In this powerful episode of MikeDrop, we sit down with Jeremy Davis, President of Mortgage at Southern Bancorp, to explore what it really means to build legacy through lending. Jeremy doesn’t just talk housing; he lives and breathes it—from grassroots advocacy to C-suite leadership. His journey is a masterclass in mission-driven business, and this episode captures his voice, vision, and unwavering belief in economic empowerment through homeownership.

With more than two decades in mortgage and financial services, Jeremy brings serious depth to the conversation. He has led everything from originations and community development to coaching, business growth, and launching inclusive lending platforms. His work is grounded in one truth: homeownership is the cornerstone of generational wealth. And for families too often left behind by traditional lending, Jeremy is on a mission to change that.

As President of Mortgage at Southern Bancorp—a nationally recognized Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)—Jeremy is blending margin and mission with powerful results. Under his leadership, the bank is reshaping access to credit, expanding community lending, and earning accolades like the 2024 MBA Leadership Award for Market Outreach Strategies.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What "legacy lending" really means in today’s world

• How to scale impact without sacrificing integrity

• The role of community banks and CDFIs in building generational wealth

• Lessons from launching FirstBank Forward and InQlusion Mortgage Capital

• Why representation, accessibility, and advocacy still matter in housing

• What the next generation of mortgage leaders needs to hear

Jeremy also breaks down the mindset behind his high-performance culture, his advice to lenders in today’s market, and how anyone in the housing industry can do more on purpose.

If you care about equity, homeownership, and real solutions that work—this is the conversation to hear. Whether you're a loan officer, housing advocate, executive, or just passionate about building a better system, Jeremy's leadership and vision are unmatched.

Sponsored by:

• Mortgage Connect

• Aidium

• Floify

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Tannenbaum, the new CEO of Figure Technology Solutions, for a conversation about career growth, smart leadership, and how new ideas are changing the way lending and finance work today.

Michael’s path is nothing short of impressive. He helped grow SoFi’s lending operations, including building their mortgage business from the ground up. He later joined Brex as its first employee and played a major role in taking the company from a small startup to one of the most recognized names in the fintech world, with over 1,200 employees and a multibillion-dollar valuation. Now, as CEO of Figure, he’s focused on building financial tools that make borrowing simpler and more transparent for everyday people.

Figure is the largest non-bank provider of home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) in the country, with over $14 billion in loans originated for more than 160,000 homeowners. But Michael’s focus isn’t just on the numbers—it’s on helping people access their home’s value quickly, fairly, and with less hassle. He talks about the importance of improving the borrowing experience, not just for lenders and capital markets, but for homeowners across the U.S.

We also talk about how technology can improve the lending process—not by making it more complicated, but by cutting through red tape and making sure people get the support they need, when they need it. Michael shares what it means to lead in today’s fast-changing financial world and how he’s bringing fresh energy to Figure’s mission.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How Michael grew from a finance leader at SoFi and Brex to CEO of Figure

• What it takes to build a business that balances growth with customer experience

• Why improving how people borrow money can change the future of lending

• The story behind Figure’s rise in the lending space, and what’s coming next

• What leaders and lenders can learn from Michael’s journey through three top-tier fintechs

Whether you’re a mortgage professional, a homeowner curious about tapping into your equity, or just someone interested in where finance is heading, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the people and ideas driving change.

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by:

• Mortgage Connect

• Aidium

• Floify

In this powerful episode titled Thrive & Lead, we sit down with one of the mortgage industry’s most influential voices—Patty Arvielo, CEO and Co-Founder of New American Funding, and a beacon of leadership, resilience, and equity in financial services.

Patty’s story isn’t just about building a mortgage company—it’s about building a movement.

From humble beginnings cleaning real estate offices with her mother to becoming the first Hispanic woman to have a School of Business named after her, Patty’s rise to industry titan is rooted in tenacity, vision, and service. She founded New American Funding in 2003 with her husband Rick Arvielo, transforming it into one of the largest Latina-owned private mortgage banks in the U.S., with over 260,000 loans serviced and $70+ billion in volume.

In this episode, Patty opens up about:

• Launching and scaling a mortgage business from scratch

• How her Mexican-American upbringing shaped her leadership style

• The creation of game-changing initiatives like Latino Focus, NAF Black Impact, NAF Heroes, and NAF Pride

• What it really means to "thrive and lead" in a volatile housing market

• Mentorship, inclusion, and building a team where over 50% are women and 37% are from diverse backgrounds

• Her tireless work in Washington D.C. advocating for sustainable homeownership

We also dive into her work on the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Residential Board of Governors, her advocacy roles with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD, and what she sees as the future of lending.

Whether you’re an aspiring mortgage professional, a seasoned entrepreneur, or someone seeking to make a difference in your community, this episode will leave you inspired, educated, and ready to lead with purpose.

Patty’s motto? "With risk comes reward."
Her legacy? Empowering others to believe they can do it too.

Follow Patty on social platforms: @pattyarvielo
Learn more about New American Funding at: newamericanfunding.com

Our sponsors make this podcast possible:
Mortgage Connect – Full-service mortgage solutions built for speed, compliance, and borrower experience
Aidium – The all-in-one CRM for modern mortgage teams
Floify – Streamline your lending process with award-winning digital mortgage point-of-sale technology