Building a Modern VA Mortgage Platform with Travis Peace, USNA ‘03
May 27, 2026
“What we realized is that you just gotta pick a lane, and be good at what you do.” – Travis Peace, USNA ‘03
Travis Peace is the Co-Founder and President of Novum Home Loans, a digital mortgage company built specifically for the military community. After serving as a nuclear surface warfare officer and later holding senior mortgage leadership roles at USAA, he launched Novum to modernize VA lending through technology, efficiency, and mission-driven execution.
At Novum, Travis is focused on building a scalable, AI-powered mortgage platform designed to deliver better rates, faster closings, and a trusted experience for veterans and active-duty families. His long-term vision is to become a dominant player in the VA lending space while staying rooted in service and community alignment.
In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Travis about:
From Nuclear Officer to Mortgage Founder: Travis’s transition from Navy leadership to building a veteran-focused digital lending platform.
Modernizing VA Lending: The inefficiencies in traditional mortgage processes and how Novum is leveraging technology to streamline approvals and closings.
AI in the Mortgage Industry: Using automation and data-driven systems to reduce friction, improve pricing, and enhance borrower experience.
Serving the Military Community at Scale: Designing a lending platform built specifically for active-duty service members and veterans.
Building a Scalable Digital Platform: Travis’s long-term vision to grow Novum into a dominant force in VA home loans while maintaining trust and operational discipline.
Timestamps: 00:49 From Navy to USAA
04:40 Why Novum Exists
06:17 Cutting Mortgage Costs
09:15 Loan Types Beyond VA
10:43 Customer Journey Walkthrough
15:27 Finding Focus and Stride
18:29 Scaling Vision and Market Share
21:59 Next Goals Capital Tech Talent
26:08 Lead Sources and Referrals
Connect with Travis:
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A special thank you to Travis for joining me this week. Until next time!
-Scott Mackes, USNA '01