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Doug Lebda was frustrated. While working as a Certified Public Accountant for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, he and his wife, Tara, wanted to buy a small townhouse. Even though they were both knowledgeable about personal finance, they quickly discovered that researching rates and shopping among banks and lenders was time-consuming and complex.

He knew there had to be a better alternative to the traditional process of pounding the pavement.

Doug thought consumers could be better served, and he asked himself, "Why not create a way for banks to compete for their customers' business instead of customers having to do all the legwork to find the best deals?"

That's exactly what he did.

Capitalizing on the power of the Internet, Doug created LendingTree, Inc. (now LendingTree, LLC) -- an online lending marketplace that could quickly and easily match borrowers and lenders, empowering consumers to choose from multiple offers. He further simplified the process by allowing borrowers to complete one simple, secure online form. Multiple lenders can see this form and offer customers their most competitive deal.

The result was a win-win solution for borrowers and lenders. "When we launched the site in 1998, we were able to empower consumers with choice, convenience and value," Doug says. "And lenders could target consumers whose needs they were best prepared to meet."

Today many of the nation's largest lending institutions, as well as a wealth of regional and local lenders, have joined the LendingTree.com marketplace. This diverse network allows LendingTree, LLC to offer a broad range of lending products, including purchase mortgages, refinance loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, auto loans, personal loans, and credit cards, as well as access to student loans and commercial lending products.

In 2003, LendingTree, LLC caught the eye of media mogul Barry Diller and was acquired by his company IAC/InterActiveCorp that May. As a result, LendingTree, LLC joined a number of great businesses also recognized as leaders in their own industries including Ticketmaster, Ask.com, Home Shopping Network (HSN), and Match.com.

Then in 2008, LendingTree spun-off from IAC to join newly established Tree.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE). Tree.com, Inc. is the parent company of several well-known Web sites in the financial services and real estate industries including LendingTree, LLC, LendingTree Loans sm, GetSmart®, HomeLoanCenter.com, RealEstate.com, iNest and Domania. Together these sites serve as an indispensable ally for consumers who are looking to comparison shop loans, real estate and other financial products from multiple businesses and professions who compete for their business.

Since 1996, LendingTree, LLC has expanded its services and offerings by operating additional Web sites and purchasing companies in related fields. LendingTree, LLC owns and operates Home Loan Center, Inc. and GetSmart.com. Home Loan Center, Inc. also does business under the name "LendingTree Loans,” and is a licensed mortgage lender authorized to do business in every state. Depending on your credit history and the type of loan you request, you may be matched solely with LendingTree Loans instead of with the LendingTree network of Lenders. If matched with LendingTree Loans, you will speak with a single loan officer and will be provided with up to four conditional loan offers based on the rates and terms provided to LendingTree Loans by its wholesale mortgage banks and investors. These wholesale mortgage banks and investors update their pricing with LendingTree Loans from time-to-time (often daily) and compete for LendingTree’s customer business by changing their products and pricing periodically. Please see the Terms of Use for more information on the LendingTree Loans process.

From modest roots, LendingTree, LLC expanded Doug's original concept and has facilitated billions of dollars in loans for millions of consumers. With Total Brand Awareness of 84 percent nationwide, LendingTree is now a nationally recognized name - as is LendingTree.com’s motto: "When Banks Compete, You Win!^®"