Mortgage Tech Talks

E76: Market Update- Brokerage Receivership, Interesting Analytics and Big Winners

If your brokerage went under tomorrow—would your business survive?
In this episode of Mortgage Tech Talks, Tom breaks down a powerful video from Ron Butler that’s making waves across the mortgage industry. From ownership of your domain and CRM to warning signs your brokerage might be in financial trouble, this episode is a wake-up call for brokers in Canada.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why every broker must own their domain, inbox, and CRM01:21 – Welcome to Mortgage Tech Talks01:42 – Ron Butler’s video breakdown: What happens if your brokerage collapses?03:08 – The danger of relying on your brokerage for commission payments05:23 – Signs your brokerage might be in financial trouble06:07 – How to protect your business before it’s too late06:43 – The tech barriers that keep brokers stuck07:01 – 3 things your brokerage might control that you need to own08:00 – Step-by-step: how to get your tech stack independent10:02 – Mortgage payment surge projections11:53 – Why inflation rising again could be a disaster13:21 – Who are mortgage tech platforms really built for?14:03 – The 4 audiences mortgage tech must serve15:23 – The trade-offs platforms make to keep lenders happy15:42 – Shoutout to Scarlett Jo Factory: Canadian Mortgage Award wins16:19 – BluMortgage wins at the Mortgage Awards of Excellence17:02 – What this award means for the BluMortgage team17:39 – Final thoughts and viewer call-to-action28:34 – BONUS: Recap of the tech ownership framework for brokers
Whether you’re a new broker or a seasoned pro, this episode gives you practical advice to bulletproof your business—and insights on how the industry is evolving in real time.
#mortgagebroker #mortgagetech #canadianmortgages #realestatecanada #mortgageadvice
Let me know if you'd like a shorter version for Spotify or LinkedIn as well.

E75: The Most Practical AI Tool in 2025: AI Note Takers

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Talks, Tom dives deep into one of the most practical AI tools available to mortgage brokers today: AI-powered note-taking bots.
You’ll learn how tools like Fathom, Fireflies, and Otter are transforming how brokers run client meetings, track follow-ups, and stay compliant — all while saving time and improving client service. Tom breaks down the exact features that make these tools game-changers, how to integrate them with your CRM for max efficiency, and which platform fits your workflow best.
If you're a mortgage broker, financial advisor, or service-based professional running multiple meetings per week — this tech is a no-brainer.
🔧 Want to automate your notes, track commitments, and improve compliance? Start here.
📍 TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Why handwritten notes still matter — and how AI note-takers complement them01:11 – What are AI meeting bots and how do they work?02:00 – How AI agents join your Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams calls03:20 – Full transcript + meeting summary explained04:45 – Custom summaries using frameworks like BANT06:45 – Creating post-call checklists from AI takeaways08:10 – How AI bots assist with training and coaching new team members09:30 – Turning meeting snippets into internal learning playlists11:00 – Using AI transcripts inside your CRM for deeper client tracking12:10 – Unlocking call analytics and sales insights13:10 – Automating tasks from AI takeaways directly into your workflow14:00 – Compliance benefits of full transcripts15:14 – Tool breakdown: Fathom vs. Fireflies vs. Otter17:00 – When to use each tool (Zoom meetings, mobile recordings, integrations)19:11 – Final thoughts + why these tools may become essential in your tech stack
✅ Keywords: mortgage broker technology, AI note taker, Fathom vs Otter vs Fireflies, best note-taking app for mortgage brokers, CRM integration, meeting productivity tools, compliance tools for brokers, AI meeting summaries, automate meeting notes
🔔 Like what you heard?Subscribe to Mortgage Tech Talks and share this episode with one colleague who needs to hear it.Your referrals help us grow—one listener at a time.
#mortgagebroker #aitechnology #productivitytools #fintech #mortgagetech

E74: The Secret That Drives All of Canadian Mortgage Tech

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Talks, we pull back the curtain on a multi-million dollar secret most mortgage brokers never think about: your deal submission platform isn’t really free—and the reason why explains almost everything happening in the mortgage tech world today.
You’ll learn how lenders fund the systems you use, how that affects your brokerage’s software decisions, and what the future might look like in an AI-driven world.
Whether you're a broker, lender, or tech enthusiast—this is the episode that connects all the dots.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Smaller brokerages building their own tech “pipes”0:48 – Welcome + Why this hidden dynamic explains everything1:36 – The “free” software myth: Who’s really paying?2:58 – Let’s talk numbers: $95M–$155M annually4:07 – Breaking down the $315B broker channel5:20 – How much Velocity earns from lender fees6:09 – The per-broker revenue reality7:52 – What platforms are making off your volume8:36 – How Filogix built the original network and fee model10:11 – “The house with pipes” analogy explained12:09 – How Velocity and Finmo gained traction13:10 – Did Filogix enable their competition?14:03 – The honey pot is leaking—market share is shifting15:02 – Why big networks are launching their own platforms16:24 – New revenue streams and tighter software control17:40 – Why platforms are stacking on free tools (CRM, payroll, AML)19:24 – What happens if lenders stop paying the fees?20:20 – The rise of AI agents and platform-free futures21:36 – Why brokers need to own their process22:26 – The risk of misaligned incentives23:09 – Wrap-up: why this matters more than ever
 
#mortgagetech #mortgagebroker #fintech #mortgageindustry #mortgageautomation

E73: Pineapple+, Centum and RMA, New Government

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Talks, Tom dives into the future of Canadian housing—and shares a bold theory: government-built homes might just become a new asset class.
He also breaks down the latest in mortgage tech innovation, including a deep review of Pineapple Plus, the all-in-one platform making waves in the broker space. Plus, he covers big leadership moves in the mortgage industry and what they could mean for tech adoption across brokerages.
Whether you're a mortgage broker, industry insider, or just want to stay ahead of what's next in real estate, this episode is packed with insight.
📌 Timestamps:
00:00 – Will government-built homes become a new asset class?01:09 – Intro & today’s episode overview02:08 – Pineapple Plus platform: first impressions04:05 – Key features: CRM, client applications, centralized underwriting05:19 – Google Drive integration + seamless doc management05:56 – The paradox of “all-in-one” mortgage systems07:48 – Simplicity vs. complexity in mortgage software08:07 – Industry update: Chris Turcotte moves from Centum to TMA09:18 – Why better tech is influencing brokerage leadership10:20 – The rise of Velocity and brokerage-led tech tools11:04 – “Championship teams” vs. “family” in company culture12:12 – New leadership at Centum: Adrian Schulz steps up13:14 – Mortgage Monitor: tech tools that analyze your book14:34 – Will Adrian's promotion help or slow tech innovation at Centum?14:53 – Political lens: Liberal housing plan & market impact16:13 – Why 500,000 government-built homes might shift the asset landscape17:52 – How a new asset class could protect home equity + create opportunity18:25 – Final thoughts: what it all means for mortgage professionals19:16 – Closing remarks + comments welcome
💡 Like this episode? Subscribe and comment your thoughts on government-built housing or all-in-one tech platforms for brokers. Your feedback helps shape future discussions!
#mortgagebroker #realestatecanada #mortgagetech #canadianhousing #mortgagepodcast #realestateinvesting #brokerlife

E72: How to Build Game-Changing Mortgage Tech with Finmo's Carter Zimmerman

A bloated feature list doesn’t mean better tech.In this episode of Mortgage Tech Talks, Tom sits down with Carter Zimmerman, of Finmo, to unpack what actually makes mortgage software successful.
Carter shares how Finmo went from idea to industry leader by focusing on user experience, simplicity, and doing fewer things better.
They cover:– The myth of the all-in-one system– Why open platforms win long term– What AI tools brokers are already using– How competition fuels innovation in Canadian mortgage tech– And how Carter’s past in marketing shaped Finmo’s product vision
If you’ve ever asked “why can’t my tech just work?”, this episode is for you.
TIMESTAMPS:00:00 – “Just because you have the features… doesn’t mean you have the features.”01:16 – Carter’s origin story: from Facebook ads to Finmo04:21 – The shocking state of mortgage tech in 201706:56 – How early feedback loops built Finmo fast09:57 – Why trying to solve everything at once kills momentum11:52 – The role of rest, flow state, and personal performance14:14 – Using competitiveness as a mindset advantage17:00 – “We’re not finding our foothold—we’re building a mountain.”19:36 – The myth of the all-in-one platform23:36 – Why UX feature checklists in 2025 mortgage tech27:37 – What brokers really want and why execution wins
Connet with Carter Zimmermanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/carter-zimmerman-7753495b/ 
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📱Connect with Massimo on Instagramhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/massimoianniruberto/
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E71: How Scarlett's Joe Fakhri is living the "Entrepreneur's Dream"

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Talks, Tom Hall (BluMortgage) sits down with Joe Fakhri, founder of Axiom Innovations—the tech company behind Scarlett Mortgage, Scarlett Pay, and more.
Joe shares his entrepreneurial journey, how he risked it all to build one of Canada’s most innovative mortgage tech platforms, and why machine learning—not just ChatGPT—is the real future of AI in our industry.
From product innovation and automation to the evolving role of leadership in scaling tech companies, this is a must-watch for anyone serious about the future of mortgage and financial services.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights on mortgage tech and industry innovation.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – AI won’t replace you—but people who use AI will00:38 – Intro to Mortgage Tech Talks & guest Joe Fakhri01:00 – How Joe started Axiom & the origin of Scarlett05:00 – Leaving a secure job to build Scarlett: the leap10:00 – Living off savings for 4 years to build something great12:00 – Building a "machine" of people and tech14:00 – Why innovation needs to reduce friction—not add it18:00 – The difference between machine learning & generative AI21:00 – How Scarlett Genius uses data to recommend lenders25:00 – Transitioning out of the CEO role: Joe’s leadership evolution32:00 – Why trust and humility are crucial in fast-growing companies34:00 – Joe’s take on the Internet revolution—and how AI compares37:00 – The difference between machine learning vs ChatGPT-style AI41:00 – What the next 24 months of real AI adoption will look like46:00 – Final thoughts: picking trusted partners in a noisy AI market
💡 Want to connect with Joe?
https://www.instagram.com/scarlettnetwork/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/scarlettnetwork/ 
https://www.facebook.com/ScarlettNetwork 

E70: Market Update- Canadian Tech, US Loan Officers Hurting, Pinch-DLC Partnership

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Talks, we break down some huge developments happening across the mortgage industry — both in Canada and the U.S.
From the shocking downsizing of U.S. mortgage brokers, to how Canadian mortgage tech companies are adjusting their strategies, to a deep dive into the latest partnership news between Pinch Financial and DLC — this episode is packed with insights that every mortgage professional, lender, and tech entrepreneur needs to hear.
Whether you're a mortgage broker, lender, or just someone following the evolving mortgage tech space, you're going to walk away with valuable takeaways about where the market is heading.
Timestamps:
00:00 - U.S. Mortgage Broker Numbers Crash: 395,000 → 93,00000:18 - Comparing U.S. vs. Canadian Mortgage Broker Markets00:52 - Why U.S. Brokers Are Being Wiped Out (No Renewal Cycles)01:26 - Welcome to Mortgage Tech Talks (Living Room Edition)01:44 - Quick Overview of Today's Topics02:06 - How Canadian Tech Companies Are Positioning Themselves02:23 - The Pinch Financial Curiosity Story02:27 - Story #1: Jeff Willis' Proudly Canadian Post03:06 - Debating Canadian vs. U.S. Mortgage Tech Platforms04:09 - Economic Libertarian View on Tariffs in Mortgage Tech05:07 - Why "Made in Canada" Matters More in 202506:08 - How U.S. Funding Impacts Canadian Mortgage Startups07:29 - Silver Linings and the Need for Canadian Funding Growth08:05 - Story #2: Even Deeper Dive into U.S. Loan Officer Numbers09:31 - The True Reason Behind the U.S. Mortgage Collapse10:59 - No Refinancing, No Moving, No Business11:39 - How Brokers Are Surviving Today (New Builds, 2nd Mortgages)12:11 - The New Evolution: From "Rate Shopper" to "Trusted Advisor"13:12 - Story #3: Pinch Financial Partners with DLC13:54 - The Importance of Realtor.ca Integration for Pinch14:30 - Is Pinch Really a "Game-Changer"? A Closer Look15:07 - Unpacking the M3 Tech and Pinch Relationship16:13 - Why M3 Might Be Refocusing on Core Competencies17:15 - Are Brokers and Tech Companies Both Scaling Back?17:30 - Final Thoughts + How the Mortgage Tech Landscape is Changing
Subscribe to Mortgage Tech Talks for more weekly deep dives into mortgage industry trends, market updates, and how technology is shaping the future of Canadian lending.
👉 Comment below: What trend do you think will have the biggest impact in the next 12 months?
#MortgageBrokers #MortgageTech #CanadianRealEstate #LendingTrends #MortgageIndustry

E69: How a $100M+ Broker Jumped into Commercial and Built His Own Tech with David Mayrand

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Talks, I sit down with David Mayrand, a former residential broker who transitioned into the multifamily commercial space—and then took it a step further by building a tech solution designed to streamline complex multifamily deals.
We talk about:
Why residential brokers struggle to break into commercial
The tech void in the multifamily space (and how David is solving it)
What makes commercial underwriting so much more complex
His decision to spin off a standalone multifamily tech platform launching June 1st
How he’s democratizing commercial real estate for new investors and brokers alike
This episode is a must-watch if you’re: ✅ A residential broker curious about the commercial space✅ Frustrated by the inefficiencies of spreadsheets and emails✅ Interested in the future of AI + automation in mortgage workflows✅ Looking to scale your investor business with better tools
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Why multifamily listings aren’t investor-friendly00:20 – Building tools that simplify commercial analysis00:47 – Giving access to tools most brokers don’t have01:12 – Intro: Meet David Maé Rand, ex-residential broker turned tech founder02:07 – The origin story: from 2-minute convo to this podcast02:43 – Why David left residential for multifamily04:24 – Phasing out residential and leaning into investor clients06:21 – Why switching to commercial is scary for brokers07:17 – What makes some brokers fail when switching08:59 – Why commercial lending has so much paperwork09:34 – How David's team built processes from scratch10:09 – There was literally no tech in commercial11:18 – How they organize massive amounts of documents12:13 – Why residential tech has boomed—but not commercial13:20 – Why most developers can’t build good mortgage tech14:32 – Building tech internally that actually works16:25 – When David realized he needed a dedicated tech stack17:50 – The hidden value of structured data19:17 – Why existing CRMs don’t support corporations as borrowers20:20 – The complexity of org charts and ownership21:24 – Why solving hard problems = massive opportunity22:07 – Where AI fits into all this23:31 – Using AI to build org charts, automate file handling25:20 – The future: AI doing all the grunt work for brokers26:55 – Why David isn’t competing with generic AI tools27:19 – Launching a dedicated multifamily tech company (June 1!)28:16 – How this tech can change the entire Canadian multifamily market30:12 – Will this ever expand beyond multifamily?31:24 – Why tech gives David’s brokerage a massive edge32:23 – His vision: a portal for agents and investors to model cash flow33:43 – Making commercial less intimidating35:08 – Tech as a bridge for new brokers entering the space36:23 – Why servicing sophisticated borrowers requires next-level systems37:07 – How brokers can actually provide value to investors39:19 – Want to try the portal? How to get early access
🔥 Enjoyed this episode?Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of mortgage, tech, and real estate investing.
#mortgagetech #multifamilyrealestate #commercialmortgage #canadianmortgage #mortgagebroker #fintech #realestatetech #aiinmortgage #mortgageautomation #mortgagetalkshow

EP 68: From Lending to Tech & Back Again: Lawrence Schwartz on Playing the Long Game

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Talks, Tom sits down with Lawrence Schwartz—Co-Founder of Mortgage Automator and now back in the lending game with Golden Bell Capital.
They dive into:
Why trade shows are massively undervalued
The behind-the-scenes story of how Mortgage Automator was built (and sold)
Balancing lending with tech startup life
How great partners made all the difference
Why Lawrence walked away from "early retirement" to get back into lending
Whether you’re a broker, lender, or aspiring fintech founder, this episode is packed with wisdom, real talk, and some hard-earned lessons from one of the industry’s best.
 
Connect with Lawrence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-schwartz-13611529/ 
 
🎙 Hosted by Tom Hall | Powered by BluMortgage
#mortgagebrokers #mortgagetechnology #realestateinvesting #fintech #entrepreneurship #MortgageAutomator
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Why Trade Shows Are Basically Free01:11 – Meet Lawrence Schwartz: Co-Founder of Mortgage Automator02:37 – What Mortgage Automator Was Built For04:11 – Funny Sales Funnel Story (Oops!)06:58 – No Perfect Software Exists (Here’s Why That’s Okay)07:17 – The “Secret Sauce” Behind Mortgage Automator’s Success08:46 – Real-Time Product Feedback from Lenders10:08 – Learning from Client Rejections11:18 – Growing Trade Show Presence Over Time13:16 – Why You Always Go to Trade Shows15:28 – Early Signs That Mortgage Automator Was Taking Off16:35 – Building a Sales Team That Could Sell Without You18:47 – Balancing Lending and Tech in the Early Days20:48 – COVID and the Pivot to Full-Time Software22:07 – The Power of the Right Business Partners25:06 – Returning to Lending After the Exit27:08 – Realizations After “Retirement”29:02 – Why Lawrence Didn’t Spend a Dime After Selling31:14 – The Lending Philosophy at Golden Bell Capital33:23 – What Types of Deals Golden Bell Does36:40 – Why Simplicity & Speed Still Win38:36 – The Reason They Only Lend in the GTA39:53 – Final Thoughts: Send Us One Good Deal40:28 – Where to Find Lawrence

E67: Canadian Mortgage Summit, Velocity 3.0, New Tech-Lender Partnership

In this episode of Mortgage Tech Talks, Tom recaps his recent panel at the Canadian Mortgage Summit in Vancouver and dives into three of the biggest themes shaping the mortgage tech space right now:
The massive edge brokers have when adopting new tech like AI
The rollout of Velocity 3.0 and why it matters
Why B deals, reverse mortgages, and commercial lending are gaining momentum
From real talk about overwhelmed brokers to the long-term promise of seamless AI adoption, this episode explores how the most adaptable brokers are winning — and how you can too.
👇 Timestamps:
00:00 – The unfair tech advantage mortgage brokers have over banks00:17 – Why you should start with the client journey, not the tool00:33 – Don’t get overwhelmed: solve one pain point at a time00:55 – Energetic intro & why today’s update matters01:14 – Takeaways from the Canadian Mortgage Summit02:13 – Who was on the tech panel & what they discussed02:50 – Why AI needs to be reverse-engineered from your client journey03:37 – Pain points first, tech second: the key to adoption04:11 – Create memorable client moments (and stories)05:13 – Why brokers can adopt tools faster than banks05:47 – 70/30 split: who’s getting ahead, and who’s overwhelmed06:57 – The real job of tech companies right now07:13 – Why early adopters win in the short term07:54 – Just like Gmail: AI adoption will get easier08:44 – What’s coming with Velocity 3.0 (and why it matters)09:47 – Improved UI, security, speed & data handling10:28 – Could this enable smarter AI tools in the future?11:16 – New lender tech announcement: why it’s bigger than it seems12:18 – Why B deals are everywhere right now13:02 – Brokers pivoting to B and commercial deals14:04 – The rise of reverse mortgages & agile broker strategies14:46 – Why being nimble is brokers' superpower15:24 – Final thoughts: opportunity in the chaos
🎧 Whether you're a tech-forward broker or just trying to keep up, this episode will give you fresh insights on where the industry is heading and how to stay ahead of the curve.
👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe for more weekly insights from Mortgage Tech Talks.
#mortgagebroker #mortgagetechnology #AI #velocity #mortgagetips #canadianrealestate #mortgageadvice #fintech #MortgageTechTalks