Building The Future of Private Lending featuring Linda Hyde

Linda Hyde, President of the American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL), joins Kevin Kim to kick off Season 6 of Lender Lounge. In this episode, Linda shares her journey from leading a call center to spearheading one of the most influential organizations in private lending. She reflects on transforming AAPL from a niche "good old boys club" into a national platform for ethics, education, and advocacy in the industry. The conversation explores the association's evolution, grassroots legislative efforts, and its commitment to building a more inclusive, accountable private lending community. Linda also offers a behind-the-scenes look at AAPL's growth, upcoming initiatives, and her personal leadership philosophy.  Linda Hyde serves as the President of the American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL), the nation's leading organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the private lending industry. With a deep commitment to professional standards, advocacy, and education, Linda brings a wealth of leadership experience and industry insight to her role. Under her guidance, AAPL continues to champion ethical practices, foster meaningful connections, and provide valuable resources to private lenders, brokers, and service providers nationwide. Her vision is centered on empowering members and promoting sustainable growth in the evolving landscape of private real estate finance.  Bullet Points:  [00:00:00] Introduction  [00:01:06] Linda Hyde introduces her role as President of AAPL and her early days behind the scenes.  [00:02:26] Record turnout at the 2025 AAPL Annual Conference and reflections on the event's growth.  [00:03:59] How Linda took leadership and shifted AAPL away from exclusionary roots.  [00:06:52] Emphasis on inclusivity and attracting a broad range of companies, from small shops to institutions.  [00:08:34] Key turning point around 2015 as AAPL began offering education and certifications.  [00:11:42] AAPL's year-round programming and expanded member resources beyond the annual event.  [00:13:21] Importance of in-person connections at events and their role in shaping industry direction.  [00:15:23] AAPL's formal ethics complaint process and how it protects the industry.  [00:18:26] The ethics committee's philosophy on accountability and rehabilitation.  [00:19:52] AAPL's grassroots approach to legislation and how it differs from lobbying.  [00:21:35] Growing recognition of private lending's role in affordable housing by policymakers.  [00:24:59] Balancing the needs of institutional players and emerging lenders within AAPL.  [00:28:21] How Linda handles competing priorities and pressures from larger sponsors.  [00:31:31] Linda's background running call centers and how those skills translated into AAPL leadership.  [00:36:25] Linda's approach to learning the industry through observation and asking questions.  [00:39:35] How new lenders and brokers can get involved with AAPL through writing, webinars, and committees.  [00:41:09] Creation of the fraud committee in response to increasing concerns in the market.  [00:43:11] Why AAPL declined to create or support a "blacklist" of industry participants.  [00:46:08] The fraud committee's focus on providing tools and standards—not policing behavior.  [00:47:31] Recognizing the community effort behind AAPL's growth and Linda's appreciation for her team.  [00:50:50] Linda's perspective on the current market cycle and continued opportunity in private lending.  [00:53:05] AAPL's plan to remain nimble and responsive in times of crisis.  [00:54:17] How Fortra and AAPL partnered closely during COVID to support the industry.  [00:56:44] Education and university partnerships as key initiatives for 2026.  [00:57:40] A call for members to volunteer as educators and get more involved with AAPL.   Links:  Learn more about American Association of Private Lenders at: https://aaplonline.com/   Learn more about Geraci Law Firm at: https://www.geracilawfirm.com  Subscribe to the Lender Lounge newsletter for episode notifications and exclusive content at https://www.geracilawfirm.com/lender-lounge-podcast  Subscribe to the Fortra Law newsletter at https://www.fortralaw.com/sign-up  Follow Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim on LinkedIn and YouTube  Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠)