On this week’s The Big Picture, Natalie Alexander, President and CFO of Willow Bend Mortgage, joins the show for a candid conversation on leadership, market dynamics, and the evolving playbook for independent mortgage banks. With more than a decade helping guide Willow Bend’s growth, Natalie brings both financial discipline and a people-first perspective to a rapidly shifting lending environment.
We dig into conditions in the Dallas–Fort Worth housing market, including builder incentives and competitive pressures, and tackle bigger-picture issues like rising credit report costs, consolidation trends, and the role of servicing in long-term strategy. The conversation also explores the underrepresentation of women in IMB leadership and what meaningful progress looks like, along with the opportunities and challenges tied to AI adoption across mortgage operations. It’s a grounded, forward-looking discussion on how independent lenders can stay competitive while staying true to their culture.
