NIMA GHAMSARI, CO-FOUNDER & HEAD OF BLEND -
GOING “ALL IN” ON THE FUTURE OF PROACTIVE FINANCE
As a former professional poker player, Nima Ghamsari learned that poker is a game of psychology and understanding how people make decisions. That you have to focus on outputs and make the right small bets over time. That there are times when you go all in, even if you’re unsure of the outcome. Today, as the co-founder and Head of Blend, Nima is applying the lessons he learned at the poker table (and studying computer science at Stanford) to transform the financial services industry and fundamentally change the way people interact with their money. Used by more than 350 big banks like Wells Fargo and US Bank, credit unions, fintechs, and community banks, Blend’s cloud banking infrastructure software powers billions of dollars in financial transactions every day, including mortgages, vehicle loans, credit cards, deposit accounts, and home equity. The software aims to simplify, streamline, and take the friction (and mountains of paperwork) out of the consumer banking journey, from application to close. Nima joins the podcast to share his vision of “proactive finance” — a future where banks can proactively offer personalized financial products the moment consumers need them — and Blend’s goal to increase financial freedom, broaden financial equity, and create more value in the world.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE TO LEARN:
- Why we’re just at the beginning of what’s possible in the digital transformation of financial services, and what’s ahead in the years to come
- Lessons from the early days of founding Blend, and what it took to sell products in to a heavily regulated banking industry
- How Nima makes product innovation decisions and why, of all the financial products to choose from, Blend started with mortgage software
- How the cyclical nature of the housing market impacts Blend’s product thinking and strategy
- Blend’s product roadmap, including new products for income verification and home equity lending
- The value of creating financial equity and how Blend is establishing a presence in underbanked communities
- How “crypto creates fundamentally new ways of doing things,” its future in financial services, and why the industry is better off with crypto then without it
- Advice for tech founders who are just getting started (grit, humility, courage, luck, and stop focusing on vanity metrics — they don’t matter!)
DISCLOSURE
This podcast contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements generally relate to future events, future performance or expectations and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this podcast may include, but are not limited to, our expectations regarding our product roadmap, future products/features, the timing of new product/feature introductions, market size and growth opportunities, plans for future operations, competitive position, technological capabilities and strategic relationships. The forward-looking statements contained in this podcast are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from the outcomes predicted. Further information on these risks and uncertainties are set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements in this podcast are based on information available to Blend and assumptions and beliefs as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, Blend does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
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