Rich Swerbinsky and Rob Chrisman are joined on this week's episode of The Big Picture presented by Depth by Floify's Sofia Rossato to covere major industry news, including Sandra Thompson stepping down as FHFA director and the CFPB’s recent moves—wiping out medical debt reporting and suing Warren Buffett’s mortgage company. The conversation shifts to the transformative impact of generative AI in 2024 and its potential to reshape the mortgage industry. Key points included advancements in system integrations, the future of AI-driven personalization for borrowers, and the challenges lenders face navigating an increasingly crowded and complex tech landscape. It was an insightful deep dive into how innovation and regulation are reshaping the mortgage world in real time.

Jim Park joins Rich Swerbinsky and Rob Chrisman on The Big Picture presented by Depth to discuss several key topics related to the housing and real estate finance markets, with a focus on fostering optimism and addressing current challenges. Jim highlighted the difficult landscape in recent years but emphasized the importance of strategic steps to rejuvenate the market in 2024 and beyond. Signs of resilience were noted, particularly in areas such as homebuyer demand and a steady recovery in certain housing sectors, offering industry professionals a reason for optimism. The conversation also turned to expanding access to credit, a longstanding challenge in the industry. Jim discussed how lenders and policymakers could responsibly broaden credit availability to prospective homebuyers, while also ensuring that this expansion does not compromise market stability or responsible lending practices. Addressing the growing age of the average first-time homebuyer, he noted barriers such as high home prices and student debt, but expressed optimism that innovations like lower down payment programs and creative loan structures could help younger buyers enter the market sooner. Lastly, the webinar explored ways to incentivize builders to focus on affordable housing. Jim suggested that targeted policies and incentives could encourage developers to build more affordable homes, which remains a critical issue for the housing market. Overall, the discussion underscored the need for a balanced approach to expanding access, supporting younger buyers, and encouraging affordable housing development, all while maintaining market stability.

This week, Rich and Rob break down the latest Fed meeting and its implications for the housing market as we approach the new year. Special guest Laura Escobar, Chair of the Mortgage Bankers Association and President of Lennar Mortgage, joins the discussion to share her leadership vision for the MBA. She discussed key advocacy priorities, regulatory challenges, and initiatives to improve affordability, while also providing insight into homebuilding trends like labor shortages and sustainable construction practices that are shaping the future of housing.

This week Rich and Rob took a dive into the minds of today’s homebuyers with special guest Kristin Messerli. A trailblazer in financial literacy and generational housing trends, Kristin shared valuable insights on Millennial and Gen Z housing behaviors, financial wellness, and how these trends shape today’s home purchase market. From the psychology of financial wellness to empowering young adults through entrepreneurship and literacy, Kristin’s perspective will equip you with the knowledge to adapt and thrive in a shifting market. Whether you’re navigating first-time buyers, tackling affordability challenges, or simply curious about the future of homeownership, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

This week, Rich and Rob welcome back Chris Bennett of Vice Capital Markets to the show. As their go-to subject matter expert on the secondary market, mortgage rates, and the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) market, Chris provided invaluable insights into the current state of the mortgage and interest rate environment. Chris has a gift for being able to explain the complexities of the capital markets in a way that's so easy to understand. In this episode, he shared his insights on the immediate future of mortgage rates and the performance of mortgage-backed securities, offering a clear view of upcoming market trends. The trio dove into how the new administration’s policies could affect interest rates and the secondary market, and Chris will provide practical market insights to help listeners make sense of what's happening now and prepare for what's coming next.

After political housing policy discussions these past several weeks, Rob and Rich are excited to welcome Bronwyn Morrissey CMB,AMP, CPC , a former mortgage banking executive turned mindfulness coach to The Big Picture. Bronwyn has followed her heart’s calling to help others reconnect with their true selves, empowering professionals to discover their unique gifts and create harmony and joy at work and home. Her incredible journey offers valuable insights for navigating the fast-paced demands of today’s world. In addition to Bronwyn’s inspiring story, we’ll dive into this week’s top mortgage industry news, stories, and rumors. With her unique background spanning Peace Corps service, yoga studio ownership, ultra-marathon running, and a successful career in mortgage banking, Bronwyn brings a fresh perspective to topics of mindfulness, balance, and professional growth.

Former FHFA Director Mark Calabria returns to the Big Picture with Rich and Rob for a discussion on a variety of post-election topics, including his thoughts on Scott Bessent being named Treasury Secretary, how a reduction in guarantee fees would impact Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s financial stability and their ability to absorb risks in the event of a housing market downturn as well as a potential conservatorship exit, what steps can be taken to ensure that an exit from conservatorship does not lead to a significant rise in mortgage rates, specific policy changes Calabria recommends to mitigate the risks posed by high DTI loans, how risks to Fannie and Freddie should be addressed by policymakers and financial institutions to protect the housing finance system, and how he envisions the next administration handling the supply issue, especially with zoning reform and incentives for builders.

We are super excited to have one of our favorite guests back on the show, as Mortgage Bankers Association President Bob Broeksmit joined Rich and Rob for a timely conversation on what’s next for the housing market and mortgage industry on this week's Big Picture presented by Gaffney Austin. Bob provided excellent perspective on how President Trump's policies could impact housing and finance, helping viewers make sense of the potential shifts on the horizon. He also provided a recap from the 2024 MBA Annual Convention, updates on important legislative moves, and outlined MBA’s broader advocacy initiatives as the year winds down. We'd also like to thank new show sponsor Gaffney Austin, LLC! They're the communication experts when it comes to marketing and PR for the mortgage industry and we're thrilled to be aligned with them on The Big Picture. Check them out at gaffneyaustin.com

James Dwiggins, CEO of NextHome, joins Rich and Rob for a dive into today’s real estate landscape, sharing his perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing agents, brokers, and clients alike. James discussed the changing real estate market, key trends, and what's in store for the housing and mortgage industries.

This week on The Big Picture, Rob Chrisman and Rich Swerbinsky take on the budding topic of climate risk in real estate finance by welcoming Kingsley Greenland, CFA to the show! Kingsley leads the Mortgage Risk Analytics practice at Verisk Extreme Event Solutions. He has held various roles in real-estate finance covering origination, servicing, private equity, and speaks on climate risk, stress testing, catastrophe modeling, and insurance. He's one of America's most renowned experts on climate risk and what it means to real estate investors and firms.

Former FHFA Director Mark Calabria joins Rich and Rob for a discussion on GSE privatization versus continued conservatorship, balancing the need for accessible housing finance while minimizing the systemic risks, and mitigating the risks posed by high DTI loans, especially considering the current economic conditions.

FormFree's Eric Lapin joins Rich and Rob on this week's Big Picture to discuss why mortgage rates spiked after stronger-than-expected jobs report, how we should see help for builders regardless of who wins next month's election, how climate risk is reshaping the mortgage industry as lenders, insurers, and regulators adapt to the challenges posed by environmental change, and more.

Teresa Bazemore joins Rich and Rob this week to discuss housing solutions taking center stage at the VP debate, Bob Broeksmit mulling election impacts on mortgage rates and regulations at the IMB summit, and America's best path to affordable housing.

Jim Parrott, a nonresident fellow at the Urban Institute and owner of Parrott Ryan Advisors, which provides strategic advice on housing finance issues, joins this week's Big Picture to discuss presidential nominee housing policies, the fair housing "letdown," and senators urging FHFA to phase in new energy standards for GSE-backed mortgages.

Bill Dallas returns to the Big Picture to go across the mortgage industry's hottest topics with Rich and Rob. The trio touches on the Fed's rate cut, candidate housing proposals, and more.

Chris Bennett joins the Big Picture for a whirl around the mortgage world, from this week’s debate, CPI and PPI inflation data, and next week’s Fed meeting.

On this week's Big Picture, Rich & Rob were joined by Jordan Bucher, AMP, Ashley Yarabinec, CMB, AMP and Alicia Goncalves, CMB® of the Mortgage Bankers Association! The group starts out by talking about the slew of jobs data from this week, which has big impact on Fed policy and mortgage interest rates. And then gets into all the latest at MBA in this busy election season. What's the latest on policy? The status of the Trigger Leads bill? We'll talk about upcoming MBA Conferences as well as what's top of mind with MBA members and the benefits of membership they're finding most impactful presently.

On this week's show, Rich & Rob are joined by Mortgage Coach founder & Trust Engine Chief Innovation Officer Dave Savage, who's been interviewing top real estate professionals on the now-implemented NAR settlement changes for the last several months. In addition to the changes to how homebuyers interact with real estate agents, the group also discussed this week's Federal Reserve Annual Economic Symposium in Jackson Hole, WY - which concludes with an address from Fed Chair Powell on Friday. The trio also discussed the series of housing proposals put forth by Vice President Harris last week ahead of this week's Democratic National Convention.

Brendon Weiss and Amy Moses join Rich Swerbinsky and Rob Chrisman in an episode that's half realtor focused and half mortgage focused, and will benefit lenders seeking a better consumer experience, title seeking a more efficient closing process, investors wanting clean docs, etc.

Rich and Rob are joined this week by CapitalW, a forum for showcasing women’s talent, developing and sharing knowledge, expanding professional networks, and inspiring individuals to pursue rewarding careers in mortgage capital markets.