MortgageStrong Insights by FirstTrust Home Loans

The May edition of the Mortgage Strong Podcast is all about advocacy, why it matters, and how the work happening behind the scenes can make a real difference for homebuyers, homeowners, and the communities FirstTrust serves. FirstTrust Home Loans CEO Glenn Strong sits down with CFO Erika Martens for a practical conversation coming off Mortgage Action Alliance Action Week. Glenn and Erika talk thro...

The April edition of the Mortgage Strong Podcast is all about community, leadership, and the growth happening right here at home. FirstTrust Home Loans CEO Glenn Strong sits down with Cain Nattin, Mayor of Sheridan, Arkansas, for a conversation about what it takes to lead a small town through change while keeping the heart of the community intact. Coming off a busy election season and a major move...

The February edition of the Mortgage Strong Podcast is all about the finish line and the team that makes it happen. FirstTrust Home Loans CEO Glenn Strong sits down with the heart of the operation, our Closing Department. You’ll hear from Charity Carroll, Lindsey “Terry”, and Josclynn Allen as they walk through what a real day in closing looks like. From getting wires out the door early, to stayin...

January is here and so is the Mortgage Strong Podcast. FirstTrust Home Loans CEO Glenn Strong is joined by his ride-or-die executive team — President Ben Paul, CFO Erika Martens, and COO Michelle Rocha — to recap a record-setting 2025 and talk about what’s ahead. The team shares big wins across the company, including FirstTrust Home Loans ranking #2 overall in Arkansas mortgage production, year-ov...

Fall keeps moving and so does the Mortgage Strong Podcast. FirstTrust Home Loans CEO Glenn Strong sits down with Processing Manager Heather Griffin and Underwriting Manager Sam Deen for a behind the scenes conversation about how processing and underwriting work together to get loans to the finish line. Nearing the end of another record year in a less than perfect market, Glenn, Heather and Sam wal...

This month, FirstTrust CEO Glenn Strong sits down with two special guests for a timely Halloween episode — our very own Madi Strom, who’s just starting her journey toward homeownership, and her loan officer Hunter Strong. Together, they unpack what can feel like a “scary” process for first-time buyers and prove that, with the right guidance, there’s nothing frightening about financing your first h...

The Mortgage Strong Podcast is back after a short summer break! FirstTrust Home Loans CEO Glenn Strong is joined by company President Ben Paul for the September edition, where they tackle the recent Fed rate cut and what it really means for mortgage rates. Glenn shares insight from day-to-day conversations with loan officers and customers, while Ben brings his data-driven perspective on where rate...

Summer keeps rolling, and so does the Mortgage Strong Podcast! FirstTrust Home Loans CEO Glenn Strong is joined by the powerhouse team behind FirstTrust operations: COO Michelle Rocha, Underwriting Manager Sam Deen, Appraisal Desk Manager Renae Austin, and Processing Manager Lisa Rhoden. Fresh off our annual OPS Rally, this episode dives into the heart of how our teams work together—building bette...

Summer is here, and so is the June edition of the Mortgage Strong Podcast! FirstTrust Home Loans CEO Glenn Strong is joined by company President Ben Paul for a data-driven, real-talk conversation about what’s happening right now in the homebuying space. From market momentum to buyer psychology, this episode unpacks how today’s environment is quietly creating opportunity—if you know what to watch f...

This month, FirstTrust Home Loans CEO Glenn Strong sits down with CFO Erika Martens for a powerful conversation about the impact of mortgage advocacy — and why it matters more than ever. Erika shares how her journey started with local involvement and grew into a deeper mission, leading her to serve as Oklahoma’s advocacy chair and state captain for the Mortgage Action Alliance. She explains how ho...

This month, we’re coming to you from the FirstTrust 2025 Sales Rally, where FirstTrust Home Loans CEO Glenn Strong sits down with keynote speaker Steve Scanlon, founder and CEO of Rewire, for an incredible conversation about building the right mindset in today’s market. Steve shares how mastering your mindset — not just your skillset — creates lasting success in mortgage and beyond. They explore l...

Tune in to this month’s episode of the Mortgage Strong Podcast as CEO Glenn Strong sits down with Peggy Tillman from Into the Light Foundation . She shares the powerful mission behind their work, helping children affected by sex trafficking right here in Arkansas. We’re honored to support Into the Light as this quarter’s recipient of our FirstTrust for Kids initiative. Don’t miss this inspiring co...

Join Glenn Strong, CEO of FirstTrust Home Loans, as he sits down with Robert Fightmaster, Vice President of Sales, to discuss their key takeaways from the IMB Conference in Austin, TX. Gain insights into why they attend, the valuable benefits of the conference, and the latest industry trends they discovered. Don’t miss this engaging conversation—listen now! #MortgageStrong #FirstTrustHomeLoans #IM...

Tune in to this month’s episode of the Mortgage Strong podcast, where CEO Glenn Strong sits down with Payton White, Branch Manager at FirstTrust Home Loans in Cabot, AR. Gain valuable insights as Payton shares his strategies for team leadership, business growth, and exceeding performance goals. Learn how he has successfully mentored new loan officers, equipping them with the skills to excel in the...

Check out this month’s episode of the Mortgage Strong Podcast, where Glenn Strong, CEO of FirstTrust Home Loans, shares a heartfelt message of gratitude. Glenn reflects on what he’s thankful for personally and within the FirstTrust family. It’s a message that resonates with the season and celebrates the values we hold dear. #Thankful #FirstTrust #MortgageStrong

This month, the Mortgage Strong podcast delivers an essential discussion on interest rates in an election year . Join Glenn Strong, CEO of FirstTrust Home Loans, along with Ben Paul, President, and Sierra Niederhauser, Director of Secondary Marketing, as they dive deep into how this year’s rates stack up against past election years. They’ll reveal how the upcoming election could shape future rates...

In Season 2, Episode 9 of the Mortgage Strong Podcast, Glenn Strong, CEO of FirstTrust Home Loans, welcomes Loan Officers Drake Widner, William Hancock, and Hunter Strong. These former athletes and coach share their unique journeys from the sports field to the mortgage industry, highlighting the skills and lessons learned along the way. Don't miss this engaging discussion! #MortgagePodcast #Sports...

Join us as we remember and honor the heroes of 9/11 with a special guest Dale Brunk, Executive Financial Advisor at Landmark Financial. Listen in as Dale shares his personal story from September 11th, 2001, and gain valuable insights into the world of finance. Don't miss out on this special episode - Listen Now! #NeverForget911 #MortgageMadeEasy #FirstTrustHomeLoans #Podcast #MortgageStrong Securi...

Season 2 Episode 7 of the "Mortgage Strong" Podcast is out now! Listen in to hear from FirstTrust's Executive team: Glenn Strong, CEO; Ben Paul, President; Ericka Martens, CFO; and Michelle Rocha, COO. In this episode the Executive team talks about their roles on a daily basis, how the first half of 2024 has shaped out, and their goals for the end of the year. #Podcast #MortgageStrong #MortgageMad...

Season 2 Episode 6 of the “Mortgage Strong Podcast,” FirstTrust CEO, Glenn Strong sits down with Merri Thompson, Realtor, Broker/Owner of Southern Homes Realty and Ashley Allen, Broker/Owner at Southern Realty Group to discuss what NAR does for them and their teams of realtors and the lawsuit NAR just settled.

Season 2 Episode 5 of the "Mortgage Strong" Podcast is out now! CEO, Glenn Strong sits down with some of FirstTrust Home Loans Top Producing Loan Officers, Lauren Johnson, Craig Sanders, Drake Widener, and Hunter Strong to give insight about their different strategies and how they achieve success in the current market. Click the link below to listen to this episode: #Podcast #MortgageStrong #Mortg...

CEO, Glenn Strong sits down with the three Regional Managers of FirstTrust Home Loans to discuss what their days look like, how the markets they serve are performing, and what is the key behind the success we've been seeing over the last few months to drive a positive trend when it comes to closing loans providing great customer service.

CEO Glenn Strong sits down with two insurance agents to discuss the current market conditions and why rates have increased, and what this means for consumers. Cody Shankles from Shelter Insurance and Leslie Richardson from The Richardson Agency share some tips and insight to their industry and discuss why it is important to choose an agent you can trust!

Glenn Strong, CEO of FirstTrust Home Loans sits down with our VP of Product Management, Lindsay Barbera, to discuss her key role here at FirstTrust Home Loans. Lindsay oversees our Non-QM division and is an asset when it comes to innovation and ways to implement new products to help meet our customers different needs. We hope you enjoy and learn something new about all the ways we are helping cust...

Join Glenn Strong, CEO and the executive team - Ben Paul - President, Michelle Rocha, COO and Erika Martens, CFO as they recap the wins for the year and what Christmas means to them.