Q&A with Talk’uments CEO & Founder George H. Baker

At Blend, expanding access to homeownership means removing barriers that stand in the way of borrowers—and language should never be one of them. That’s why we’ve partnered with Talk’uments, a leader in interactive multilingual loan technology, dedicated to helping lenders better serve diverse communities. By embedding Talk’uments directly into Blend’s Mortgage origination workflow, lenders can provide clear, in-language support throughout the mortgage process, improving transparency, compliance, and borrower confidence.

We sat down with George Baker, Founder and CEO of Talk’uments, to discuss how this partnership is reshaping the lending experience for multilingual borrowers.

You’ve had a front-row seat to the mortgage industry for over 30 years—including working as a top loan originator, broker, banker (and even selling APR calculation software!). Was there a specific ‘aha’ moment when you realized the industry needed a better way to serve multilingual borrowers?

The key to gaining repeat business and referrals for lenders is maximizing the consumer experience. During my time as a mortgage banker, we developed a simple tool to help borrowers understand their HUD settlement statement (now the CD) at closing. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and it became clear that using smart technology to clarify not just the CD but all loan disclosures, fees, and the mortgage process could have a major impact.

As I looked to launch Talk’uments nearly a decade ago, I noticed many lenders struggling to serve their Limited English Proficiency (LEP) borrowers. These borrowers weren’t lacking intelligence but the resources to navigate complex, language-heavy mortgage documentation. The mortgage industry had failed to keep up with changing demographics, and that’s when I knew we needed to bridge the language gap. By offering language access and simplifying the process, we can ensure all borrowers have equal access to the information they need and optimize their experience.

We know the number of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) borrowers is growing, but what trends stand out to you? Are there certain languages becoming more dominant in homebuying?

Absolutely. While Spanish remains the dominant language, we’re seeing a rise in the demand for other languages, particularly Asian languages like Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Korean, as immigrant communities continue to grow. To stay competitive, lenders must adopt standardized language resources, just as many other industries have done. In my view, the mortgage industry is significantly behind when it comes to providing these resources. The concept is simple yet powerful: “If you want my business, speak my language.” By embracing this, lenders can build trust and establish stronger connections with a broader range of borrowers.

Lenders have tried (and sometimes struggled) to reach non-English-speaking borrowers before. Why haven’t past efforts really moved the needle? What’s the biggest blind spot lenders still have when it comes to serving multilingual borrowers?

The biggest reason these efforts fall short is that they’re often rushed or piecemeal, focusing on translating static documents or hiring multilingual loan originators instead of fostering genuine engagement with multilingual borrowers.

Many lenders also fear regulatory compliance risks, leading them to shy away from translating websites or promoting services in non-English languages. Additionally, outdated, document-centric thinking holds them back—language solutions must be technology-driven, not just translation-focused. Multilingual borrowers need more than translated documents; they need a personalized, clear experience that simplifies the mortgage process from application to closing. The real challenge is building trust and providing an environment where borrowers feel heard, understood, and confident throughout their journey.

How does Talk’uments bridge that gap? What makes your approach different?

Talk’uments bridges the gap by providing real-time document translation and conversational tools that allow lenders to engage with borrowers in their preferred languages throughout the loan process. We don’t just translate documents; we create a seamless experience where borrowers can interact with their loan in a way that feels natural and comprehensive. Our commitment to high-quality translations and a user-friendly experience has already led to increased borrower satisfaction, close rates, and engagement.

The company was founded on four key principles:

1. Line-by-line translations don’t work
2. Data is key
3. The industry conducts business in English
4. The need to adapt to consumer preferences

We live by these principles by using loan data to create a digital profile of the borrower’s transaction, providing real-time clarity and transparency through smart digital language technology. Our solution doesn’t alter the English disclosure process but accompanies it, explaining the content in the borrower’s preferred language while staying compliant with state and federal laws. We also adapt to consumer preferences, offering a self-service model that aligns with how today’s borrowers engage with technology, ensuring a smooth and modern experience.

Now that Talk’uments is integrated with Blend, what does that actually mean for lenders?

The integration with Blend enables lenders to offer a seamless digital experience for multilingual borrowers. With Talk’uments embedded in Blend’s platform, lenders can provide real-time document translations, on-demand language support, and share critical information in the borrower’s preferred language (including English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean, with more to come)—all without disrupting their digital workflow.

What excites me most about this partnership is how it empowers lenders to expand their reach, improve operational efficiency, and build stronger relationships with a broader range of borrowers. This integration removes traditional barriers to serving LEP communities, making it easier for lenders to be inclusive while driving business growth. It’s truly a game-changer for both borrowers and lenders.

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Blend’s Partner Ecosystem: Delivering Simplicity and Efficiency

Blend brings together over 70 top technology, data, and third-party providers in a single platform, streamlining banking experiences and eliminating friction for lenders and consumers. By continuously expanding our ecosystem with new capabilities and partners, we’re helping lenders integrate effortlessly while enhancing automation, borrower engagement, and decisioning. Visit blend.com/integrations/ to learn more.