Outlook for 2027:
High Rates, High Hopes, & High Anxiety

Wolters Kluwer at 28 Liberty Street, New York City
in the Financial District

Thursday, November 5

8:00 am
Breakfast

8:45 am
Welcome and Introductions

  • Rick Sharga, CJ Patrick Company

9 to 10:15 am:
Economic Update and Outlook

  • Mark Palim
  • Odeta Kushi, First American
  • Marina Walsh, Mortgage Bankers Association

10:15 to 10:30 am:
Break

10:30 to 11:30 am
Capital Markets – What to Expect in Today’s Higher Rate Environment

  • Moderator: Simon Moir, Wolters Kluwer
  • Chris Abate, Redwood Trust
  • Matthew Kaiser, Ginnie Mae

11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Mortgage Industry Update/M&A Activity

  • Jennifer Fuller, Houlihan

12:30 to 1:30 pm:
Lunch

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm:
Non-QM: The Future of the Mortgage Industry?

  • Moderator: Chris Whalen, Whalen Global Advisors
  • Jeff Tesch, RCN Capital
  • Bill Bymel, First Lien Capital
  • Chad Smith, Envoy Mortgage
  • Chuck Iverson, Mason-McDuffie Mortgage
  • Eric Bisman, Redwood Trust

1:45 to 2:30 pm:
Ginnie Mae Update

  • Rick Sharga, Moderator, CJ Patrick Company
  • Matthew Kaiser, Ginnie Mae
  • Gregory Keith, Ginnie Mae

2:30 to 3:30 pm:
Elections Have Consequences – The Impact of the 2026 Midterms

  • Moderator: Tim Rood, Impact Capitol
  • Mark McArdle, New Rez
  • Keith Bickel, Bank of America
  • Michelle Rogers, Cooley
  • Justin Wiseman, MBA
  • Rachel Kelley, MBA

3:30 to 3:45 pm:
Break

3:45 to 4:45 pm:
AI in Lending & Servicing – Where We Are Today, and What’s Next?

  • Shashank Shekhar, InstaMortgage

4:45 to 5 pm:
Wrap Up & Plans for the Fall Roundtable