GENERAL SESSION: From the Front Page to the Main Stage
Two of the hottest topics making headlines in the industry are the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and changes in credit reporting. Come to the main stage to hear these issues discussed from the bank, IMB, and investor perspectives. While the changes to come at the GSEs are not yet clear, the panelists discuss the importance of recapitalization, release or reform being conducted carefully and deliberately so as not to disrupt the housing finance system. On the topic of credit scores and reports, change is already progressing. Panelists discuss what else may emerge to address the industry’s frustration with rising costs, including the availability of new credit scoring models, rethinking the tri-merge credit report requirements, increasing competition, and improving service. Join MBA’s CEO Bob Broeksmit and his panel for a lively discussion on both topics, and be part of the conversation by joining the audience Q&A.
Speakers
Moderator
Robert D. Broeksmit, CMB, is MBA’s President and Chief Executive Officer. He is a senior finance executive and corporate officer with over 35 years of experience in the mortgage sector. He has directed all aspects of lending activities, including marketing, sales, operations, secondary marketing, loan servicing, and default management. He has also served as a mortgage underwriting expert testifying on many large, high-profile cases. Prior to joining MBA, Broeksmit served as President and Chief Operating Officer with Treliant, heading the firm’s mortgage litigation support practice. He previously held senior leadership positions in the mortgage business, including 14 years with Chevy Chase Bank (including after its purchase by Capital One) and 7 years as Vice President at Prudential Home Mortgage. He has overseen annual originations of $9 billion, a balance sheet of $10 billion in residential mortgage, and a servicing portfolio of $20 billion. He is past Chairman of MBA’s Residential Board of Governors and a member of its Board of Directors.
Speakers
Ramon is a lawyer by training whose practice focused on mortgage securitization and capital markets before moving to the business and consumer regulatory policy space. Ramon has been at JPMorgan Chase since 2008, helping coordinate strategic initiatives and providing risk analysis and recommendations on emerging regulations and legislation affecting consumer products, mortgage lending, and capital markets. Ramon’s diverse career included Fannie Mae, Merrill Lynch, Freddie Mac, and WAMU Capital Corp. Ramon holds undergraduate and law degrees from Georgetown University. He is a member of the New Jersey and DC Bars.
Mark Jones co-founded Amerifirst Home Mortgage in 1983, growing it from a single location in Kalamazoo, MI, to over 80 branches nationwide. Following Amerifirst’s 2023 merger with Union Home Mortgage, he now serves as President of the combined top 40 national lender. Under his leadership, Amerifirst became the No. 1 USDA and No. 3 FHA lender in Michigan, a Ginnie Mae issuer, and serviced a $6 billion loan portfolio. A past Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, Mark has held multiple leadership roles with the Mortgage Bankers Association, including 2024 MBA Chairman and Chair of the DEI Advisory Committee. He also serves on the board of Southwest Michigan First. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Mark was a champion diver and NCAA Regional Qualifier.
Owen Lee is the Chief Executive Officer of Success Mortgage Partners, Inc. (“SMP”). SMP is an independent mortgage bank headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan and operating in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Owen originally founded the company in 2002 with his father, Vincent. Owen is also the Managing Member of Title Partners, LLC., a full-service title insurance agency and settlement services company. Owen graduated with a BA in Political Science from Villanova University in 1992 and a Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University in 1996. wen is a proud member of the following organizations: State Bar of Michigan; Massachusetts Bar Association; Mortgage Bankers Association; Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association; The American Land Title Association.
Stanley C. Middleman serves as the President and CEO of Freedom Mortgage Corporation, one of the largest and fastest-growing independent mortgage companies in the country. He is a nationally recognized business strategist, investor, and philanthropist with nearly 40 years of experience in the mortgage banking industry. Since founding Freedom Mortgage in 1990, Mr. Middleman has grown the company into one of the nation’s largest non-bank mortgage lenders/servicers and a top VA and FHA (government-insured) lender. This year, for the fifth time in a row, Freedom Mortgage was honored with the 2025 Top Workplaces USA Award as well as a Top Workplace Award in Central Indiana. Additionally, Freedom Mortgage also received the Lending in Excellence Award by MortgagePoint Magazine, the Fannie Mae STAR Performer Award (for the nineth year in a row), and the Corporate Philanthropy Award from Habitat for Humanity, South-Central New Jersey. Freedom Mortgage’s mission is to foster homeownership for all consumers across America.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Presenting
Signature
Diamond
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Host
