The AI-Powered Loan Officer: How to 10X Production Without 10Xing the Work with Garrett Locklear of Candid

The mortgage industry is entering a new era—one shaped by artificial intelligence, vertical integration, consolidation, expanding non-QM opportunities, and rising expectations for a better borrower experience. In this episode of Lykken on Lending, David Lykken sits down with Coby Hakalir of T3 Sixty to explore what mortgage lending could look like over the next decade and why, despite rapid technological change, the human relationship will remain at the heart of the business. They discuss how AI can reduce the cost and complexity of originating loans, why lenders are increasingly looking beyond traditional mortgage revenue through real estate, title, insurance, and servicing, and how non-QM lending could become an increasingly important part of the market. From improving the customer journey to navigating the next wave of industry consolidation, this conversation examines the forces reshaping mortgage lending—and what lenders and loan officers should be preparing for now.