Daryn Fillis and Erik Gascho, two experienced mortgage brokers, have joined NEO Home Loans, a mortgage lender powered by Better. Their move reflects a growing trend among originators seeking increased transparency, operational control, and strategic partnerships within the lending industry.
Fillis noted that while the broker channel often promises greater control, the reality can involve significant restrictions. “At NEO, we’ve received transparent pricing, comp structures, and loan options. Plus, we have access to corporate resources and technology without giving up independence. It feels like a real partnership,” he stated.
The brokers cited several key factors for their decision, including true pricing and compensation transparency designed to better serve clients, expanded loan options that encompass Non-QM and specialty products alongside access to top wholesale partners, operational control integrated with advanced technology and full resource support, and a collaborative partnership model that emphasizes shared success.
Gascho highlighted the practical benefits of NEO’s transparent approach. “In a traditional broker setup, if a client was short $500 at closing, you could not adjust your comp to help them without major compliance challenges. At NEO, I can do what is right for the client without those barriers. The model here truly supports both the client and the advisor,” he explained.
Both Fillis and Gascho indicated that the NEO Home Loans model delivers on promises of greater control, operational freedom, and business support that are frequently advocated but not always realized in the traditional broker channel. Ryan Grant, President of NEO Home Loans, welcomed them, stating, “They represent the future of mortgage advising: entrepreneurial, client-focused, and driven to grow. At NEO, we believe advisors should have both the independence to build their businesses and the resources to scale them, without compromise.”
Fillis and Gascho will contribute to NEO’s expansion by assisting other brokers and advisors in leveraging the platform for client service and business growth.
NEO Home Loans, powered by Better, is a mortgage company focused on reshaping the lending experience through education, transparency, and personalized strategy. It combines technology with expert human guidance to facilitate informed financial decisions for clients. With a national presence and a local advisor model, NEO aims to empower mortgage professionals to scale their businesses efficiently and with greater autonomy.
Better Home & Finance Holding Company (NASDAQ: BETR; BETRW), known as Better.com, is an AI-native mortgage lender. Since 2016, Better has used its AI platform, Tinman®, to simplify homeownership, processing rate options in seconds and pre-approvals in minutes. The company also offers Betsy™, a voice-based AI loan assistant, and its “One Day Mortgage” initiative, which allows eligible customers to receive a Commitment Letter within 24 hours. Better.com has received multiple industry awards, including the 2025 Fintech Breakthrough Awards for Digital Mortgage Innovation and being named a Best Online Mortgage Lender by Forbes. It serves customers in all 50 U.
S. states and the United Kingdom.
