On today’s episode of The Big Picture with Rich and Rob, the show opened with a brisk round of industry headlines, highlighting a continued wave of M&A activity in the mortgage sector and the potential implications of investor Bill Pulte’s outspoken critique of FICO. The hosts also discussed Donald Trump’s recent comments expressing a desire to take the GSEs public, setting the stage for a conversation centered around shifting regulatory and political dynamics in housing finance.
The episode’s featured guest, Rod Alba, SVP of Mortgage Finance at the American Bankers Association, joined the discussion to offer expert insight on these timely topics. He weighed in on the uncertain future of the CFPB, noting that as federal oversight weakens, state regulators may grow more assertive. Rod also recapped highlights from the recent American Mortgage Conference, pointing to cautious optimism among lenders and a renewed focus on mortgage tech investment. The conversation touched on the potential for regulatory reform, the evolving construction lending landscape, and how banks are adapting to long-term housing supply challenges.
