ACUMA ONpoint

Year-end reflections are only useful if they’re honest, and that’s exactly where we go. We relive the moments that truly moved our community, an after party that validated creative risk, a rock paper scissors icebreaker that turned strangers into allies, and a pet partners activation that brought calm and joy to a packed annual. Alongside the wins, we get candid about what fell short: convention center logistics that thinned out la...

A budget standoff ends, the lights come back on in Washington, and the housing world braces for what comes next. We examine the real consequences for lenders and borrowers when Congress relies on short-term fixes, including delayed hearings, stalled reauthorizations, and programs like flood insurance that are repeatedly pushed to the next deadline. With the continuing resolution in place, HUD and the CDFI Fund are back to full stre...

Ready to rethink mortgages as more than a product line? We sit down with Jerry Reed, President and CEO of Member First Mortgage, to unpack why home lending is the most powerful lever credit unions have to build member wealth, stabilize neighborhoods, and win long-term relationships. Jerry makes a compelling case that mortgages are more than just loans — they’re a mission. They collect the richest data in consumer finance, open the ...

When Washington grinds to a halt, households and lenders feel the tremors long before the headlines fade. We break down the current full federal shutdown, why ACA subsidy deadlines hardened the standoff, how “essential” designations keep some services moving while paychecks stall, and where the real economic bruises show up if this stretches from weeks into months. From missing jobs reports and data gaps that complicate interest-ra...

What if the best way to serve members one-on-one is to scale their guidance to thousands? That’s the question we explore with Homebot’s Nicole Herrick, a credit union veteran who moved from the teller line and branch leadership to a fintech seat where impact multiplies. We dig into how “people helping people” becomes a practical strategy in mortgage lending, why credit unions scrutinize technology differently, and how vendors can g...

Housing isn’t just math on a screen, it’s a story about stability, memory, and the people who fight to keep a roof overhead. We sit down with Julian Joseph, former FHA leader and founder of JYJ Consulting, to unpack what the “human side of housing” really means when rates are sticky, costs are rising, and trust is fragile. Julian takes us back to her time in foreclosure counseling, ground zero during the housing crisis, where despe...

Consistency might be the most underrated superpower in the mortgage industry. While many professionals chase the next big strategy or market shift, Rebecca Lorenz, CEO and founder of Infinite Success Strategies, reveals a profound truth: your daily habits determine your ultimate success.

During this illuminating conversation with host Peter Benjamin, Rebecca unpacks how small, consistent actions compound over time to creat...

Annmarie Conboy-DePasquale from Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck breaks down crucial policy issues facing credit unions today, from the looming government funding deadline to major legislative wins. We examine the state of play in Washington and highlight recent victories that will impact how credit unions serve their members.

Here's what you need to know:

• Government funding expires September 30th, but a continuing resolution...

Ever wonder what it's like to step into a room of 600 mortgage professionals who feel more like coworkers than competitors? The unique collaborative spirit of credit unions takes center stage in this episode recorded live from ACUMA's Make Your Mark Conference in Denver.

We sit down with two first-time attendees who offer refreshingly candid perspectives on joining the ACUMA community. Kellie Drew, a 34-year cred...

Tony Humphrey, VP of Mortgage Lending at One Nevada Credit Union, takes us deep into the strategic imperative facing credit unions today. As financial institutions nationwide enter budget planning season, Tony reveals why leveraging member data through predictive analytics represents the untapped competitive advantage credit unions desperately need.

While credit unions constitute 43% of mortgage originators, they capture o...

What if we approached each day in mortgage lending not as a series of transactions, but as opportunities to be good stewards of the gifts we've been given? Mark Seeley, AVP of Mortgage Lending at America's Credit Union, brings this refreshing perspective to our conversation about what makes credit union mortgage lending truly different.

After 20+ years in the industry and experience on both sides of the fence, Ma...

Financial regulation is undergoing a seismic shift, creating unprecedented challenges for credit unions and mortgage lenders. Our expert guest, Leah Dempsey, a Shareholder with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, walks us through the complex policy landscape reshaping credit unions' operations.

The CFPB stands at a pivotal moment following a DC Court of Appeals decision that could enable significant staff reductions. Whi...

Ever wonder what happens when a team of mortgage industry professionals willingly subjects themselves to progressively spicier hot sauces while reflecting on their year? The ACUMA team delivers exactly that in their annual mid-year review episode, blending genuine reflection with watery eyes and burning sensations.

The episode kicks off with diving into the team's favorite moments from the first half of the year. 

• ...

Imagine a world where nobody's watching. Would you still do the right thing? This thought-provoking question lies at the heart of our enlightening conversation with Jon Seward, former Department of Justice fair lending enforcement leader and current Of Counsel with Mitchell Sanders.

Drawing from over two decades of experience as the architect of the DOJ's combating redlining initiative, Jon delivers a powerful wa...

The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBA) passed through Congress along party lines, preserving the credit union tax status while making significant changes to mortgage policy and CFPB funding. Zach Pfister joins the ONpoint Podcast policy series and breaks down the political dynamics behind major policy developments affecting credit union mortgage lenders and previews upcoming legislative challenges.

In this discussion with...

Mortgage servicing compliance represents one of the most overlooked yet critically important aspects of credit union operations today. In this revealing conversation with Scott Weintraub, VP of Compliance at MQMR, we explore why credit unions often shortchange their servicing compliance resources despite the 30-year relationship at stake.

Scott shares his journey from law to mortgage compliance, explaining how his passion ...

Regulatory changes have been coming fast and furious in the credit union mortgage industry, leaving many wondering what's still required and what's been relaxed. In this eye-opening episode, Amanda Phillips, General Counsel and EVP of Compliance with ACES Quality Management, guides us through the regulatory maze with remarkable clarity.

Amanda brings her extensive compliance knowledge to bear on one of today&apos...

In this conversation with Leah Dempsey, Shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Washington's regulatory landscape is undergoing seismic shifts that credit unions can't ignore. The CFPB under Acting Director Mark Calabria has transitioned from addressing Biden-era regulatory holdovers to implementing proactive policy changes that could benefit the credit union industry. This includes potential revisions to decade-o...

What if the annual HMDA filing you've treated as a compliance burden is your most powerful strategic tool? In this eye-opening conversation with Laird Nossuli, CEO of iEmergent, we explore how credit unions can transform their relationship with mortgage data from reluctant obligation to competitive advantage.

Laird shares her passionate perspective on how HMDA data provides a comprehensive blueprint of lending pattern...