In this episode of MikedUp, we sit down with Paul Diamond, a leader who represents resilience, integrity, and staying power in mortgage banking. With more than three decades in the mortgage industry, Paul has built a reputation for leading with values before volume, standing firm during market cycles, and building a people-first culture that still drives results today. As President and CEO of Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation (DRMC) and Immediate Past President of the Illinois Mortgage Bankers Association, Paul’s leadership has helped shape both his company and industry policy conversations nationwide. Paul takes us behind the curtain of mortgage leadership—what it really means to build a company designed to last, how to grow during disruptive market cycles, and why culture is the true competitive advantage. He speaks on durability in leadership, the importance of being rooted in purpose, and what lenders must do today to stay relevant tomorrow. His message is simple but powerful: people, process, execution—that’s where the real value in this business lives. We explore: His early commitment to industry advocacy and his leadership path with IMBA Why long-term relationships are still the foundation of lending success The generational talent gap in mortgage and how to attract young professionals Lessons learned from market shifts and regulatory changes like Dodd-Frank The future of mortgage lending and how to thrive as the cycle changes again Why common sense lending and customer-first execution will never go out of style Building a national mortgage company without losing local culture Paul’s philosophy on business is clear: “There’s little proprietary value in mortgage banking. The value is in people and how they serve customers.” This episode is a must-listen for loan officers, branch managers, IMBs, bank executives, and anyone building a career in lending. It’s not motivational fluff—it’s a blueprint for leadership that lasts. ✅ Episode Sponsors Polly – Modern mortgage pricing and capital markets technology for lenders who want smarter, faster secondary execution. Trusted by leading IMBs and banks. Website: https://polly.io Floify – The industry’s most trusted mortgage point-of-sale platform, delivering speed, security, and borrower satisfaction from application through closing. Website: https://floify.com Truework – Simplifying income and employment verification for lenders through accurate, fast, and secure data solutions. Website: https://truework.com FundingShield – The #1 wire and title fraud prevention platform in mortgage lending—protecting lenders and borrowers from fraud during closings. Website: https://www.fundingshield.com