Thomas (Tom) C.

In the latest episode of "C-Suite Perspectives - sponsored by Penn River, Bobbie Shrivastav and Laurel Jordan got to sit down with Brian Poppe - SVP of Income & Wealth Mutual of Omaha to discuss his thoughts around employee experiences, and moving to a proactive vs reactive company approach. Brian dives in on process and technology and how it is affecting innovation and how collaboration is vital both internally and externally. Listen here: 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gdYhCMPG

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Despite the challenges in the IT labor market, there is some positive news to share. Salaries nationwide increased in 2025 from 2024, with a notable jump in the Chicago area. Additionally, job postings in Illinois have risen by as much as 9%, placing the state among the top five in the country. While the market remains competitive, there are opportunities available, and salaries have remained steady. For more insights, check out the full report. https://lnkd.in/grpNKugD

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President Trump signed two executive orders on mortgage lending yesterday. I read both in full. Here's what the industry isn't talking about yet. Everyone is focused on the housing construction order — removing zoning barriers, streamlining permits. That matters. But the second order, "Promoting Access to Mortgage Credit," is the one that changes the business of lending itself. Three things stood out to me: 𝟭. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲. The EO names them as the casualties of post-Dodd-Frank compliance burden and directs regulators to fix that — specifically for banks under $100 billion in assets. Many of these institutions left mortgage lending years ago. The regulatory runway to return is now clearing faster than most realize. 𝟮. 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆. The EO explicitly directs regulators to expand the use of AI valuation tools in appraisals. That sentence would have been unthinkable three years ago. This is the AI moment for mortgage — not in theory, but written into a presidential executive order. 𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱. Regulatory burden is coming down. But hiring processors, underwriters, and closers is still a 6-12 month problem. The lenders who win aren't just compliant — they're operationally ready to scale when the runway clears. I've spent 20+ years in this industry, including as SVP at Wells Fargo overseeing national mortgage operations. I built Confer LOS because I could see this moment coming — a system where 8 AI agents handle the full mortgage lifecycle so lenders can originate at scale without the traditional ops overhead. We built this for exactly the environment the executive order is now creating. I wrote a detailed breakdown of what both orders actually say and what they mean operationally for lenders: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gNbJ9YqN If you're a community bank, credit union, or IMB thinking about what comes next — I'd genuinely like to hear what you're seeing on the ground. #MortgageLending #CommunityBanks #MortgageTech #AIinMortgage #HousingPolicy #ExecutiveOrder #MortgageIndustry

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Launching on the Fiserv digital asset platform, Roughrider coin will help North Dakota financial institutions navigate a new financial frontier. Read the news: https://lnkd.in/gWAXF4jF

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Navigating the Midwest Housing Market: Challenges and Strategic Financing Solutions for Listings Priced Between $399K and $499K As a seasoned professional in real estate lending, I understand the complexities of today’s housing market, particularly in the Midwest. Sellers with properties listed between $399,000 and $499,000 are encountering unique challenges that require strategic solutions. ⸻ Current Market Dynamics in the Midwest While the Midwest has experienced notable home price increases, certain segments, especially mid-tier homes, are facing headwinds: • Price Appreciation Amidst Slowing Demand: Cities like Milwaukee and Detroit have seen significant year-over-year price increases—20% and 12.5%, respectively. However, this rapid appreciation is occurring alongside a national slowdown in homebuyer demand, with pending sales falling 6.2% year over year. • Extended Time on Market: Homes are spending more time on the market, with the average days on market increasing to 50 days in July 2024. This trend indicates a shift towards a more cautious buyer base, particularly for homes in the $399K–$499K range. • Affordability Constraints: High mortgage rates, hovering around 6.91% for a 30-year fixed loan as of July 2024, are impacting buyers’ purchasing power, leading to decreased competition and slower sales. ⸻ Strategic Financing: A Viable Solution In light of these market conditions, refinancing unsold listings into permanent financing can offer several advantages: • Cash Flow Management: Transitioning to permanent financing can reduce carrying costs and provide more predictable cash flow while awaiting market improvements. • Market Positioning: Holding onto the property with favorable financing terms allows for strategic timing in relisting, potentially capturing better market conditions in the future. • Asset Optimization: Permanent financing can enable property enhancements or repositioning, making the listing more attractive to prospective buyers when reintroduced to the market. ⸻ Looking Ahead: Market Corrections and Opportunities Analysts project a national home value decline of around 1% to 1.4% by the end of 2025. However, the Midwest’s affordability and stable economic indicators suggest a more resilient market. By securing permanent financing now, sellers can position themselves advantageously for potential market corrections within the next five years. ⸻ Engage with a Lending Professional If you’re facing challenges in selling your mid-tier property, consider discussing refinancing options with a real estate lending expert. Tailored financing solutions can provide the flexibility and support needed to navigate the current market landscape effectively. For personalized advice and to explore refinancing strategies suited to your specific situation, please reach out to our team of experienced lending professionals. ⸻ https://lnkd.in/gsDzTcDE

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I’ve seen firsthand how much hidden friction outdated or reactive IT creates. A proactive, structured approach like this frees teams up to focus on growth instead of constant interruptions.

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