The Mortgage Note Podcast

The director of marketing at Assurance Financial says in a world where people are inundated with AI bots, having a relationship with a trusted loan originator matters. “I think all of us, at some point or another, feel a little bit overwhelmed with the amount of automation and the amount of AI that is taking over our world,” Jessica Thames said. “The home purchase process, whether it's your f...

There is nothing that breaks Lloyd Igbokwe's heart more than seeing a family lose their home to foreclosure. Especially foreclosures that can be prevented. Igbokwe said that he has seen neighbors have their home taken away after living there for more than 30 years. They bought the home at $100,000, and over time it grew in valuation to $500,000. The retirees couldn't keep up with the pro...

The CEO of Homium says that to compete in today’s K-shaped economy, first-time buyers need either a rich uncle or a financial partner to help them come up with a down payment for a home. Marcus Martin has almost 30 years of experience in social impact and financial innovation work. He said that even though many buyers can afford the monthly payment on a home, pulling together cash for a down payme...

The executive director of the Gilbert Family Foundation and Rocket Community Fund says everyone deserves a safe place to call home. “You really cannot see success in education, in your work life, in your community life, without first having that stable foundation of a home, and in the city of Detroit, there are so many opportunities to support housing stability,” Laura Grannemann told The Mortgage...

Industry leaders specialized in helping enterprises unlock the power of AI say it will change the way mortgages are originated and serviced in America. “I see AI as a technology that is in line with computers, the internet, smartphones, and the Cloud, which has changed the way mankind has lived on this planet,” Sundeep Mathur , vice president of fintech at Tavant, said. Tavant is headquartered in...

The general manager of mortgage at Ocrolus says lenders who are planning long-term for the cyclical nature of the industry want technology to help their teams absorb both growth and decreases in demand. “I think the lenders that are able to build the infrastructure that absorbs those changes effectively are able to give a better borrower experience. I think they’re the ones who are going to be abl...

Finding the right technology to support – and not replace – loan officers is the name of the game for industry professionals like Jim Clapp. Clapp is the chief lending officer at Assurance Financial . He started at the company in October of 2024, but has years of experience in the financial services and mortgage industries. Assurance Financial was founded in 2001 and is an independent, full-servic...

The founder and CEO of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group says the company is celebrating its 30th year in business because of its talented team. “We have an amazing team that has allowed us to exist for 30 years as the same brand, which is pretty difficult to do in any business. But especially in this crazy mortgage business that we're in," Brian Holland said. Holland said one of their keys to...

The founder of Clarifire in St. Petersburg, Florida, says midsize mortgage servicers can compete with larger companies if they put the customer experience first. Jane Mason is the founder and CEO of the privately held, women-owned corporation that uses a Software-as-a-Service model to reduce manual processes and increase efficiencies. “The middle tier doesn't find us as daunting, because we d...

The chief operations officer at National Credit-Reporting System Inc. says it is important for the mortgage industry to understand the latest technology being used by fraudsters. Then, industry leaders need to develop protocols and plans to eliminate their use. “You know, we really need to protect ourselves in mortgage originations to verify the consumer identity,” Lisa Binkley said. This is espec...

The founder and CEO of Fisent Technologies says modern artificial intelligence is laying the groundwork for a technology revolution just as big as the internet. “You can’t really picture what that will be, but it’s pretty exciting. I think of what it could be,” Adrian Murray said. “I’ve always been incredibly passionate about new technology, always wanting to try out the latest version of whatever...

The president of Spectrum Solutions says timely property preservation protects servicers, improves the safety of neighborhoods, and helps maintain land values. “The minute that you get a property, you want eyes on it. Meaning you want the guy in the field at the property to assess the condition. You want to know, ‘Is the property secure? Does it need to be secured?'” Talia Ramirez said. In ad...

The president of NEO Home Loans says they specialize in financial education that goes beyond providing a mortgage. Staying with a borrower after the loan closes gives them an opportunity to build a long-term relationship with borrowers, according to Ryan Grant.  "That's where we really lean in. 60% of the value we provide is really post-closing to the consumer," Grant said. He expla...

The president of CBC Mortgage Agency says down payment assistance can be a game-changer for prospective homebuyers. "In today's world, we are so challenged with affordability issues. We're not making any improvements in terms of home ownership rates, particularly in the African American demographic. I think we need all the resources out there to help achieve homeownership. I really...

Competitive boxer Megan Castleton says many of the principles she learned in the ring can be applied to business. “It’s mental over physical. You know how much you can get done, and you know how much you can withstand. So, you’re balancing a career and a life, and this sport and all the demands of this sport. And I think that translates really well into the corporate environment. It instilled a to...

Mortgage lenders are adapting to the needs of consumers, whether they be old school or online. That's according to John Hummel, head of retail home lending at U.S. Bank, and Shelly Kobb, head of correspondent, warehouse, and HFA lending at U.S. Bank. Kobb says in many cases, companies are working with clientele who want to work with lenders in person, while also catering to customers who pref...

The president of Flyhomes says they are seeing more demand as home sellers increasingly want to buy a new place to live before selling the one they are in. Dan Richards said what started as a company with real estate agents, loan officers, and boots on the ground in Washington, California, Texas, and Massachusetts has expanded to 39 states and Washington, DC.  And although Flyhomes can cover about...

The CEO of Longbridge Financial says when it comes to retirement, it is never too early to think about how you will use your home equity as you age. "You really should be thinking about the home and the mortgage, your largest asset in retirement. You may decide that a reverse mortgage works. You may decide that HELOC or something else works. But whatever it is, ignoring that asset entirely pr...

The president of regional model offices at a Florida-based real estate services provider is laser-focused on expanding into new markets. "It’s safe to say, we’d like to be relevant in about a dozen markets where there is a significant amount of residential growth and single-family rental growth, where we have what I would consider density amongst other businesses that make it a right fit for...

The president of a wholesale provider of business purpose capital for mortgage brokers and their real estate investor clients says technology and talent will drive success for his company. Ben Fertig at Constructive Capital in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, said in a recent interview with The Mortgage Note that the company grew 30% in each of the last two years on average. Constructive Capital provid...

Serving a niche market on scale is the secret to success at Lake Homes Realty and Beach Homes Realty. Lake Homes Realty is a tech-enabled, full-service real estate brokerage operating in 39 states. Beach Homes Realty has brokerages in 14 states. And the company’s newest addition, Mountain Homes Realty, covers 21 states and featured more than $100 billion in available mountain properties when it wa...

Blending artificial intelligence with the power of human connection is the topic of a new book by trainer and coach Ron Vaimberg. Vaimberg specializes in rapid and long-term origination growth, and “The Purchase Shift: Winning Agent Relationships with Authentic Connection & AI” was written for mortgage professionals to provide a clear path for maximizing reach while using the latest technology...

As retirees decide how to ensure their financial well-being for the long term, reverse mortgages are getting a second look from homeowners in their 60s and 70s. With a reverse mortgage, people can convert their home’s equity into income while continuing to live there. That extra money can be used for renovations, to combat inflation, pay for health care, and maintain a good quality of life, accord...

With the rising costs of homeowners insurance making headlines, servicers can step in and help people understand their coverage needs, according to the president of Cornerstone Servicing. Toby Wells recently sat down with The Mortgage Note’s editor, Kimberley Haas, to discuss the topic. He said that wildfires in the West, hurricanes in the South, and hailstorms in the Midwest are causing more loss...

The founder of Clarifire in St. Petersburg, Florida, says automation continues to modernize the mortgage servicing industry. Jane Mason is the founder and CEO of the privately held, women-owned corporation that uses a Software-as-a-Service model to reduce manual processes and increase efficiencies. In January, leaders at Clarifire announced that Towne Mortgage Company, a full-service mortgage lend...