September 14, 2023
Cincinnati, OH (September 14, 2023) – LendKey Technologies is proud to announce that its Chief Technology Officer, Michael “Hawk” Hawkins, has been named a C-Suite Awards finalist in the Chief Technology/Information Office category by the Cincinnati Business Courier. This recognition underscores Mr. Hawkins’ exceptional contributions to the field of technology and his impactful leadership at LendKey.
LendKey, a leading provider of innovative lending solutions, empowers credit unions with access to high-quality consumer loans, facilitating capital deployment and diversification of their balance sheets through loan origination, loan sales, and participations across various asset classes.
With decades of experience in product management and engineering, particularly in the complex and highly regulated sectors of finance and healthcare, Mr. Hawkins has proven himself as an industry visionary and a driving force behind LendKey’s success. As CTO, he spearheads LendKey’s product development, product operations, and technology teams, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of technological innovation in the lending industry.
Before joining LendKey, Mr. Hawkins served as CTO of SoMoLend, a Cincinnati-based crowdfunding startup, where he demonstrated his expertise in navigating the dynamic landscape of financial technology. His impressive career also includes the role of Product Line Director at a General Electric business unit, where he honed his skills in leadership and product strategy.
Mr. Hawkins’ dedication to innovation is further exemplified by his role as the co-author of two patents in resource prioritization and electronic health records, illustrating his commitment to advancing technology within the healthcare sector.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Hawkins is deeply committed to community development. He currently serves as the board president for the Positive Influence Team, an organization dedicated to mentoring and training at-risk youth and providing support to adults transitioning from incarceration. Additionally, he actively contributes to the academic community as a member of the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Weatherhead School of Management Visiting Committee, where his insights help shape the future of business education.
Mr. Hawkins has also shared his knowledge and expertise as a guest speaker and mentor at Case Western Reserve University and Miami University of Ohio, inspiring the next generation of technology leaders.
“This recognition for Hawk is a testament to his unwavering commitment to innovation, leadership, and community engagement,” said Vince Passione, LendKey CEO and Founder. “His dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and his passion for making a positive impact on the community truly set him apart. We are incredibly proud to have him as our CTO.”
The Cincinnati Business Courier Awards celebrate outstanding professionals who have made significant contributions to the local business community. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on October 12 where Mr. Hawkins and other finalists will be recognized for their exceptional achievements.
About LendKey
LendKey is a financial technology firm and leader in providing “lending-as-a-service” solutions to credit unions, community banks, and customers. LendKey works with its clients in two ways: providing digital loan origination and servicing capabilities and delivering a loan trading marketplace platform for financial institutions and fintechs.Â
LendKey pioneered the concept of “digital lending networks,” which harnesses the collaborative nature of community-based financial institutions to build common lending programs for private student loans, student loan refinance, and home improvement loans. These programs utilize LendKey’s lending-as-a-service platform to provide customer acquisition, online decisioning, loan origination, loan servicing, customer service, and back-office support.Â
ALIRO is LendKey’s loan trading marketplace where financial institutions and other market participants can easily transact. Loans can be offered for sale and purchased in either whole loan or fractional loan participation format, and the platform supports both one-time and forward flow transactions. ALIRO delivers the technology, tools, and ongoing service that financial institutions need to evaluate, execute, and manage loan trades to better optimize their balance sheet and risk, focusing on improving net interest income.Â
Since 2009, LendKey has empowered more than 350 financial institutions to offer competitive loan programs and increase their digital presence across various customer acquisition channels and marketplaces. LendKey has helped its clients deploy over $6 billion in loans and services over $2.8 billion in consumer loans today. Visit lendkey.com or JoinALIRO.com for more information. Â
Media Contact:
Michelle Asher
LendKey
Email: michelle.asher@lendkey.com
Phone: (646)Â 626-7396