GENERAL SESSION: Economic Outlook and Market Landscape

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 4:00 PM-4:30 PM Rock Creek Ballroom, Ballroom Level
General Session
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Gain an insider’s perspective on the forces shaping today’s housing and commercial real estate landscape. MBA’s Vice Chair, John Hedlund, sits down with Mike Fratantoni, Ph.D., MBA’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research and Industry Technology, for a dynamic conversation on the state of the economy and what lies ahead for residential and commercial/multifamily markets. This session delivers timely insights, data‑driven analysis, and forward‑looking commentary to help industry leaders navigate shifting conditions and prepare for the opportunities and challenges of the year ahead.

Speakers

Moderator

  • Photo of John Hedlund
    John Hedlund

    2026 MBA Vice Chairman; Vice Chairman, ICE Mortgage Technology

    John Hedlund is the 2026 MBA Vice Chairman and Vice Chairman of ICE Mortgage Technology. Hedlund is an experienced, entrepreneurial, business leader specializing in strategic design, effective application of technology integration, execution, and leadership of large, diverse financial services organizations. A prominent MBA voice and industry volunteer over the years, Hedlund has served as a board member for several organizations, including as a member of MBA’s Board of Directors, Board Chairman of MISMO, Chairman of MBA’s Residential Board of Governors (RESBOG), Board Member and past Chairman of the California Mortgage Bankers Association, and Advisory Board Member for Automated Mortgage Systems, Inc., and FundingShield, LLC. Hedlund has served in senior leadership positions in the mortgage divisions at several large financial institutions during his career. He also co-founded and served as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at AmeriHome Mortgage Company, where under his leadership, AmeriHome quickly grew to become the second-largest correspondent lender in the country. He helped lead the company’s sale to Western Alliance Bank in 2021, where he was a member of the leadership and executive team until 2024. He also founded and led Adanac Advisors Group, a boutique advisory and consulting firm. Hedlund holds a Masters of Business Administration from Dalhousie University and Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Economic, and Marketing from Simon Fraser University.

    • Speakers

  • Photo of Mike Fratantoni, Ph.D.
    Mike Fratantoni, Ph.D.

    Chief Economist, Senior Vice President, Research and Business Development, Mortgage Bankers Association

    Mike Fratantoni, Ph.D. is MBA’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research and Industry Technology. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing MBA’s industry surveys, benchmarking studies, economic and mortgage originations forecasts, industry technology efforts and policy development research for both single-family and commercial/multifamily markets. Additionally, Fratantoni is president and member of the Board of Directors of MISMO and serves on the CSP’s Industry Advisory Group and the membership committee of MERS. Prior to joining MBA, Fratantoni worked in the industry in risk management and senior economist roles at Washington Mutual and Fannie Mae.

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