DS News

2 Looking Back, Looking Forward It's hard to believe that it's been more than a year since the wave of COVID-19 washed over the world, the nation, and the mortgage industry. After months of lockdowns, remote working, and all the myriad ways that the pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives and how we do business, it seems only appropriate to take a moment to pause and reflect upon the lessons we have learned … and the ways in which our industry and the system of American homeownership will move forward in the months to come. In our April cover story, "Hope (and Challenges) Ahead," we pose those questions to representatives of Cherry Creek Mortgage, Embrace Home Loans, Freedom Mortgage, Gateway First Bank, Inlanta Mortgage, and more. Check out our cover story for insights into how these and other companies have managed forebearances and foreclosure moratoria, the need for further digitization of processes, remote staffing, and other critical challenges. Next up, Matthew Tully, SVP of Agency Affairs and Chief Compliance Officer for Sagent, brings us "Prepping for Regulatory Climate Change in 2021." With a new president and incoming policy shifts, here's how mortgage servicers should be preparing and prioritizing. Daren Blomquist, VP of Market Economics for Auction.com, returns to the pages of DS News with a piece entitled "How Distressed Disposition Can Heal, Not Harm." His piece will present three strategies designed to speed healing and help homeowners in a post-pandemic housing market. Robert D. Forster, II, Managing Partner of the BDF Law Group, next shares "Texas Supreme Court rows the Industry a Lifeline." is legal article dives into how a recent Lone Star court ruling strengthens the power of the equitable subrogation defense and solidifies this alternative to lender's counsel when faced with allegations of a potentially unenforceable lien. e legal focus continues in "'Early Resolution' Could Add Extra Complications," written by Benjamin Burstein, Partner with McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC. Here's what one Illinois county's new residential eviction and consumer debt "Early Resolution Program" could mean for servicers and other stakeholders. Finally, we have "Some ings Are Better in Bulk" by Tom Huddleston, SVP and Managing Director, Head of Vylla Title Services. In this piece, Huddlestone examines how bulk title transactions can streamline sales and purchases for investors. David Wharton Managing Editor VOL. 19 NO. 4 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rachel Williams EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jonathon Won MANAGING EDITOR David Wharton REPORTERS Christina Hughes Babb ONLINE CONTRIBUTORS Veronica Bradley Chuck Green Eric Peck CONTRIBUTORS Daren Blomquist Phil Britt Benjamin Burstein Robert D. Forster, II Tom Huddleston Matthew Tully COPY EDITOR Brandy Scott ADVERTISING Sales: 214.525.6700 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Dawn Adams, SVP, Default Servicing, Roundpoint Mortgage Servicing Tendayi Kapfidze, Chief Economist, LendingTree Courtney Thompson, Director, Default Servicing Operations Jacob Williamson, VP, Distressed Assets, Fannie Mae Kim Yowell, EVP of Servicing, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Todd Storch CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jonathan Hughes DESIGN Jordan Funderburk Jason Stone Jonathon Won No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. ©2020 Five Star Global, LLC—All Rights Reserved This publication is intended to provide accurate, authoritative, and detailed information in regard to the subject matter covered. All written materials are disseminated with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal advice or other professional services. Under no circumstance should the information contained herein be relied upon as legal advice as it is designed to be a source of information only. DS News strongly encourages the use of qualified attorneys or other qualified experts with regard to the subject matter covered. DS News does not guarantee the accuracy of the information, and is not liable for any damages, losses, or other detriments that may result from the use of these materials. Follow DSNewsDaily on From Our Desk

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