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Meet Our Team

At LendFriend, we’re more than a mortgage broker — we’re your partners on the path to homeownership. Whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing, or exploring your loan options, our dedicated team brings deep expertise, integrity, and personal service to every client we serve. Get to know the people who will help you make smarter home financing decisions and feel confident at every step.
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Eric Bernstein

PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER

NMLS #1486987

Eric has helped thousands of people buy homes, build wealth, and feel confident about one of life’s biggest financial decisions. Since entering the mortgage industry in 2015, he’s closed over $1 billion in home loans and earned a reputation for solving complex financing scenarios with clarity, speed, and care.

Eric’s approach is deeply shaped by the customer service philosophy in Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard—a book he credits as a major influence in his career. He believes every client deserves more than a smooth transaction—they deserve a standout experience that’s personal, consistent, and always better than expected. That mindset drives everything he does at LendFriend, from how his team communicates to how they show up when things get complicated.

While Eric works with a wide range of homebuyers and homeowners, he has deep expertise in helping clients who fall outside the traditional lending box—self-employed borrowers, real estate investors, crypto holders, and others with unique financial profiles. He specializes in VA, Conventional, and Jumbo loans, as well as Non-QM solutions like bank statement, DSCR, and asset depletion programs.

Whether you're buying your first home or financing your fifth, Eric brings the same thoughtful, personalized approach to every deal. He leads the LendFriend team with a focus on transparency, creativity, and making sure every client walks away feeling like they had someone in their corner from day one.

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Michael Bernstein

MORTGAGE BROKER AND CO-FOUNDER

NMLS #1588184

Michael believes that everyone deserves the chance to own a home—and he’s made it his mission to help more people get there. As part of the family behind LendFriend, he brings heart, hustle, and a deep sense of responsibility to every client he serves. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a crypto investor, or someone who’s been told “no” by a traditional lender, Michael is the kind of person who will roll up his sleeves and find a way forward.

With a strong background in technology and a passion for decentralized finance, Michael specializes in modern lending strategies like crypto-backed mortgages, Buy Before You Sell programs, and flexible Conventional loan options. He believes the mortgage process should feel empowering—not invasive—and uses smart tools and streamlined systems to keep things efficient, transparent, and stress-free.

Above all else, Michael is a people person. He’s known for being compassionate, responsive, and genuinely invested in each borrower’s success. Whether he’s working with a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, his goal is always the same: to make the experience feel clear, personal, and built around your goals—not the bank’s.

At LendFriend, Michael is proud to carry on the family’s mission of doing mortgage lending differently—by putting relationships first and helping more people win the keys to a home they love.

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Max Liporace

COO & General Counsel

Max is passionate about executing successful transactions that align parties from different industries around shared goals. He drives LendFriend’s growth by building value-driven partnerships with advertising firms, builders, charities, and brokerages across the U.S. 

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Chelsey Dungan

Production Manager

Chelsey brings years of mortgage expertise to LendFriend, helping Eric and Michael deliver a smooth, stress-free experience for every client. A proud Texas native, she pairs southern hospitality with a can-do spirit that makes the homebuying journey feel easy and enjoyable.

 
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Evelyn Cardenas

Production Manager

With over 20 years in the mortgage industry, she brings extensive experience in processing and management to the LendFriend team. Known for her attention to detail and efficiency, she ensures every loan stays on track for a smooth closing. Bilingual in Spanish, she takes pride in supporting clients and partners from all backgrounds, making the mortgage process easy and accessible for everyone.

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Morgan Cunningham

Client Experience Specialist

Morgan brings a healthcare background to LendFriend, where caring for clients is second nature. She ensures every borrower feels supported and appreciated, especially through LendFriend’s Heroes Program, which keeps her connected to the frontline workers she’ll always hold close to her heart.

 
Bailey Davis

Bailey Davis

Loan Originator

Bailey brings her energy and relationship-building skills from the Houston Rockets to the LendFriend Business Development Team. While she can’t snag you courtside seats, she’s a trusted resource for realtors across Houston and the surrounding areas. Bailey is passionate about helping her partners grow their business and is always excited to build new connections in the Houston market she proudly calls home.