CMB Connect

In this episode of CMBConnect, host Val Buresch, Founder of Polygon Research and a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB), speaks with Jason Bohrer, CEO and President of Newbold Advisors and a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB), about leadership, observation, and navigating decades of change in the housing finance industry. The conversation begins with a remarkable family story. Jason shares the history of...

In this episode of CMB Connect, Val Buresch welcomes Jeremy Bowling, Strategy and Business Development Director for Mortgage Lending at Huntington National Bank. Jeremy shares the strategic "trident" that led to a 20% year-over-year increase in loan officer productivity and record-breaking production in December 2025. He also provides a deeply personal look into his journey to industry l...

Rhiannon Bolen, SVP at GridBase and founder of Texas Women Mortgage Bankers, shares how advocacy and communication skills drive success in mortgage banking. In this season premiere of CMB Connect, host Val Buresch sits down with Rhiannon Bolen, CMB, to explore her 25-year journey from receptionist to Senior Vice President at GridBase. Rhiannon shares how GridBase is solving the lender-title collab...

How can mortgage leaders gain a competitive edge in 2026? In this episode of CMBConnect, Val Buresch, CMB, speaks with Jen Green, CMB, Assistant Director of Single-Family Loan Operations at the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). Jen bridges the gap between private-sector correspondent lending and public-sector mission work to show lenders how to turn State Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs)...

In this episode of CMB Connect, we analyze how Ruoff Mortgage achieved significant year-over-year growth in the Michigan market during 2024, defying the industry trend of stagnation in a high-rate environment. Host Val Buresch, CMB, sits down with David Jackson, CMB, to deconstruct the strategy behind this lift. The conversation reveals that success wasn’t driven by a specific niche product or bui...

Summary In this conversation, Val Buresch and John J. Lynah delve into the challenges and opportunities within the housing finance industry. John shares his unique experiences of navigating international markets, the importance of professional designations like CPA and CMB, and the significance of building effective habits for success. The book they mentioned in their conversation is Atomic Habits...

In this episode of CMBConnect, host Val Buresch speaks with Ryan Black, CMB, a partner at Black, Mann and Graham, about his journey from congressional staffer to mortgage industry expert. They discuss the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the implications of new mortgage proposals, and the importance of advocacy in the mortgage industry. Ryan emphasizes the need for Congress to play a role in...

Val Buresch delves into the inspiring journey of Jennifer Whip, CMB, a leader who embodies courage and reinvention. From a distinguished career at Fannie Mae to founding her own consulting firm, Jennifer shares her story of taking calculated risks, the importance of networking, and the personal wake-up calls that shaped her path. Discover how mentorship and continuous learning play pivotal roles i...

Ever wonder what the mortgage industry was like with 17% interest rates, paper files, and no internet? Rates were locked by phone, deals were made with a handshake, and entire loan files were shipped in cardboard boxes. In this episode, we step into a time machine with Mike Hyman, Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB), a 43-year industry veteran celebrating his 30th year with the designation. He shares...

What does it really take to master financial reporting in one of the world's most complex industries? In this episode, host Val Buresch sits down with Nancy Zhu, SVP and Director of Financial Reporting and Analysis at Cornerstone Home Lending, to get the inside story. Nancy shares her fascinating journey into mortgage banking, revealing why a deep understanding of the loan lifecycle is crucial...

What happens when three Certified Mortgage Bankers (CMBs) meet in one of the world's most historic cities? I'm joined by SuSheila Dhillon, Alan Fowler, and Brian Handal to revisit their international project in Cairo. Between 2005 and 2010, they were tasked with helping build a modern housing finance system from the ground up. But right in the middle of their mission, the 2008 global financial cri...

In this episode of CMB Connect, I interview Lynn Crutchfield, Director of Sales Operations at Essent. We discuss the critical role of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) in facilitating home ownership and supporting lenders. Our conversation covers the definition of PMI, its regulatory landscape, types of PMI, how premiums are calculated, strategic uses of PMI in lending, career opportunities in the...

Val Buresch, Founder and CEO of Polygon Research, explores FHA lending with MBA's Teresa Ferman, unpacking critical industry misconceptions. Discover how FHA programs drive homeownership access, meet compliance standards, and serve underserved communities. Teresa shares expert guidance on CMB designation, mortgage banking career advancement and building client relationships in today's mortgage mar...

In this episode of CMB Connect, host Val Buresch interviews Suchitra Varma, a senior technology leader in mortgage banking. They discuss Suchitra's career journey from software engineering to becoming a certified mortgage banker, her insights on the evolving role of IT in the mortgage industry, and the importance of delivering high-quality services. Suchitra shares her thoughts on the impact of AI...

In this episode of CMBConnect, I interview Bob Niemi, the CMB Society vice chair. We explore the traditional business model in the mortgage industry, how lenders make money, and the challenges they face. We delve into the topic of innovation in the industry, including the use of AI and technology to streamline processes and improve the customer experience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:34 Earning...

Meg Bennett, CMB, and a Client Executive at TransUnion, shares her journey in the mortgage industry and the impact of becoming a CMB. She discusses her role as an advisor to her clients. In addition, Meg talks about the industry trends she's seeing, including fraud and delinquencies. Meg emphasizes the importance of listening, learning, and finding a mentor for young professionals in the indus...

Yolanda Estrada, a Certified Mortgage Banker and 20-year veteran of mortgage processing and underwriting, shares her career journey and expertise. She discusses the importance of clear communication with borrowers and setting realistic expectations throughout the mortgage process. Yolanda also highlights the role of technology in streamlining the application process and reducing the likelihood of...

I talk with Suha Zehl, CMB, about the evolution of mortgage technology in the last two decades. Suha emphasizes the importance of data maturity and the need for a solid foundation in technology. She also highlights the exciting emerging technologies, such as augmented reality, virtual reality, open banking, and regtech. Lastly, we discuss the value of mentorship in the mortgage industry and the qu...

Creighton Oswald, a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB), is a mortgage banking industry veteran with experience at major banks like JP Morgan Chase, Texas Capital, and BBVA. Most recently, Creighton was the Chief Lending Officer at First United Bank where he oversaw $16 Billion mortgage and consumer portfolio. He talks about operational risk management, and the intersection of change management, leade...

Bob Mansur, the Lending Development Manager at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union, shares his passion for elevating professionalism and performance in the mortgage industry. Bob discusses the six critical elements that impact performance: expectations and feedback, tools and resources, rewards and sanctions, values and principles, capacity and traits, and skills and knowledge. He emphasizes the importan...

In this episode, Danielle Swerczek, a senior account manager with MGIC and a newly minted certified mortgage banker (CMB), shares her journey to achieving the CMB certification and the value it has brought to her career. Danielle provides insights into her role as a PMI account manager, including building relationships, delivering training, and staying updated on industry trends. She emphasizes un...

Val Buresch talks to Tony Turner, a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB), SVP at Gulf Coast Bank and Trust, Baton Rouge, LA. Tony discusses the challenges of balancing efficiency and personalized service in mortgage banking and highlights the significance of financial literacy in improving home affordability. He also touches on the role of technology, particularly AI, in the industry and the need for a...

In this episode of CMB Connect, Val Buresch interviews Diane Jenkins, Attorney and Director of Legal at Asurity. They discuss the benefits of earning a CMB designation and how it enhances one's perspective on compliance challenges in the mortgage industry. They also discuss the compliance issues that lenders struggle with, such as understanding state-specific laws and implementing new programs...

Paul Viguerie, Vice President of National Business Development at Altisource, discusses with Val Buresch, CEO of Polygon Research, the various products and services offered by Altisource, including LendersOne, Trellix, Spring House, Premium Title, Castle Line, Granite, and Hubzu. He highlights the success of LendersOne during the pandemic and the innovative solutions developed by Hubzu, such as th...

In this episode, Jennifer Fortier, a seasoned mortgage banking professional, discusses the operational challenges faced by lenders of different sizes and the need to adapt to changing environments. Jennifer emphasizes the value of strategic planning in achieving long-term goals and the importance of aligning strategies with the overall vision. She also explores the role of data, automation, and AI...