Employee Client Exclusive: How We Helped a Former Mortgage Banker from California

For 13 years Ahmad thrived in mortgage banking, working for top lenders and living a fast-paced, high-earning lifestyle. But when interest rates spiked and the COVID-era refinance boom ended, the commissions stopped keeping pace with his high cost of living and existing debts. 

Meet Ahmad: A Mortgage Banker Turned Debt Consolidation Specialist From California

Ahmad is a former mortgage banker from California who now works as a Consolidation Specialist for Beyond Finance.

As a banker, he built his career with major lenders mainly in Dallas and Detroit, earning enough during the refinance boom to buy luxury cars, enjoy a big wedding and live in a penthouse. But when the market shifted, the lifestyle he thought was sustainable quickly became a burden.

A friend who worked at Beyond Finance suggested Ahmad join the team — and once he learned how well the program worked, he knew he wanted to be a client, too.

Learn How Ahmad Got Into Debt

At his peak, Ahmad was earning $50 to 60K a month in mortgage banking. Unfortunately, when the refinance wave ended, his income dropped considerably and It didn’t take long for his bills to outweigh his paychecks. 

Like so many high earners, Ahmad had fallen into lifestyle creep — letting his spending grow alongside his income without building a safety net for hard times. Multiple moves — from Dallas to California to Michigan — only added to the strain. With no solid mortgage roles available, he worked three side gigs just to cover the basics.

At one point I had over $100K in debt. When I enrolled with Beyond, my eligible debt was $43,330 and my payments were about $1,400 a month. I’d put myself in a big hole.

Recognizing the Need for Change

Before Ahmad knew about Beyond Finance, he enrolled with a different consolidation company, but felt they were keeping him “in the shadows” with less than ideal communication.

When he learned about Beyond and discovered how they worked and supported clients through offerings like weekly wellness sessions led by professionals, a user-friendly app and an overall client-first approach, he switched as soon as he could. 

I didn’t understand how debt consolidation worked until I came to Beyond. Here they checked in every week, answered my questions and really cared.

Advice for Others: Pick Up the Phone

Ahmad believes the hardest step is reaching out for help. He encourages anyone feeling stuck or ashamed to call Beyond Finance and learn their options.

I know what it’s like to work long hours, barely see my kids and still feel like nothing’s working — this program changed that for me and it can for you too.

How Ahmad Uses His Experience to Help Others

Ahmad’s own debt journey isn’t just something he shares — it’s a tool he uses to connect with Beyond Finance clients on a deeper level. He knows the shame, the sleepless nights and the stress of juggling bills, because he’s been there himself. That perspective makes his conversations with clients more authentic and his solutions more personal.

In his role at Beyond Finance, Ahmad has helped people facing situations as dire as potential foreclosure, overwhelming medical bills and even suicidal thoughts. He listens first, then focuses on what they truly need — not just what might “close a sale.”

It’s about understanding what someone’s going through. [I’m] not trying to sell a product, [I’m] selling them what they need. I’ve helped people keep a roof over their head, retire after decades of work, even pay for a loved one’s funeral. That’s the beauty of what we do.

A Brighter Future Ahead

Since starting the program, Ahmad’s wife has been able to become a stay-at-home mom. They’ve traded financial stress for family adventures, taking their young children to places like Legoland and SeaWorld. They’re building a home in California near her family and Ahmad even surprised her with her dream car — the new electric Hummer EV.

He’s on track to graduate the program in under a year, thanks to extra payments. But for Ahmad, the real victory is what the program has given him: stability, balance and purpose.

[Beyond Finance] gave me the opportunity to embrace life again — to breathe, spend time with my family and get that fresh start.

*A quick note about Ahmad’s story: He’s a real Beyond Finance client and employee who was compensated for sharing his experience with us. Savings were calculated by subtracting his program payment from his self-reported minimums. Typical clients save around $480 on their monthly payments.