Kevin Kim, Esq.: You’re listening to Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, a podcast dedicated to helping our listeners in the private lending industry grow, improve, and streamline their business. I’m Kevin Kim, Partner at Fortra Law, the nation’s largest private lending law firm. Join me as we chat with the

Scott Ward, CEO of Think Realty, joins Kevin Kim to discuss how education, mentorship, and ethical business practices are shaping the future of private lending and real estate investing. Scott shares his journey from private lending into leading Think Realty and explains the organization’s mission to provide practical education and meaningful connections for investors. Kevin and Scott examine the growing institutionalization of private lending, the importance of mentorship, underwriting discipline, fraud prevention, regional lending strategies, insurance education, and borrower expectations. They also discuss how lenders can create long-term relationships by providing value beyond capital and why realistic expectations remain essential for success in today’s market.

Ezra Dweck, President and Co-Founder of IceCap Group, joins Kevin Kim on this episode of Lender Lounge to discuss the evolution of private lending, the importance of disciplined underwriting, and the changing dynamics of the RTL and DSCR markets. Ezra shares how IceCap began as a family office deploying capital into real estate before transitioning into one of the Northeast’s established private lending platforms. The conversation covers the distinction between being an originator versus a true lender, the role of securitization in creating stable financing, and why maintaining independent decision-making remains central to IceCap’s strategy. Ezra also examines the risks associated with aggressive leverage, valuation concerns, and the growing influence of technology and AI in modern lending operations.

Chris Haddon and Jason Balin of Hard Money Bankers join Kevin Kim on this episode of Lender Lounge to discuss their nearly 20-year journey building a private lending business rooted in conservative underwriting and private capital. Starting in 2007 during the early stages of the financial crisis, they share how they scaled through disciplined deal structures, strong investor relationships, and a focus on long-term sustainability rather than rapid growth. The conversation examines the evolution of private lending, the rise of institutional capital, and the trade-offs between control, volume, and risk. Chris and Jason also break down their approach to maintaining deal flow, adapting to changing markets, and building a lending business that doubles as an investment vehicle.

Matt Medrano and Justin Rocheleau, co-founders of Dynamo Capital, join Kevin Kim live at Fortra Con in Las Vegas to discuss their rapid rise as a Midwest-based private lender. Starting from residential mortgage and brokerage backgrounds, the duo share how frustrations with traditional lending channels led them to launch their own fund and build a balance sheet lending business. They unpack their evolution from brokering deals to becoming a direct lender, the challenges of operating in overlooked Midwest markets, and their philosophy around autonomy, disciplined underwriting, and borrower relationships. The conversation also explores team building, market expansion, and maintaining consistency while scaling a fast-growing lending platform.

Fred Rea, Founder of Rain City Capital, and Ian Morrell, Partner since 2013, join Kevin Kim to trace Rain City’s path from courthouse-step hard money lending in Washington to becoming a national private lender. They discuss their early days funding foreclosure auctions, the decision during COVID to expand beyond the Pacific Northwest, and the push to access institutional capital through securitization. The conversation covers growth challenges, lessons learned in DSCR lending, culture-driven leadership, and how Rain City balances portfolio flexibility with scalable capital markets execution.

Linda Hyde, President of the American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL), joins Kevin Kim to kick off Season 6 of Lender Lounge. In this episode, Linda shares her journey from leading a call center to spearheading one of the most influential organizations in private lending. She reflects on transforming AAPL from a niche “good old boys club” into a national platform for ethics, education, and advocacy in the industry. The conversation explores the association’s evolution, grassroots legislative efforts, and its commitment to building a more inclusive, accountable private lending community. Linda also offers a behind-the-scenes look at AAPL’s growth, upcoming initiatives, and her personal leadership philosophy.

In this solo wrap-up episode, Kevin Kim reflects on key trends and challenges the private lending industry faced in 2025 while sharing predictions and recommendations for 2026. From increased borrower fraud and rising defaults in major markets to the growth of in-house servicing and securitization opportunities for independent lenders, Kevin explores how lenders can adapt to shifting conditions. He also emphasizes operational discipline, compliance, and technology adoption—including blockchain and AI—as essential strategies for staying competitive in the year ahead.