Marc Hernandez
With a passion for empowering underserved and diverse communities, Marc has built an rewarding career spanning two decades as an accomplished mortgage banker, consistently demonstrating his commitment to breaking down barriers in the mortgage industry.As the Co-founder and CEO of Aequalend, Marc focuses on offering culturally competent mortgage products to help close the financial inclusion gap. Aequalend provides families often excluded from homeownership with real opportunities to succeed.Marc also founded Guideline Buddy, an AI-powered tool that helps mortgage professionals with underwriting guidelines and qualifications. Additionally, he created Allonge, a platform using blockchain technology to unlock liquidity in scratch-and-dent mortgages for lenders and investors.Marc’s leadership has earned recognition across the industry. He was named a Rising Star by HousingWire, and his expertise has been highlighted in The New York Times and other major publications. He previously served as President of the Illinois Mortgage Bankers Association (IMBA) and remains actively involved with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), where he advocates for sustainable Hispanic homeownership. He was also chosen to participate in the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) Tech Sprint, focused on Generative AI.Marc’s dedication to growth and innovation is reflected in his education and professional accolades. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, earned the Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation, and completed the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Future Leaders Program. He has expanded his knowledge of emerging technologies with executive education programs in AI and blockchain at Cornell and UC Berkeley.Based in Houston, Texas, Marc lives with his wife. He enjoys traveling, exploring different cultures, and supporting the Dallas Cowboys and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In his free time, he practices magic tricks as a hobbyist magician, bringing a little wonder to everyday life.