Community Lending That Helps ft. Nikki Bialka

04/15/25 • 46 min

In this powerful episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau are joined by Nikki Bialka, an unstoppable advocate for financial inclusion and the force behind Fifth Third Bank’s community lending initiatives. With a career rooted in mortgage, pipeline management, and operations, Nikki’s true passion lies in creating access and empowering underserved communities.

She’s not just talking about equitable lending—she’s actively building it. From leading homeownership symposiums across the country to driving national conversations with organizations like MBA, Project REACh, and Su Casa Hispanic Center, Nikki is redefining what community lending looks like.

✅ How Real Community Lending Works
Discover how Nikki and her team meet people where they are—literally. From brokers and housing counselors to nonprofits and local leaders, she’s uniting the Avengers of housing.

✅ Every Mortgage Has a Story
It all started with hardship letters. Nikki’s journey proves that behind every loan file is a family, a challenge, and a community in the making.

✅ Serving the Underserved
Learn how targeted education, cultural connection, and showing up (not just selling) makes the difference in building trust and generational wealth.

✅ Relatability Over Salesmanship
Nikki challenges the industry to rethink who shows up for borrowers. It’s not always the polished salesperson—it’s the relatable face that understands the struggle.

✅ Empowering the 98%
While only a small percent of people can “sell” their way through problems, Nikki’s mission is focused on the rest—the 98%—who need honest support and real access.

“We’re not just helping people buy homes—we’re building communities, one conversation at a time.” – Nikki Bialka

This episode is a must-listen for any lender, loan officer, or leader who wants to make a difference where it truly matters.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Mortgage Connect – Revolutionizing the lending experience from end to end.
Aidium – Smart CRM tools built for modern mortgage pros who lead with impact.

✅ Every Mortgage Has a Story
It all started with hardship letters. Nikki’s journey proves that behind every loan file is a family, a challenge, and a community in the making.

✅ Serving the Underserved
Learn how targeted education, cultural connection, and showing up (not just selling) makes the difference in building trust and generational wealth.

“We’re not just helping people buy homes—we’re building communities, one conversation at a time.” – Nikki Bialka

This episode is a must-listen for any lender, loan officer, or leader who wants to make a difference where it truly matters.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Mortgage Connect – Revolutionizing the lending experience from end to end.
Aidium – Smart CRM tools built for modern mortgage pros who lead with impact.

Previous Episode

Seeking Longevity in Mortgage ft. Steven A Milner

What does it take to not only survive but thrive for over 45 years in mortgage banking?

On this week’s episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with industry legend Steven A. Milner, the Founder & CEO of US Mortgage Corporation—a company that’s been going strong since 1994. From his days as a high school math teacher to leading a nationwide lender licensed in all 50 states and D.C., Steven shares how he's built a business not only with volume, but with values, vision, and real staying power.

This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a masterclass in how to build a mortgage career (and company) that lasts.

✅ What “Longevity” Really Means
Steven breaks down why longevity isn't just about years in business—it's about consistency, mentorship, adaptability, and having a clear core value that drives every decision.

✅ Own Your Zip Code
In a world of Rocket, Zillow, and automation, Steven reminds us why local matters. You know your customer’s neighbors—algorithms don’t. And that’s your edge.

✅ From Originator to CEO
Still personally originating ~10 loans per month, Steven shares how staying connected to the front lines fuels his leadership, innovation, and culture at US Mortgage.

✅ Succession Planning & Sustainable Growth
Learn why every mortgage company needs a plan for the future, and how building the next generation of leaders is critical to long-term relevance.

✅ Generational Wealth Beyond Money
Steven talks legacy—not just in terms of dollars, but in mentorship, culture, and serving others with empathy and consistency.

✅ Doing the Small Things Right
From sending a book to a fellow loan officer expecting a child, to serving on national boards, Steven shows that how you do anything is how you do everything.

A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Mortgage Connect – Seamlessly supporting every step of the mortgage process with end-to-end solutions.
Aidium – The CRM that’s helping mortgage pros build real pipelines with intelligent automation.

Next Episode

What It Takes To Build Mortgage Startups in 2025 ft. Jim Carroll

What does it really take to launch a mortgage company in today’s market? In this episode of The MikedUp Show, hosts Michael Kelleher and Michael Zau sit down with Jim Carroll, a seasoned mortgage professional and builder of operations from the ground up. With over two decades of experience across every major role in mortgage—from top-producing loan officer to DE underwriter, recruiter, and executive—Jim brings clarity, candor, and perspective to the high-stakes world of mortgage startups.

Jim’s journey began at the family business, The Carroll Mortgage Group, where he started as his father’s assistant and climbed his way through the ranks—eventually leading the company through 23 years of successful growth and multiple HUD audits without a single indemnification. After CMG’s successful merger with Reliant Bank, Jim took on his next challenge: launching an entire mortgage division from scratch at Partners Bank in Alabama in 2024.

Whether you’re dreaming of founding your own mortgage company or curious about how the next generation of lenders is navigating 2025, this conversation delivers everything from startup wisdom to operational truths.

✅ The DNA of a Mortgage Startup
Why starting a mortgage company in 2025 requires more than great products—it requires resilience, leadership, and institutional clarity.

✅ Lessons from the Ground Up
Jim shares the wins, challenges, and key decisions that shaped The Carroll Mortgage Group and how those lessons apply to today’s tech-forward world.

✅ The Importance of Versatility
From underwriting to compliance, recruiting to marketing—Jim’s well-rounded experience reveals why founders must wear many hats, especially early on.

✅ Bank vs. IMB: Strategic Differences
Having operated in both Independent Mortgage Banking and depository environments, Jim explains the key pros and cons of building inside a bank in today’s market.

✅ Building Culture That Lasts
It’s not just about launching—it’s about sustaining. Hear how Jim focuses on hiring right, leading with values, and setting the tone for long-term success.

✅ Startups in a Tech Era
With AI, automation, and new platforms changing everything, Jim discusses how startups must stay nimble while staying compliant.

Big Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Mortgage Connect – End-to-end mortgage solutions trusted by lenders nationwide.
Aidium – Smart CRM built to help mortgage professionals grow their pipeline and their business.