The Lending Link

Why is underwriting small businesses so much harder than underwriting individuals? In this episode of The Lending Link, host Nathan George sits down with Michael LaSala from Baselayer to unpack one of the most persistent challenges in small business lending: verifying identity when businesses do not fit clean, predictable profiles.They discuss why matching business names, owners, and entities is much more complicated than verifying consumers. Fragmented data, thin files, and unstructured information make things harder for lenders, leading to more risk and manual reviews. Michael explains how lenders can use AI to organize messy data, identify useful behavioral signals, and better distinguish real businesses from fraud.They also talk about how automation speeds up decisions, helps more applicants finish the process, and lets underwriting teams focus on more important tasks. The conversation looks ahead to new trends like Know Your Agent and more applications, and to what lenders should do as AI continues to change small-business onboarding and credit decisions.

Most lenders are still treating bank data like a second-look tool. That’s a missed opportunity.Open banking has changed, and so has the way lenders can use cashflow data to make smarter, faster credit decisions. But with so many different aggregators, confusing connections, and news from the CFPB and JPMorgan, it can be tough to figure out what really matters.That’s where this conversation comes in.GDS Link and Quiltt teamed up for an open, straightforward discussion about what lenders should be doing with bank data right now. We’ll talk about:What the shift from screen scraping to OAuth really means for your teamHigh-impact use cases that go beyond second-look and drive real ROIHow to get started when you’ve got limited resources and no room for trial and errorWhat small lenders can learn from big players, even without a large budgetA straightforward look at the CFPB and Chase news, without the hype

In this episode, Jill Robb explores the growing threat of synthetic identity fraud in auto lending and lenders' strategies to fight back. From income misrepresentation to false employment claims, we unpack what's driving the $9.2 billion in estimated fraud exposure and how smarter data and decisioning can make a difference.

In this insightful episode of The Lending Link, Rich Alterman sits down with Sarah Way Milovich, General Counsel and VP of Compliance at Carleton, Inc., to explore the intricacies of lending compliance, with a particular focus on the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Annual Percentage Rate (APR) calculations. Carleton, a leader in financial software and services for over 50 years, has been at the forefront of helping lenders meet complex regulatory requirements. Sarah shares her journey from corporate attorney to her current role, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Carleton’s long history of providing critical compliance tools to major lending organizations. Sarah explains how Carleton supports lenders in navigating these complexities, from managing regulatory differences across states to the challenges of staying compliant with APR calculations. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the differences between simple interest and add-on rates and the importance of accurate APR calculations in ensuring compliance. With the rise of state-level scrutiny and the growing use of AI in compliance, this episode is packed with expert perspectives on the evolving role of technology in the lending space. Tune in to hear Sarah’s thoughts on the intersection of law, technology, and compliance, and discover how Carleton’s decades of expertise continue to provide essential support for lenders.

In the latest episode of The Lending Link, Rich chats with Jason Appel, Executive Vice-President & Chief Risk Officer at goeasy. In this episode, Rich and Jason discuss goeasy's mission to provide everyday Canadians with access to credit and a path to financial improvement. Jason shares goeasy's approach to credit risk management, including their strategies for reducing net charge-off rates while maintaining high growth. They also explore the challenges and opportunities within the Canadian lending market, the impact of data proliferation, and the evolving regulatory environment. Jason recounts goeasy's growth journey, from its beginnings in lease-to-own services to becoming a leading non-prime consumer lender in Canada. He provides valuable insights into responsible lending practices, the importance of customer education, and the significance of aligning with strong partner relationships. This episode is packed with real-world experiences and actionable advice from a leader in credit risk management. Perfect for anyone interested in understanding the nuances of non-prime lending and the broader financial services sector. Tune in and gain expert insights from Jason Appel!

Join us on the Lending Link Podcast, powered by GDS Link, where we explore the latest in data decisioning and credit risk solutions. In this episode, host Rich Alterman chats with Misha Esipov, the CEO and co-founder of Nova Credit. Since its launch in 2016, Nova Credit has been breaking new ground in credit infrastructure and analytics, helping lending institutions streamline their processes and grow responsibly. Listen to learn how Nova Credit is creating a more inclusive financial system and transforming the credit industry. Remember to subscribe to The Lending Link Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Join host Rich Alterman as he chats with Carlos Caro, founder of New Market Growth. Carlos delves into affiliate marketplaces, sharing insights from his journey at Credit Karma and Capital One. Discover how these marketplaces connect consumers with lending products, explore integration strategies, and learn about the opportunities for regional banks and credit unions. Carlos also addresses lenders' concerns about sharing credit policy intellectual property and the rise of emerging credit card issuers. Tune in for a concise guide to optimizing lender models in affiliate ecosystems.

In this episode of The Lending Link LIVE, recorded at the Fintech Meetup in March 2024, host Rich Alterman talks with Liz Pagel, Senior Vice President at TransUnion. They explore the dynamic world of "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) services and their integration into the traditional credit reporting landscape. Liz discusses the challenges of modifying credit models to accurately reflect BNPL transactions and shares insights on the regulatory landscape involving the CFPB and OCC. She explains the technical updates being implemented to ensure BNPL data is accurately captured and used in credit evaluations. Additionally, Liz addresses the broader impact of these adaptations on financial inclusion and potential changes in consumer behavior. She also speaks on the strides being made towards gender diversity within the fintech sector, highlighting the growing participation and influence of women in the industry. This episode provides a deep dive into how traditional credit bureaus like TransUnion navigate the complexities introduced by new financial products and what this means for consumers and lenders alike. Tune in now!

In this episode of The Lending Link LIVE, host Rich Alterman is joined by Mike Horrocks, SVP of Corporate Strategy and Product Marketing at Baker Hill, at the 2024 FinTech Meetup in Las Vegas. Horrocks brings over two decades of experience at Baker Hill, specializing in commercial lending, small business lending, and risk management. Throughout their discussion, they examine the evolving underwriting standards in commercial lending, emphasizing the impact of advanced technologies and data on enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency. Rich and Mike explore how these technological innovations are addressing the shifting demands of the finance industry. This conversation provides valuable insights into how technology is transforming finance, improving processes, and addressing key industry challenges.

Welcome to another special edition of The Lending Link LIVE, recorded during the 2024 Fintech Meetup in Las Vegas. Host Rich Alterman sat down with Brad Tompkins, the visionary Chief Information Officer of Vergent LMS, for a deep dive into the evolving world of financial technology. In this episode, Rich and Brad delve into how Vergent has redefined the lending process, providing an end-to-end platform that supports lenders from lead acquisition to collections. This comprehensive suite of web-based software solutions is specifically designed to meet the needs of today's fast-evolving industry. Tune in now and join us to learn more about how Vergent LMS is leading the way in making lending more flexible, customer-focused, and innovative.

In a special episode of the Lending Link Podcast, recorded at the Fintech Meetup in Las Vegas on March 3-6, 2024, host Rich Alterman sits down with Matthew Gomes, General Manager of Consumer Lending and Banking at Argyle. Together, they delve into the significant impact of payroll API technology on financial services, particularly in streamlining and improving income and employment verification for financial institutions. The conversation highlights Argyle's role in modernizing how financial institutions verify income and employment. By replacing outdated, labor-intensive verification methods with efficient, automated solutions, payroll API platforms empower consumers to directly share their financial data. This evolution leads to quicker, more accurate lending decisions. Listen to this episode to understand how innovation and efficiency are shaping the future of financial services through the lens of payroll API technology.

Broadcasting live from Fintech Meetup in Las Vegas, Nevada, we are excited to showcase another exciting episode of the Lending Link Podcast. This time, we’re syncing up with Kareem Saleh, CEO of Fairplay, who shares Fairplay’s innovative approach that allows companies to evaluate the fairness of their predictive models and make informed decisions to promote inclusivity and equity. Kareem discusses the broader implications of fairness across the entire credit lifecycle, emphasizing the need for fairness in marketing, fraud detection, income verification, and more. Moreover, Kareem provides a glimpse into the future of Fairplay, previewing upcoming enhancements such as a compliance copilot to assist chief compliance officers in navigating the complexities of AI, big data, and bias in consumer credit. Whether you’re a financial professional, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of fairness in finance, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Fairplay and uncover the possibilities of a fairer, more inclusive financial future. Tune in now and be inspired by the vision of fairness in financial services.