LendingTree founder and CEO Doug Lebda dies in ATV accident (NBC News)

Summary

An Associated Press article carried by NBC News on Oct. 13, 2025 reporting that LendingTree CEO and founder Doug Lebda died in an all-terrain vehicle accident over the weekend. The company said Scott Peyree, its chief operating officer and president, was appointed CEO effective immediately and that lead independent director Steve Ozonian would become chairman of the board. Shares of the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company fell more than 2% by early afternoon trading on Monday. Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 to 'simplify the loan shopping process' after frustrations with his first mortgage.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Full text

LendingTree founder and CEO Doug Lebda dies in ATV accident

Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 — to “simplify the loan shopping process” — after experiencing his own frustrations when he was getting his first mortgage.

LendingTree CEO Doug Lebda during an interview in New York in 2016. Chris Goodney / Bloomberg via Getty Images file

Oct. 13, 2025, 2:36 PM EDT / Source : The Associated Press

By The Associated Press

LendingTree CEO and founder Doug Lebda died in an all-terrain vehicle accident over the weekend, the online loaning platform said Monday.

In a company announcement, LendingTree confirmed that Lebda unexpectedly died on Sunday and that its leadership “deeply mourns his passing” while extending condolences to the executive’s loved ones.

“Doug was a visionary leader whose relentless drive, innovation and passion transformed the financial services landscape, touching the lives of millions of consumers,” LendingTree’s board of directors said in a statement. “His passion will continue to inspire us as we move forward together.”

Scott Peyree, LendingTree’s chief operating officer and president, has now been appointed CEO effective immediately. And lead independent director Steve Ozonian will also step into Lebda’s role as chairman of the board, the company said.

Shares of Charlotte, North Carolina-based LendingTree fell more than 2% by early afternoon trading on Monday.

Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 — to “simplify the loan shopping process” after experiencing his own frustrations when getting his first mortgage, LendingTree’s website notes. The platform launched nationally in 1998 and became a public company in 2000. It was later acquired by internet conglomerate IAC/InterActiveCorp, before spinning off on its own again in 2008.

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Microsoft’s CEO wants AI agents on your PC. He also thinks they’re a security risk.

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Old stories, new lens: Hollywood is giving lit nerds a reason to revisit the classics

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Americans’ eating habits are changing. For Chick-fil-A, adapting to them is a tall order.

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Israeli ad company helped a spyware firm target Al Jazeera through online ads, researchers say

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Republicans in key races break with Trump over tariffs

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Jon Ossoff for president? How Georgia’s 2026 race for governor could affect the answer

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Watchdog seeks investigation into press secretary Katie Zacharia’s legal résumé

FOR SUBSCRIBERS How safe are roller coasters? What riders should know

FOR SUBSCRIBERS The economic crunch ahead of the election crunch

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Apple’s HomeView is part iPad, part Apple Watch and part CarPlay

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Mike Rogers on whether Iran war was a mistake: ‘We’ll find out’

FOR SUBSCRIBERS ‘We didn’t think this could happen’: Pennsylvania doctors seeing what measles can do to kids

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Union leader quoted in Maine Senate attack ad sends ‘cease and desist’ letter to GOP PAC

FOR SUBSCRIBERS Republicans shift funds in the battle for the House, pulling money from some tough races

FOR SUBSCRIBERS How do microplastics cause harm inside our bodies? A new study offers an answer

Slide 1 of 1

Today, LendingTree’s central online loaning marketplace helps users find and compare loans for mortgages, credit cards, insurance needs and more. LendingTree, Inc. also owns brands across the financial sector — including CompareCards and Value Penguin.