Lykken on Lending

David Lykken
  • 4.7 (21)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Created by mortgage professionals for mortgage professionals, Lykken on Lending is a weekly 60-minute podcast hosted by mortgage veteran, David Lykken, and co-hosted by Marc Helm. Joining the program each week is Adam DeSanctis with his weekly MBA Mortgage Minute, Les Parker with his Macro Market Update, Matt Graham with a weekly Market Update, David Kittle with Originations Update, Alice Alvey providing a Legislative Update, Allen Pollack with his weekly Tech Update. The weekly updates are followed by the Hot Topic segment, which is an in-depth discussion about one of the hottest topics related to the mortgage industry. The program can be heard live each Monday at noon central or downloaded as a podcast. Each week thousands of industry professionals have found this to be an effective way to stay up on all that is happening in the mortgage industry. This broadcast is provided to the mortgage industry as a public service compliment of Transformational Mortgage Solutions. We invite you to join us to listen and learn.

  1. Geopolitics, Oil, and Interest Rates: Why the Mortgage Market Is Stuck in the Middle - 04/21/2025 Weekly Mortgage Update Commentary

    30M AGO

    Geopolitics, Oil, and Interest Rates: Why the Mortgage Market Is Stuck in the Middle - 04/21/2025 Weekly Mortgage Update Commentary

    Global events are once again taking center stage in shaping the direction of mortgage rates, and the impact is anything but straightforward. In this segment, industry experts unpack how ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly surrounding energy supply and the Strait of Hormuz, are influencing oil prices, inflation expectations, and ultimately interest rates. While there’s a clear desire for rates to move lower, persistent uncertainty and supply-side risks are keeping markets in a holding pattern. The discussion highlights a critical reality for mortgage professionals: external forces beyond traditional economic data are driving market behavior, and understanding these dynamics is key to navigating today’s volatile lending environment.

    16 min
  2. AI Overload: Why Mortgage Professionals Are Hitting a Breaking Point - Tech Update by Allen Pollcak

    2H AGO

    AI Overload: Why Mortgage Professionals Are Hitting a Breaking Point - Tech Update by Allen Pollcak

    This podcast segment explores how the rapid rise of AI tools is creating overload and fatigue for mortgage professionals, highlighting the need for focused strategies and simplified adoption to drive real results. ----------------------------------------------------- Allen Pollack, Tech Consultant Allen Pollack, a Mortgage & Financial Services Technology Advisor, is a subject matter expert in the mortgage origination process along with software product management and software development. In today’s financial services push to all things Digital, Allen has been helping lenders and financial services solution providers align their digital transformation and technology strategies by removing the human element of risk, and automating processes that drive efficiencies and margins into profits. Over the course of his career, Allen has co-created and developed technology business models that have birthed highly successful, innovative solutions and companies. Allen co-founded and served as CTO of New York Loan Exchange (NYLX), a loan product eligibility and pricing engine (PPE) that made an immediate impact on the industry, scaling the company quickly and forming partnerships with multiple mortgage and financial lending companies. In 2012, Allen was a co-founder of a merger between NYLX and Aklero Risk Analytics that created LoanLogics, A Mortgage Loan Quality and Performance Analytics company. Allen served as CTO where he continued to bring new and innovative product solutions to the market that made a significant impact to mortgage lenders that reduced risk, scaled business channels, and grew profits in a very competitive and highly regulated market. Allen is also is mortgage and finance technology contributor on a weekly live industry podcast, Lykken on Lending, and is launching a new podcast soon to be released, TechStack Radio, dedicated to technology and innovation in Financial Services.

    6 min

  3. 4H AGO

    Coincidence or Something More? Reflections on Life, Timing, and Connection

    This podcast segment reflects on remarkable real-life coincidences that spark a deeper conversation about whether life’s unexpected connections are random or part of a greater design. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marc Helm, CEO, and AuthorMarc Helm serves as a Principal Partner at Transformational Mortgage Solutions, bringing over 46 years of extensive experience in the financial services and mortgage banking industry. Currently serving as the President and CEO of both ReverseAmerica Advisors, Inc. and Mortgage Consultants of America (MCA), Marc has established a proven track record of leadership and accomplishments, both within and beyond the mortgage banking sector. In his notable role as the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc. (RMS), Marc played a pivotal role in steering RMS to become one of the largest Ginnie Mae Securitizers, originators, and servicers/sub servicers in the reverse mortgage industry. His influence has reached various key positions in the industry, including serving as Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Loan Administration Committee and Chairman of the MBA Technology Committee. Recognizing his expertise, he has been honored with memberships in prestigious advisory boards such as the Fidelity (LPS) Information Systems Mortgage Servicing Advisory Board and the National Reverse Mortgage Lender Association’s (NRMLA) Board of Directors. Marc's commitment to community involvement and philanthropy is evident in his roles as a Board Member of the American Heart Association (AHA), his past chairmanship of the AHA's "Open Your Heart Campaign" for the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of The Year Award, and his service on the boards of additional organizations such as The Helm Foundation. His dedicated support extends to various causes, including initiatives for children, veterans, military service organizations, and the welfare of homeless mothers and children. Marc's dedication to philanthropy is complemented by his prior involvement in various committees and campaigns, such as his role as the Former Chairman for the Houston Area Special Olympics Campaign and Former Chairman of the Houston Area United Way Campaign. Beyond his professional achievements and community engagement, Marc Helm is a family man, celebrating 49 years of marriage to Sallie Fortner Helm. Together, they have two children, Thomas Charles Helm and Dr. Jean Ann Helm Allen, and five grandchildren. Holding a BS Degree (Summa Cum Laude) and an MS Degree from Troy University, Marc showcases his commitment to education and continuous learning. Currently pursuing a PHD in Organizational Psychology, Marc Helm's multifaceted expertise, leadership roles, and philanthropic contributions make him an invaluable Principal Partner at Transformational Mortgage Solutions and reinforces his active role as a Co-Host of the “Lykken on Lending” Podcast.

    3 min
  4. Growth vs. Fatigue: Why Some Mortgage Lenders Are Scaling While Others Exit - Originations Update by David Kittle

    6H AGO

    Growth vs. Fatigue: Why Some Mortgage Lenders Are Scaling While Others Exit - Originations Update by David Kittle

    This podcast segment explores how rising loan pipelines are colliding with industry fatigue, driving a wave of consolidation as some mortgage lenders scale for growth while others choose to exit. ----------------------------------------- David G. Kittle, CMB is a highly respected leader in the mortgage industry, with over 45 years of experience. He is the Co-Founder and Chairman of The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), a mortgage lending cooperative providing members with access to resources and tools to improve their business operations. Kittle began his mortgage banking career with American Fletcher Mortgage Company as a top-producing loan officer in 1978 moving to the management side in 1986 with Southmark Mortgage. He opened Associates Mortgage Group, the first of his three lending companies in 1994. Kittle served as MORPAC Chairman for MBA, from 2004-2006. He is past President of both the Louisville and Kentucky Mortgage Bankers Associations, as well as leading the industry through its most tumultuous period as Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association, Washington DC in 2009. Kittle has testified before congress 14 times. Kittle has been a driving force behind the growth and success of TMC, working to bring together mortgage lenders from across the country to share best practices and collaborate on key industry issues. Kittle has also been a vocal advocate for innovation and technology adoption in the mortgage industry, urging lenders to embrace new tools and strategies to improve their operations and better serve their customers. Kittle is a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences, sharing his expertise on a variety of topics related to mortgage lending. He resides in Louisville, Kentucky, he has four children and two grandchildren.

    2 min
  5. AI Risk, Compliance Pressure, and the Mortgage Industry’s Next Big Challenge - Legislative Update by Alice Alvey

    21H AGO

    AI Risk, Compliance Pressure, and the Mortgage Industry’s Next Big Challenge - Legislative Update by Alice Alvey

    This podcast segment explores how rising AI adoption is creating new compliance, liability, and operational risks for mortgage lenders, requiring stronger governance, oversight, and risk management strategies. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Alice Alvey, Master CMB Vice President Partner Education and Training at Union Home Mortgage She handles development of their World Class Training program designed to support UHM partners and organizational effectiveness. Prior to UHM, Alice served as Senior Vice President at Indecomm leading the Indecomm-Mortgage U division, Internal QA and Compliance and SaaS technologies. Indecomm acquired Mortgage U in 2013, where Alice was President/Co-founder, providing training and consulting since 1996. Prior to MU she served as SVP of Operations at a national bank overseeing operations for wholesale, retail and correspondent from underwriting through servicing, and compliance. She has been in the trenches of mortgage lending operations from application through servicing for over 30 years. Her authoring work in training content, policies and procedures and the FHA/VA Practical guides illustrates her ability to bridge regulatory requirements with day-to-day operations. Alice has been a weekly contributor to the Lykken on Lending show since its beginning in April 2009 and has made her weekly contributions to 450+ episodes!

    13 min
  6. War Headlines vs. Market Reality: Why Mortgage Rates Are Stuck in Limbo - Market Update by Matt Graham

    22H AGO

    War Headlines vs. Market Reality: Why Mortgage Rates Are Stuck in Limbo - Market Update by Matt Graham

    This podcast segment explains how ongoing war-driven headlines and market fatigue are keeping mortgage rates range-bound despite shifting oil prices and largely ignored economic data. ----------------------------------------------------- Matt began as an originator in 2002. He fell in love with the idea of following MBS in real-time but felt that existing products were only scratching the surface. Thus was born MBS Live in 2007, the first-of-its-kind platform with real-time market data/analysis, and live chat with analysts, traders, and originators around the country. He is currently the Founder and CEO of MBSLive! He's been covering bond/mortgage markets, writing commentary, alerts, and chatting with the live community every business hour of every business day ever since. Matt also serves as the Chief of Operations for mortgagenewsdaily.com, where he is one of the industry's most respected mortgage rate experts, frequently quoted in the media. Mortgage News Daily's rate index is used as the definitive resource on day-to-day mortgage rate averages. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and son, where he enjoys skiing, fishing, coaching youth sports, playing the guitar, and more DIY projects/hobbies than he'd care to admit.

    5 min
  7. "You Spin Me Round" The Strait of Hormuz - Macro Market Update by Les Parker

    1D AGO

    "You Spin Me Round" The Strait of Hormuz - Macro Market Update by Les Parker

    4-21-2026 "You Spin Me Round" The Strait of Hormuz ------------------------ Iran, you get to know the game. The blockade caused Iran to see the end of its oil revenue. So, the civilian leadership agreed not to impede any ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and to surrender their nuclear material. Oil and mortgage rates fell. Over the weekend, the military declared the Strait closed to get the US to stop the blockade. Expect the 10-year yield to spin around between 4.40 and 4.10 until the deal is done and action proves it. Each side feels like. You spin me right round, baby Right round like a record, baby Right round, round, round These views are mine. Join TMSpotlight to know when the deal round is right. ------------------------------------- Song: You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) (1985) Dead Or Alive

    1 min
  8. Episode 1: The Mortgage Industry Isn’t Broken — It’s Being Rebuilt

    1D AGO

    Episode 1: The Mortgage Industry Isn’t Broken — It’s Being Rebuilt

    This first installment in a three-part series challenges one of the most repeated narratives in mortgage today—that the industry is “broken.” Drawing on decades of perspective, David Lykken reframes today’s pressures not as failure, but as the natural result of an operating model that has been pushed beyond its original design. While the legacy model was built for volume, headcount, and manual control, today’s environment demands intelligence, leverage, and speed. This episode is not about technology—it’s about structure. Why have years of tech investment failed to materially improve outcomes? What’s the difference between modernizing versus rebuilding? And how can leaders tell if they’re solving surface issues or addressing something deeper? This conversation establishes a critical lens for understanding the transformation already underway—and why the future of mortgage will not be built through incremental fixes, but through fundamental redesign.

    7 min
See All (1.8K)

4.7
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Created by mortgage professionals for mortgage professionals, Lykken on Lending is a weekly 60-minute podcast hosted by mortgage veteran, David Lykken, and co-hosted by Marc Helm. Joining the program each week is Adam DeSanctis with his weekly MBA Mortgage Minute, Les Parker with his Macro Market Update, Matt Graham with a weekly Market Update, David Kittle with Originations Update, Alice Alvey providing a Legislative Update, Allen Pollack with his weekly Tech Update. The weekly updates are followed by the Hot Topic segment, which is an in-depth discussion about one of the hottest topics related to the mortgage industry. The program can be heard live each Monday at noon central or downloaded as a podcast. Each week thousands of industry professionals have found this to be an effective way to stay up on all that is happening in the mortgage industry. This broadcast is provided to the mortgage industry as a public service compliment of Transformational Mortgage Solutions. We invite you to join us to listen and learn.

Information

  • Creator
    David Lykken
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.8K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright David Lykken 2023
  • Show Website
    Lykken on Lending

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