial professionals to drive positive change in both Canada and the United States.

Paget Warner’s legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched and the organizations he nurtured. His family, alongside the vibrant communities he supported, will ensure that his vision continues to thrive through the initiatives of CAUFP and UFSC.

For more information on UFSC, be sure to visit www.ufscnet.org.

About Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC):
UFSC is a prominent financial services organization dedicated to fostering diversity, economic empowerment, and professional advancement within the industry. Guided by its mission to promote career growth, educational enrichment, and economic self-sufficiency, UFSC advocates for equitable opportunities for individuals of color across all tiers of the financial services sector.

###