Fintech Hunting

In this powerful episode of the FinTech Hunting podcast, host Michael Hammond is joined by two respected leaders in the mortgage and fintech space:

• Michele Buschman, Chief Information Officer at American Pacific Mortgage

• Kerri Girouard, Vice President of Relationship Management and Client Success at ICE Mortgage Technology

Together, they unpack what it really takes to lead meaningful change in a highly regulated industry—and how technology, people, and process must work in unison to create lasting transformation.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why fear, not regulation, is the biggest barrier to innovation

• How successful AI adoption starts with transparency and trust

• What "slow discovery = fast delivery" means for digital transformation

• How to align cross-functional teams around shared outcomes

• Ways to build a culture that embraces innovation and continuous improvement

• Real-world examples of AI in underwriting and operations

• How to measure ROI and adoption in tech pilots before scaling

• The future of mortgage leadership in a fast-moving tech landscape

Who This Episode Is For:

• Mortgage executives leading digital transformation

• Lending professionals exploring AI and automation

• Fintech leaders designing compliant, scalable solutions

• Change management experts in financial services

• Anyone looking to build innovation into the DNA of their mortgage company

Is your mortgage business unknowingly bleeding revenue?

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of the Fintech Hunting Podcast, host Michael Hammond sits down with returning guest Tim Nguyen, CEO and founder of BeSmartee, to uncover one of the most overlooked—and costly—problems in mortgage lending: application abandonment.

Why are 30–40% of borrowers starting but never submitting applications?
What’s the ROI of fixing just 10% of your funnel?
Is your point-of-sale (POS) platform silently working against you?

Tim shares practical, actionable insights on how lenders can stop leaving money on the table—without increasing ad spend or adding staff. From tracking application submission ratios to improving digital workflows and using AI to increase conversions, this episode delivers high-impact strategies you can implement immediately.

Key Takeaways:

• The number one metric every lender must track

• How to identify conversion drop-offs and fix them

• Why your current tech stack may be sabotaging growth

• What commercial lending can teach the mortgage world about efficiency

• What’s next in AI-powered lending from BeSmartee

Whether you’re a lender, loan officer, fintech vendor, or executive, this episode will challenge your assumptions and offer fresh perspectives on driving digital efficiency and profitability.

In this episode of The Fintech Hunting Podcast, recorded following the Loan Vision Innovation Conference in Atlanta, host Michael Hammond sits down with Julia Brown, CEO and Founder of Telescope Advisors, to unpack the hidden fractures that quietly derail mortgage M&A deals.Julia shares deep insights from the frontlines of organizational transformation and post-acquisition integration. Whether you’re an executive at a top mortgage enterprise or a growing IMB evaluating potential partners, this conversation delivers the strategies you need to avoid costly missteps and lead your team through change.Topics covered include:The real reasons M&A integrations fall apart after closingCultural alignment vs. operational efficiencyWhat PE firms are looking for in servicing portfoliosThe power of transparent leadership during transitionHow AI and workflow optimization are reshaping modern lendingWhy compensation alone won’t retain top talent in 2025This conversation is packed with practical takeaways for lenders, tech leaders, and operators navigating a rapidly evolving mortgage landscape.Featuring:Host: Michael Hammond, Founder & CEO, NexLevel AdvisorsGuest: Julia Brown, CEO & Founder, Telescope AdvisorsRecorded in Atlanta, GA at the Loan Vision Innovation ConferenceTimestamps00:00 – Introduction01:00 – The Quiet Collapse: Hidden Gaps in Business Value03:15 – Post-Merger Culture Clashes and Communication07:20 – The State of M&A Activity in Mortgage09:45 – AI, Automation, and Workflow Strategy14:20 – Lessons from Year One of Telescope Advisors15:45 – The Evolving Role of Mortgage LeadersContact Julia BrownEmail: [email protected]

 In this must-watch episode of Fintech Hunting, host Michael Hammond welcomes back Dan Bailey, SVP at WFG Enterprise Solutions, to uncover how WFG is transforming title, valuation, and lending operations with next-gen technology and service-first culture.

🎙️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The state of the mortgage market—and what’s improving

• Why borrower experience isn’t just talk at WFG (and how they quantify it)

• How AI and automation are revolutionizing title production, post-closing, and customer engagement

• The power of Volie—WFG’s CRM and marketing platform fueling lender success

• What’s coming next in AI-driven mortgage innovation

📊 Whether you’re a lender, tech vendor, loan officer, or executive navigating the evolving mortgage landscape, this episode is your playbook for thriving in 2025 and beyond.