NEW YORK–Takara, which provides several solutions to credit unions, including its flagship DREAM program that seeks to addresses the mortgage lock-in effect, has named a Board of Advisors that includes a number of credit union representatives.
“The advisors bring deep expertise from credit unions, banks, fintech companies and regulatory agencies, positioning Takara to address the mortgage lock-in crisis with proven industry insight,” the company said in a statement.
The Advisors
The advisors include:
- Chris Harris, former CFO and Chief Strategy Officer, SAFE Credit Union
- Debbie Matz, former Chair, National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
- Brad Blackwell, former EVP of Homeownership Growth, Wells Fargo
- Reva Rao, head of digital transformation, Blend; former chief lending officer, Travis Credit Union
- Jim Finn, president & CEO, The Kerryman Finn; former CEO, Construction FCU
- Fred Campobasso, chief lending officer at GLCU
- Jim Cotton, former head of origination, PenFed & Freddie Mac
‘Learning What Works’
“At Takara, we fix what’s broken by learning from what works,” Jonathan Arad, CEO of Takara, said in a statemernt. “Our advisors bring a rare combination of industry insight and global perspective, making us uniquely equipped to bring meaningful, timely change to the mortgage industry. Their guidance has been instrumental in building financial products inspired by global models that unlock flexibility, fairness, and mobility for homeowners and lenders alike.”
Arad recently penned an op-ed in the CU Daily that appeared here.
Takara’s said its advisory board actively provides critical guidance on its flagship DREAM program, which addresses the mortgage lock-in effect constraining both households and financial institutions.
“With millions of Americans trapped in low-rate mortgages, DREAM offers a practical solution that aligns borrower affordability with institutional balance sheet objectives,” the company said.
Collective Experience
The advisors’ collective experience spans consumer banking, credit union operations, regulatory oversight, mortgage origination and digital transformation – all critical domains for successfully deploying solutions in today’s complex housing market, according to Takara.
Takara said its approach combines technical innovation with practical implementation, enabling credit unions and banks to offer mortgage payoff discounts without losses while helping members regain mobility. The company said its platform delivers yield, liquidity, and growth for lenders while meeting the evolving needs of today’s homeowners.
