Tree.com Launches, Plans New Verticals

Today marks the first day of public trading for Tree.com the independent spin off of the LendingTree, RealEstate.com, HomeLoanCenter, GetSmart, Domania, iNest real estate and mortgage leads conglomerate from its former parent IAC. I've long been a Doug Lebda fan, and am excited about the idea that he has again hands-on responsibility here. According to today's American Banker, Lebda plans to weather tough times in the mortgage and real estate sector by expanding its student loans, auto and insurance.