CMB Connect

What will the mortgage professional of the future look like as AI becomes part of everyday mortgage banking?

In this episode of CMB Connect, I sit down with Marc Hernandez, CMB, founder and CEO of Aequalend and founder of Guideline Buddy, for a wide-ranging conversation about career growth, entrepreneurship, developing mortgage talent, and the impact of AI on our industry.

Marc shares how earning the Certified Mortgage Banker designation broadened his understanding of mortgage banking and helped give him the confidence to build Aequalend. We talk about the company’s mission to serve borrowers who may fall outside traditional credit boxes, the realities of building a mortgage business, and why developing and mentoring the next generation of mortgage professionals matters.

We also explore Marc’s work with AI and mortgage technology. What began as a way to solve a practical problem — finding and interpreting lender guidelines more efficiently — grew into Guideline Buddy. From there, our conversation turns to generative AI, mortgage origination and fulfillment, AI governance, knowledge transfer, and how the roles of originators, processors, underwriters and other mortgage professionals may change.

Marc also looks ahead to 2027 and considers what faster cycle times, AI-assisted decision making and a new generation of mortgage professionals could mean for lenders and consumers.

CMB Connect goes behind the designation to meet the people who make up the Certified Mortgage Banker community and explore the careers, choices and ideas shaping mortgage banking.

Hosted by Val Buresch, CMB.

CHAPTERS

01:37 Marc Hernandez's journey to becoming a CMB

03:15 The value of the CMB designation in career growth

05:12 How the CMB journey influenced Marc's entrepreneurial path

08:03 The framework and industry knowledge gained from CMB

08:52 The story behind the name Aequalend and its mission

11:39 The company's focus on underserved communities

12:32 Market strategy and growth of Aequalend

14:15 Industry challenges and leadership age considerations

16:06 Talent development and mentorship strategies

18:58 The impact of technology and AI in mortgage banking

29:58 Marc Hernandez's tech ventures and AI applications

34:24 The future of mortgage banking and AI innovation

40:32 Predictions for the mortgage industry in 2027

46:17 Closing remarks and future collaborations

Learn more about Marc’s companies:

Aequalend

https://aequalend.com/

Guideline Buddy

https://www.guidelinebuddy.com/

In this episode of CMB Connect, I talk with Margaret Chiavini, CMB, who leads Newrez’s National Bank and Credit Union Division.

We start with her CMB journey and from there, we talk about correspondent lending, what banks and credit unions look for in a partner, and the culture Margaret has helped build around her team at Newrez.

The conversation also becomes much more personal. Margaret reflects on trekking to Everest Base Camp, climbing Kilimanjaro, surviving melanoma, and the role gratitude has come to play in how she lives and leads. One of the ideas that stayed with me was her mother’s advice: keep your eye on the goal without disturbing the calm with which you pursue it.

We also talk about Margaret’s new book, It’s Your Party: Designing a Celebration of Life and a Life Worth Celebrating, and the idea behind her upcoming podcast, Designing Happy.

Margaret’s book: https://books.apple.com/us/book/its-your-party/id6769768983

About Margaret Chiavini, CMB

Margaret leads Newrez’s National Bank and Credit Union Division and has spent nearly four decades in mortgage banking, with experience across origination, wholesale, mortgage insurance and correspondent lending. Pasted text

About the host

Val Buresch, CMB, is the founder and CEO of Polygon Research, a mortgage market intelligence company. She is a past chair of the CMB Society and has spent her career working across mortgage data, market strategy and industry leadership.

Chapters

00:26 Welcome to CMB Connect

01:16 Margaret’s path to the CMB

04:52 What changed after earning the CMB

07:09 Correspondent lending explained

10:52 What banks and credit unions care about

14:45 Leading a national team

18:59 The Newrez culture and “Dream Big”

25:39 Lessons from Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro

29:04 Melanoma, gratitude and perspective

30:40 It’s Your Party and Designing Happy

34:14 Advice for the next generation of mortgage bankers

36:17 Closing thoughts

CMB Connect goes behind the Certified Mortgage Banker designation to get to know the people behind the CMB and the work they do across the mortgage industry. Pasted text

If you enjoy the conversation, subscribe to CMB Connect and follow the podcast on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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 his mother, Doris Bohrer, one of the first women to work for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II — the intelligence organization that later became the CIA. As a photo reconnaissance analyst stationed in North Africa and Italy, she interpreted aerial imagery used in military operations and intelligence planning.

From there, Val and Jason explore Jason’s career journey through mortgage banking, capital markets, and executive leadership. Having worked across multiple organizations during periods of consolidation and industry transformation, Jason reflects on what it takes to adapt and thrive in a business where change is constant.

They discuss:

• Lessons from decades in mortgage banking and housing finance
• Why data-driven decision making matters in leadership
• Navigating mergers, acquisitions, and industry cycles
• The importance of relationships in financial services
• The role of art and creativity in sharpening observation and strategic thinking
• How AI and incremental innovation may shape the future of mortgage technology

Jason also talks about his work today at Newbold Advisors, helping lenders and fintech companies solve operational and technology challenges.

For anyone working in housing finance, mortgage banking, fintech, or capital markets, this episode offers thoughtful insights on leadership, learning, and staying adaptable in an industry that is always evolving.

Books & Podcasts Mentioned

• Painting as a Pastime — Winston Churchill
• Mitch Rapp series — Vince Flynn
• Harry Bosch series — Michael Connelly
• Jason Bourne series — Robert Ludlum
• Podcast: Acquired

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 leadership, explaining how that perspective fuels his passion for helping first-time homebuyers navigate the complexities of the current market.

Jeremy's Strategic Reading & Listening List

To stay sharp and maintain perspective, Jeremy recommends the following resources mentioned in the episode:

• Grit by Angela Duckworth
• Emotional Intelligence by Susan David
• Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
• Classic Satire: Slaughterhouse-Five, Animal Farm, and Candide

• Podcasts: Wiser Than Me (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and The Rest is History

[00:06] Introduction, the CMB Journey & Personal Resilience

[05:40] Scaling Production in a Flat Market

[08:30] The Trident of Success

[10:35] Defining Strategy

[13:14] The First-Time Homebuyer Advantage

[18:18] The Human Element in the Age of AI

[21:12] Bank Expansion Strategy to the South

[31:09] Staying Sharp: The Reading List

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 collaboration gap, why she founded Texas Women Mortgage Bankers (growing from 45 to 550+ members), and the difference between advocacy and lobbying. She breaks down two major legislative wins—reforming Texas cash-out refinance rules and banning abusive trigger leads—and explains why effective communication beats AI skills for career growth.

Whether you're building a mortgage banking career or leading one, this conversation offers practical insights on B2B sales, advocacy, mentorship, and creating meaningful industry connections.

Key Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction: Rhiannon Bolen's path to mortgage banking leadership

1:06 - What is GridBase? Solving the lender-title communication gap

6:52 - From small business owner to mortgage receptionist: An unconventional start

8:22 - Building a 25-year career in B2B mortgage sales and leadership

14:17 - Founding Texas Women Mortgage Bankers: Closing the gender gap locally

20:20 - How 45 members grew to 550+: Creating vulnerable spaces for women

25:16 - Advocacy vs. Lobbying: What mortgage professionals need to know

31:25 - Two major wins: Texas cash-out refi reform & trigger leads ban

35:13 - The art of B2B sales: Preparation, curiosity, and consultative selling

41:11 - Career advice: Why communication skills trump AI and coding

About the Host

Val Buresch is the founder of Polygon Research, a consultancy specializing in mortgage banking strategy and industry research. A Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) and former MBA committee chair, Val hosts CMB Connect to share insights on career development, innovation, and advocacy in mortgage banking.

Connect with Val

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buresch/

Polygon Research: https://www.polygonresearch.com/

About the Guest

Rhiannon Bolen, CMB, AMP is Senior Vice President and National Sales Director at GridBase. With 25 years in mortgage banking across companies like CoreLogic, ICE Mortgage Technology, and ArchMI, she founded Texas Women Mortgage Bankers in 2019 and serves as 2025-26 MORPAC Associate Vice Chair for the MBA.

Connect with Rhiannon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannon-bolen-cmb-amp-96bba939/

About CMB Connect

CMB Connect celebrates the stories and insights of Certified Mortgage Bankers and industry leaders, exploring career development, trends, and advocacy in mortgage banking.

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) into high-performance partners.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:47 – The CMB Journey: Professional Development and Mentorship

04:21 – Bridging Private Sector Experience with Public Service

06:07 – Debunking the HFA Myth

07:59 – Defining the HFA Mission

09:19 – Looking Toward 2026: Affordability and Financial Counseling

11:17 – Empowering Lenders: Training and Preparation

15:09 – Strategic Planning

Jen Green contributed these HFA resources:

• https://www.ncsha.org/about-us/about-hfas/hfa1-affordable-homeownership-lender-toolkit/
• https://www.ncsha.org/
• https://dpaone.freddiemac.com/

About the Guest

Jen Green, CMB is the Assistant Director of Single-Family Loan Operations at the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). With a background spanning the correspondent, retail, and wholesale lending sectors, Jen brings a wealth of private-sector operational expertise to the public housing space. She is a graduate of the Tennessee Mortgage Bankers Association (TNMBA) Future Leaders program and earned her Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation to further her mission of expanding access to affordable housing. Learn more about Jen Green on Linkedin.

About the Host

Val Buresch, CMB is the founder of Polygon Research—The Shape of Mortgage Intelligence. Polygon Research specializes in unlocking open data sets to provide sophisticated mortgage market analytics at the loan level. A recognized leader in the industry, Val served as the 2024 CMB Society Chairman and is dedicated to sharing the stories and strategies of the professionals shaping the future of mortgage banking. Follow or connect with Val Buresch on LinkedIn.

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 builder strategy, but rather by a "back-to-basics" approach to sales consistency, a high-touch management style, and a unique culture that turns former employees into "boomerang" hires.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction: David Jackson & The Michigan Market

01:44 - Strategy: Accepting the "Higher for Longer" Rate Environment

03:00 - Management Philosophy: The Manager as a Resource

05:51 - The Boomerang Effect: Why Loan Officers Leave and Come Back

08:40 - Protecting Operations: Balancing Recruiting with Support Capacity

10:11 - The Truth About Sign-On Bonuses & Aggressive Poaching

12:34 - Recruiting Strategy: Experienced LOs vs. The Junior Model

14:48 - IMBs vs. Banks

18:30 - Speed & Execution in a Competitive Market

20:00 - 2026 Outlook: Playing the Long Game in Recruiting

About the Guest

David Jackson, CMB is the Area Manager SVP at Ruoff Mortgage, covering the Michigan market. With over 30 years in the industry, David recently earned his Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation. He specializes in building high-performing sales teams. LinkedIn Profile

About the Host

Val Buresch, CMB, CMCP, AMP is the founder of Polygon Research—The Shape of Mortgage Intelligence. Polygon unlocks open data sets with mortgage market analytics at the loan level. Val served as the 2024 CMB Society Chairman. LinkedIn Profile

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 by James Clear. They also discuss current market challenges, strategic planning for growth, and the collaborative nature of the mortgage industry.

Connect and follow Val Buresch: www.linkedin.com/in/buresch/Connect and follow John Lynah: www.linkedin.com/in/johnlynah/

About Val Buresch, CMB,CMCP, AMP

Chief Executive Officer – Polygon Research www.polygonresearch.com

Known for finding the "hidden story in the numbers," Val Buresch is a data scientist, Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB), and the Founder of Polygon Research. Val specializes in turning data chaos into clear plans, helping the housing finance industry leverage open data for competitive analysis, fair lending and risk management. She is a passionate educator and advocate for bottom-up change, having donated hundreds of hours of pro-bono work to non-profits and raised funds for community restoration projects abroad.

About John J. Lynah, CPA, CMB

Chief Financial Officer – Mortgage Equity Partners (MLO #1309827)

John J. Lynah is the Chief Financial Officer for Mortgage Equity Partners, (“MEP”) located in Lynnfield, MA. John has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

John started his career working at Harvard University as the Accounting Manager for the Credit Union. After ten years at Harvard, he accepted a role in Corporate Finance at State Street Bank while attending the Professional Evening MBA (“PEMBA”) Program at Boston University where he earned his master’s degree in business administration (“MBA”). He also holds the professional designations of Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Certified Forensic Examiner (CFE).

John has dual citizenship (USA & Ireland) and in 2004 moved to London for five years where worked as a Financial Controller for JP Morgan and Barclays Banks. He later transferred with Barclays Bank to New York where he was the Head of Financial Control for the Wealth Management Division.

After New York, John moved “home” to Boston where he joined Mortgage Equity Partners (“MEP”) as the Chief Financial Officer. John is a member of the Executive Management Team at MEP where his primary objectives are to oversee the Finance and HR Functions of the organization.

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 the future of GSEs and shares insights on credit score changes and their impact on the market.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ryan Black and His Journey

02:44 The Role of CMB and Industry Involvement

05:25 Conservatorship and the Future of Fannie and Freddie

10:42 Proposals for Assumable Mortgages and Affordability

14:35 Exploring the 50-Year Fixed Mortgage Proposal

16:13 Impact of Lowering Minimum Credit Scores

19:15 Adoption of Vantage Score and Its Implications

20:42 Advocacy and Staying Ahead in the Industry

25:19 End

Connect and follow Val Buresch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buresch/

Connect and follow Ryan Black on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-black-10632072/

Learn more about the CMB Designation:

https://www.mba.org/conferences-and-education/certificates-and-designations/certified-mortgage-banker

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 in her success, and gain insights into the evolving mortgage industry. Tune in for a conversation filled with wisdom, personal anecdotes, and a look at the future of entrepreneurship.