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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 2 August 2025 F R O M T H E E D I T O R David Wharton Editor-in-Chief Magazine EDITOR-IN-CHIEF David Wharton ART DIRECTOR Jason Stone MANAGING DIGITAL EDITOR Eric C. Peck REPORTER Demetria C. Lester MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTORS Daren Blomquist Dan Michaeli COPY EDITOR Brandy Scott ADVERTISING 214.525.6700 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Daren Blomquist, VP of Market Economics, Auction.com Benjamin Gottheim, Director, Mortgage Servicing Policy, Freddie Mac Kevin Bowen, Head of Home Lending Product & Innovation, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Michael Keaton, SVP, Default Subservicing, Ocwen Jane Larkin, VP, Strategic Initiatives, VRM Mortgage Services Michael Merritt, SVP, Mortgage Default Servicing, BOK Financial Candace Russell, VP of Post-Sale Activities, Default Servicing, Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC Bryan Bolton, Chief Administrative Officer and SVP- Mortgage and Consumer Servicing, U.S. Bank Jacob Williamson, SVP Single-Family Collateral Risk Management, Fannie Mae Kim Yowell, EVP of Servicing, Fairway Independent Mortgage Servicing EXECUTIVE ADVISOR Michael S. Waldron CORPORATE OFFICERS PRESIDENT & CFO Jonathan Hughes ART DIRECTION Jordan Funderburk, Jason Stone No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. © 2025 Five Star Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved 1341 W. Mockingbird Rd, Ste 900W Dallas, TX 75247 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. MortgagePoint strongly encourages the use of qualified attorneys or other qualified experts with regard to the subject matter covered. MortgagePoint does not guarantee the accuracy of the information and is not liable for any damages, losses, or other detriment that may result from the use of these materials. SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AGENTS T his month's issue of MortgagePoint, we're proud to spotlight our first Agent & Broker Excellence Awards, designed to honor licensed real estate professionals who consistently deliver exceptional service, build client trust, and uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. These individuals demonstrate a deep understanding of their markets, maintain strong client relationships, and act as steady leaders in a changing industry. You can see this year's spotlighted recipients beginning on page 41. That's just the beginning of this issue's focus on real estate agents, brokers, and how they support the industry. We've also got an exclusive interview with Jim Hastings, who serves as the current Chairman of Five Star's FORCE (the Federation of REO-Certified Experts), a network composed of pre-screened, certified, and seasoned REO agents and brokers. Hastings shares his insights on technology, REO trends, and how agents can stay ahead in a changing market. Our agent/broker readers will also want to check out our Exchange interview with Jerry Mills, an Asset Manager with Phoenix Asset Management, who discusses where AI is proving useful, how agents can stay relevant in a shifting REO landscape, and why trust—not tech— remains the cornerstone of successful partnerships. We've also got Q&As with Nation One Mortgage Corporation's Phil Crescenzo Jr., who shares his outlook on a potential end to conservatorship, the impact of credit score-based pricing, and why lenders need to keep messaging simple and focused; and David McCarthy, Chief Lobbyist & Head, Legislative Affairs for the CRE Finance Council, which promotes capital formation, encouraging commercial real estate finance market efficiency, transparency, and liquidity. We've got a packed issue for you to distract you from that sweltering summer heat. Welcome to the August 2025 edition of MortgagePoint.