GENERAL SESSION: 2025 Insurance Outlook - Trends, Challenges, and Market Drivers

EVP, Specialty Lending, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.

Michael is one-part insurance nerd, one-part red bull. After his work at Countrywide/Bank of America, he decided the insurance industry was a thrilling challenge, understanding his body would soon give out from playing hockey. His passion is pioneering insurance capital solutions for lenders while providing banks & non-banks a comprehensive loan-level to enterprise risk analysis. He enjoys bridging the communication gap between lenders, secondary markets, & insurance markets, with an occasional dad joke for flare. As an EVP within Alliant’s Financial Institutions Group, Michael leads the national Specialty Lending brokerage practice. His coverage expertise includes: Traditional Insurance Placements, Specialty Lending Insurance, & Lender/Investor Sponsored Master Insurance Programs.

Managing Director, InsureMAC Financial Insurance Services

Gretchan Francis is a respected leader in the forced-placed insurance industry, with over 20 years of banking and insurance experience and deep expertise in creating specialized insurance solutions for financial institutions. As the founder and managing director of InsureMAC, she spearheads efforts to deliver top-tier lender-placed insurance solutions for mortgage servicers, banks, specialty lenders and credit unions. Her career began with pivotal roles at premier banks and insurance brokerages, where she specialized in lender-placed, mortgage impairment, and blanket hazard insurance. Ms. Francis holds a BA from the University of Mount Union and an MBA from Youngstown State University. She is actively involved in key industry associations, championing initiatives that advance our field