MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND OPERATIONS TRACK: Deep Dive into Mortgage Data and Profitability

Michael Singer

Director, FICO

Michael Singer serves as Director of Marketing for FICO, where he is focused on outreach to mortgage and secondary market clients. A seasoned marketing communications professional, his career has included marketing leadership positions with Fannie Mae, where he served as senior brand manager, the Urban Land Institute, where he was vice president of marketing and public relations, and the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, where he was associate director of marketing. He began his career in financial services marketing at GEICO. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago.

Marina Walsh, CMB

Vice President, Industry Analysis, Mortgage Bankers Association

Marina Walsh, CMB, is Vice President of Industry Analysis in MBA's Research and Economics Department, specializing in industry performance benchmarking for residential lenders and servicers. She leads the management and direction for the Mortgage Bankers Performance Reports, the Peer Group Survey and Roundtable Program, the Servicing Operations Study, the Warehouse Lender Study, and other studies that measure lender performance. She is MBA's spokesperson for all servicing-related studies including the National Delinquency Survey and the Loan Monitoring Survey. Prior to joining MBA, Walsh was a manager in Ernst and Young's Real Estate Advisory Services Group. She has previously been named to HousingWire's "Women of Influence" list. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbia University.

Richard T. Bechtel, Jr.

EVP, Head of U.S. Mortgage Banking, City National Bank

Rick Bechtel is executive vice president and head of Mortgage & Residential Lending at City National Bank. He is responsible for building and executing a comprehensive mortgage strategy for the bank. In his role, he leads the bank’s Residential Lending sales, operations, capital markets and servicing teams. He is also a member of City National’s Senior Management Team. Rick joined City National in May 2024 and has more than 30 years of experience in residential lending, mortgage, home equity and consumer lending businesses. Most recently, he served as President of Mortgage for Compass. Prior to that, he served as Head of U.S. Residential Lending for TD Bank and before that, he was Head of U.S. Mortgage Banking at CIBC. Rick earned his Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Active in the community, Rick is a 2019 recipient of the HousingWire Vanguard Award, and the 2016 Mortgage Bankers Association DEI Leadership Award, and serves as a board member at the Univ. of Wisconsin School of Business as well as multiple fintech firms and industry associations.

Allison Johnston, CMB

President, Success Mortgage Partners, Inc.

Allison Johnston, a visionary leader with a profound understanding of the mortgage industry, has risen to prominence as a driving force behind Success Mortgage Partners, Inc. (SMP), an Independent Mortgage Bank headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Allison’s journey is marked by a series of remarkable achievements and contributions that have not only propelled her to the presidency of SMP but have also reshaped the landscape of mortgage banking. Allison’s remarkable odyssey in the mortgage sector began in 2013 when she joined the ranks of Success Mortgage Partners. However, her connection to the industry spans over 30 years, amassing a wealth of experience, knowledge, and insight. Allison was bestowed with the prestigious title of President of Success Mortgage Partners in 2019. This appointment underscored her exceptional leadership qualities and her pivotal role in steering the organization toward new horizons of success. A standout achievement in Allison’s journey was her attainment of the Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation in 2015. This accolade demonstrates her expertise and underscores her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Allison earned her Master’s Degree in Business Management. Allison is also an instructor for the Mortgage Bankers Association and teaches classes regularly. Allison’s influence extends beyond her role at SMP. As the past Chairwoman of the State of Michigan Governmental Mortgage Industry Advisory Board, she has played a crucial role in shaping industry policies, demonstrating her advocacy for responsible and effective mortgage practices. Her participation in influential organizations like The Mortgage Collaborative, where she holds the Chairwomen Board Member position, and her past Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association presidency further attest to her standing as a luminary in the field. Allison has received several awards, including the Movers and Shakers, Ambassador Award, and Vic Miller Award. What sets Allison apart is her multifaceted approach to leadership. Her creativity, which is showcased time and again, breathes innovation into SMP’s operations. Her unparalleled talents and approachable demeanor foster a collaborative environment where growth and success flourish. Allison’s influence transcends state borders. With a Mortgage Loan Officer License spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia, she has extended her expertise and impact across a vast geographic expanse. Under her stewardship, SMP has cemented its presence in these regions, fostering growth and nurturing client relationships.

Jason Stenger

Chief Operations Officer, Movement Mortgage, LLC

With more than 20 years in the mortgage industry, Jason Stenger is not just the Chief Operations Officer at Movement Mortgage; he's a powerhouse of relentless energy and unparalleled customer commitment. Jason serves his teammates with passion and a profound dedication to elevating operational excellence. Jason’s early career was spent across progressive roles in mortgage operations at Cendant, Countrywide and Bank of America. He joined Movement in 2012 as a Senior Operations Manager. Jason was later promoted to SVP, National Director of Operations, before being named Chief Operations Officer in 2022. He has led nationwide operations teams of all sizes in both retail and distributed retail for the majority of his career. Jason considers himself "a salesperson in an operational role," uniquely positioning him as the industry's most customer-centric leader. He leads by example, driven by urgency, sincerity and dedication to his team.

Rita Young

EVP, Consumer Banking Division CFO, Regions Financial Corporation / Regions Mortgage