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,...

In this episode, we sit down with S. John Murray, a mortgage professional whose career spans more than four decadesand reflects a rare combination of longevity, discipline, and deep commitment to people over transactions. With over 41 years in mortgage banking and more than 10,630 families served, John’s work represents what long-term success in lending actually looks like when it’s built on trust, consistency, and community impact.

John specializes in mortgage planning as a tool for long-term wealth building, particularly through real estate. Rather than focusing on short-term wins, his approach centers on helping clients understand how financing decisions fit into their broader financial lives. From first-time homebuyers taking their first step into ownership to experienced real estate investors managing complex portfolios, John’s guidance is rooted in education, clarity, and strategy.

As a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS), John brings a planning-first mindset to every conversation. He helps clients evaluate financing options based not just on today’s rate environment, but on long-term goals, cash flow, equity growth, and overall financial health. His deep experience in jumbo mortgages and advanced financing structures allows him to support high-net-worth borrowers while still maintaining the same care and attention he gives to every client.

A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in economics, John leverages his academic foundation to help clients better understand market cycles, interest rate movements, and timing decisions. That perspective has proven especially valuable in volatile markets, where confidence and clarity matter more than ever. John’s ability to translate economic trends into practical advice is one of the reasons clients continue to rely on him year after year.

Throughout this conversation, we explore what it means to build a career that lasts in mortgage lending. John shares insights on maintaining relevance through changing market cycles, why consistency matters more than volume, and how strong community relationships create durable businesses. We also discuss how mortgage professionals can better serve clients by shifting from a transactional mindset to a planning-based approach that builds trust over time.

This episode is a reminder that success in mortgage banking isn’t just about production numbers. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and serving people well—year after year, market after market. If you’re a mortgage professional looking to build a sustainable career, or a consumer interested in making smarter long-term financing decisions, this conversation offers perspective that only experience can provide.

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

Floify — https://floify.com
Floify is a mortgage point-of-sale solution that streamlines borrower communication, document collection, and workflow from application to close.

TrueWork — https://truework.com
TrueWork provides fast, secure income and employment verification, helping lenders reduce friction and speed up loan approvals.

FundingShield — https://fundingshield.com
FundingShield protects lenders, borrowers, and settlement agents from wire fraud and transaction risk through real-time verification and closing protection.

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Matthew Patterson, the President of First Alliance Home Mortgage and one of the industry’s most grounded and quietly influential leaders. Matthew’s path is not the typical decades-long climb—his rise has been marked by rapid advancement, authentic leadership, and a commitment to building teams that put the borrower first.

Before taking the helm at First Alliance Home Mortgage, Matthew held leadership roles at Draper & Kramer Mortgage Corp, Rate, Superior Mortgage, Greentree Mortgage, and Wells Fargo. His experience spans originations, retail lending, corporate sales, business development, and executive leadership—giving him a rare, 360-degree understanding of what loan officers, lenders, and consumers actually need to succeed.

At First Alliance Home Mortgage, Matthew leads a company rooted in local service, in-house processing, and real relationships. With underwriting, processing, and closing all handled locally, First Alliance has built a reputation for speed, clarity, and borrower-first decision-making. Matthew’s leadership extends that mission—ensuring that loan officers feel supported, consumers feel understood, and the company stays committed to the communities it serves.

In this episode, we unpack Matthew’s approach to leadership that lasts, including:

• What separates temporary leaders from impactful ones

• How to build teams that stay focused when the market is uncertain

• Why “leadership energy” matters more than leadership titles

• The importance of borrower trust and relationship-driven service

• What Matthew learned from working across nearly every role in mortgage

• How First Alliance Home Mortgage maintains speed and quality without losing its personal touch

• What it really takes to grow a regional lender without losing its culture

Matthew’s story is not just about career growth—it’s about impact, service, and creating an environment where people can do the best work of their lives. If you’re a loan officer, branch leader, mortgage executive, or anyone working to build something that lasts, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and practical leadership takeaways you can use immediately.

Polly — https://polly.io
Polly is the industry’s most powerful and flexible capital markets platform, helping lenders optimize pricing, margin management, and loan execution with real-time precision.

Floify — https://floify.com
Floify is a modern point-of-sale platform that streamlines document collection, borrower communication, and workflow automation for mortgage professionals.

TrueWork — https://truework.com
TrueWork simplifies income and employment verification with secure, fast, and borrower-friendly technology that reduces friction and speeds up approvals.

FundingShield — https://fundingshield.com
FundingShield protects lenders and consumers from wire fraud and closing-table risk with real-time verification and unmatched transaction security.

In this episode, we sit down with one of the most respected operators in modern mortgage banking — James Hecht, the newly appointed CEO of OneTrust Home Loans. With more than 30 years of executive leadership across the largest and most influential lending institutions in the country, James brings a rare combination of operational discipline, strategic clarity, and vision for what sustainable growth looks like in today’s market.

Hecht’s career spans some of the most transformational chapters in mortgage history. From 16 years at Bank of America, where he rose from Managing Director to National Retail Fulfillment & Underwriting Executive, to his tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Stearns Lending, and later Head of Production for National Retail Lending at Newrez (formerly Caliber) — James has repeatedly been at the helm when companies needed scale, structure, and leadership that inspires performance.

Now, as the newly appointed CEO of OneTrust Home Loans, James is spearheading the next era of expansion across distributed retail, joint ventures, and portfolio lending. Backed by a sophisticated operational foundation, approved with Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, and strengthened by a growing portfolio platform and construction lending division, OneTrust is positioned to compete with lenders far beyond its size. And under James’ direction, the company is tightening its alignment across business channels to unlock growth opportunities in a tightening housing market.

In this conversation, James breaks down:

• How to align business units for long-term performance

• Why joint ventures remain one of the most powerful growth engines

• What differentiates fiscally disciplined lenders from those who collapse under market pressure

• Why operational excellence still wins — even as technology reshapes the industry

• How to recruit, develop, and retain top-tier originators

• What leadership looks like in an era where lenders must do more with less

You’ll hear insights from a leader who has managed teams through booms, contractions, acquisitions, pivots, and reinventions — all while keeping a relentless focus on service, partnership, and disciplined execution. For mortgage executives, branch managers, and operators looking to understand where the industry is heading and how to build an organization that thrives through uncertainty, this episode is essential.

Polly — https://polly.io
Polly is the mortgage industry’s leading pricing and capital markets platform, helping lenders unlock speed, accuracy, and profit through modern, cloud-native technology.

Floify — https://floify.com
Floify empowers lenders with a fast, customizable, borrower-friendly point-of-sale system built to simplify applications and accelerate closing timelines.

TrueWork — https://truework.com
TrueWork streamlines income and employment verification for lenders with secure, automated verification workflows that reduce friction and shorten the approval process.

FundingShield — https://fundingshield.com
FundingShield protects lenders and consumers from wire fraud and closing-table risk with real-time verification solutions that secure transactions from funding to recording.

In this week’s episode of MikedUp, we go inside the engine room of one of the nation’s most successful mortgage brokerages — C2 Financial — with its President, David Temko. Known for his sharp vision, leadership discipline, and deep understanding of financial systems, David has helped solidify C2 Financial’s position as the #1 Mortgage Broker in America, driving innovation that blends technology, trust, and long-term value for loan officers and borrowers alike.

As President, David oversees all company verticals — from technology integrations and operational performance to strategic growth — all with a single focus: empowering loan officers to deliver superior client experiences. His background as a top performer at Wells Fargo’s Commercial and Business Banking Group in Southern California gives him a rare perspective that bridges the precision of commercial lending with the creativity and agility of modern mortgage banking.

In this episode, David breaks down the architecture of C2’s success — the systems, culture, and mindset that keep the company ahead in a fast-evolving mortgage landscape. He shares how C2 continues to adapt, innovate, and lead with purpose, even amid tightening markets and technological disruption.

Listeners will learn:

• How C2 Financial grew into the largest independent mortgage broker in the U.S.

• The leadership philosophy that keeps C2’s loan officers performing at their best

• How technology and human connection coexist in the company’s growth model

• The operational architecture that enables scalability and efficiency

• Why empowerment, not control, drives loyalty and innovation within C2

• The future of broker-channel lending and what it means for independent professionals

David also opens up about his leadership evolution — from his early days in traditional banking to leading a dynamic, tech-empowered organization — and what it takes to build sustainable growth in an industry that’s constantly reshaping itself. His story is equal parts strategy and heart, showing how structure, service, and shared purpose can elevate a company beyond numbers.

“At C2, our mission is simple — to maximize the value we bring to every loan officer and every borrower we serve.”
This episode captures that mission in action: clear vision, smart execution, and a culture designed to last.

Polly
The modern mortgage capital markets platform that empowers lenders with smart pricing, hedging, and pipeline management solutions.
Website: https://polly.io

Floify
A secure, easy-to-use point-of-sale platform that helps lenders streamline borrower communication and document collection.
Website: https://floify.com

Truework
Simplifies income and employment verification to accelerate mortgage approvals while maintaining data accuracy and compliance.
Website: https://truework.com

FundingShield
The industry leader in wire and title fraud prevention, protecting lenders and borrowers with real-time verification tools.
Website: https://www.fundingshield.com

In this powerful episode of MikedUp, we sit down with Jon Prussel, the President of City First Mortgage LLC, for a candid and deeply human conversation about resilience, leadership, and second chances. Jon’s story is not just about building a business — it’s about rebuilding oneself. From navigating personal and professional lows to steering one of Florida’s most respected mortgage firms, Jon’s journey is a testament to what it means to rise, rebuild, and redeem.

City First Mortgage, founded in 1988, has built its reputation on trust, transparency, and long-term relationships. As a licensed mortgage lender and servicer, the company has stood the test of time by putting people over profit and principles over trends. Jon opens up about what it takes to lead a company that prioritizes principal preservation, stability, and personal service in an era dominated by speed and automation.

In “Rock Bottom to Redemption,” Jon reflects on the hard lessons that shaped both his personal growth and his professional philosophy. From market volatility and economic downturns to moments of doubt and rebuilding, he shares how hitting bottom became the catalyst for transformation — not defeat.

Listeners will discover:

• The foundational values that built City First Mortgage’s 35-year legacy

• How trust and integrity anchor success in lending and leadership

• What “redemption” truly looks like after struggle or failure

• The importance of emotional intelligence and empathy in business recovery

• Why long-term relationships — not transactions — are the real capital of mortgage lending

• How to stay centered, ethical, and optimistic in a shifting financial landscape

Jon’s leadership philosophy echoes through every story: “We don’t just underwrite loans — we underwrite lives.” His approach blends old-school relationship building with forward-thinking adaptability, reminding today’s industry leaders that technology may change, but trust never goes out of style.

This episode isn’t about spreadsheets or pipelines — it’s about the human side of mortgage lending, the lessons learned in failure, and the mindset needed to rise again. Whether you’re a loan officer, broker, executive, or entrepreneur, Jon’s story will challenge how you think about success, survival, and self-redemption.

Polly
The modern mortgage capital markets platform transforming how lenders price, hedge, and manage pipelines for greater accuracy and profitability.
Website: https://polly.io

Floify
A secure, easy-to-use point-of-sale platform that streamlines borrower communication, document collection, and loan processing from start to finish.
Website: https://floify.com

Truework
Trusted by lenders nationwide, Truework simplifies income and employment verification to accelerate approvals and reduce fraud risk.
Website: https://truework.com

FundingShield
The mortgage industry’s gold standard for wire and title fraud protection, providing real-time validation to keep lenders and borrowers safe.
Website: https://www.fundingshield.com