The mortgage industry is stuck in outdated strategies, broken tech stacks, and ego driven leadership. Meanwhile, the broker channel is quietly taking market share. In this explosive episode, Rob Pieklo, President and CEO of E Mortgage Capital also known as EPM, reveals the hidden truth about wholesale lending, capital markets, and why most originators are distracted by the wrong things. After personally raising capital to acquire a lender and driving 900 percent wholesale growth in two years, Rob breaks down what actually creates dominance in today’s mortgage market. From funding 1.3 billion in Q4 2025 to building AI driven mortgage technology, this conversation pulls back the curtain on broker growth, mortgage rates, capital markets strategy, and the uncomfortable reality loan officers need to hear. Rob has held nearly every role in the mortgage industry including loan officer, branch manager, capital markets leader, and CEO. His edge? Deep capital markets expertise combined with real broker experience. He explains why most wholesale lenders operate as side businesses and how investing in technology, pricing strategy, and true partnership creates exponential broker growth. This episode covers mortgage leadership, broker channel expansion, revenue generating activities for loan officers, wholesale lending strategy, AI in mortgage tech, and how to scale a mortgage business globally. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Sam and the Lend & Lead podcast team Connect with Sam Abazari on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samabazari/ Visit the Level Up LO community: https://www.skool.com/level-up-lo/about?ref=2cb859523a28420d8762609bd56c7694 Listen to Lend & Lead on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1RQyoXtGzt5yOC9TZjYvBk Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lend-and-lead/id1832440770 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9605275b-9baf-4ea7-a6a5-14740bfc92ff/lend-and-lead #loanofficer #mortgagebroker #realestateprofessionals #leadgeneration #salescoaching #mortgageloans #mortgagetips #realtorrelationships #loansales #lendingindustry #closemoredeals #usrealestate #mortgagecareer #referralstrategies #loanofficercommunity #lendandleadLend & Lead is a podcast for loan officers who want to grow, win more business, and stay ahead in today’s mortgage market. Hosted by Sam Abazari, each episode features honest conversations, practical sales tips, and real stories from the front lines of lending. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, you’ll find ideas you can actually use - from building stronger realtor partnerships to generating more consistent leads and getting to the closing table faster. Sam also runs the Level Up LO community, where he shares free content and tools to help loan officers take action and level up their results. Tune in weekly, and get the support, strategy, and mindset you need to lead in your market; no fluff, just what works.
