LENDINGTREE ANNOUNCES THE UNEXPECTED PASSING OF COMPANY FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN AND CEO DOUG LEBDA

Core Points - Doug Lebda, the Chairman and CEO of LendingTree, passed away unexpectedly in an all-terrain vehicle accident, leading to a significant loss for the company and its stakeholders [1][2][3] - Scott Peyree has been appointed as the new President and CEO, while Steve Ozonian has taken over as Chairman of the Board, effective immediately [2][4] - The Board expressed deep sadness over Doug's passing, highlighting his visionary leadership and the impact he had on the financial services landscape since founding LendingTree in 1996 [2][3] Company Leadership Transition - Scott Peyree's appointment as CEO is seen as a continuation of Doug's legacy, with a strong management team in place to uphold the company's mission [4] - Steve Ozonian emphasized confidence in Scott Peyree's leadership abilities to guide LendingTree into the future [4] Company Overview - LendingTree is one of the largest online financial platforms in the U.S., providing consumers access to loans, credit cards, insurance, and more through a network of approximately 430 financial partners [6] - The company has helped millions of customers improve their financial health and achieve financial goals since its inception [6]