Today's episode of The Big Picture with Rich and Rob featured an in-depth discussion on Rocket Mortgage’s blockbuster acquisition of Redfin and its potential impact on the mortgage and housing landscape. The conversation explored how this move could reshape the homebuying experience, with Rocket aiming to create an all-in-one ecosystem where buyers search, finance, and close on homes seamlessly within a single platform. 

This week's special guest, Nikki Bialka, National Community Lending Strategy Manager at Fifth Third Bank, joined the conversation for a deep dive into equitable and fair lending. Nikki broke down how lenders can go beyond compliance to actively serve diverse and low-to-moderate-income (LMI) communities, leveraging Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCPs), Community Development Corporations (CDCs), and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to bridge the homeownership gap. The discussion also highlighted the increasing role of alternative credit models and data sources—such as rental and utility payment history—to expand mortgage access for borrowers traditionally left out by conventional credit scoring. 

Nikki provided best practices for lenders to authentically engage with underserved communities, emphasizing partnerships with local organizations, financial education programs, and the importance of long-term trust-building rather than short-term transactional outreach.