CONNECT by California MBA

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. Our 90th episode features Mike Fontaine, Co-President and Chief Operating Officer at Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc., and his son Ryan Fontaine, Digital Marketing Manager, Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc.

Topics of Discussion:

3:04 - How did you get started in the mortgage industry?

4:41 - Ryan – When you came to Plaza was it what you expected? And how is it working with your dad?

5:54 - Tell us about both your career transitions within Plaza Home Mortgage Inc.

8:07 - What’s your outlook for 2022, and what will Plaza be doing to compete in a smaller, more competitive purchase market?

10:00 - How important is digital marketing in terms of driving business this year?

11:45 - What is Plaza doing to attract young talent?

13:40 - What do you think the industry will need to do to attract Millennials?

15:54 - Can you share why it’s important for lenders to support the advocacy work of the California MBA?

Thank you to our sponsor, Insellerate. To learn more visit insellerate.com or call 855-973-1646

To learn more about the California MBA visit www.cmba.com and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode!

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. Our 89th episode features Christopher George President, CMG Financial and AJ George Chief Administrative Officer, CMG Financial

Topics of Discussion:

2:27 - How did you get started in the mortgage industry?

10:35 - Your motto, “Every customer, every time, no exceptions, no excuses!” Can you tell us about this statement at CMG?

15:41 - With ReFis drying up, innovative products will be key for lenders in 2022. CMG has an All in One loan. Tell us about the journey of that product.

21:12 - We are starting the CFPB era under the leadership of Rohit Chopra. What should lenders expect to be his particular areas of focus?

26:23 - Can you both share your thoughts on the Future Leaders Program and the importance of mentoring those rising stars in our organizations?

30:31 - AJ what advice would you give a young mortgage professional just entering this industry?

31:48 - What areas of technology adoption will be the highest priority for your company this year?

35:52 - Why it’s important for lenders to support the advocacy work of

the California MBA?

Thank you to our sponsor, Insellerate. To learn more visit insellerate.com or call 855-973-1646

To learn more about the California MBA visit www.cmba.com and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode!

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. Our 88th episode continues our series "Legacy in the Mortgage Industry" with Gary Martell, President, Mountain West Financial and Laura Martell, Executive Vice President, Mountain West Financial.

Topics of Discussion:

2:21 - How did you get started in the mortgage industry?

4:55 - What areas of technology adoption will be the highest priority for your company this year?

8:25 - What do you think you offer as far as corporate culture that entices your team to stay?

9:48 - What can you share with our listeners about your experience in the Future Leaders Program?

12:46 - Are there new products that IMBs are considering to provide more options to customers?

15:41 - What can you share about why it’s important for lenders to support the advocacy work of the California MBA?

Thank you to our sponsor, Insellerate. To learn more visit insellerate.com or call 855-973-1646

To learn more about the California MBA visit www.cmba.com and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode!

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. Our 87th episode features Scott Calder and John Calder.

Topics of Discussion:

2:53 - How did you get started in the mortgage industry?

6:55 - What was the culture of the association back in the 70s and 80s?

10:28 - Do you have peers in the industry that you knew or met as a kid through the California MBA events?

12:18 - What is your outlook for the 2022 commercial market? Is there an emerging market that stands out?

15:52 - As far as office/retail space, are we all moving towards more remote work/shopping experiences for good?

20:17 - What can you share about why it’s important for lenders to support the advocacy work of the California MBA?

Thank you to our sponsor, Insellerate. To learn more visit insellerate.com or call 855-973-1646

To learn more about the California MBA visit www.cmba.com and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode!

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. We begin 2022, with our Legacy in the Mortgage Industry series, and what better way to kick off the new year than to be joined by Rob Chrisman, Industry Analyst and Author of the Chrisman Commentary, and Robbie Chrisman, Head of Content at MCT and Host of the Daily Mortgage News Podcast.

Topics of Discussion:

3:46 - What’s your background? How did you get started in the mortgage industry?

6:28 - How do you two work together to decide what information goes into The Chrisman Commentary?

9:54 - Subscribers are able to email you directly back from the daily commentary. I have often wondered, do you spend the balance of your day responding to those inquires?

12:30 - I love the idea of adding a podcast to the commentary.  What are your plans for guests or topics for 2022?

14:13 - What do you both see on the horizon for the mortgage industry over the next 12-24 months?

18:52 - What advice would you give to young mortgage professionals entering this industry?

20:29 - Is DE&I an area of heightened focus for the companies with whom you consult?

21:37 - What can you share about why it’s important for lenders to support the advocacy work of the California MBA?

Thank you to our sponsor, Insellerate. To learn more visit insellerate.com or call 855-973-1646

To learn more about the California MBA visit www.cmba.com and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode!

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. Our 85th episode features Joseph T. Lynyak, III, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Topics of Discussion:

3:36 - How did you get your start in the industry? Why did you pursue the financial services industry for your law career?

6:05 - You have been on the Washington DC list of Super Lawyers every year since 2016, recognized as exhibiting excellence in the practice of law. Do you mentor other attorneys?

10:04 - As a nationally recognized leader for the financial services industry, what do you think is top of mind for the new CPFB Director?

11:57 - Fair lending has been an issue for the mortgage industry for many years, but now we’re also focusing on fair servicing – especially as we see many borrowers exiting forbearance. What should lenders be thinking about relative to fair servicing in their shops?

15:44 - What would you suggest is the number one area of regulatory compliance lenders should be focused on/reviewing for correct policies and procedures going into 2022?

19:42 - You have been a very active member with us for many years – what can you share with listeners about why you volunteer with the California MBA?

Thank you to our sponsor, Insellerate. To learn more visit insellerate.com or call 855-973-1646

To learn more about the California MBA visit www.cmba.com and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode!

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. Our 84th episode features Maria Moskver, President & Chief Legal Officer, CloudVirga

Topics of discussion:

2:27 - How did you get your start in the mortgage industry?

6:22 - You were named one of HousingWire’s 2018 Women of Influence, noting your years of work in compliance and regulatory matters for the financial services industry, and in 2020 you were named as one of the top 20 Most Powerful Women in Fintech. How did you react to those awards and what has it meant for your career?

8:09 - We’re wrapping up 2021 in a few weeks, what do you see on the horizon for Cloudvirga in 2022?

9:12 - Much of your career has been centered around regulatory compliance for the residential mortgage industry. What do you think is top of mind for the new CPFB Director?

11:34 - You have been an active member with us and were recently elected as Secretary for our Legal Issues Committee! What can you share with listeners about why you volunteer with the California MBA?

Thank you to our sponsor, Insellerate. To learn more visit insellerate.com or call 855-973-1646

To learn more about the California MBA visit www.cmba.com and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode!

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. Our 83rd episode features Nick Foster, Co-founder, Lion Fire Group

Topics of discussion:

2:37 - How did you get your start in the industry and what led you to co-found Lion Fire?

5:54 - Trying to get your company to outshine your competition can be tough. What element of marketing should a company be constantly reevaluating?

7:56 - Is paid social media worth the spend? What is the real return?

10:13 - You are an entrepreneurial young man, what advice would you give to your peers that may be considering starting their own business?

13:44 - What is mortgageinnovators.com all about?

17:43 - Mortgage Innovators Conference 2022 is happening May 2-4, 2022 - what can attendees expect?

Thank you to our sponsor, Insellerate. To learn more visit insellerate.com or call 855-973-1646

To learn more about the California MBA visit www.cmba.com and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode!

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. Insellerate's own Josh Friend takes over this week's podcast with a conversation with Jon Irvine, Chief Production Officer at Change Home Mortgage.

Topics of discussion:

1:41 - What’s your background and tell us about Change Lending?

12:21 - What is CDFI and what does it do?

16:02 - How are you educating and reaching out to these underserved communities?

24:16 - How many loans a month would you close in the purchase

call center? How did you achieve those results?

Thank you to our sponsor, Insellerate. To learn more visit insellerate.com or call 855-973-1646

To learn more about the California MBA visit www.cmba.com and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode!

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. Our 81st episode features the one and only Ike Suri, Chairman & CEO, FundingShield.

Topics of discussion:

2:34 - What’s your background and how did you come to start FundingShield?

9:29 - What is FundingShield’s secret sauce that led to you big success?

13:01 - Technology in the mortgage space is top of mind for everyone. What do you think the next big thing will be in mortgage technology space?

18:07 - How do you feel your company’s diversity has benefited your bottom line and corporate culture?

20:07 - Let’s talk about mentorship – do you have any mentors? Do you mentor others?

24:41 - You have been a big supporter of the California MBA. What would you tell another mortgage industry professionals about the value of this association?

Thank you to our sponsor, Insellerate. To learn more visit insellerate.com or call 855-973-1646

To learn more about the California MBA visit www.cmba.com and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode!