Ask Kevin Kim to describe himself. His answer bypasses the resume entirely. The interview has been going for nearly an hour—law school, banking, the firm, COVID, his daughters, his father’s death—when AAPL asks the final question: If someone summed you up in one or a few words, and it actually fit, what would it be? [...]
AAPL Education Forum: Elevating Knowledge. Strengthening the Industry. AAPL is proud to announce an exciting evolution in our educational programming. After thoughtful consideration and feedback from our members, we are retiring the Fund Forum and introducing a broader, more inclusive platform: the AAPL Education Forum. The AAPL Education Forum expands beyond fund‑specific content to deliver [...]
Our July Member Spotlight shines on Jeremy Altervian, President & Founder at Vault Financial Services! How long have you and/or your company been an AAPL member? 3 Years What have you found to be most beneficial from AAPL membership? The most beneficial part of AAPL membership has been the relationships. The education resources are excellent, [...]
As we conclude another incredible annual conference, I’ve been reflecting not only on what we achieved this past year but also on the tremendous opportunities ahead. Our industry continues to expand, innovate, and mature—and it’s our shared commitment to excellence that drives us forward. Last year’s conference was one of our strongest yet, a powerful [...]
Fort Worth, TX – June 16, 2026 – LendlyX, Inc., a technology company focused on fraud detection and loan file analysis for private lenders, today announced the addition of Linda Hyde to its Advisory Team. Hyde currently serves as President of the American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL) and has extensive experience working with private [...]
For more than a decade, technology-enabled lenders have focused on improving the borrower experience. The next competitive battleground appears to be the infrastructure behind those loans: how they are funded, traded, and distributed through capital markets. Figure's $717 million acquisition of Kiavi brings together one of the largest technology-driven residential investor lenders with a company [...]
When a University of Virginia professor built AAPL's CPLA certification into his curriculum, his students responded by treating it less like coursework and more like the real thing. Private lending has spent decades occupying an awkward space in the public imagination. To outsiders, it’s flattened into caricature: hard-money cowboys, opportunistic capital, transactional chaos, guys named Rick [...]
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – June 3, 2026 – SettlementOne, a leader in credit reporting, data, and verification solutions for the mortgage industry for more than 25 years, today shared its perspective on the news that Xactus has completed the acquisition of Mortgage Credit Link (MCL)™ from MeridianLink®, rebranding the platform as XedaLink™. SettlementOne operates on the [...]
Our June Member Spotlight shines on Carmen Fields Carter, our Strategic Partnerships Manager at AAPL! What have you found to be most beneficial from AAPL membership? AAPL is truly an association for its member base. One of the most valuable benefit’s of the AAPL membership has been the opportunity to engage with a diverse network [...]
Our May Member Spotlight shines on Blair Pierce, our Business Operations Manager at AAPL! What have you found to be most beneficial from AAPL membership? What I enjoy most about the American Association of Private Lenders is its ability to stay at the forefront of the private lending industry. This is largely driven by the [...]
Membership Questions?
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Nominations are open until August 30, 2026, with voting from September 7-30, 2026. We’ll announce recipients at our Annual Conference.
Member of the Year (MOTY): This award goes to a member based on their deep expertise, unique value, and strong commitment to clients and the industry.
Rising Star: Rising Stars are members who have accomplished outstanding growth in their company or industry sector over the past year.
Community Impact: Recipients improve their local communities or our industry through volunteering, development programs, or civic efforts.
See past award winners, award rules, and participate in the 2026 nomination and voting process here.
VIP RECEPTION // Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while catching up with VIPs from across the country, all overlooking the gorgeous Las Vegas Strip. AAPL Members may RSVP during conference registration at no additional cost; for non-members it is $199/ticket.
NETWORKING BREAKFASTS & SESSION BREAKS // Early-risers will appreciate plentiful coffee and a selection of pastries, protein, and more – along with the opportunity to talk shop in a quieter atmosphere. Session breaks feature an energetic environment with a variety of snacking options.
AFTER-HOURS RECEPTION // Continue conversations with fellow attendees, sponsors, and speakers in the Exhibit Hall while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres and two drink tokens.
OFFICIAL AFTER-PARTY // For those who hate to say goodnight, each year a few sponsors plan a little something extra to wrap up your day … or help segue from all-business to all-fun. We’ll mark the party as official and provide information about how to attend.
AAPL APP // The app is your insiders’ guide to getting the most out of #AAPLANNUAL and includes your personalized schedule, conference navigation system, and more! Download now!
Grand Prize – Custom Championship Belt & VIP Admission to Power Room event in St. Augustine, FL (February 27th – March 1st, 2023)
2nd Place – 2023 AAPL Annual Conference Bundle to include Individual Membership, 1 Conference Ticket and 1 VIP Reception pass.
3rd Place – 1 year AAPL Individual Membership