Features
Morley Greene: Trez Capital is Trés Terrific
By GERRY POSNER “Serendipity” is how Morley Greene describes what has brought him success in life. Perhaps he’s right, but I concluded, after chatting with him and reading articles about him – the most recent one in the Toronto Globe and Mail, that it was more than serendipity that has given Morley the life that he has now at age 81.
The only child of Abe and Sara Greenberg, Morley was raised across the street from St. John’s High School at Machray Avenue and Salter Street. Not surprisingly, he attended St. John’s High School, though he ultimately graduated Grade 12 at West Kildonan Collegiate. Morley admits he was a disinterested student. His tenacity carried him through though and, as he got older, his interest in learning blossomed.
Law was the path Morley Greene chose and it was a part of his life for over 32 years, after graduating from the University of Manitoba law school. His law career began in Winnipeg, then Edmonton and finally, Vancouver. His career took off almost right from the start, and it was not long after that he started his career that he was made a partner at the very prestigious law firm of Buchwald Asper Henteleff.
The future looked promising and soon after he was married, he was the father of three children. In 1976, Morley, just 35 years old, and with a young family, made a bold decision – a decision which changed his life forever. He decided to leave Winnipeg and try to take his tent and talent elsewhere. He credits the late Izzy Asper with paving his way to another high powered law firm in Edmonton. Izzy called his friend, Aaron Shtabsky, and soon Morley was ensconced at Shtabsky and Company. He specialized in tax, mortgages and the real estate industry. Had Morley remained in Edmonton, it would likedly have been all that he needed for the rest of his life in order to be a financial success.
But then another opportunity presented itself to Morley. The Imperial Development Group came calling. This company, led by Donald Gales, Gerald Libling and Gerald Raizen was in the midst of major property acquisitions and development in Winnipeg and elsewhere. Morley was invited to join the company in an executive capacity. It was a major step up for Morley.
In 1979, he and his family moved back to Winnipeg and things went well – until they didn’t. The high interest rates of the 1980s were no doubt a key factor in the eventual dissolution of the Imperial Group. Morley Greene had to start over.
In 1991 he headed further west – this time to Vancouver, where he joined the very well know law firm of Owen Bird. He became licensed to practice law in British Columbia, his third call to the Bar – after Manitoba and Alberta. For six more years Greene was once again a hard working lawyer in a big firm. But then Morley made a second major decision that changed the course of his entire career. In 1997, he gave up law and decided to take on an entirely new challenge in an industry for which he had been advising as legal counsel for a significant part of his legal career.
In 1997 Morley struck out on his own and started a corporation he called Trez Capital (the name came from a variation of the French word “Treize,” which means thirteen). The company began as a mortgage lender. I will not dig deep into all the projects with which Trez Capital has been involved over the years, but there are very many.
Trez Capital has set new standards for the industry over the past 25 years with institutional-grade processes and strict compliance adherence. The history of the company is well recorded in the recent Globe and Mail article featuring Morley and the story of Trez to which I referred earlier.
What is important to acknowledge is this: From nothing (well not quite, as Morley did raise $3 million dollars to start with from private investors), Morley has made Trez the biggest real estate lender in Canada after the banks. Dwell on that statement. The company has funded more than 1600 transactions for a total value of $14 1/2 billion (you read that right), all channeled into different multi-family dwelling, industrial and office projects.
Trez Capital is active all over Canada and the US. The company has offices in Toronto, Montreal, Dallas, Palm Beach, Atlanta, New York, Seattle, Los Angeles and Vancouver. The company has over 170 employees and assets of over $4 billion under its management. Think about it – all that from a Winnipeg kid from the north end.
I would suggest that part of what made Morley and his company so successful is the way he approaches his work and indeed, his relationships with the people around him. Morley interacts well with everyone and demonstrates a genuine interest in them. Moreover, he is not afraid to admit mistakes. He was quite concerned, for instance, that as a result of the Covid pandemic, Trez Capital would face unpredictable problems, so the company made the decision to stop lending.
Morley anticipated defaults coming – and a lot of them. He was wrong – and he admits it. Instead, there were no defaults and, in fact, Trez Capital had a record number of payoffs on its loans. The result of all that is that, throughout the pandemic the company has remained in good shape and it has resumed investing and lending across North America.
Maybe the most telling part of the Trez Capital story is that the company has over 30,000 individual investors and many of those investors (and indeed, many borrowers) have been investing with (and borrowing from) Trez Capital since 1997 – when the company first began. That tells me that Morley knows what being in a relationship-driven business is all about and that he and his team have developed an esteemed – and well-deserved reputation for trustworthiness.
When the pandemic was in full force, Trez Capital, led by Morley Greene, reached out to its investor base, calling them each week to keep them informed as to the current status of the company. Morley and his top brass also made sure that all key employees were informed as to what was transpiring, in accordance with the most rigorous standards of corporate transparency – further evidence of a corporation that places a premium on individual relationships.
At 81, Morley is still very active in Trez Capital, even though he has ascended to a more hands-off role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. When I spoke to him, he was busy in his Dallas office. He spoke very proudly of his three children: daughter Mara – now Madam Justice Mara Greene of the Ontario Court of Justice (and, in her spare time a hockey player); daughter Sara Greene, a professor at McMaster University in the Faculty of Social Work; and son Jonathan, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Political Studies at Trent University.
As I mentioned at the outset, Morley attributes his success to serendipity. I would suggest otherwise. In my view, Morley’s life work and in particular, his creation and building of Trez Capital is a testament to Morley Greene’s work ethic, tenacity and commitment to valuable relationships – trés outstanding and nothing less.
Features
The Popularity of Simpler Slot Games in 2026: Review From Casino Online CrazyTower Experts
Online casinos now fill their libraries with numerous video slots that have dozens of functions, long bonus rounds, complex mechanics, and so on. Interestingly, despite this huge range of modern options, many Canadian visitors at sites like Casino Online CrazyTower here https://crazytower.com/ca/ no longer want complicated gameplay that requires constant attention and long explanations.
Simpler slots now attract a wider audience because they save time and create faster sessions. So, let’s figure out why this change happened and reasons for the popularity of simpler machines.
Why Many Players Are Returning to Basic Gameplay
Modern websites like Casino Online CrazyTower pushed complex video slots for years, but many people now prefer classic formats again. Simple gameplay has fewer interruptions and is simpler in terms of budgeting, which is important when you gamble for fun.
These are a few potential reasons explain why simpler slots became popular again in 2026:
- Faster rounds. Symbols appear quickly, and rounds continue without long animations or extended bonus sequences.
- Easier controls. Most classic slots have simple menus and familiar layouts that don’t confuse new visitors.
- Smaller feature lists. Simple slots usually have standard wilds, scatters, and multipliers instead of dozens of random mechanics.
- Better session flow. People spend more time on gameplay instead of reading explanations about symbols and special functions.
- Lower visual pressure. Simpler slots use calmer designs and shorter effects that don’t overload attention.
Classic gameplay also suits mobile devices better because shorter rounds work well on smaller screens. Plus, many visitors now prefer games that start instantly and explain their mechanics within seconds.
Features That Make Simpler Slots Appealing
Simple machines at Casino Online CrazyTower and similar websites continue to attract attention because they have a high gameplay speed. Many classic titles also replicate older casino machines that people already know from physical casinos.
However, these aren’t the only factors that attract gamblers. So, check out this list:
- Short bonus rounds. Free spins and multipliers finish quickly instead of interrupting gameplay for several minutes.
- Common and standard paylines. Traditional layouts help people understand payouts without long explanations.
- Faster loading times. Simpler graphics reduce waiting time on phones, tablets, and older computers.
- Stable gameplay pace. Long cutscenes and constant pop-up notifications don’t interrupt the session.
- Traditional themes. Fruit symbols, bars, sevens, and classic casino designs still attract large audiences.
- Smaller menus. Important information appears immediately without complicated tabs or hidden sections.
Modern video slots often contain too many mechanics in a single game. Developers now combine expanding reels, random modifiers, mission systems, tournaments, and multiple bonus levels in one title. Many visitors lose interest because gameplay turns repetitive and overloaded with constant interruptions.
Compare this to a session when you get results immediately and aren’t interrupted. These still have free spins and even mini risk games, but not as loaded as innovative titles.
Conclusion
Simple slots usually create better replay value because people understand the mechanics immediately. Common and standard gameplay doesn’t cause frustration and allows faster decisions during casino sessions.
Many classic slots also function better during short breaks because rounds finish quickly without long bonus interruptions. That’s why simpler slots became popular again at many casinos, including Casino Online CrazyTower and such.
Features
Football: Which team from Israel could we see in the European Cup next year?
With Europe’s club competitions heading into another summer of drama, Israeli football is on the table. The domestic season is done, trophies picked up and now a new batch of clubs can now try their luck against continental competition.
What are the prospects of these teams in Europe next year and who are they? It all starts with Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s title, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s cup win and the competition of the best Israel football teams against each other, as fans look to Champions League on Wincomparator to see what teams are in contention.
How Israel’s clubs qualify for Europe: The 2026-2027 spots
Qualification to join the European elite hinges on the 2025-26 Israeli Premier League table and the Israel State Cup. Israel will have one Champions League spot, one Europa League spot, and two Europa Conference League spots in 2026-27.
That means the league winner gets into the Champions League, the State Cup winner goes on to Europa League qualifying. The next eligible league’s finishers take the Conference League slots. It’s a good model as it provides a tangible reward for consistency at home, while at the same time demonstrating the importance of each playoff game. A top three finish can help a club’s summer, bring in better players and provide fans with a European tour before the next season’s start.
The Champion’s quest: Israel’s hope for the Champions League
Meet the 2025-26 Premier League winner: Hapoel Be’er Sheva
Hapoel Be’er Sheva have qualified for Israel’s Champions League after their Israeli Premier League title win with 79 points scored in 36 games. Ran Kozuch’s side closed the gap on the three-point lead but also showed significant strength in the attacking phase to secure a win in a crucial championship round with Beitar Jerusalem.
Their challenge also comes as their reward. Hapoel Be’er Sheva are only expected to begin in the second round of the Champions League, not the league round. To get to the main competition they need to pass through the first round of the other national champions in two-legged ties, and their seeding, fitness and sharpness in early-season competition could be a game breaker.
While the club has experience in Europe and a rabid Turner Stadium following, the path is tough. It takes one bad outing to wipe out a year’s worth of work. However, as long as the bedrock remains the same and they are able to put some depth into the team, the champions have the balance to fight.
Battling in the Conference League: Israel’s other European contenders
The State Cup winner and league runners-up
Maccabi Tel Aviv go to Europe after the Israel State Cup final 2-1 win against Hapoel Be’er Sheva at Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem. That win denied Be’er Sheva a home double, and also meant that Maccabi got into the Europa League qualifying, where they were put in the second qualifying round thanks to access-list rebalancing.
The Conference League qualifiers are Beitar Jerusalem who finished second in the league with 76 points, and Hapoel Tel Aviv who finished fourth with 60 points. The importance of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s cup victory lies in the fact that it unlocked the rest of the way in the league. Beitar’s season was particularly impressive as they scored 78 goals and lost just four matches. On the other hand, Hapoel Tel Aviv managed to remain above Maccabi Haifa in the final table standing, earning them a well-deserved European berth.
The Europa Conference League is no consolation prize for these clubs. It’s a realistic platform. Although there are still a few hurdles to navigate, Israeli sides consider this competition to be the most realistic one for European football in the autumn.
A look at past successes and future hopes
This group has reason for belief, based on recent history. Israeli teams can make significant nights in Europe, and Maccabi Haifa did just that, when they made it into the Champions League group stage in 2022-23, and then impressively took out Juventus 2-0 in Haifa.
There is significant monetary and sporting worth in qualification. A UEFA cup can make a difference to a club, as can better attendance, TV coverage and recruitment opportunities. The early storylines will be the draw for Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Champions League, as well as Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa league and the two Conference League routes — Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv. They all have tricky paths to follow, but all four provide Israeli football with a realistic European presence next summer.
Features
At one time one entire block of McAdam Ave. was almost totally Jewish
This story originally appeared in a November 2014 issue of The Jewish Post & News:
1994 McAdam Ave. reunion (names inside story)By GERRY POSNER (This story first appeared in November 2014.)
Once upon a time when life was simpler and gentler, there was a street in the north end of Winnipeg which was like all other streets in the city except in one significant way. Everyone, but for one family, living on McAdam east of Main Street was Jewish.
