Ed Powell, SVP & Licensed Regional Manager, Angel Oak Solutions | NMLS #407491

Customer acquisition in today’s mortgage market is no longer about volume alone—it’s about precision, trust, and meeting borrowers where they actually are. In this episode, we sit down with Ed Powell, Senior Vice President and Licensed Regional Manager at Angel Oak Solutions, to unpack what consumer direct lending really looks like when it’s done right.

Licensed across more than 25 states, Ed Powell has built a reputation for helping borrowers navigate complex financial situations with clarity and confidence. His approach centers on understanding the full picture of each client’s circumstances and aligning them with mortgage solutions that are realistic, responsible, and sustainable. In a market where many consumers believe homeownership is out of reach, Ed and his team focus on expanding access through thoughtful product design and disciplined execution.

Throughout the conversation, Ed shares how Angel Oak’s consumer direct strategy prioritizes long-term relationships over short-term transactions. By offering both traditional loan products and a robust portfolio suite of alternative programs, his team is able to serve borrowers who don’t always fit inside conventional lending boxes—without compromising on risk management or service quality. This includes self-employed borrowers, credit-challenged consumers, and those navigating non-traditional income structures.

We also explore how trust plays a critical role in consumer direct lending. Ed explains why clear communication, realistic expectations, and consistent follow-through are the real drivers of referral-based growth. Many Angel Oak clients don’t just close loans—they become advocates, referring friends and colleagues because of the experience they received.

This episode goes beyond surface-level marketing tactics and dives into what actually converts in today’s environment: listening, advising, and delivering outcomes that align with borrower goals. Whether you’re a lender looking to strengthen your consumer direct channel or an industry leader focused on sustainable growth, this conversation offers practical insight into customer acquisition that works in real life—not just on a slide deck.

Polly
Polly is a next-generation capital markets technology platform that modernizes pricing, lock, and hedging workflows for mortgage lenders.
https://www.polly.io

Floify
Floify provides a secure, point-of-sale solution that improves the loan application experience for borrowers and increases efficiency for lenders.
https://www.floify.com

TrueWork
TrueWork delivers fast, accurate income and employment verification to help lenders reduce friction and close loans with confidence.
https://www.truework.com

FundingShield
FundingShield protects lenders from wire fraud, payoff fraud, and title risk through real-time transaction validation and compliance tools.
https://www.fundingshield.com

In this episode, we sit down with Eddy Perez, CMB, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM), for a direct and timely conversation about leadership, accountability, and what it will take to win in the mortgage industry as we move toward 2026. This is not a discussion about surviving the market—it’s about eliminating excuses, building durable businesses, and leading with clarity when conditions get harder, not easier.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Eddy oversees all core functions at EPM, including operations, sales, revenue, marketing, compliance, and technology. As co-founder of Equity Prime Mortgage, he has helped build the company into one of the industry’s most respected independent mortgage platforms. EPM has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list, reflecting its sustained growth and operational discipline in an industry defined by cycles and volatility.

Eddy’s career spans nearly every phase of modern mortgage banking. Prior to co-founding EPM in 2008, he operated the top-producing office at Global Mortgage, Inc., gaining firsthand experience in what drives performance at the branch level. That foundation shaped his leadership philosophy: results come from structure, accountability, and people who take ownership of outcomes.

A defining milestone in Eddy’s career was earning the Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation in 2014—one of the most rigorous and respected credentials in the industry. Beyond his company leadership, Eddy plays a significant role in shaping the future of mortgage banking at a national level. He serves as Chairman of MORPAC, sits on the Board of Directors for the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), participates as a panelist in the MBA Future Leaders Program, and is Co-Chair of the MBA Affordable Housing Council, where he helps drive meaningful progress around access, sustainability, and long-term housing solutions.

Eddy has been recognized as one of the industry’s most influential voices, including being named to National Mortgage Professional Magazine’s “40 Most Influential Mortgage Professionals Under 40.” Through his leadership, advocacy, and public commentary—including his ongoing vlog at https://www.eddygperezjr.com—he consistently challenges leaders to confront reality, stop blaming the market, and build organizations that perform regardless of conditions.

In this episode, Eddy shares unfiltered insight on where the industry is headed, what leaders must do now to prepare for the next cycle, and why clarity—not optimism—is the most valuable currency heading into 2026. This conversation is essential for mortgage executives, branch leaders, and originators who are ready to move past excuses and take control of their future.

Polly — https://polly.io
Polly is a capital markets technology platform that helps lenders optimize pricing, manage margin, and execute loans efficiently with real-time accuracy.

Floify — https://floify.com
Floify delivers a borrower-focused point-of-sale solution that simplifies document collection, communication, and workflow from application through closing.

TrueWork — https://truework.com
TrueWork provides fast, secure income and employment verification to reduce friction, improve accuracy, and speed up loan decisions.

FundingShield — https://fundingshield.com
FundingShield protects lenders and borrowers from wire fraud and transaction risk with real-time verification and closing protection technology.

In this episode, we sit down with Erin Dee, Chief Operating Officer at InterLinc Mortgage, to talk about what it really takes to scale revenue in today’s mortgage environment—and why strong teams and disciplined operations matter more than ever.

With more than 20 years of mortgage industry experience, Erin has built a reputation as an operator who knows how to turn complexity into clarity. Her career spans nearly every corner of the business, including underwriting, operations, technology, capital markets, compliance, quality control, and executive leadership. That breadth of experience gives her a rare, end-to-end view of how mortgage organizations actually perform—and where they break down when growth outpaces structure.

Before joining InterLinc Mortgage, Erin served as Chief Operating Officer at LoanPeople, Chief Strategy Officer at Thrive Mortgage, and Chief Operating Officer at Infinity Mortgage Holdings, where she managed multi-department organizations and led initiatives that improved efficiency, accountability, and customer outcomes. She has also played a critical role in helping build and scale independent mortgage banks from the ground up, giving her firsthand insight into what sustainable growth really requires.

Since joining InterLinc Mortgage, Erin has hit the ground running. In just a few months, she has already led efforts to improve operational turn times across processing, underwriting, and closing, helping teams deliver loans more efficiently without sacrificing quality. She is also spearheading updates to corporate operational procedures to ensure the company’s infrastructure is aligned with long-term growth goals. These changes are designed not just to improve speed, but to create consistency, reduce friction, and support both frontline teams and borrowers throughout the loan process.

Erin’s leadership style is rooted in clarity, accountability, and people-first execution. Her ability to quickly integrate into InterLinc’s culture has strengthened team morale and reinforced a collaborative environment where performance and support go hand in hand. It’s a reminder that scaling revenue isn’t just about volume—it’s about building systems and teams that can perform under pressure, market shifts, and continued growth.

Beyond her role at InterLinc, Erin is a recognized industry leader. She currently serves as Secretary and Treasurer of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association (TMBA) and is the incoming Vice President for the 2024–2025 term. She is also a frequent guest on respected industry platforms including The Mortgage Collaborative, Lykken on Lending, and The Connect with TSAHC, where she shares insights on leadership, operations, and the future of mortgage banking.

In this conversation, Erin breaks down how strong operations fuel revenue growth, why leadership matters most during periods of change, and how mortgage companies can build teams that perform consistently—not just when markets are easy. This episode is essential listening for mortgage executives, operations leaders, and anyone responsible for scaling people, process, and performance in a demanding industry.

Polly — https://polly.io
Polly is a capital markets technology platform that helps lenders optimize pricing, manage margin, and execute loans efficiently in real time.

Floify — https://floify.com
Floify provides a borrower-focused point-of-sale solution that streamlines document collection, communication, and workflow from application through closing.

TrueWork — https://truework.com
TrueWork delivers fast,...