CONNECT by California MBA

The regulatory and compliance landscape for mortgage lenders has never been more complex — and the risks hiding in the rearview mirror may be bigger than the ones ahead. In this episode of Connect, California MBA CEO Paul Gigliotti sits down with James W. Brody, Esq., Founder and Managing Partner of Brody Gapp LLP, for a wide-ranging conversation on the current legal risk environment, where litigation is spiking, and what lenders need to do right now to protect themselves. James brings decades of experience in mortgage banking litigation, enforcement defense, regulatory risk, and the rapidly evolving legal landscape around AI — and he doesn't hold back on any of it. In this episode: - Why the CFPB stepping back has created a dangerous patchwork of state-level AI and compliance regulations — and why national lenders are being forced to build to the strongest law - The biggest litigation category right now: LO poaching and non-solicit cases in a consolidating market - Why Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are scrubbing their 2020–2023 portfolios using AI fraud tools — and what that means for repurchase exposure - How lenders can take an active role in renegotiating MLPAs to add materiality qualifiers and limit buyback liability - Why compliance woven into the fabric of a company from the ground up creates less exposure and more opportunity - How to inventory the AI already inside your organization — because it's likely already there through vendor updates - Why agentic AI doing licensable activity is the next major legal debate — and who will be held responsible - Why advocacy is not separate from your business — and why now is the moment to leverage political capital before it's too late Connect is the California MBA's podcast where strategy, innovation, and leadership come together to shape the future of mortgage finance. Subscribe for new episodes featuring the voices driving the industry forward.

Mortgage lenders track rates, volume, and affordability. But are they paying close enough attention to what's happening in real estate — and how it directly affects their business? In this episode of Connect, California MBA CEO Paul Gigliotti sits down with Coby Hakalir, SVP/Managing Director of Mortgage & Core Services at T3 Sixty, a firm helping real estate leaders think through strategy, brokerage performance, technology, and the future of how real estate companies operate. The conversation covers consolidation, the fight for the consumer, the evolving LO-agent relationship, and what AI is starting to do to the home search experience. This is the intersection of mortgage and real estate — and it's a conversation the industry needs to have. In this episode: • Why real estate brokerage EBITDA is hovering near zero — and the parallels to mortgage • The consolidation wave: Compass at 30% market share, Rocket-Redfin, and what it means for JV partnerships • Why 80% of borrowers and real estate clients never come back — and the stat behind it (88% don't even remember their loan officer's name 12 months after the transaction) • What agents actually want from lender partners right now — and why coffee and open houses aren't enough anymore • The dual technological journey borrowers go through — and why it's creating transaction trauma • How propensity data and AI-powered home search are reshaping the consumer experience in real estate • Answer engine optimization vs. search engine optimization — and why it matters for mortgage next • Why shifts in the market always create opportunity — and how to approach change with eyes wide open Connect is the California MBA's podcast where strategy, innovation, and leadership come together to shape the future of mortgage finance. Subscribe for new episodes featuring the voices driving the mortgage industry forward.

The mortgage production environment is as competitive as ever — tight margins, volume pressure, and a flood of technology promises. So what actually separates the lenders managing through it well from those that are struggling? In this episode of Connect, California MBA CEO Paul Gigliotti sits down with Steve Kolker, Managing Director and Chief Production Officer at AmeriHome Mortgage, a Western Alliance Bank company. Steve brings 40 years of industry experience and a front-row seat to what's working across AmeriHome's 800+ correspondent lending clients — and he doesn't hold back. Fresh off moderating a panel at the 2026 Mortgage Innovators Conference, Steve shares his two biggest aha moments from MIC and breaks down exactly how production teams should be thinking about AI, workflow redesign, and the advocacy issues that are quietly shaping the industry's future. In this episode: • Why builder and realtor relationships are outperforming in today's market — and what refi shops are doing right • The "shift left" strategy: why moving decisions earlier in the process is the highest-leverage tool for reducing cost • Why plugging new technology into an old linear workflow is a guaranteed failure • AI's biggest opportunity in production: fraud detection, call center coaching, income calculation, and real-time underwriting decisioning • How an AI listening tool could give a loan officer an near-underwriting decision before the first call ends • The coming California legislation on automated underwriting — and why being at the table matters • Why advocacy isn't separate from production — it IS production Connect is the California MBA's podcast where strategy, innovation, and leadership come together to shape the future of mortgage finance. To learn more about AmeriHome, visit www.correspondent.amerihome.com Subscribe for new episodes featuring the voices driving the industry forward.

In this special edition of the Connect podcast, outgoing CEO Susan Milazzo sits down with her successor, Paul Gigliotti, to discuss the future of the California MBA (California Mortgage Bankers Association) Susan celebrates her 21 years of service while Paul, a veteran mortgage leader with a deep background in mortgage technology, outlines his vision for the association. Get an inside look at Gigliotti's journey, from building lenders to advancing mortgage tech, and hear his plans for amplifying California MBA’s advocacy, enhancing member engagement, and leading the industry through an era defined by affordability and AI innovation.

Connect with Lee Gillispie, Senior Managing Principal, Paradatec | Episode 244 by The California MBA

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Kenon Chen, EVP Strategy and Growth, Clear Capital. Episode discussion topics: Tell us how you got into the mortgage industry? I believe Clear Capital has been involved with the California MBA since its very early days, which is more than 20 years! What have been the most surprising industry changes for the company in that time? The company’s mantra on your website reads: Wherever it leads, Whatever it takes. What does that mean for your customers? Clear Capital was one of the early adopters of technology in the mortgage space. Tell us about how Clear Capital is using AI in your products. Can you share with our listeners why you chose to support our organization? To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Cody Charfauros, Principal/Managing Director, Slatt Capital Episode discussion topics: What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the CRE market since then? When you were last on Connect, we talked about the adoption of technology in CRE. Where is the industry today? How is the insurance crisis impacting the commercial real estate finance industry? You are also serving as this year’s Chair for our 2025 Western States CREF Conference (wscref.com). What are some of the highlights you can share with our listeners? Western States CREF is our signature event for the CRE industry but the support we receive through membership is crucial to our continued success. What do you share about the value of the California MBA with companies considering membership? To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com

Welcome to Connect, a podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with some of the top movers and shakers in the mortgage industry. This week we welcome Amy Moses, Business Development Consultant, MISMO Episode discussion topics: 1:28 - I always like to get started with a little background, so tell us how you got into the mortgage business 2:44 - Can you share with our listeners a little more about MISMO and the value the organization brings to the lending industry? How can lenders become involved? 6:12 - What are some of the key initiatives underway at MISMO right now that will benefit the industry? Anything that will help lenders cut costs in these trying times? 9:03 - What are the big trends in mortgage technology that you see for the next 12 months? I assume increased use of AI but is there anything in particular? 11:50 - Can you share with our listeners why you choose to support our organization? Subscribe to MISMO Matters here! https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a468c0d093284b9ba54fd2f3afad7731 Register for the MISMO Fall Summit, September 15-18 in Annapolis, MD - https://www.mismo.org/events-education/mismo-summit- To learn more about the California MBA, visit cmba.com