Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim
53 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 46 ratingsLender Lounge with Kevin Kim is a podcast that gives an exclusive look beyond the title of private lending industry leaders.
Kevin Kim, Esq. is a partner at Geraci LLP, an organization that has been serving private lenders for over 10 years. An experienced lending lawyer and engaging speaker, Kevin digs deep with his guests to discover what makes a successful company and leader in this industry. Learn their company stories, wisdom, and what makes these leaders tick through captivating interviews and engaging banter.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Kevin Kim Answers Private Lending FAQs + Season 4 Recap
March 18, 2024 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBIn this concluding episode of Season 4, Kevin Kim reflects on the insights gained from our guests and addresses common questions from our listeners, particularly those new to private lending. Kevin discusses licensing for private lenders, emphasizing the variation in requirements across states and the importance of compliance and understanding securities laws, even when raising funds from family and friends. He also explores the challenges and opportunities of raising capital from internatio...
A Conversation with Beth O’Brien, Encore Finance
February 20, 2024 09:00 - 58 minutes - 40.2 MBBeth O'Brien, a dynamic leader and innovator in the private lending industry, joins Kevin Kim on this episode of Lender Lounge. With her rich background in law, real estate, and securitization, Beth currently spearheads Encore Finance Capital. Her journey encompasses an impressive trajectory from working at renowned institutions like Goldman Sachs and Citi to pioneering her own private lending ventures. Beth's strategic insight and deep understanding of the residential and commercial real es...
A Conversation with Adham Sbeih of Socotra Capital
January 16, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 45.1 MBAdham Sbeih is an exemplary leader in the private lending industry. As CEO of Socotra Capital, he has built the company to a team of 33 and roughly $500 million in capital distributed across four funds, positioning it as a dynamic lender and trusted partner for their clients. In this episode, Kevin Kim and co-host Nema Daghbandan sit down with Adham to discuss where his lending journey began, the inception of Socotra, and his thoughts on business strategy, team culture, and training security...
Ask a Private Lending Risk-Taker: Demystifying Fund Creation | Brock VandenBerg & Matt Podesto
December 18, 2023 09:00 - 57 minutes - 39.5 MBIn this episode, Kevin Kim engages in a dynamic conversation with Matt Podesto and Brock VandenBerg, two successful private lenders who have taken the leap into fund management. From the early days of local hard money lending to the influx of institutional capital and white label programs, our guests provide valuable insights into the changing landscape and how it has affected the present. They emphasize the importance of proper underwriting and servicing while cautioning against entering ne...
A 2024 Crystal Ball Conversation with Geraci Leadership
December 12, 2023 09:00 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBThe leadership at Geraci LLP collectively has decades upon decades of private lending industry experience. For this episode, Kevin asked Geraci’s seasoned professionals to offer their foresight into the private lending industry for 2024 – what does the industry need to know as we head into the new year? Kevin and the Geraci team explore anticipated economic trends, such as preparing for potential litigation challenges and strategizing for effective hiring in the evolving market landscape....
Ask a Private Lending Marketer: Mastering Your Brand | Erica LaCentra & Rocky Butani
November 20, 2023 12:16 - 1 hour - 43.8 MBFor this episode, our host Kevin Kim welcomes industry experts Erica LaCentra and Rocky Butani for a deep dive into the nuanced world of private lending marketing. They highlight the importance of industry conferences and share insights on how emerging companies and entrepreneurs can smartly use marketing to stand out in a crowded field. With a focus on the power of content marketing, targeted email campaigns, and maintaining transparent communication in challenging times, Erica and Rocky of...
A Conversation with Ray Mathoda, Anchor Loans
October 30, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBRay Mathoda is a seasoned CEO, social entrepreneur, and passionate visionary who now leads the charge at Anchor Loans, a lending giant with more than $13 billion in loans funded to date. Her upbringing in India, passion for genomics, identity as a member of the Desi LGBTQ+ community, and vast professional experience all give her a unique perspective on the real estate lending market. With a glance into the challenges of urban housing projects and the real estate investment landscape, this di...
A Conversation with Bill Tessar, CV3 Financial Services
October 16, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 43.8 MBWilliam J. Tessar is one of private lending’s most successful and inspiring leaders. From founding four companies in the conventional space to spearheading the remarkable success of Civic Financial Services, his journey offers invaluable insights to those new or veteran in private mortgage lending. Today, at the helm of CV3, Bill is recreating the magic that existed in each of his previous companies. Kevin had the pleasure of traveling to CV3 headquarters in El Segundo, CA, to check out th...
Ask a Private Lending Leader: Navigating Company Culture | Kevin Werner & Greg Hebner
September 18, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBStep into the Lender Lounge as Kevin Kim leads a conversation between two of the private lending industry’s best: Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, and Greg Hebner, Managing Director at Arixa Capital. From building a reputation for their companies as desirable workplaces to the intricacies of hiring top-notch talent and truly understanding client needs, these leaders delve into the core elements that define success for their companies. They offer valuable lessons on fostering a positive...
Special Summer Edition: A Conversation with a Lending Titan | Arvind Mohan, Kiavi
July 24, 2023 08:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MBJoin Arvind Mohan, CEO of Kiavi (formerly LendingHome), as he peels back the curtain for a glimpse into the lending giant and delves into the industry. Discover Kiavi’s ambitious plans for rehab projects and urban construction, their dedication to data-driven customer service, and their strategies for building a stronger lending portfolio. Hear from Arvind on the broader, ever-changing lending landscape, from the challenges posed by the Federal Reserve's unpredictability to the importance of...
Resiliency Through Diversification | Ben Fertig, Constructive Loans
February 27, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 120 MBIn the season 3 finale of Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, Kevin interviewed Ben Fertig, the President and Co-Founder of Constructive Capital - a leading name in the private lending space and a reputable provider of DSCR loans. Ben shared about the genesis of Constructive and delved into his unique perspective on the private lending industry. With the current market experiencing significant volatility, Ben also provided valuable insights on how Constructive has managed to navigate and thrive in...
Secret Sauce | Jeff Tesch, RCN Capital
February 13, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 119 MBIn this episode, Kevin sat down with Jeff Tesch, founder and CEO of RCN Capital, to discuss his professional journey and the growth of his company. From a local operation to a national lender, RCN has seen tremendous success over the years. Listen in to learn more about Jeff's story and the meaning behind the name "RCN."
Swapping War Stories | Tom and Steven, Geraci LLP
January 24, 2023 05:01 - 1 hour - 127 MBIn this special episode, we are joined by two of Geraci Law Firm's esteemed attorneys, Tom Hajda and Steven Ernest. Both men wear many hats (literally) in their roles as private lending attorneys and bring a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to the table. Tune in to hear their insights and advice.
Leading By Example | Tricia Mitchell, Archwest
January 09, 2023 12:00 - 57 minutes - 108 MBFor this episode, Kevin interviewed Tricia Mitchell, Archwest Capital's President and COO. Tricia dove into how she started as an intern fresh out of law school and worked her way up to becoming the President and COO of Archwest. She discussed the company's strategy of starting out small and focusing on methodical growth over the years and emphasized that Archwest's success stems from listening to its client's needs above all.
Diversification is Key | Mark Jury, Sortis
December 12, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 139 MBFor this episode, Kevin interviewed Mark Jury with Sortis. Mark discussed the details of Sortis’ business and how they are servicing private lenders as an advisor. He also gave perspective on the current market conditions and his take on institutional investors in private lending.
Profitable Business Verticals | Keith Lind, Acra Lending
November 14, 2022 12:30 - 53 minutes - 100 MBFor this episode, Kevin interviewed Keith Lind, CEO of Acra Lending. Keith talked about working at Bear Stearns and his journey to becoming Acra's CEO. Keith also discussed his perspective on the private lending industry and how he views the housing market at large.
Game Changer | Paul Rahimian, Parkview Financial
October 24, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 132 MBFor this episode, Kevin interviewed Paul Rahimian, who has become a household name in the construction business, at Parkview Financials' headquarters in West Los Angeles. Paul emphasized how he has remained true to his original thesis of creativity and capital preservation, even as he now competes with institutional lenders across the U.S.
Lend to Live | Beth Johnson & Alex Breshears, Flynn Family Lending / Lend2Live
October 10, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 118 MBFor this episode, Kevin interviewed Beth Johnson and Alex Breshears to talk about their newest book, Lend2Live, and the story behind the book. The three discussed the industry’s dislocation, the importance of small, local lenders, and the difference between “private money lending” and “hard money lending / private lending."
Altruistic Entrepreneur | Eddie Wilson, AAPL
September 26, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 144 MBFor this episode, Kevin interviewed Eddie Wilson, CEO of AAPL and Think Realty. Kevin learned more about Eddie's personal life, such as his passion for operations, turning businesses around, and choosing businesses that serve a higher purpose. Eddie discussed what he has done to grow AAPL's footprint and how he installed the grassroots advocacy that allowed AAPL to defeat legislation such as the Florida licensing bill.
Investing in "Personnel" Assets | Justin Ehrlich, Churchill Real Estate
September 12, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 123 MBFor this episode, Kevin interviewed Justin Ehrlich, the founding partner at Churchill Real Estate. Kevin learned more about Churchill's history as an NPL buyer and how they came to be an asset manager and capital provider to the private lending industry. Justin also dove into the story behind Churchill’s meteoric rise.
Pragmatic Mindset | Jennifer McGuinness, Invigorate Finance
August 22, 2022 15:05 - 1 hour - 125 MBFor this episode, Kevin interviewed Jennifer McGuinness, President of Invigorate Finance. Kevin had a great time learning about Jennifer and how her mortgage career was actually a series of "accidents." Invigorate Finance is a unique private lending business that serves both the consumer and business purpose lending arenas; Jennifer discusses the reasons for this strategy and her philosophy of diversification and pragmatism in approaching her business.
Operational Efficiency | Lisa Alberti and Mark Roberts, Western Alliance Bank
August 08, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 116 MB*NOTE: This episode was recorded in June 2022.* Kevin was delighted to finally interview Mark Roberts and Lisa Alberti from Western Alliance Bank, a company that has become an integral part of the private lending industry. In this episode, Kevin talks to Mark and Lisa about the bank's history, their backgrounds, and their bank's philosophy on lender finance and line of credit. Lisa also discusses the new networking group, Women in Private Lending, and the impact a group like this will have o...
Reliable Capital | Ray Sturm, AlphaFlow
July 25, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 115 MBFor this episode, which was recorded during the market volatility of May 2022, Ray Sturm and Kevin sat down and discussed AlphaFlow's thesis from a technology standpoint, their philosophy when it comes to solving their customer's challenges, and having discipline when it comes to an ever-changing market.
Special Mini Episode | Ruby Keys, Geraci LLP
July 18, 2022 07:00 - 7 minutes - 14.3 MBWe’re dropping this mini episode in your feed to give some insight into Captivate, Geracicon’s upcoming private lending event. Kevin is joined by Ruby Keys, Geraci’s event extraordinaire, to discuss why it is a perfect opportunity for our listeners. Listen in to learn about the event’s capital-raising theme, nationwide attendee presence, and success stories from past years (including Kevin’s!). Captivate will take place August 21-23, 2022 at the Encore at Wynn in Las Vegas, NV. For m...
The Greatest Asset | Ryan Craft, Saluda Grade
July 11, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 128 MB*NOTE: This episode was recorded in May 2022.* For this episode, Kevin interviewed Ryan Craft, Founder and CEO of Saluda Grade. He learned about Saluda’s investment philosophies when it comes to private lenders, their criteria when selecting portfolio companies, and Ryan’s perspectives on where things are going and should go in the private lending space. His views on future success in private lending was especially enjoyable. Ryan stressed that diversification in strategy, obsession with cus...
Passionate Visionary | Trixy Castro, Aureus Finance Group
June 27, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 59.5 MB*NOTE: This episode was recorded in May 2022.* We are kicking off Season 3 with none other than Trixy Castro, founder and CEO of Aureus Finance Group. We were honored to sit down with this industry legend in person and learn more about Trixy and her history as an entrepreneur founding Genesis Capital and Hudson Marshall in the early days of private lending. We learned all about her new vision for Aureus, including how she approached her re-entry into the market after taking a few years off. ...
Renaissance Man | Dennis Baranowski, Geraci LLP
March 28, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBIn this season's final episode, Kevin sits down with his partner Dennis Baranowski, aka The Beard, aka The Wise One. Although he’s a partner in the Banking & Finance division of Geraci, Dennis’ skills extend to litigation, foreclosure, TCPA, and even bankruptcy. Dennis ultimately led Kevin through his career journey that resulted in his partnership at the firm. They discussed his working at big law, in-house, and then with Geraci. As a bonus, Kevin asked Dennis questions sent in from some of...
The Importance of Data | Sharon Koh, 1839 Asset Management LLC
March 14, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 128 MBIn this episode, Kevin sits down with Sharon Koh with 1839 Asset Management. We learned about the evolution of 1839’s history in the space and Sharon’s views on the industry’s trend toward DSCR. We also learned about their long history in the industry working with lenders since before the “boom” in 2016. As an asset manager for life companies, Sharon’s perspective on the industry is unique. Finally, we got to know Sharon’s backstory coming from Singapore and transitioning from senior executi...
Deliberate Decisions | Michael Schumacher and Chris Meinhardt, Enact Partners
February 28, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 115 MBIn this episode filmed at Geraci’s Irvine office, Kevin interviews Michael Schumacher and Chris Meinhardt from longtime client Enact Partners. He learned about Michael’s unique perspective as a construction lender and how he utilizes his experience as a developer, city councilman, and lender to evaluate trends in the market and underwrite quality loans for his investors. Kevin also enjoyed getting to know Michael’s newest partner, Chris, who is a former banker and U.S. Marine. This was a fun...
A True Family Office | Huy Do, PrideCo Capital
February 14, 2022 08:30 - 1 hour - 120 MBFor this episode, Kevin sat down with Huy Do, managing partner at PrideCo Capital, during the California Mortgage Association Fall Seminar. Everybody in the industry knows Huy, but very few know the story behind PrideCo or Huy's background. They talked about PrideCo’s decision to jump into the private lending sector, Huy’s excitement about the industry, and Huy’s philosophy regarding networking, family, and business.
Competitive Advantage | Dalton Elliott, Lima One Capital
January 24, 2022 08:30 - 1 hour - 128 MBFor this episode, Kevin sat down with Dalton Elliott at Lima One Capital. Dalton shared the tale of the founding of Lima One, discussed its growth, and discussed its recent acquisition by MFA. This was a very informative episode on learning how to grow and scale quickly. Their focus on training and culture, combined with their obsession with growth has really taken them very far in such a short time. Another great part of this episode was hearing about how Dalton, like many of his colleagues...
Private Lending OG | Beth O'Brien, CoreVest
January 10, 2022 08:30 - 1 hour - 157 MBThis time, Kevin sat down with the inimitable Beth O’Brien, Founder of CoreVest Finance. During this amazing episode, Kevin learned about Beth’s “maniacal obsession” with being a true cradle-to-grave lender starting in 2011. Over the past ten years, CoreVest has achieved significant growth, $12B in origination, with multiple securitizations under their belt. Beth has ensured the firm’s ability to scale the business through focusing on standardization. Their “Burgers, Fries, and Shakes” appro...
Facilitating a Deal Flow | Eric Abramovich, Roc Capital
December 13, 2021 08:30 - 57 minutes - 106 MBEric from Roc360 joined Kevin for a great interview. They took a trip down memory lane, talking about the Private Lending Industry’s evolution from Eric’s perspective and how Roc has grown right alongside it. He learned about Roc’s holistic approach and drive to be a full-service capital provider to the space. Kevin and Eric also talked about the challenges in operating a business during COVID in New York.
See a Need, Fill a Need | Steve Trowern, Temple View
November 22, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 139 MBFor this episode, Kevin had the unique pleasure of sitting down with the CEO and Founder of Temple View Capital and MCM Capital: Steve Trowern. They talked a lot about Temple View’s history and growth over the years and discussed their focus on maintaining a startup mentality. Kevin and Steve also spent some time comparing the COVID-19 crisis to the global financial crisis of 2008 – and had some laughs around the TARP program of 2009.
Filling a Void in Private Lending | Rocky Butani, Private Lender Link
November 08, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 128 MBThis time, Kevin sat down with the man himself – Rocky Butani of Private Lender Link. Rocky visited Kevin in his office before the California Mortgage Association summer seminar. Together, they discussed the evolution of PLL and where it’s headed. What Kevin found most interesting was learning about Rocky’s love for the space and his deep understanding of its dynamics.
True Independent Lender | Renee Lewis, Bloomfield Capital
October 25, 2021 07:00 - 56 minutes - 104 MBThis episode was so much fun! Renee discussed Bloomfield’s view on CRE finance and how they grew their business nationwide. Kevin learned about her disciplined approach as a partner at Bloomfield Capital as Renee explained their strong underwriting, utilization of data, and focused approach to capital used to build their national lending business. Kevin also learned about how Bloomfield expanded their business utilizing data and local intelligence.
Ahead of the Curve | Chris Hanson, Hanson Capital
October 11, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 128 MBFor this episode, Kevin sat down with Chris Hanson with Hanson Capital. He learned a lot about Chris’s story in building Hanson Capital since 2008! His inspiring bootstrap story was a true testament to adapting to the market. Chris also shared how he built their real estate investment business and what data drives his decision-making. Kevin also got to learn a little about the Hanson Capital team and how they built their flat, attitude-focused culture.
Adapting to Industry Changes | Michael Ramin, Sharestates
September 27, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes - 78.2 MBWhat’s better than a podcast on the fly? Kevin enjoyed catching up with Michael Ramin – a long-time friend and much-loved industry leader – when they sat down for an impromptu interview during sponsor set-up at our Captivate event. Kevin got to learn more about Sharestates’ history as a crowdfunding business and multi-disciplined lender.
Act with Honor | William Tessar and Whit McCarthy, CIVIC Financial Services
September 13, 2021 07:00 - 58 minutes - 110 MB“Act with Honor” is more than a catchphrase for the team at Civic Financial Services. In this episode, Kevin sat down with William Tessar and Whit McCarthy to discuss the company’s history, the backstory behind their recent merger, and their unwavering dedication to company culture.
What’s in a Name? | Zack Lofton, Loan Ranger Capital
June 28, 2021 07:00 - 51 minutes - 70.3 MBOn the road in Texas, Kevin visited with Zack Lofton with Loan Ranger Capital. He got to learn about their “garage band debt fund” and how Loan Ranger has grown rapidly in a short period of time in the central Texas market. Kevin and Zack also talked about building the brand, staying lean and mean, and growing a great company culture. He also got to learn about Zack’s background as a Chartered Financial Analyst and learn how he grew the business from a solo operation. You don’t want to miss ...
Entrepreneur at Heart | Vincent Balagia, Stallion Capital Management
June 14, 2021 07:00 - 59 minutes - 81.6 MBFor this episode, Kevin took a trip to visit with Vincent Balagia at Stallion Capital’s headquarters in Austin, Texas. Vincent shared more about the history of Stallion Capital and discussed his perspective on leadership and culture. They also had a lively discussion about the local market conditions in central Texas. Listen in to learn more.
Candid Chat with the Best Dressed Man in Lending | Peter Steigleder, Fidelity Mortgage Lenders
May 24, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 116 MBFor this episode, Kevin interviewed Peter Steigedler, the best-dressed man in Hard Money! Listen in to learn more about Peter’s career path at the German consulate, to real estate broker, to principal at Fidelity Mortgage Lenders – one of the oldest shops in private lending. Kevin got know Peter as a person as well as they discussed his work with the Guardians of Los Angeles Jewish Home.
Innovate Special Edition | Kristina Sawyer, Arixa Capital; Ruben Izgelov, WeLend LLC; Vincent Balagia, Stallion Capital
May 10, 2021 08:00 - 56 minutes - 104 MBGeraci’s Innovate Conference for 2021 was a massive success. While we were there with all of our wonderful clients and friends, Kevin had the opportunity to interview Kristina Sawyer with Arixa Capital, Ruben Izgelov with WeLend, and Vincent Balagia with Stallion Capital. The purpose of this episode was to get a better understanding of their local markets. All three individuals have immense expertise of their local and surrounding geographies and shared their insights in where the market was...
Champion of Culture and Customer Service | Kevin Werner, Renovo Financial
April 26, 2021 08:00 - 50 minutes - 93.3 MBFor this episode, Kevin interviewed Kevin Werner with Renovo Financial. The Kevin’s discussed the history of Renovo, its values, and its steady growth over its 10-year life cycle. They went into a pretty deep discussion on this episode, talking about their expansion philosophy, their internal culture, and their obsession with customer service. Listen in to learn more.
Keeping It In-House | Scott Rerucha, Legacy Group Capital
April 12, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 130 MBFor this episode, Scott Rerucha, CEO and founder of Legacy Group Capital in Washington state, joined Kevin to discuss the unique way the firm built their business and avoided a single foreclosure in their 10-year history. Scott discussed his background as a banker, investor, and private lender Scott and how that has affected his ideas about the firm’s growth, the Legacy team, and values as a company.
From Soup to Nuts, Industry Passion from the Ground Up | Jason Gilbert at Armanino LLP
March 22, 2021 08:00 - 56 minutes - 105 MBA partner at Armanino who leads the Real Estate Investment Fund practice, Jason Gilbert and Kevin go way back. Listen in to learn more about Jason’s story coming up at Armanino, serving the private lending industry, and becoming partner.
Journey to the Top | Melissa Martorella, Geraci LLP
March 08, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBIn this episode, Kevin sat down with Melissa Martorella, Geraci LLP’s newest partner. As the department head for Geraci’s banking & finance team, Melissa shared the journey that brought her to embrace her new role. Listen in to learn more about Melissa as a person and her role at the firm.
The Sleeping Giant | Curt Altig, Builders Capital
February 22, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 119 MBFor episode 6, Kevin interviewed Curt Altig, founding principal of Builders Capital, a national private lender focused on construction lending. Listen in to learn how Curt started Builders Capital and grew the company with the help of his world-class leadership team.
Blazing into 2021 with Lessons from the Past | Greg Hebner, Arixa Capital
February 08, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 126 MBIn this episode, Kevin sat down with Greg Hebner, the managing director and portfolio manager at Arixa Capital. With over 20 years of experience in real estate, Greg has been on all sides of the private lending business from origination, loss mitigation, accounting, and asset management. Listen in to learn more about Greg as a person, professional, and industry leader.
Geraci Partners, Unmasked | Anthony Geraci & Nema Daghbandan
January 25, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 140 MBIn this unscripted episode, Kevin interviewed fellow Geraci partners Anthony Geraci, Esq., and Nema Daghbandan, Esq. Kevin, Nema, and Anthony shared war stories, personal histories, and perspectives on various aspects of the private lending industry.