Local Leaders. Global Impact.

Fintech Success: The LendingTree Story

Well known as the second largest banking center in the U.S., Charlotte has also earned the reputation of a fintech and entrepreneurial hub thanks to incubators and success stories born here. 

Perhaps one of the greatest examples is LendingTree. After experiencing the frustrations and complexities of getting his first mortgage, Doug Lebda envisioned a way to empower consumers in the loan process where banks compete for the customers’ business. In 1996, he founded LendingTree, which revolutionized how consumers shop for loans and how lenders reach new customers.

Launched nationally in July 1998, Doug led LendingTree through a successful IPO in 2000, the dot-com meltdown of 2001 and a successful sale to IAC/InterActiveCorp in 2003. From 2005 to 2008, he served as IAC’s President and Chief Operating Officer, and in 2008, joined the newly formed Tree.com (now rebranded as LendingTree) as it spun out from IAC as a separate public company.

Please join us for breakfast to hear lessons learned from Doug’s journey and how he’s supporting Charlotte’s fintech community.   

Dr. Karthik Krishnan, associate professor of finance in Northeastern's D'Amore-McKim School of Business, will also join to offer insights into the world of entrepreneurial and corporate finance.

While this event is free to attend, space is limited so please register in advance.

In partnership with Carolina Fintech Hub and Queen City Fintech