Finside Chats: Recent Episodes
A Stavvy podcast
Fintech enthusiasts, mortgage lenders, loan servicers, title agents, fellow start-ups, and innovators, this is the podcast for you. Hear new perspectives from interesting and exciting people with co-hosts and Stavvy co-founders Josh Feinblum and Kosta Ligris. In every episode, Josh and Kosta dive headfirst into timely and complicated topics specific to fintech, start-up, and mortgage lending with some of the industry's top thought leaders. They're on a mission to reconnect humans and simplify life's most defining moments, one conversation at a time. For extra content and to subscribe to our podcast newsletter, visit stavvy.com/finside-chats.
Digital transformation has become increasingly important for title companies and real estate attorneys in recent years. Keeping pace with rising customer expectations is more challenging than ever, and digitization may hold the answers to successfully navigating many of the changes. However, since navigating innovation isn’t always easy, we turned to Jim Czapiga, president and CEO of CATIC Family of Companies, for his thoughts. In this episode, Kosta and Jim explore:
- How technology helps teams “work smarter, not harder and longer.”
- Why evolving technology holds the promise of making personal connections stronger and fostering trust.
- How remote online notarization (RON) plays a role in supporting digital transformation.
For more insights, check out: https://blog.stavvy.com/tag/podcast
With the Fed hiking interest rates several times since 2022, many industry professionals want to know what's next. Kosta sat down with Patrick Stone, chairman and founder of Williston Financial Group, to discuss his outlook on the market and prediction for the future. Together, they explore what's next for the real estate industry, interest rate forecasts, AI, and how title companies can prepare for the future.
For more insights, check out: https://blog.stavvy.com/tag/podcast
Will the real estate market decline in 2023? Curious whether a recession is still expected to hit? Join us as we speak with Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae, who will answer these questions and others.
For quotes, links, and additional insights, head over to the Stavvy blog.
Lynne Tucker Chandler, mortgage industry expert and Ginnie Mae’s Digital Collateral Program Director, joins Stavvy’s Finside ChatsⓇ podcast to discuss the benefits and obstacles of digital mortgage closing and eNote. Looking ahead, Lynne believes the mortgage industry has been waiting for the federal government to step into the digital mortgage closing space, and now that they have, adoption is sure to follow.
For quotes, links, and additional insights, head over to the Stavvy blog.
A year after making remote online notarization (RON) permanent in New Hampshire, industry leaders remain cautious.
Carol Willoughby, VP, Regional Underwriting Director for First American Title Insurance Company, and Roselyn Langianese, President of Summit Title, join Stavvy’s Finside Chats podcast to discuss the hesitation around RON adoption in New Hampshire and how widespread education of its benefits is instrumental in driving adoption and sustainable change in the industry.
For quotes, links, and additional insights, head over to the Stavvy blog.
In the wake of the FHFA announcement that attorney opinion letters will be accepted in place of title insurance, professionals are concerned about what this will mean for the mortgage industry. Diane Tomb, CEO of ALTA, joins Stavvy’s Finside Chats podcast to share her perspective on attorney opinion letters, the potential risks for lenders and consumers, and why title insurance is still the best option for homebuyers.
For quotes, links, and additional insights, head over to the Stavvy blog.
Much innovation has happened in the title industry, with more on the horizon. From eClosing adoption to RON state legislation and momentum on the SECURE Notarization Act, the title industry has seen success in embracing title insurance technology and policy. What can we learn from an industry challenging the status quo with no holds barred? Steve Gottheim, General Counsel for the American Land Title Association (ALTA), joins Stavvy’s Finside Chats podcast to debunk title insurance technology myths and share lessons in innovation that are sure to inspire every listener.
For quotes, links, and additional insights, head over to the Stavvy blog.
Today, paper is coming into question, and digital mortgages are gaining traction and becoming the preferred option for leading lenders, title agents, and customers. Simon Moir, Vice President and Segment Leader at Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions, joins Stavvy’s Finside Chats podcast to discuss the hesitations around eNote adoption and how the mortgage industry can get more comfortable embracing change.
For quotes, links, and additional insights, head over to the Stavvy blog.
Consumers are now demanding digital loan origination options. Justin Perry, Senior Loan Officer at Loan Depot, joins Stavvy's Finside Chats to discuss his experience in loan origination, what buyers are asking for in the changing real estate market, and why digital mortgage technology is the answer to meet demand.
For quotes, links, and additional insights, head over to the Stavvy blog.
Eric Lapin of FormFree advocates for alternative credit data for mortgage lending and explains how direct source data creates inclusivity in the industry on this episode of Finside Chats.
For quotes, links, and additional insights, head over to the Stavvy blog.
While the industry keeps a watchful eye on mortgage rates, other opportunities in the housing market must be addressed. Alexia Smokler, Director of Fair Housing Policy and Programs for the National Association of Realtors, is passionate about closing the fair housing gap with increased access to affordable home loan programs.
At Stavvy, we’re committed to raising awareness and increasing education about homeownership inequalities. Below are helpful resources to learn about fair housing and fair lending. Fair housing and fair lending resources:
- Fair Housing Resources
- FDIC: Fair Lending Resource Center
- NAR Course - Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing
- National Fair Housing Training Academy: Basics of Fair Housing Resources
- The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
- NAR News & Commentary: Repairers of the Breach
- Fairhaven: A Fair Housing Simulation
- 4 Hot Button Topics in the Mortgage, Fintech, and Real Estate Industries
- Creating Housing and Lending Ecosystems that Drive Change
For quotes, links, and additional insights, head over to the Stavvy blog.
The mortgage industry is known for its vast training systems but lacks formal education, which is a barrier to bringing in new talent from diverse backgrounds. Paul Gigliotti of Axis Lending Academy joins Finside Chats to talk about how his nonprofit works to close the education gap in the mortgage industry to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Read more about what Paul had to say.
Episode Topics and Mentions
Axis Lending Academy
Mortgage industry
Professional development
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Tai Christensen
Amy. Huchthausen
Wellness programs
There are few industries with greater public policy and regulatory implications than housing and lending. Innovators in the industry need more than great products and services -- they need to understand policy, understand the mechanics of regulation, and find common ground with other stakeholders in the space. Chrissi Johnson, founder and CEO of Alinement Advisors, helps organizations do just that.
As the saying goes, the proof is in the... closing. In this episode, Stavvy partner and title & settlement veteran Jim Milinkovich shares how his team is leveraging Stavvy to streamline and expand business across the midwest.
He gained fame in the Boston-area as "The Donut Guy" by hosting the popular "Donut Digest". But by day, Jack O'Donohue is one of the most respected and accomplished real estate closers in New England. In this episode, he joins Kosta to compare notes on the industry's digital transformation (or lack thereof) in an entertaining and informative conversation- including Jack's favorite donut.
Mortgage industry veteran, author and advisor Jim Deitch, Founder of Teraverde Management Advisors joins Josh & Kosta for a pivotal conversation about the mortgage market, barriers to change, and what must take place for the industry to innovate.
Jeremy Potter is always "working on what's next". With that in mind, nobody is more qualified to chat about the future of fintech, and breaking the mold. In this episode, Jeremy joins Josh & Kosta to talk about what's prevented innovation in financial services, and what, and who, is forcing change in the industry.
What is North Carolina doing to set an example for the real estate industry? In this episode Josh & Kosta welcome back Stavvy's Chief Strategy Officer Shane Hartzler to share his experience on this committee and what can be learned & shared with other industry players.
In this episode Josh & Kosta call on York IE's Mark Nolan to share his marketing playbook for startups...
In this episode Kosta & Josh welcome Clayton Collins, Founder & CEO of HW Media to get his download on the real estate fintech market, what makes founders & companies successful, and why so many fail in the unique ecosystem of the housing market.
In this episode Stavvy's Jeremy Potter & Amy Huchthausen welcome Andrew DeGood of Canopy, who offers inspiration, insight and a fresh perspective on "culture"- what it really means in a growing company.
Stavvy's Jeremy Potter connects with the mission-driven founder who shares her family's history in Brooklyn and what motivated her to make homeownership more accessible for everyone.
In this episode Wendy Lee joins Josh & Kosta for an entertaining and informative download, sharing her perspective on how tech can streamline the foreclosure process.
What's Next? That's how Jeremy Potter likes to describe what he does as Stavvy's Head of Legal and Capital Markets. In this episode, Jeremy joins Josh & Kosta to offer his insight into how the real estate industry can effectively manage change while implementing and adapting to new technology.
It's only a matter of time until many homeowners, and lenders must face reality and begin the emotional and difficult process of foreclosure in a post-pandemic world. In this episode, Josh & Kosta sync up with Stavvy's Angel Hernandez, Head of Industry and Regulatory Affairs, to discuss this topic.
Been there. Done that. Over & over & over... Few have accomplished what Kyle York has as a technology executive, entrepreneur and leader of people. Kyle joins Josh & Kosta in this episode to share his journey, advice, and the trends he's seeing unfold in fintech.
The Stavviators team up to discuss takeaways and offer their perspective at the ALTA event in San Antonio...
In this episode two Stavvy execs draw from their previous experiences as we consider some of the key challenges that must be overcome to fully digitize the mortgage process.
Angel Hernandez recently joined Stavvy as our Head of Industry & Regulatory Affairs. With over six years at Ginnie Mae, immersed in eNotes and digital mortgage tools, he is an exceptional addition to our team, helping us navigate the governmental side of the lending equation.
This episode of Finside Chats explores Angel’s experiences at Ginnie Mae, Ginnie Mae’s APM 21-07, and the digitization of government-backed loans.
Jeremy Potter joined the Stavvy team as our Vice President of Legal and Capital Markets in August of 2021. His title hardly does him justice, though, as his experience and vision make him an invaluable resource across our organization.
During this episode of Finside Chats, Josh and Jeremy talk about everything from how technology empowers people to what happens after a residential closing. Plus, consumer data sensitivity, emerging technologies, and fractionalized ownership.
For more compelling content from Jeremy, check out his most recent blog posts on the advantages of digital for loss mitigation and how technology can help even the simplest financial transactions, like opening up a 529 investment account.
Around here, we call Henry Smith, our Director of Implementation and Support, the RON Father for his unrivaled experience and influence in the world of remote online notarization.
Henry joins Kosta on the Finside Chats podcast to chat through what we think is one of the most important advances in law, lending, and real estate happening today and the evolution and significance of RON.
Interested in learning more about RON and its many benefits? Check out our Complete Guide to Remote Online Notarization.
An organization is only as strong and successful as its people, which is why cultivating and supporting a distinctive culture is a top business priority for us here at Stavvy.
Stavvy has grown from 12 people to 80 in the past year. With more on the way, culture has only become that much more important to us. That’s why we sought out a truly exceptional individual to lead the charge as our Chief Impact and Culture Officer—Amy Huchthausen. Amy’s background was far from typical for this position and was the very thing that made her perfect for the job.
Visit our Careers page to learn more about Stavvy’s company values and career opportunities.
Courtney Thompson is the founder of Consigliera. As she puts it, Consigliera is the mortgage industry's go-to consulting firm for people, process, and technology transformation while honoring the human experience. She’s passionate about consumer rights, fair lending, and treating people like humans, not just loan numbers. Before launching her firm, she was a senior executive overseeing loan operations for loss mitigation and default services at Flagstar Bank in Troy, Michigan. That’s where we met her.
Her insights benefit fintech startups and others seeking to drive impactful and sustainable change to the lending sector.
To learn more about Courtney and Consigliera or get in touch, follow her on Linked In or visit her online.
When we decided to launch the Finside Chats podcast, we knew our first guest had to be a star, a real superhero in the mortgage industry. That’s why we immediately reached out to Shant Banosian of Guaranteed Rate.
Shant is an Executive VP of Sales and loan officer at Guaranteed Rate’s Boston office. But he’s not just any loan officer. He’s been the top loan originator in the U.S. since 2018, funding more than $7 billion throughout his career. In 2021, he’s funded over 3,700 loans or $2 billion to date. In other words, he knows a thing or two about the lending business—especially the need for innovation and efficiency.
In our first episode, Kosta and Josh talk to Shant about many things but consistently loop back to the idea that technology is profoundly transforming the mortgage experience for lenders, borrowers, and everyone in between.
To learn more about Shant and Guaranteed Rate or get in touch, visit him online.