Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode of Loan Officer Life: Hustle, Heart & Homeownership, Brian sits down with social media prospecting coach @michellebermanmikel , founder of Berman Media Social. Michelle unpacks the true meaning of leverage on social media—not for vanity metrics, but to create real relationships that turn into real clients.From her background as a collegiate swimmer to CrossFit athlete, wife, mom, and entrepreneur, Michelle shares how discipline, storytelling, and authenticity have built her brand—and how loan officers can do the same.Michelle also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her upcoming book, The Black Line, a metaphor-driven guide to navigating life and business with purpose, persistence, and perspective.Key Topics Discussed:What it means to truly "leverage" your social presenceWhy authenticity wins over going viralReverse engineering content to earn trust and create conversationsThe mindset shift from chasing followers to generating qualified clientsMichelle’s journey, resilience, and inspiration behind her upcoming bookConnect with Michelle:Instagram: @bermanmediasocialLinkedIn: Michelle Berman-MikelWebsite: www.bermanmediasocial.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@michellebermanmikel?si=k7YtNcypYOlsn0gsEpisode Highlights:“Your content should make people feel like they already know you.”“Leverage is the bridge between the people you know and the people you need to meet.”“You have to earn the right to talk about mortgages.”🎙 Don’t forget to subscribe to Loan Officer Life and leave a review if this episode hits home!

Summary:In this episode, the conversation revolves around the journey of Carlos Scarpero, a loan officer who has successfully leveraged YouTube to connect with veterans seeking VA loans. Carlos shares insights on understanding the audience, creating relevant content, and using YouTube as a business development tool. He emphasizes the importance of answering specific questions from the audience and discusses his strategies for converting leads into clients. The episode also touches on the continuous improvement of content organization and the significance of building a community through valuable content.Takeaways:YouTube is a powerful platform for connecting with your audience.Understanding your audience is crucial for content creation.Focusing on specific topics can help you stand out.Answering specific questions can drive engagement.Using YouTube for business development is effective.Conversion strategies should be simple and direct.Building a community through content fosters loyalty.Continuous improvement of content organization is key.Don't overthink the technology; just start creating.Specialization in a niche can lead to more opportunities.Sound Bites:"Answer specific questions, ASQ.""I found you on YouTube.""Just record whatever you got.""I love your mission to serve veterans."Chapters:00:00 Introduction to YouTube Success03:10 Understanding Your Audience on YouTube06:09 Creating Content That Resonates08:57 Leveraging YouTube for Business Development12:02 Conversion Strategies for Leads14:47 Building a Community Through Content17:57 Continuous Improvement and Content OrganizationCarlos Scarpero is a creative Mortgage Loan Officer with Edge Home Finance based in Dayton, Ohio who specializes in VA and Non QM Mortgage Loans. He also teaches classes to Realtors in the Dayton and Cincinnati area. For more information, visit https://www.Scarpero.comLicensed in multiple states. NMLS #1674385Edge Corporate NMLS #891464Personal NMLS Consumer Accesshttps://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1674385Company NMLS Consumer Accesshttps://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/891464Contact infohttps://www.scarpero.comcscarpero@edgehomefinance.com937-572-3713

Keywords:NextGen Homebuyer Report, financial literacy, trust in lending, Gen Z homebuyers, mortgage industry insights, homeownership education, loan officer strategies, First Home IQ, housing finance, community engagementSummary:In this conversation, Kristen Messerli discusses the latest NextGen Homebuyer Report, highlighting key insights about the current state of homebuyer trust, financial literacy, and the differences between Gen Z and Millennials in their approach to homeownership. The discussion emphasizes the importance of education, community engagement, and the role of technology in building trust with potential homebuyers. Loan officers are encouraged to adopt strategies that focus on financial literacy and to leverage partnerships within their communities to better serve the next generation of homebuyers.Takeaways:The NextGen Homebuyer Report reveals declining trust in the mortgage industry.95% of Gen Z want to own homes, but 35% see it as a dream.YouTube remains the top source for homebuyer education.ChatGPT is emerging as a new tool for homebuyer information.Gen Z prefers financial advisors for holistic financial guidance.50% of respondents lacked financial literacy education in school.Loan officers should focus on building trust through education.Community engagement is crucial for loan officers.Old school tactics can still be effective in modern marketing.Technology can enhance the educational experience for homebuyers.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the NextGen Homebuyer Report02:05 Key Insights from the Report05:12 Trust Issues in the Industry07:52 Understanding the Homebuyer Cohort08:14 Differences Between Gen Z and Millennials10:50 Financial Literacy Gaps12:11 Strategies for Loan Officers14:46 Old School Tactics for Modern Engagement17:27 The Importance of Early Engagement19:21 The Mission of First Home IQ21:51 Empowering Loan Officers with Content24:49 Building Trust Through Technology26:57 Reaching Diverse Communities29:36 Advice for New Loan Officers31:52 Final Insights and Closing Thoughts

🎙 Episode Overview

In this episode of FinTech Fridays, host Brian Vieaux sits down with Michael Vandi, Founder of Addy AI, to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the mortgage industry.

Michael shares his journey from Freetown, Sierra Leone to Carnegie Mellon, his time at AWS & NASA, and how a side project led him to create an AI-powered loan processing platform.

💡 Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Michael’s background – From coding as a teen to working on NASA’s space informatics project

✅ The accidental entry into mortgage AI – How Addy AI started as an email automation tool and evolved into an AI loan processor

✅ AI in mortgage processing – How Addy AI automates document collection, underwriting insights, and borrower communication

✅ The power of AI agents – From verifying income calculations in minutes to AI-powered borrower outreach

✅ Industry impact – The growing role of AI in reducing loan origination costs and improving the borrower experience

✅ FinLocker + Addy AI? – Exploring synergies between mortgage readiness tools and AI-powered loan processing

✅ The future of AI in mortgage –

What’s next for innovation in lending technology

🚀 Why You Should Listen:

🔹 If you're in mortgage lending and wondering how AI can cut processing times from hours to minutes

🔹 If you want to understand how AI-powered borrower engagement can drive efficiency

🔹 If you're curious about the intersection of AI, automation, and mortgage tech innovation

📲 Follow Michael & Addy AI:

🔗 Addy AI Website: https://addy.so/

🔗 Michael Vandi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vandi/

📲 Follow Brian & FinTech Fridays:

🔗 Brian Vieaux on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianvieaux/

🔗 FinTech Fridays Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fintech-fridays-podcast/?viewAsMember=true

Summary

In this episode of FinTech Fridays, Brian Vieaux speaks with Abdel Khawatmi about the intersection of technology and mortgage lending. They discuss the importance of client engagement, navigating market fluctuations, and the role of technology in enhancing the client experience. Abdel shares insights on his approach to communication, the tools he uses to streamline processes, and the significance of building long-term relationships with clients. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of the mortgage industry and the need for continuous innovation and adaptation.

Takeaways

Abdel emphasizes a 'client for life' mentality in his approach to lending.

He believes in putting himself in the consumer's shoes to enhance communication.

Tracking metrics is crucial for refining processes and improving service.

Technology plays a vital role in enhancing client experience and engagement.

Abdel uses various tools to automate and streamline communication with clients.

He focuses on building long-term relationships with clients and real estate agents.

The importance of being accessible and responsive to client needs is paramount.

Abdel shares his experience with market fluctuations and how it affects client interactions.

He discusses the significance of training agents to improve service delivery.

Continuous innovation and adaptation are essential in the mortgage industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to FinTech and Tech Stack Insights

01:05 Navigating Market Fluctuations and Client Engagement

04:51 The Importance of Client Communication and Support

10:55 Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Client Experience

15:04 Innovative Tools and Processes in Mortgage Lending

21:03 Building Long-Term Client Relationships and Brand Loyalty

Summary

In this episode of FinTech Fridays, Brian Vieaux interviews Chris Merakian, who leads enterprise sales for Trust Engine. They discuss the evolution of Trust Engine from Mortgage Coach, the importance of data in enhancing the loan officer experience, and how personalized marketing strategies can create meaningful consumer engagement. Chris emphasizes the need for loan officers to have relevant conversations with clients, leveraging technology to simplify processes and improve customer experiences.

Takeaways

Trust Engine evolved from the merger of Mortgage Coach and Sales Boomerang.

The platform aims to provide loan officers with actionable insights based on customer data.

Personalized marketing is crucial for effective communication with borrowers.

Loan officers need to engage clients with relevant and contextual messaging.

The integration of video in presentations enhances customer experience.

Data-driven insights help loan officers identify opportunities for clients.

The platform simplifies the loan process for both lenders and borrowers.

Visual aids in presentations help educate first-time homebuyers.

Maintaining a personal touch in communication is essential for loan officers.

Trust Engine aims to empower loan officers to have meaningful conversations with clients.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Trust Engine and Chris Merakian

01:19 The Evolution from Mortgage Coach to Trust Engine

03:36 Enhancing Loan Officer Experience with Technology

07:34 The Role of Data in Modern Lending

10:47 Personalized Marketing Strategies for Loan Officers

14:53 Creating Meaningful Consumer Engagement

18:42 Conclusion and Future Insights

Summary In this episode of FinTech Fridays, Brian Vieaux speaks with Lynn Goss about the Divorce Lending Association and the significant opportunities within the divorce lending market. They discuss the importance of education and certification for loan officers, the emotional complexities of working with clients going through divorce, and the need for compliance and professionalism in this niche. Lynn emphasizes the value of empathy and support in the loan process, as well as the strategies for business development in the divorce sector. Takeaways The divorce industry is a $30 billion market. Loan officers can build a business around divorce lending. Certification enhances professionalism in the family law community. Empathy is crucial when dealing with clients in distress. Divorce mortgage planning can provide financial clarity. Compliance is essential in divorce mortgage planning. Loan officers should collaborate with family law professionals. Education is key to building trust with clients. Nesting is a new trend in divorce arrangements. Leading with knowledge can open doors for loan officers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Divorce Lending 03:03 Understanding the Divorce Industry 05:46 Certification and Professionalism in Divorce Lending 08:54 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Divorce 11:46 Compliance and Legal Considerations 14:51 Business Development for Divorce Mortgage Planners 17:49 Empathy and Support in the Loan Process "It's a $30 billion industry." "This is not loan officer lending 101." "They care about rates, absolutely." "They will be forever loyal to you."

Summary In this episode of FinTech Fridays, Brian Vieaux speaks with Larry Silver, a partner at Mortgage Career Exchange. They discuss Larry's extensive background in the mortgage industry, the evolution of the Mortgage Career Exchange, and the current mindset of the industry regarding recruitment and staffing. Larry emphasizes the importance of personal branding, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, and how the Mortgage Career Exchange aims to create a supportive environment for both job seekers and employers. The conversation concludes with insights on the human aspect of the industry and the need for better support for professionals. Takeaways Networking on platforms like LinkedIn can lead to meaningful conversations. The Mortgage Career Exchange aims to align talent with organizations. Cautious optimism exists in the mortgage industry despite challenges. Organizations should always be on the lookout for talent. The platform offers a safe space for professionals to explore opportunities. Personal branding is crucial in today's job market. Education and training are essential for career advancement. Companies need to treat employees as human beings, not commodities. The Mortgage Career Exchange provides tools for job seekers to enhance their profiles. Consistency in content creation on LinkedIn is key for visibility. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mortgage Career Exchange 06:32 The Evolution of the Mortgage Career Exchange 12:56 Understanding the Industry Mindset 18:52 The Importance of Personal Branding 24:36 Closing Thoughts and Future Connections