CONNECT by California MBA

Welcome to Connect, sponsored by Insellerate, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers-and-shakers in the mortgage industry. Our 20th episode features Jeff Burns, Senior Managing Director, Walker Dunlop, California MBA Chairman (2019-2020). In this episode, Jeff covers a variety of topics around the mortgage industry including the following:

2:22 - California MBA weekly update

5:38 – What’s your journey? How did you get started in the business, and what led you to Walker Dunlop?

8:21 – What’s the state of the commercial real estate market right now?

10:41 – What will the recovery look like?

14:06 – What will some of the permanent changes (like more WFH situations for more employers) in the economy have on the commercial real estate market?

17:17 – What actions can governments take right now to help stabilize or boost the recovery of the market?

19:34 – What can CRE lenders do to thrive in the current economic environment?

21:14 – How are you and your colleagues staying connected right now? What does the future of networking look like for the industry?

23:23 – What’s the biggest advocacy issue right now that commercial real estate pros to be aware of?

28:07 – What’s your biggest accomplishment or the most important thing you worked on as California MBA Chairman?

To learn more about Walker Dunlop visit https://www.walkerdunlop.com/

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 19th episode features Susanne Livingston, Co-Owner, RWM Home Loans. In this episode Susanne covers a variety of topics around the mortgage industry including the following:

5:08 – What’s your backstory? How did you get involved in the industry and what led you to start the company?

6:18 – What do you think has sustained and grown it over the years? What’s the secret sauce?

8:09 – How is the company coping with COVID-19 challenges, from capital/liquidity to employee/WFH scenarios to borrower engagement?

10:15 – What’s the state of the housing/real estate market right now, in your estimation? Where do you think we are in 6-12 months?

13:37 – What’s one thing that mortgage bankers need to keep in mind right now to thrive in the current environment?

15:57 – I know that you’ve always put a premium on building a solid corporate culture at RWM – what are some tips to keep in mind if I’m either starting a company from scratch or looking to reinvest in a new culture?

18:41 – Have you always seen a real ROI on the investments you make in culture?

19:27 – What about technology? Do you see more innovation right now on the process/back-end or the front-end borrower experience?

21:50 – Let’s switch gears – how crucial is the industry’s advocacy efforts right now?

25:18 – What’s your message to a colleague or someone new in the industry that doesn’t see the value in advocacy or groups like the California MBA and MBA?

To learn more about RWM Home Loans visit https://www.rwmloans.com/

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 18th episode features Carl Tyree, EVP, Chief Sales Officer, Arch MI. In this episode Carl covers a variety of topics around the mortgage industry including the following:

1:29 – What’s your backstory?  How did you find your way to the MI side of the business?

3:34 – How is Arch MI adapting to the new COVID-19 reality?

5:52 – What are the biggest pain points you’re hearing about from your lender or servicer customers?

7:41 – What do you think the future (both near term and 12-24 months) looks like for non-QM lending?

10:06 – What is the most critical action(s) government/regulators can take to help lenders and borrowers right now?

11:27 – What is the most important technology-related innovation or change that you see lenders utilizing to better serve borrowers?

12:57 – Since you get to see how different lenders interact with their borrowers, where do you see that they are getting it right, and where do you see room for improvement?

15:49 – Switching gears, I know that Arch’s marketing/communication efforts include things like the Insights podcast and blog (which is active), webinars and more.  What advice would you have for a company that’s looking to expand into areas like this, but is perhaps intimidated by the resources or effort it might entail?

18:18 – As someone on the sales/marketing side of the business, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on how you’re networking in a COVID-19 world, without the face-to-face opportunities you’d get at conferences, cocktail receptions, etc. etc.

21:54 – Closing thoughts – leave us with one thing lenders should know that they don’t

To learn more about Arch MI visit https://mi.archcapgroup.com/

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 17th episode features Anthony Romano, CEO, eScreenLogic. In this episode Anthony cover a variety of topics around the mortgage industry including the following:

2:06 – Who is eScreenLogic?

2:38 – Tell us a bit more about what led you to this point in your career and what’s driven you to become the CEO of eScreenLogic

7:19 – With the pandemic and all that brings with it, what are the PAINS you are solving for now and in the near future? How has eScreenLogic adjusted and what are you hearing from the industry/your customers on the new challenges the pandemic presents?

9:37 – Where is eScreenLogic headed strategically and if I had you back say a year from today, what would we be talking about in terms of the ways you’ve continued to help the CRE industry with innovative solutions?

15:42 – Networking/deal-making in the CRE space is traditionally a face-to-face process.  How are both seasoned pros and younger producers going to navigate this in a post-pandemic world?

17:35 – How crucial are advocacy efforts right now?  Potential issues like commercial split-roll and rent control are potential legislative and/or ballot measures industry faces in 2020 and beyond.  What are some of the unintended consequences?

20:36 – Any tips for lenders/vendors to do more than just survive the next 6-12 months?

23:20 – Launching a new product or service during a crisis

To learn more about eScreenLogic visit https://www.escreenlogic.com/

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 16th episode features John Seroka, Principal, Seroka Brand Development, Co-Chair, Mortgage Technology & Marketing Committee (MTAM) and Scott Seroka, Principal & Chief Brand Strategist, Seroka Brand Development

In this episode John & Scott cover a variety of topics around the mortgage industry including the following:

2:18 – What’s your backstory/journey through the mortgage industry?  What interested you in the marketing/branding side of the business?

9:41 – In speaking to you clients, prospects, and colleagues in the industry, what’s your sense on how optimistic/pessimistic folks are about the near-term future, once the economy opens back up?

14:39 – Outside of the industry, which company(ies) do you see that are doing something right when it comes to building their brand, and why?

18:03 – What is the difference, both strategically and tactically, in “building” a brand and “maintaining” a brand?

27:44 – What are some differences and similarities between B2C and B2B marketing?

36:38 – What if you’re starting a brand from scratch?  What are your top 3 tips for getting started?

43:42 – How is your own networking strategy changing in the current shelter-in-place/WFH environment?

 

48:32 - What are the most exciting technology innovations that you’re keeping an eye on?

51:56 – How crucial are advocacy groups, like the California MBA, right now?  What’s your pitch to a non-member on why they should get plugged in?

To learn more about Seroka Brand Development visit https://seroka.com/

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 15th episode features Paul Gigliotti, COO of Pinnacle Home Loans. In this episode Paul covers a variety of topics around the mortgage industry including the following:

1:33 – What does your journey look like through the mortgage world?  How did you get to where you are now at Pinnacle?

4:12 – Culture is crucial - how is the company staying connected during the COVID-19 pandemic?

7:26 – What do you think the long-term impact on the industry will be?  More WFH scenarios? 

12:28 – Long term do you see more automation?  Different hedging strategies?

19:27 – What new or upcoming tech/innovation has you most excited about the future?

22:39 – How do you think the mortgage experience will be different for borrowers in 5 years?

26:16 – Any suggestions for younger professionals trying to get plugged into the industry?

31:31 – What would you say to a colleague that doesn’t see the value in groups like the California MBA, MBA or other trade associations?

To learn more about Pinnacle Home Loans visit https://pinnacle-loan.com/

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 14th episode features Clinton R. Rockwell, Partner, Buckley, LLP. In this episode Clinton covers a variety of topics around the mortgage industry including the following:

1:23 - What’s your journey in the industry?  What interested you in mortgage lending above other topics you could focus on?

5:57 - How is the fallout from COVID-19 impacting the legal industry from your perspective?

10:27 - What is the single most important regulatory/policy action taken so far to help during the crisis, either at the state or federal level?

13:32 - Where else can policymakers focus to mitigate potential or actual damage?

16:57 - Do you think we’ve “solved” the liquidity crisis that was threatening the industry a few weeks ago, or is the level of uncertainty still too high?

19:04 - Where do we stand with forbearance and foreclosure/eviction moratoria?  What do lenders/servicers need to know?

20:55 - I understand that Buckley has developed a Regulatory Tracker that monitors COVID-19 related issuances, can you tell me a little about that?

24:10 - What kind of litigation do you see arising from the recent regulatory/policy actions?

27:38 - What’s the single biggest piece of “pro bono” advice you would give lenders right now?

30:00 - Switching gears, what advice would you give younger folks trying to get plugged into the industry, particularly right now when a lot of face-to-face networking isn’t possible?

32:49 - How crucial is the advocacy work of groups like the California MBA/national MBA right now?

To learn more about Buckley, LLP visit https://buckleyfirm.com/

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 13th episode features Tim Nguyen, Co-Founder & CEO, BeSmartee. In this episode Tim covers a variety of topics around the mortgage industry including the following:

1:25 – What’s your journey? How did you get from your start in the industry and start BeSmartee?

3:39 – How is the company dealing with the fallout from COVID-19?

5:46 – When it comes to customer experience, what do you see lenders doing right and where do they need to improve?

9:14 – Just as the 2007-2008 crisis changed a lot of thinking and processes in the industry.  Do you think the current crisis will have a similar impact?

11:47 – What are the biggest impediments to speeding up/simplifying the mortgage process even further? Appraisal process? Document signing/notarization? Something else?

13:12 – What part of the process do you see as something that can be automated further?

15:45 – Suggestions for someone looking to build a mortgage-related business from the ground up?

17:04 – One thing that mortgage bankers should know that they don’t

Learn more about BeSmartee: https://www.besmartee.com/

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 12th episode features John M Hedlund, COO, AmeriHome Mortgage. In this episode John covers a variety of topics around the mortgage industry including the following:

1:33 – John Hedlund’s journey in the mortgage industry

3:36 – How is AmeriHome adapting to, and dealing with the fallout from COVID-19 right now?

7:44 – How does the nature of the corporate culture at AmeriHome help?

12:33 - What is the single biggest threat to mortgage bankers right now?

14:31 - What lessons did you learn from 2007-2008 that are helping now?

18:28 - Too early to really tell, but where do you think we stand 6 months from now?

20:42 - Stepping back from the current crisis, how has borrower engagement changed over the past few years? 

24:34 - Why is professional development so important for you and AmeriHome?

28:10 - What would you say to a colleague that isn’t a member, or doesn’t “get” the critical nature of advocacy?

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!

Our podcast Connect features one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers-and-shakers in the mortgage industry. Our 11th episode features Josh Friend, CEO/Founder, Insellerate. In this episode Josh covers a variety of topics around the mortgage industry including the following:

2:31– Josh’s Journey to Insellerate

4:33 – How is Insellerate dealing with COVID-19 challenges?

6:11 – Long-term impact of COVID-19 on industry?

11:58 – Borrower engagement: what are lenders doing right/wrong?

18:43 – How do Lenders/Loan Officers stay organized with their varied communication methods with borrowers?

22:33 – Is the next “big thing” better use of existing tech and optimizing the stack?

32:56 – Tips for younger professionals

37:07 – Importance of advocacy

42:18 – Closing thoughts…

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!