Leading voices from the housing sector came together at the Lending & Origination Forum during the annual Five Star Conference & Expo at the Omni hotel in Dallas to discuss how mortgage lending is changing nationwide. This forum offered in-depth panel discussions on important topics like insurance, borrower engagement and marketing strategies, and creative approaches to homebuyer education. It featured a dynamic lineup of mortgage executives, GSE and government officials, technology and service providers, housing advocates, and nonprofit leaders.
David Wharton, Editor-in-Chief at the Five Star Institute, hosted the Lending & Origination Forum, giving the opening remarks and setting the stage for the forum.
Measuring Risks & Shifting Mortgage Insurance Trends
Insurance is still essential to mortgage risk management and loan performance, even in the face of natural disasters and changing regulatory requirements. Experts from the field participated in this panel to address the newest developments, issues, and trends in mortgage and property insurance, such as hazard risk, force-placed coverage, and how underwriting and servicing tactics are affected by climatic instability.
Panelists included:
- Robyn Bui, COO | Quality Claims Management Corp
- Lisa Lee, Chief Marketing Officer | McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP
- John Rohrbach, Executive Director, Product | National General Lender Services
- Anand Srinivasan, Head of Research & Development | Cotality
“Just because you’re not in a risk zone, doesn’t mean you’re not at risk. We’re all sharing potential risks,” said Robyn Bui, COO of Quality Claims management Corporation.
Optimizing the Borrower Journey from Click to Close
Effective marketing involves more than just messaging in the cutthroat and ever-changing housing market of today; it also involves connection, compliance, and conversion, experts said. Top loan executives gathered on this panel to discuss how mortgage companies are using digital channels, analytics, automation, and community engagement to meet borrowers where they are. Additionally, the panelists detailed brand trust, fair lending concerns, and the evolving demands of modern homebuyers.
The second set of panelists included:
- Paul Viguerie, VP of National Business Development for Altisource
- Matthew Clarke, President and COO of Churchill Mortgage
- Barry Hess, Managing Director of Home Lending Marketing at JP Morgan Chase
- Jessica Manna, SVP of Growth Marketing for Better
Unlocking Homeownership Through Education
To close out the educational forum, the third panel of experts stated that more than just money is needed to empower today’s borrowers; transparency, trust, and education are also needed. This panel discussed how homebuyer education can increase loan availability, lower default risk, and create wealth for future generations. Attendees learned about creative ways to connect with first-time buyers, assist marginalized populations, and include education into the origination process from housing counselors, nonprofit executives, GSE officials, and lenders.
Speakers included:
- Tanya Bates, SVP, Home Loans Regional Director | BOK Finacial Mortgage
- Tamara Gifford, Director, Community & External Relations | Onity Group
- Lisa Hasegawa, Regional VP, Western Region | NeighborWorks America
- Jose Morin, VP of Consulting and Advisory Loss Mitigation | AREMCO Inc.
- Allison Puca, Homeowner Support Office | Freddie Mac
The Power of Property Preservation: Hazards, Disasters, & Insurance
Property preservation is still essential for safeguarding communities and maintaining asset value, but the current environment poses more and more difficulties in terms of workforce stability, pricing, and procedures. Panelist speakers offered fresh insights on the newest trends, challenges, and solutions influencing the future of property preservation from professionals in the servicing, GSE, and preservation industries.
Speakers included:
- Elizabeth Squires, AVP Client Account Management | Safeguard Properties
- Shmulie Schochet, CEO | Crown Field Services LLC
- Clellan Kane, SVP Asset Service | AREMCO
- Howard Botts, Chief Scientist | Cotality
So, what was learned about safeguarding infrastructure and assets after a year filled with unanticipated disasters? Experts from all areas of the property preservation sector got together for this lively panel discussion to examine practical lessons, new dangers, and more intelligent methods. Attendees and agents alike learned how planning, insurance, and cross-industry cooperation may better help them prepare for the next major obstacle or climate-related challenges.
The Pricing Squeeze: Keeping Preservation Viable
Property preservation efforts are nonetheless hampered by pricing issues. The disparity jeopardizes community safety and asset value when labor and material costs increase but permissible limitations stay the same. In order to assist the industry in adapting, this panel further examined workable tactics, creative fixes, and doable actions. Crowd members and additional experts joined the discussion as professionals discussed how they are overcoming these obstacles and what has to happen next to guarantee preservation is prioritized and still feasible.
Panelists included:
- Talia Ramirez, President | Spectrum Solutions
- John Hubbarth, VP, Servicing | Rocket Mortgage
- Ryan Reaves, Director of client administration | Black Dome Services
- Denia Ray, Genstone Field Services | Genstone Field Services
- Aaron Proctor, Regional Director | Servicelink
PPEF Industry Update: Building Property Preservation’s Future
Property preservation efforts are nonetheless hampered by pricing issues. The disparity jeopardizes community safety and asset value when labor and material costs increase but permissible limitations stay the same. In order to assist the industry in adapting, this panel will examine workable tactics, creative fixes, and doable actions. Join the discussion as professionals discuss how they are overcoming these obstacles and what has to happen next to guarantee preservation is prioritized and still feasible.
To close out the evening, the last panel detailed the importance of property preservation and the maintenance and challenges that come with it.
Speakers included:
- Kimberly Dawson, Senior Director of Real Estate | Fannie Mae
- Candace Russell, VP of Post Sales Activities | Carrington Mortgage Services
- Mitch Patel, Director | First Allegiance
- Tony Maher, EVP of Business Development | Cyprexx Services
- Timika Scott, SVP | U.S. Bank
“We come up with solutions,” Dawson said. “That’s what’s important.”
