Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim

The podcast that gives an exclusive look beyond the title of private lending industry leaders.

Kevin Kim, Esq., is a partner at Geraci LLP, an organization that has been serving private lenders for over 10 years. An experienced lending lawyer and engaging speaker, Kevin digs deep with his guests to discover what makes a successful company and leader in this industry. Learn their company stories, wisdom, and what makes these leaders tick through captivating interviews and engaging banter.

Latest Episode

Live at CAPTIVATE 2024

Live from CAPTIVATE

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.

Listen to Episode »
Live at CAPTIVATE 2024

Live from CAPTIVATE

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.

Listen to Episode »
Lender Lounge White

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Meet the Host

Kevin Kim

Kevin Kim, Esq.

Kevin Kim is a Partner with Geraci LLP and leads the firm's corporate & securities practice. His expertise lies in fund formation, private placements, and other securities offerings for private lenders, real estate developers, and investors of all sizes. Kevin and his team have advised and prepared hundreds of securities offerings including mortgage funds, structured debt offerings, real estate syndications, crowdfunding offerings, EB-5 projects, and Qualified Opportunity Funds. Kevin's passion lies in serving his clients as a pragmatic advisor focusing on real world solutions.

Kevin is also a nationally recognized expert in mortgage fund formation. Kevin is the lead instructor for the American Association of Private Lender’s Certified Fund Manager courses, where he teaches mortgage fund managers throughout the United States on fund management and securities laws.

Kevin hosts the podcast Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, where he interviews industry leaders, friends, and colleagues in the private lending space to learn what makes them tick.

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Previous Episodes

A Conversation with Bill Tessar, CV3 Financial Services

A Conversation with Bill Tessar, CV3 Financial Services

William J. Tessar is one of private lending’s most successful and inspiring leaders. From founding four companies in the conventional space to spearheading the remarkable success of Civic Financial Services, his journey offers invaluable insights to those new or veteran in private mortgage lending. Today, at the helm of CV3, Bill is recreating the magic that existed in each of his previous companies.

Kevin had the pleasure of traveling to CV3 headquarters in El Segundo, CA, to check out the new space and interview Bill. Throughout the conversation, it became clear that Bill puts his team’s success (personal and professional) and happiness first – a concept that too often comes secondary to many businesses – and dives deep with us to get to the core of the fervent loyalty of his employees. They also discuss the complexities of the private lending industry, the effects of regulatory interventions on banks, and more. This is a truly special episode with an extraordinary leader, so dive in now – the Lender Lounge awaits you!

Listen to Episode »
Ask a Private Lending Leader: Navigating Company Culture | Kevin Werner & Greg Hebner

Ask a Private Lending Leader: Navigating Company Culture | Kevin Werner & Greg Hebner

Step into the Lender Lounge as Kevin Kim leads a conversation between two of the private lending industry’s best: Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, and Greg Hebner, Managing Director at Arixa Capital. From building a reputation for their companies as desirable workplaces to the intricacies of hiring top-notch talent and truly understanding client needs, these leaders delve into the core elements that define success for their companies. They offer valuable lessons on fostering a positive work environment, attracting and retaining employees, and ultimately using these tools to become a leader in the space. It’s a dialogue filled with insights that translate to practical strategies for growth and excellence and is a rare opportunity to gain a behind-the-scenes view of what makes these lending giants thrive.

Listen to Episode »
Season4_Teaser_Ep1_Kiavi

Special Summer Edition: A Conversation with a Lending Titan | Arvind Mohan, Kiavi

Join Arvind Mohan, CEO of Kiavi (formerly LendingHome), as he peels back the curtain for a glimpse into the lending giant and delves into the industry. Discover Kiavi’s ambitious plans for rehab projects and urban construction, their dedication to data-driven customer service, and their strategies for building a stronger lending portfolio. Hear from Arvind on the broader, ever-changing lending landscape, from the challenges posed by the Federal Reserve’s unpredictability to the importance of technology in enhancing the customer experience. This episode wraps up by exploring issues such as pricing capital markets and housing affordability. Don’t miss this captivating conversation with Arvind Mohan, a true lending industry titan, on Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim.

Listen to Episode »
Ben Fertig Lender Lounge

Resiliency Through Diversification | Ben Fertig, Constructive Loans

In the season 3 finale of Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, Kevin interviewed Ben Fertig, the President and Co-Founder of Constructive Capital – a leading name in the private lending space and a reputable provider of DSCR loans. Ben shared about the genesis of Constructive and delved into his unique perspective on the private lending industry. With the current market experiencing significant volatility, Ben also provided valuable insights on how Constructive has managed to navigate and thrive in such turbulent times.

Listen to Episode »
Secret Sauce | Jeff Tesch, RCN Capital

Secret Sauce | Jeff Tesch, RCN Capital

In this episode, Kevin sat down with Jeff Tesch, founder and CEO of RCN Capital, to discuss his professional journey and the growth of his company. From a local operation to a national lender, RCN has seen tremendous success over the years. Listen in to learn more about Jeff’s story and the meaning behind the name “RCN.”

Listen to Episode »
Lender Lounge Tom and Steve

Swapping War Stories | Tom and Steve, Geraci LLP

In this special episode, we are joined by two of Geraci Law Firm’s esteemed attorneys, Tom Hajda and Steven Ernest. Both men wear many hats (literally) in their roles as private lending attorneys and bring a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to the table. Tune in to hear their insights and advice.

Listen to Episode »
Tricia Mitchell

Leading By Example | Tricia Mitchell, Archwest

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Tricia Mitchell, Archwest Capital’s President and COO. Tricia dove into how she started as an intern fresh out of law school and worked her way up to becoming the President and COO of Archwest. She discussed the company’s strategy of starting out small and focusing on methodical growth over the years and emphasized that Archwest’s success stems from listening to its client’s needs above all.

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Lender Lounge S3E11 | Diversification is Key | Mark Jury, Sortis Holdings

Diversification is Key | Mark Jury, Sortis Holdings

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Mark Jury with Sortis Holdings. Mark discussed the details of Sortis’ business and how they are servicing private lenders as an advisor. He also gave perspective on the current market conditions and his take on institutional investors in private lending.

Listen to Episode »

Game Changer | Paul Rahimian, Parkview Financial

For this episode, Kevin interviewed Paul Rahimian, who has become a household name in the construction business, at Parkview Financials’ headquarters in West Los Angeles. Paul emphasized how he has remained true to his original thesis of creativity and capital preservation, even as he now competes with institutional lenders across the U.S.

Listen to Episode »
Ask a Private Lending Marketer: Mastering Your Brand | Erica LaCentra & Rocky Butani

Ask a Private Lending Marketer: Mastering Your Brand | Erica LaCentra & Rocky Butani

For this episode, our host Kevin Kim welcomes industry experts Erica LaCentra and Rocky Butani for a deep dive into the nuanced world of private lending marketing. They highlight the importance of industry conferences and share insights on how emerging companies and entrepreneurs can smartly use marketing to stand out in a crowded field. With a focus on the power of content marketing, targeted email campaigns, and maintaining transparent communication in challenging times, Erica and Rocky offer strategic tips for building brand recognition, nurturing relationships, and succeeding at industry conferences. Settle in as these industry-known marketing experts delve into the practical and technological facets of marketing within the private lending sector.

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A Conversation with Ray Mathoda, Anchor Loans

A Conversation with Ray Mathoda, Anchor Loans

Ray Mathoda is a seasoned CEO, social entrepreneur, and passionate visionary who now leads the charge at Anchor Loans, a lending giant with more than $13 billion in loans funded to date. Her upbringing in India, passion for genomics, identity as a member of the Desi LGBTQ+ community, and vast professional experience all give her a unique perspective on the real estate lending market. With a glance into the challenges of urban housing projects and the real estate investment landscape, this discussion sheds light on Ray’s multidimensional approach to lending and social entrepreneurship. You’ll find how her distinctive blend of passion, expertise, and empathy impacts Anchor Loans and all who cross paths with her.

Listen to Episode »
A Conversation with Bill Tessar, CV3 Financial Services

A Conversation with Bill Tessar, CV3 Financial Services

William J. Tessar is one of private lending’s most successful and inspiring leaders. From founding four companies in the conventional space to spearheading the remarkable success of Civic Financial Services, his journey offers invaluable insights to those new or veteran in private mortgage lending. Today, at the helm of CV3, Bill is recreating the magic that existed in each of his previous companies.

Kevin had the pleasure of traveling to CV3 headquarters in El Segundo, CA, to check out the new space and interview Bill. Throughout the conversation, it became clear that Bill puts his team’s success (personal and professional) and happiness first – a concept that too often comes secondary to many businesses – and dives deep with us to get to the core of the fervent loyalty of his employees. They also discuss the complexities of the private lending industry, the effects of regulatory interventions on banks, and more. This is a truly special episode with an extraordinary leader, so dive in now – the Lender Lounge awaits you!

Listen to Episode »
Ask a Private Lending Leader: Navigating Company Culture | Kevin Werner & Greg Hebner

Ask a Private Lending Leader: Navigating Company Culture | Kevin Werner & Greg Hebner

Step into the Lender Lounge as Kevin Kim leads a conversation between two of the private lending industry’s best: Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, and Greg Hebner, Managing Director at Arixa Capital. From building a reputation for their companies as desirable workplaces to the intricacies of hiring top-notch talent and truly understanding client needs, these leaders delve into the core elements that define success for their companies. They offer valuable lessons on fostering a positive work environment, attracting and retaining employees, and ultimately using these tools to become a leader in the space. It’s a dialogue filled with insights that translate to practical strategies for growth and excellence and is a rare opportunity to gain a behind-the-scenes view of what makes these lending giants thrive.

Listen to Episode »
Season4_Teaser_Ep1_Kiavi

Special Summer Edition: A Conversation with a Lending Titan | Arvind Mohan, Kiavi

Join Arvind Mohan, CEO of Kiavi (formerly LendingHome), as he peels back the curtain for a glimpse into the lending giant and delves into the industry. Discover Kiavi’s ambitious plans for rehab projects and urban construction, their dedication to data-driven customer service, and their strategies for building a stronger lending portfolio. Hear from Arvind on the broader, ever-changing lending landscape, from the challenges posed by the Federal Reserve’s unpredictability to the importance of technology in enhancing the customer experience. This episode wraps up by exploring issues such as pricing capital markets and housing affordability. Don’t miss this captivating conversation with Arvind Mohan, a true lending industry titan, on Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim.

Listen to Episode »
Ben Fertig Lender Lounge

Resiliency Through Diversification | Ben Fertig, Constructive Loans

In the season 3 finale of Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, Kevin interviewed Ben Fertig, the President and Co-Founder of Constructive Capital – a leading name in the private lending space and a reputable provider of DSCR loans. Ben shared about the genesis of Constructive and delved into his unique perspective on the private lending industry. With the current market experiencing significant volatility, Ben also provided valuable insights on how Constructive has managed to navigate and thrive in such turbulent times.

Listen to Episode »
Secret Sauce | Jeff Tesch, RCN Capital

Secret Sauce | Jeff Tesch, RCN Capital

In this episode, Kevin sat down with Jeff Tesch, founder and CEO of RCN Capital, to discuss his professional journey and the growth of his company. From a local operation to a national lender, RCN has seen tremendous success over the years. Listen in to learn more about Jeff’s story and the meaning behind the name “RCN.”

Listen to Episode »
Lender Lounge Tom and Steve

Swapping War Stories | Tom and Steve, Geraci LLP

In this special episode, we are joined by two of Geraci Law Firm’s esteemed attorneys, Tom Hajda and Steven Ernest. Both men wear many hats (literally) in their roles as private lending attorneys and bring a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to the table. Tune in to hear their insights and advice.

Listen to Episode »