In this episode of Lykken on Lending, I sit down with Adam Carmel, Founder and CEO of Polly, to explore how his team is transforming one of the most overlooked yet critical areas of mortgage banking—capital markets technology. We dive into why legacy pricing engines have held lenders back, how Poly is using AI and agile infrastructure to cut origination costs, and what the future holds for a more transparent, configurable, and profitable mortgage ecosystem. If you’ve ever wondered how technology can solve the $13,000-per-loan challenge and bring real innovation to the secondary market, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

In this episode of Lykken on Lending, David Lykken sits down with real estate industry veteran and visionary leader Chris Heller. From his early days selling timeshares to leading Keller Williams’ global expansion and now driving innovation at Movoto (powered by Lower), Chris shares lessons on leadership, growth, timing, and the critical intersection of people and technology. This candid conversation explores what it really takes to scale businesses, build powerful agent–lender relationships, and reimagine the homebuying journey for today’s consumer.

The Lykken on Lending program will feature our Weekly Mortgage Updates with Adam DeSanctis and his MBA Mortgage Minute, and then Les Parker’s TMSpotlight, a macroeconomic perspective on the economy with a music parody. That leads to Matt Graham of MBS Live providing you with a rate & market update, followed by David Kittle, Chief Executive Officer @ The Mortgage Collaborative, to discuss mortgage originations. Then we have Alice Alvey of Union Home providing a regulatory & legislative update, then Allen Pollack giving us a Tech Report on the latest technology impacting our industry. We also have commentaries provided by our Consultants, Bill Corbet and Marc Helm, Senior Executive Partner @ Transformational Mortgage Solutions, talking about Loan Servicing and the “Agencies”.

In this episode of Lykken on Lending, we’re joined by Mark Todd, EVP of Sales & Client Services at Byte Software, for a compelling look at how one of the industry's longest-standing LOS providers continues to lead through innovation. With a mortgage career that started “in Pampers” and a decade of helping lenders modernize with Byte, Mark shares the company’s customer-first philosophy, the launch of their next-generation browser-based LOS, and an exclusive first look at their upcoming native pricing engine. Whether you’re a tech skeptic or a digital enthusiast, this episode delivers real-world insights on why being configurable, experienced, and client-driven matters more than ever in today’s market.

In this inspiring episode of Lykken on Lending, I sit down with Victor Nino—co-founder of Realty of America and a standout in the real estate world—for a powerful conversation on how to scale your business with intention, integrity, and innovation. From his humble beginnings in Eagle Pass, Texas, to leading one of the fastest-growing real estate companies in the nation, Victor shares how mentorship, mindset, and showing up with excellence have shaped his journey. We also dive into how AI, including game-changers like Angel AI and Angel Twin, is reshaping the way agents grow and stay connected in today’s market.

The Lykken on Lending program will feature our Weekly Mortgage Updates with Adam DeSanctis and his MBA Mortgage Minute, and then Les Parker’s TMSpotlight, a macroeconomic perspective on the economy with a music parody. That leads to Matt Graham of MBS Live providing you with a rate & market update, followed by David Kittle, Chief Executive Officer @ The Mortgage Collaborative, to discuss mortgage originations. Then we have Alice Alvey of Union Home providing a regulatory & legislative update, then Allen Pollack giving us a Tech Report on the latest technology impacting our industry. We also have commentaries provided by our Consultants, Bill Corbet and Marc Helm, Senior Executive Partner @ Transformational Mortgage Solutions, talking about Loan Servicing and the “Agencies”.

In this episode of Lykken on Lending, I sit down with Jerry Rader of Alcova Mortgage to explore the deeper side of recruiting—where culture, calling, and character matter more than compensation. Jerry shares how his faith, leadership journey, and long-game approach to relationships have shaped a recruitment philosophy that prioritizes alignment over urgency. From identifying your company’s true culture to helping candidates uncover their “why,” this conversation is packed with timeless insights for building teams that last. If you care about sustainable growth and meaningful connections, this episode is for you.

In this eye-opening episode of Lykken on Lending, we’re sitting down with Rob Chrane, founder and CEO of Down Payment Resource (DPR), to reveal one of the mortgage industry's most powerful — and underutilized — tools: Down Payment Assistance (DPA) programs.

With over 2,500 active programs and a staggering 240,000+ updates annually, DPR is transforming the way lenders, realtors, and borrowers access homeownership opportunities. Rob shares his journey from real estate to mortgage lending and explains how a single idea led to the creation of a nationally trusted platform helping thousands achieve homeownership.

From overcoming misconceptions about DPA to breaking down how lenders can implement it efficiently, this episode is packed with insights, strategy, and inspiration. If you’re in the mortgage business and you’re not leveraging DPA — you’re leaving money on the table.

The Lykken on Lending program will feature our Weekly Mortgage Updates with Adam DeSanctis and his MBA Mortgage Minute, and then Les Parker’s TMSpotlight, a macroeconomic perspective on the economy with a music parody. That leads to Matt Graham of MBS Live providing you with a rate & market update, followed by David Kittle, Chief Executive Officer @ The Mortgage Collaborative, to discuss mortgage originations. Then we have Alice Alvey of Union Home providing a regulatory & legislative update, then Allen Pollack giving us a Tech Report on the latest technology impacting our industry. We also have commentaries provided by our Consultants, Bill Corbet and Marc Helm, Senior Executive Partner @ Transformational Mortgage Solutions, talking about Loan Servicing and the “Agencies”.

This segment explores how rising interest costs, unreliable economic data, and congressional inaction are driving fiscal instability, while mortgage professionals are urged to lead in the present instead of betting on future rate drops.