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 [...]
Sixteen AAPL Members Earn Spots on Industry’s Verified Private Lending Ranking The American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL) is proud to recognize 16 member companies named to Scotsman Guide’s 2026 Top Private Lenders ranking, an industry benchmark honoring private lenders delivering capital solutions to real estate investors and mortgage brokers nationwide. Among the 22 lenders [...]
Kansas City, MO | April 30, 2026 - The American Association of Private Lenders today announced a new member discount partnership with Business Screen, a team of licensed private investigators specializing in business and principal background checks. As part of the collaboration, Business Screen has designed checks specifically for private lender underwriting and due diligence. [...]
The association is pairing a mandatory high-level screening for new members with a voluntary in-depth verification option for companies seeking to signal additional transparency. As private lending grows in scale and visibility, so does the responsibility to protect the integrity of industry professionals. AAPL is taking a proactive step in that direction with two important [...]
The American Association of Private Lenders played a material role in informing the report’s evidentiary foundation. A newly released report from the Urban Institute, “The Evolution of Residential Transition Lending: From Hard Money to Housing Supply?”, reframes residential transition lending (RTL) from a fringe financing mechanism into a material contributor to U.S. housing production. Supported [...]
The American Association of Private Lenders’ recent fraud alert on a fabricated borrower profile has drawn coverage from Inside Mortgage Finance through its newsletter, Inside Nonconforming Markets. The report highlights AAPL’s decision to issue a formal, industry-wide alert in response to a coordinated fraud scenario involving a non-agency loan submission. While the IMF article provides [...]
Kansas City, MO —3/26/2026— The OverSight Report, an automated appraisal risk analytics solution developed by RicherValues, has received approvals from multiple ratings agencies and third-party review (TPR) firms, enabling its use as a direct replacement for traditional appraisal desk review products in securitized transactions. OverSight analysis of active DSCR loan files since January indicates that approximately [...]
Two state-level proposals addressing rent regulation and eviction standards have advanced in Massachusetts and Connecticut. After review, the Government Relations Committee has elected to take a neutral position while continuing to monitor downstream effects on private lending markets. Massachusetts S.1447 "An Act Enabling Cities and Towns to Stabilize Rents and Protect Tenants," would authorize municipalities to [...]
As our industry grows and gains credibility among borrowers and investors, private lenders must proactively guard against a concerning new digital risk. "Imagine you’re at home one night and receive a phone call from a borrower. He asks if you’ll be funding his loan, reminds you of the fee he paid, and wonders why you [...]
Proposed California and New York bills will significantly impact private lenders. When it rains, it pours. Within 10 days of each other, California and New York proposed legislation impacting our industry. As of the time of publishing, California seeks to add a capital gains tax to nearly all residences sold within seven years of purchase, [...]
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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