Five Star Conference Tackles Housing’s Next Cycle, From Foreclosures to AI
Tuesday’s agenda at the Five Star Conference at the Omni Hotel in Dallas featured exhibits, forums, a leadership roundtable, the the FORCE Rally.
Visitors to the exhibits area in the central thoroughfare outside the ballrooms, experienced product demos and engaged with vendors to cultivate your network. And, they connected with industry leaders that can help build their business to last.
A highlight of the day was The Welcome Luncheon.
Gina Gallutia, Executive Membership Director at the Five Star Institute welcomed the attendees to the luncheon and noted that the conference is now in its 23rd year and that there were several attendees present who have attended more than 20 of the yearly events.
Gallutia also announced the dates for the 2027 conference in September 2027.
“Mark your calendars. We have the dates for Five Star Conference 2027 ready for you. They are September 14-16, 2027, so a little bit more mid-month,” Gallutia announced.
Featured speaker Ed Delgado, Principal, Mortgage Policy Advisors, and Chairman Emeritus, Five Star Global, offered attendees an update on where he sees the economy.
“We are living through an incredibly complex macro environment in modern economic history,” Delgado said.
“On paper, the top line numbers suggest remarkable resilience with the U.S. economy. Consumer spending continues to hold the floor, and unemployment, while creeping up, remains at near historical lows,” Delgado told attendees. “And yet, beneath the surface of this calm surface, I should say, there was an undeniable friction that started to build. Americans are grappling with inflation, high interest rates, and depleting pandemic savings.”
Delgado noted that prospective first-time homebuyers face a dual threat: mortgage rates are hovering in the mid- to high- 6% range and home prices that refuse to drop significantly because of a structural nationwide inventory challenge.
And, he noted the impact of high credit card debt, consumer debt, and student debt.
“Where does that leave us as we look ahead towards 2027? Here’s a couple things that I see,” Delgado said. “One, I think the housing market is going to move through three critical transitions over the next 18 to 24 months. First, at some point in 2027, the lock-in effect will naturally dissipate and eventually resolve entirely. Life has. It’s tough as an economist to measure that, but life happens, right?
“Second, I believe that national home prices will continue to increase and likely stabilize at a modest 2 to 3% annually by next year. That’s actually a bit of a correction.
“Third, and probably the most important data point, is foreclosures will begin to naturally rise, but they will not crash the system. Because of the delinquency trends we are seeing today on government-backed loans, foreclosure inventories just naturally rise. However, because 80% of all U.S. homeowners hold substantial equity in their home. Most of distressed borrowers will be able to sell their home traditionally, rather than lose that property to full cation.”
Delgado said it will be a localized bubble, not a systemic collapse.
New Products, Compliance
With a rise in volume coupled with industry consolidation, they learned about servicing new products, FHA/VA program reforms, and bankruptcy compliance. It delivered practical, real-time insight into AI, regulatory, operational, and litigation risks. It was a must-attend for anyone navigating the ever-evolving landscape of default servicing, plus a can’t-miss-won’t-miss keynote.
The invitation-only Servicer Leadership Roundtable was a private meeting between top servicers and Legal League leadership. Discussions hinged around key areas of improvement and the collaboration needed to provide meaningful solutions. The session was limited to invited servicers and Legal League leadership.
The Investment & Lending Forum brought together senior executives, policymakers, investors, economists, and technology leaders to examine the forces reshaping housing finance and mortgage lending. Through a series of forward-looking discussions, attendees explored the economic trends influencing the market, strategies for expanding sustainable homeownership, the evolving economics of mortgage lending, capital markets and liquidity, enterprise risk management, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence.
The Affordability, Access, and the Future Borrower forum dealt with how housing affordability remains one of the industry’s defining challenges. The discussion explored down payment assistance, alternative credit models, first-time homebuyer programs, manufactured housing, and emerging pathways to sustainable homeownership. Panelists examined how lenders, policymakers, and housing advocates can expand access while managing risk.
• Rukiya Kelly, Global Head of Corporate Impact and Engagement | FICO
• Michael Butchko, VP, Business Intelligence Services, Corporate Strategy and Impact |
NeighborWorks America
• Deanna Turner, Community Lending – Sr. Mortgage Banker | Renasant Bank
• Shawn Yerkes, Group President of Financial Services | Genstone
• Michael Blair, COO | Livegage Inc.
The Economic & Housing Market Update: The Forces Shaping Housing Finance forum featured a data-driven discussion. From interest rates and inflation to housing supply and consumer demand, the economic landscape continues to shape every facet of the mortgage industry. Lading economists and market analysts held a data-driven discussion on the key trends influencing housing finance today and what stakeholders should expect in the months ahead.
Panelists were:
- Daren Blomquist, VP of Market Economics | Auction.com
- Joel Berner, Senior Economist | Realtor.com
- Molly Boesel, Senior Principal Economist | Cotality
- John Comeau, Vice President for Research and Policy Analysis | Council of Federal Home Loan Banks
Capital Flows and Liquidity: Where Investors Are Deploying in 2026 was a forum about evolving market conditions. As market conditions evolve, lenders and servicers face changing sources of liquidity and capital. This panel explored warehouse lending, securitization trends, private-label MBS, MSR valuations, single-family rental, and investor appetite across the mortgage ecosystem. Executives discussed how capital providers are evaluating risk and where opportunities are emerging.
Panelists included:
- Bill Bymel, Founder & CEO | First Lien Capital & First Lien Resolutions
- Michael Merrit, SVP, Head of Mortgage Default and Customer Care |Consumer Specialty Operations | Citizens Bank
- Zach Lemaster, CEO | Rent to Retirement
- Brandon O’Briant, EVP | AssetVal
The forum titled Leadership in a Transforming Mortgage Industry showcased how the mortgage industry continues to navigate rapid technological change, evolving consumer expectations, regulatory uncertainty, and shifting market dynamics. In this executive leadership panel, C-suite leaders from across the housing finance ecosystem shared how they are guiding their organizations through periods of disruption while positioning for long-term growth. Panelists discussed leadership strategies for building resilient teams, fostering innovation, managing organizational change, attracting and retaining talent, and preparing for the next generation of mortgage banking.
The panel included:
- Cheryl Marchant, SVP, Default Operations | Freedom Mortgage
- Jeremy Ray Davis, President of Mortgage | Southern Bancorp Bank
- Eric Mitchell, Chief Revenue Officer | NEXA Lending
- Franco Terango, Chief Executive Officer | Certainty Home Lending
The invitation-only Mortgage Servicing Executive Alliance Fall Member Meeting brought together MSEA members and emerging mortgage leaders for meaningful collaboration, mentorship, and discussion focused on professional growth and the future of the mortgage servicing industry.
The Distressed Asset Management Forum focused on the next cycle that is coming, with new challenges and unique opportunities. Attendees joined expert real estate professionals for two days of bespoke content that uncovered what is coming, how to prepare, and where your next steps should be. Attendees heard from keynote speakers, joined table talks, and learned from panelists about the upcoming niches in the industry.
At the Mortgage Servicing Forum, attendees joined top servicers and attorneys for three powerhouse panels exploring the most pressing legal issues in servicing. With a rise in volume coupled with industry consolidation, they learned about servicing new products, FHA/VA program reforms, and bankruptcy compliance. This series delivered practical, real-time insight into AI, regulatory, operational, and litigation risks.
The packed day ended with the Opening Reception & The Five Star Block Party.
