BREAKOUT SESSION: Stuck in Neutral: Why Lenders Invest in Automation but Still Rely on Manual Workarounds
The mortgage industry is grappling with rising origination costs, much of it tied to manual workflows that should be automated. Despite significant investments in technology platforms, many lenders still rely on human "workarounds" to push loans through the process. This panel unpacks where inefficiencies persist, why they exist, and how forward-thinking institutions have eliminated high-friction tasks using the tech they already own.
Speakers
Moderator
Patrick O’Brien is the CEO and co-founder of LenderLogix, a mortgage technology company that delivers point-of-sale solutions to more than 150 banks, credit unions, and independent mortgage banks nationwide. Drawing on 15 years of experience as a loan officer at a regional bank in New York, Patrick founded LenderLogix in 2016 to close the technology gaps he encountered firsthand in the mortgage process. A graduate of the University at Buffalo, he continues to live and work in Buffalo, NY, where LenderLogix is headquartered.
Speakers
David is an experienced executive in Global Financial Services with Specialty in Residential Lending. He brings extensive experience in Sales Management, Strategic Leadership, Business Development, leveraging Fintech platforms and Business turnaround. David has over 30 years of expertise in Residential Lending, primarily with one of the world’s preeminent banking and financial services organizations. During his time there he managed their US Sales channels in position of National Sales Manager for both centralized sales, decentralized sales and third party Sales. Responsible for performance, strategy, management and customer acquisition for US. David’s work has spanned both domestic and International customer acquisition. He has managed and collaborated with teams across globe to support US business. David attended Rochester Institute of Technology and IMD Business School Switzerland. David holds Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Steven A. Milner is the Founder and CEO of US Mortgage Corporation, an Independent Mortgage Banker licensed in 49 States and Washington, D.C., which was founded on February 17, 1994 and is headquartered in Melville, NY. He started his career as a Loan Officer in 1980 while working as a High School Math Teacher on Long Island. Mr. Milner has maintained a Loan Officer License in every State including Washington, D.C. since 2010 and continues to Originate 8 to 10 Loans every Month which allows him to assess the Challenges that other Loan Officers are experiencing. As CEO, he oversees the day to day operations of every Department in the Company. US Mortgage is an approved Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Direct Seller and Servicer with over 40 Branches. Mr. Milner has consistently focused on making education the key basis to helping Home Buyers attain their dream of homeownership. US Mortgage believes that everyone deserves a roof over their head. It is why we are committed to closing every Mortgage on time and it is why our slogan is ‘Helping You Make It Home.’” Mr. Milner is also very proud that the Scotsman Guide selected US Mortgage as one of the Top Workplaces for 2025.
David has more than 13 years of experience in the mortgage industry across. In his current role of VP of Automation Sales for Indecomm he is focused on growing Indecomm’s suite of automated products with a focus on underwriting, document and data management, quality control and more. He has extensive experience developing business in the mortgage services space in technology and managed services. He is an active member of the MBA, a Future Leaders alumnus, current chair of the future leaders alumni association, a CMB, and has served on several advisory committees.

