On this week’s The Big Picture, Kevin Peranio, Chief Lending Officer and Partner at PRMG, joins the show to talk lending, leadership, and how mortgage companies can adapt to today’s shifting market. From balancing technology and customer experience to keeping teams motivated through volatility, Kevin brings an inside look at what it takes to steer one of the industry’s fastest-growing lenders.

We dig into PRMG’s growth story, why accountability and innovation remain core to its culture, and what Kevin sees as the biggest opportunities for brokers and bankers alike. A four-time president’s cabinet member and national speaker, he offers candid insights on navigating cycles, modernizing lending, and leading with purpose in a rapidly evolving mortgage landscape.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Jim Parrott, former senior housing adviser in the Obama White House and current nonresident fellow at the Urban Institute and owner of Parrott Ryan Advisors, joins the show to cut through the noise on housing policy and the mortgage market. With deep experience shaping housing strategy at the highest levels of government, Jim brings a candid perspective on where policy is headed and what it means for lenders, borrowers, and the broader economy.

From the Fed’s cautious stance to the future of housing affordability and the regulatory debates shaping mortgage finance, Jim offers clear-eyed insights grounded in decades of experience inside Washington and beyond. Whether you’re trying to understand how today’s legislative fights could reshape tomorrow’s market or just want a sharper read on the policy landscape, this conversation delivers the kind of context only Jim can provide.

On this week’s Big Picture, Dave Savage, founder of Mortgage Coach and Chief Growth Officer at TrustEngine, joins Rob and Rich to talk about the future of advice in lending, financial literacy, and how technology is reshaping the role of originators. With nearly three decades in the business, Dave has interviewed more than 1,000 top producers and turned Mortgage Coach into the industry’s go-to platform for borrower education.

We dig into why he believes technology won’t replace loan officers, but those who master it will, and how data-driven insights can turn mortgage professionals into lifelong advisors. From tackling the financial literacy gap for first-time buyers to his work with FirstHome IQ, Dave shares his vision for empowering both consumers and originators alike and why having fun and playing loose may be the most underrated strategy in the industry.

On this week’s The Big Picture, Chase Gilbert, CEO and co-founder of Built Technologies, joins the show to talk with Rob and Rich about construction finance, housing and why Nashville’s skyline of cranes says a lot about where the market is headed. From billion-dollar stadium projects to the everyday challenges lenders and builders face, Chase breaks down how technology is reshaping one of the most old-school sectors of real estate.

We dig into how Built has helped financial institutions manage more than $400 billion in construction funding, what’s really driving demand in markets like Nashville, and why smarter, more transparent lending processes could be the key to unlocking housing supply. It’s a sharp, forward-looking conversation on construction, capital, and the future of housing finance.

Katie Sweeney, EVP of Broker Strategy & Advocacy at Rocket Mortgage, joins Rob and Rich on this week’s episode of The Big Picture as mortgage rates hit their lowest point in nearly a year, the trigger leads bill clears Congress, and bipartisan housing legislation gains momentum. She breaks down what these developments really mean, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the trigger leads bill made it across the finish line and what’s next on the policy front.

Sweeney shares her perspective on who’s truly gaining ground in the current market—brokers, bankers, or depositories—and whether advocacy and technology are finally working in sync. Packed with insider insight and clear-eyed analysis, this episode delivers a timely read on the housing market’s shifting mood and the forces shaping its next chapter.

The Fed held steady again this week, sparking debate over whether it's strategic patience or just another missed layup. Rich and Rob break it all down with their usual mix of insight and exasperation—then tag in recurring guest (and unofficial capital markets therapist) Chris Bennett of Vice Capital Markets to make sense of the economic data flood.

From GDP and jobs to PCE and Powell’s carefully curated nothingburger of a statement, Chris walks us through what actually matters—and what it all means for mortgage rates. With over $1 trillion in MBS trades under his belt and a reputation for clarity in the chaos, Chris delivers the goods with his signature blend of sharp analysis, dry wit, and just enough existential dread to keep things interesting.

This week, Rob and Rich are joined by none other than Nikki Bialka—an officially unofficial recurring guest and fan favorite from her last blockbuster appearance. Nikki leads affordable and CRA lending efforts at Fifth Third Bank, where she navigates the ever-shifting terrain of homeownership access with smarts, clarity, and just enough sass to make policy talk feel like a happy hour debate. After her last visit lit up our inboxes with praise, we knew we had to lock her down long-term, and the 9-year, $171 million deal basically wrote itself.

Fresh from the latest MBA Affordable Homeownership Advisory Council meeting, Nikki brings sharp insight into the industry’s biggest challenges, from affordability fatigue to the ripple effects of the VantageScore shakeup. We dig into how lenders can keep serving borrowers when program rules feel like a game of Whac-A-Mole, and whether positive rental history might finally get the credit it deserves. Expect thoughtful takes, some laughs, and a very classy upgrade to our usual chaos.

On this week’s episode of The Big Picture, Rich and Rob welcomed Pete Mills, SVP of Residential Policy and Strategic Industry Engagement at the MBA, for a timely discussion on housing policy, political gridlock, and what lenders really need to know heading into an election year.

Pete gave a clear-eyed breakdown of the legislative headwinds in D.C.—from the slim chances of housing-focused bills passing before November, to how the current political climate is shaping FHFA priorities, credit scoring drama, and GSE oversight. If you’ve been wondering why FICO 10T was left out of the latest FHFA update, Pete has thoughts.

We also explored the growing role of advocacy at the state level, how MBA’s Mortgage Action Alliance is driving grassroots momentum, and why engaging with lawmakers (yes, even the hard-to-reach ones) is more critical than ever.

Equal parts policy primer and real-talk strategy session, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating today’s mortgage landscape.

On this week’s episode of The Big Picture, Rich and Rob were joined by Sue Woodard and Bill Bodnar for a lively breakdown of what’s working—and what’s still wildly broken—across the mortgage experience and capital markets. From Fed policy whiplash to the bond market’s split personality, Bill brought the macro insights while Sue translated them into what lenders actually need to hear about borrowers and behavior.

We also tackled the industry’s cautious (read: glacial) response to the VantageScore announcement and what it’ll really take for adoption to catch on. With a shared history at Vantage, Sue and Bill didn’t hold back—delivering sharp takes, real talk, and just enough friendly fire to keep things entertaining. One of our most balanced and candid conversations yet.

On this week’s The Big Picture, legendary analyst Meredith Whitney returns to the spotlight with a candid breakdown of why she believes 2025 could mark the worst year in decades for the U.S. housing market. She unpacks the structural shifts reshaping homeownership—from generational imbalances to the hidden cracks in credit markets—and explains why a slowdown in housing could become a broader economic drag.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Meredith also shares why she sees a surprising bright spot in consumer spending, powered by younger Americans and a surge in home equity taps. From HELOC-fueled renovations to recession warning signs, this conversation is sharp, provocative, and full of the kind of insights only an “Oracle of Wall Street” can deliver.