In this episode of Lender Lounge, host Kevin Kim sits down with Brad Laddusaw of SNL Capital Group and Brock VandenBerg of Talamar Financial for a dynamic discussion on the realities of private lending in California. Both guests bring unique perspectives—Brad as the President of the California Mortgage Association (CMA) and Brock as a seasoned fund manager. They explore topics such as the complexities of lending regulation in California, the role and value of CMA in advocacy and education, the evolution of loan products, and the importance of industry collaboration. The episode offers candid insights into the challenges, nuances, and opportunities in one of the country's most tightly regulated yet influential lending markets.

Brad Laddusaw, CPA and CA DRE Broker, graduated CSUF in Accounting & Finance. He began at Ernst & Young, became VP Finance at a private lending firm, and in 2017 co-founded S&L Capital Group, providing asset-based bridge loans in California. He has underwritten $300M+ in trust deed investments and serves as President of the California Mortgage Association. Brock VandenBerg is President of TaliMar Financial and Fund manager for TaliMar Income Fund I. TaliMar Financial is a leading private lender funding residential and commercial bridge Fix and Flip, Bridge, and New Construction loans throughout California.

Bullet Points:

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:01:13] Guest introductions and lending model overviews.

[00:03:22] SNL Capital Group's trustee-to-investor lending strategy.

[00:05:30] Growth of Talamar Financial's mortgage fund and investor base.

[00:06:21] Lending focus areas and geographical footprint for both guests.

[00:08:56] California's regulatory environment and its national significance.

[00:10:39] Overview and mission of the California Mortgage Association (CMA).

[00:13:17] Fragmentation in private lending and differences in business models.

[00:14:22] Perception and branding of "hard money" vs. asset-based lending.

[00:16:34] CMA's diverse lender base and its value in bridging niche markets.

[00:18:33] Importance of CMA for both California and national lenders.

[00:19:05] CMA's relevance for mortgage brokers, brokers, and compliance staff.

[00:20:49] California's dominance at national lending conferences.

[00:22:39] Experience and knowledge-sharing among CMA's "old guard."

[00:24:00] Educational value of CMA's legislative panel and private money basics.

[00:25:31] Working relationship with California's DRE and regulatory transparency.

[00:28:03] Importance of proactive compliance to avoid audits and exams.

[00:29:43] Pros and cons of California's transparency vs. regulatory complexity.

[00:31:43] Need for specialized legal counsel in California private lending.

[00:32:25] Risk of regulatory non-compliance and misadvice from general counsel.

[00:33:40] Misconceptions about CMA and expanding national relevance.

[00:35:54] CMA's role in trend forecasting and regional market insights.

[00:37:03] Ground-level issues in ADU projects and construction timelines.

[00:39:09] Conservative underwriting as a safeguard in volatile markets.

[00:40:13] Institutional shops' hesitation toward non-box-conforming loans.

[00:41:48] Strategies for attracting new blood to CMA and growing membership.

[00:42:50] Pop-up events and localized education as membership drivers.

[00:43:31] Positive shift in CMA's atmosphere and member engagement.

[00:46:35] Launch of CMA's Fund Manager Committee for peer discussion.

[00:47:23] Opportunities for institutional involvement and education at CMA.

[00:49:29] Importance of promoting CMA's advocacy wins and impact.

[00:51:18] California's influence on national legislative trends in real estate.

[00:52:50] Overview of CMA's Lobby Day and legislative engagement.

[00:54:22] The importance of direct outreach to local legislators.

[00:56:02] How listeners can get involved in CMA and advocacy efforts.

Links:

Learn more about SNL Capital Group at: https://snlcap.com/

Learn more about Talamar Financial at: https://www.talamarfinancial.com/

Learn more about Geraci Law Firm at: https://www.geracilawfirm.com

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