Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim

Kendra Rommel, co-founder of Futures Financial, joins Geraci Partner Jen and Geraci Attorney Nichole for a special “She-Shed” takeover episode of Lender Lounge. Kendra shares her unconventional path from retail to mortgage lending, her early operations experience, and the strategic decisions behind launching Futures with her partner David Rosenberg. The conversation explores balancing personal life and business, building a resilient team, lessons in partnership, and the importance of remaining adaptable in an ever-changing private lending market. Kendra’s story reveals the grit, vulnerability, and mindset required to build a private lending business from the ground up.   Bullet Points: [00:00:00] Kendra introduces Futures Financial and its lending focus. [00:03:22] Her start in mortgage at 17 and transition from retail to lending. [00:07:21] The story of meeting and partnering with David Rosenberg. [00:12:37] Early challenges and scaling lessons from small shop lending. [00:15:26] What sets Futures apart and its unique infrastructure approach. [00:17:29] Hiring philosophy and how the team has grown intentionally. [00:20:03] Marketing missteps and learning from early mistakes. [00:22:02] How Futures adapts to market changes without losing identity. [00:25:01] Kendra opens up about the emotional toll of launching a business. [00:27:38] Building trust in a partnership and handling vulnerability. [00:30:09] Balancing parenting, entrepreneurship, and personal time. [00:33:25] Setting boundaries and time-blocking to stay present. [00:35:42] Advice for clients: always have more than one lending option. [00:39:43] How Futures remains transparent and client-focused. [00:42:52] The role of active asset management in borrower retention. [00:46:17] Moments of fulfillment and pride in Futures’ progress. [00:50:55] How private lending reshaped her perspective on money. [00:52:29] Vision for Futures: slow growth, strong capital, and tech projects. [00:54:20] Where to find Kendra and connect with Futures Financial.   Links: Learn more about Futures Financial at https://futuresfinancial.com/ [https://futuresfinancial.com/] Learn more about Geraci Law Firm at https://www.geracilawfirm.com [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/] Subscribe to the Lender Lounge newsletter for episode notifications and exclusive content at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast] Subscribe to the Geraci Law Firm newsletter at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/sign-up [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/sign-up] Follow Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lender-lounge-with-kevin-kim/] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@lenderloungewithkevinkim]

Kevin Kim hosts a special episode of Lender Lounge on location at Renovo Financial’s Top Gun Event in Los Angeles. Joined by Paul Shaughnessy, a top originator at Renovo, and Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, the discussion delves into Renovo's culture of employee investment, relationship-driven lending, and long-term growth strategy. The guests highlight Renovo’s commitment to local market expertise, continuous learning, and a high-performance team culture that drives their success. Insights into client relationships, the importance of local market presence, and future ambitions for Renovo make this a compelling episode.   Bullet Points: [00:00:00] Introduction to the Lender Lounge podcast with Kevin Kim. [00:00:48] Kevin Kim on location at Renovo Financial’s Top Gun Event in Los Angeles. [00:01:19] Paul Shaughnessy introduces himself as an originator at Renovo Financial. [00:01:35] Kevin Werner introduces Renovo's annual Top Gun Event for top performers. [00:02:03] Criteria for Renovo’s Top Gun: Originators must close $50 million annually. [00:03:01] Discussion on Renovo's culture of investing in employee happiness and growth. [00:04:21] Renovo’s focus on continuous learning and development for the team. [00:06:38] Challenges of expanding into new markets and attracting top talent. [00:08:31] Renovo’s approach to lending only in markets where they have a local presence. [00:09:40] Paul Shaughnessy on building Renovo’s presence in Massachusetts. [00:12:31] Importance of understanding clients' business goals and challenges. [00:14:27] Relationship-driven lending versus rate-driven competition. [00:16:18] Balancing competitive product offerings with strong client relationships. [00:18:23] Long-term perspective in lending and the value of borrower loyalty. [00:24:14] The consultative approach to client relationships at Renovo. [00:28:13] Navigating competition from legacy hard money lenders. [00:31:04] The importance of character assessment in borrower qualification. [00:33:21] Renovo’s diversified product offerings in the Massachusetts market. [00:38:01] Expansion plans for Renovo in California with a focus on local leadership. [00:41:06] Renovo’s internal culture-building through events like Renovo Palooza. [00:44:31] Investing in employee development without sacrificing profitability. [00:50:09] Insights from other successful companies like Quicken Loans. [00:54:11] Transparency and accountability at Renovo through public performance metrics. Links: Learn more about Renovo Financial at https://renovofinancial.com/ [https://renovofinancial.com/] Learn more about Geraci Law Firm at https://www.geracilawfirm.com [https://www.geracilawfirm.com] Subscribe to the Lender Lounge newsletter for episode notifications and exclusive content at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast] Subscribe to the Geraci Law Firm newsletter at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/sign-up [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/sign-up] Follow Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lender-lounge-with-kevin-kim/] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@lenderloungewithkevinkim]

In this episode of Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, Briana Hildt, CEO and Founder of Cardinal Capital Group, joins the show to share her remarkable journey in private lending. From starting in asset management to becoming one of Massachusetts' leading private lenders, Briana discusses how she transitioned from a loan broker to launching and scaling her own lending business. She provides insight into the challenges of breaking into the Northeast market, the importance of relationship-driven lending, and how strategic decision-making fueled Cardinal Capital’s success. Briana’s story highlights resilience, the power of strong partnerships, and a commitment to executing with integrity—valuable lessons for both emerging and established lenders.  Briana Hildt serves as the Founder and CEO of Cardinal Capital Group, a prominent female-owned private lending firm operating on a national scale. With a strong background in real estate lending, she has facilitated over $1Billion in business purpose loans. Under her guidance, CCG has emerged as the top private lender in Massachusetts, Briana's native state. Her pioneering approach and unwavering commitment to excellence have positioned her as a formidable leader in the industry. She emphasizes the core values of Adaptability, Devotion, and Integrity in steering the company toward success. Bullet Points: [00:01:04] Briana Hildt introduces herself and her company, Cardinal Capital Group. [00:02:10] Briana’s early career in asset management and real estate before entering private lending. [00:03:54] Transitioning from a loan broker to establishing Cardinal Capital. [00:06:22] Breaking into the Massachusetts private lending market and navigating industry challenges. [00:08:44] The pivotal decision to launch her own lending firm instead of joining an established lender. [00:12:08] Raising seed capital and securing early investors for Cardinal Capital. [00:14:50] The importance of building trust with investors, borrowers, and industry partners. [00:18:30] How Briana built lasting client relationships and a referral-based business model. [00:21:42] The challenges and benefits of intentional, steady growth over rapid expansion. [00:25:10] Cardinal Capital’s disciplined approach to underwriting and deal structuring. [00:30:20] Market insights: The Northeast lending landscape and how it differs from California. [00:35:55] How Briana and her team adapted to market volatility in recent years. [00:40:38] The role of trust, transparency, and execution in scaling a lending business. [00:45:12] Briana’s advice for brokers looking to transition into direct lending. [00:50:05] The future of Cardinal Capital and key trends in private lending. Links: Learn more about Cardinal Capital Group at https://ccgloans.com/ [https://ccgloans.com/] Learn more about Geraci Law Firm at https://www.geracilawfirm.com [https://www.geracilawfirm.com] Subscribe to the Lender Lounge newsletter for episode notifications and exclusive content at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast] Subscribe to the Geraci Law Firm newsletter at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/sign-up [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/sign-up] Follow Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lender-lounge-with-kevin-kim/] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@lenderloungewithkevinkim]

In this episode of Lender Lounge, Kevin Kim interviews Daniel Guimont, CEO of Guimont Capital, and Kirsten Lundell Koester, the company's Chief Legal Officer, at their Bellevue office. Daniel and Kirsten share Guimont Capital's journey from its roots as Las Vegas Loans to becoming a diversified lender focused on high-value, diverse projects across the U.S., from real estate to business acquisitions. They discuss the company’s hands-on approach, unique underwriting process, and commitment to borrower relationships, emphasizing both operational experience and the human element in lending. Daniel reflects on lessons from his previous waste management venture, now applied to Guimont Capital’s approach, while Kirsten explains how her M&A background supports their current deal-making strategies.  This episode offers insights into balancing growth with careful underwriting, maintaining client relationships, and defining long-term goals in the private lending market.      Bullet Points:  [00:01:15] Introduction to Guimont Capital's background and their transformation from Las Vegas Loans.  [00:04:23] Discussing Captivate 2023 sponsorship and its impact on brand visibility.  [00:06:48] Portfolio diversity: from raw land development to resorts and office spaces.  [00:09:25] Unique underwriting process centered on asset and borrower alignment.  [00:13:55] Leveraging past operational experience in lending practices.  [00:18:34] Focus on genuine, transparent borrower relationships.  [00:21:16] Story of Daniel’s early career and growth in waste management.  [00:27:48] The formation of the Guimont family office.  [00:32:53] Strategies for maintaining diversified investments in lending.  [00:37:08] Thoughtful approach to growth and capital sourcing.  [00:43:23] Challenges and benefits of being self-funded.  [00:50:49] The importance of borrower communication in risk management.  [00:55:32] Guimont Capital’s plans to maintain a borrower-centered approach while scaling.  [01:01:18] Long-term vision: patient growth and strong client relationships.      Links:    Learn more about Guimont Capital at https://www.guimontcapital.com/ [https://www.guimontcapital.com/]  Learn more about Geraci Law Firm at https://www.geracilawfirm.com [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/]  Subscribe to the Lender Lounge newsletter for episode notifications and exclusive content at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast]  Subscribe to the Geraci Law Firm newsletter at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/sign-up [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/sign-up]  Follow Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lender-lounge-with-kevin-kim/] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@lenderloungewithkevinkim]

Kevin Kim hosts a live episode of Lender Lounge from the Captivate Conference at the Encore Hotel in Las Vegas. Joining him are industry veterans Evan Stone, CEO of Champions Funding and Chairman of Community Savings, Dustin Wells, President of Dominion Financial Services Wholesale, and Dave Orloff, CEO of American Heritage Lending. This discussion explores the evolving landscape of private lending, particularly the intersections of consumer and business-purpose lending. The panelists dive into their experiences transitioning from consumer to business-purpose lending, the distinct challenges of each, and the nuances of RTL and DSCR products. The conversation also highlights the importance of understanding credit risk, borrower psychology, and the growing role of brokers in non-agency lending. The episode provides valuable insights into market trends, capital strategies, and the future of private lending in a rapidly changing economic environment.      Bullet Points:  [00:00:57] Kevin introduces the Captivate Conference and the episode’s panel.  [00:03:02] Discussion on the difference between consumer and business-purpose lending.  [00:05:03] Panelists share their preferences between consumer and BPL.  [00:09:01] The evolution of liquidity and secondary markets in BPL since 2018.  [00:12:03] Dominion’s unique approach to RTL and partnership with life insurance companies.  [00:16:05] The role of banks in BPL and managing liquidity through term financing.  [00:20:02] Initial reactions of consumer lenders entering BPL and adapting to its unique challenges.  [00:25:04] The critical role of understanding credit risk and the differences in underwriting BPL versus consumer loans.  [00:33:07] Exploring borrower profiles and their impact on RTL underwriting decisions.  [00:39:10] DSCR as a growing product category and its current market conditions.  [00:45:12] The psychology of borrowers and the impact of rate fluctuations on market behavior.  [00:50:06] Discussion on the potential long-term stability of rates and borrower expectations.  [00:55:05] Concerns about commoditization and standardization in the RTL sector.  [01:00:09] Champions Funding’s focus on staying specialized and cautious about market overextension.  [01:05:07] Insights into the factors that contribute to the success or failure of consumer shops entering the BPL space.   Links:    Learn more about Champions Funding at https://www.champstpo.com/ [https://www.champstpo.com/]  Learn more about Dominion Financial Services at https://www.dominionfinancialservices.com [https://www.dominionfinancialservices.com/]  Learn more about American Heritage Lending at https://ahlend.com/ [https://ahlend.com/]  Learn more about Geraci Law Firm at https://www.geracilawfirm.com [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/]  Subscribe to the Lender Lounge newsletter for episode notifications and exclusive content at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast]  Subscribe to the Geraci Law Firm newsletter at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/sign-up [https://www.geracilawfirm.com/sign-up]  Follow Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lender-lounge-with-kevin-kim/] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@lenderloungewithkevinkim]