Education Conference

Conference Information

Built for MLOs, this conference delivers practical tools to plan for 2026, grow your business, and stay ahead with key economic and industry insights shaping the year ahead.

2026 MBAKY Conference Booklet – FINAL

Speaker Spotlight: Dr. Michael Fratantoni, Chief Economist, National MBA

Keynote: Dr. Michael Fratantoni, Chief Economist, National MBA

Dr. Michael Fratantoni, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research and Business Development for the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), will be a featured speaker at the Mortgage Bankers Association of Kentucky Education Conference. Dr. Fratantoni leads MBA’s economic research, industry surveys, benchmarking studies, and mortgage origination forecasts, providing critical insights that guide the mortgage finance industry. MBA

In his presentation, he will deliver the “Current State of the Union” for the National MBA and offer an economic outlook for 2026, addressing key trends and challenges shaping the housing finance marketplace. Attendees will gain valuable perspective on macroeconomic conditions, industry dynamics, and emerging issues facing lenders, servicers, and real estate finance professionals in the year ahead. MBA

Speaker Spotlight: Michelle Berman-Mikel, Beyond the Method

Keynote: Michelle Berman-Mikel, Beyond the Method

Topic: Beyond the Algorithm: Building Local Influence That Drives Production

Michelle Berman-Mikel is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, author of The Black Line, and founder of Berman Media PD. She is the creator of Beyond The Method™, a practical framework that teaches Realtors and Loan Officers how to leverage social media as a true business-development and prospecting tool—prioritizing utility over virality to generate consistent, scalable results.

In her keynote, Michelle will challenge traditional social media thinking and show mortgage and real estate professionals how to harness the psychology of connection to build credibility, deepen relationships, and win in their local markets—without chasing algorithms or vanity metrics. Drawing on real-world experience and behavioral insight, her session equips attendees with actionable strategies they can implement immediately to grow influence, trust, and production.

Michelle is also the host of The Coffee & Questions Podcast, where she interviews top leaders and thinkers to uncover the science and strategy behind high performance in business.

Speaker Spotlight: Julie Wink-Huber, Xactus

Keynote: Julie Wink-Huber, Xactus

Topic: The Future of Credit Scoring: What FICO 10T & VantageScore 4.0 Mean for Mortgage Lending

Julie Huber, Executive Vice President of Integrated Sales at Xactus, will deliver a timely and insightful presentation on the new credit scoring models reshaping mortgage lending.

This session will break down FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0, both validated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency for use by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Julie will explain why these models were approved, how they differ from legacy scoring, and what lenders need to understand as implementation moves forward.

Attendees will gain clarity on how trended credit data and alternative data—such as rent and utility payment history—are being used to improve risk assessment, expand credit access, and potentially lower costs across the mortgage ecosystem. Julie will also address the competitive dynamics between the models, operational considerations for lenders, and what these changes mean for borrowers, particularly first-time buyers and those with thin credit files.

This session equips mortgage professionals with the knowledge needed to navigate evolving credit standards with confidence and preparedness.

Speaker Spotlight: Breakout Sessions

Breakout: Will Vickers, Arch MI VP of Technology

This session begins by breaking down what AI really is, why it’s not new, and why it has suddenly become unavoidable across every industry, including mortgage lending. Will demystifies generative AI and GPT technology, translating complex concepts into plain language and real-world application. Attendees will explore practical examples of AI tools currently being used both inside and outside the mortgage industry, with a focus on efficiency, customer engagement, and workflow enhancement.

Equally important, this presentation addresses the risks and responsibilities of AI use—highlighting compliance considerations, ethical guardrails, and potential pitfalls mortgage professionals must understand before adopting these tools. Attendees will leave better equipped to evaluate AI solutions thoughtfully and strategically.

Bonus Takeaway: All attendees will receive access to a custom GPT designed to provide expert, compliant marketing guidance tailored specifically for Loan Officers.

Breakout:Josh Spoonmore, President & Certified Residential Appraiser, and Becky Epperson, Chief Revenue Officer and, Absolute Lending Logistics LLC

Topic: Preparing for the New Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR) – Are You Ready?

Becky Epperson, Chief Revenue Officer, and Josh Sponnamore, President and Certified Residential Appraiser, will lead an in-depth discussion on UAD 3.6, the next evolution of the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report.

This session will provide a practical overview of what’s changing and why it matters for lenders, loan officers, underwriters, and appraisal professionals. Becky and Josh will break down the elimination of property-type specific appraisal forms, the expanded data requirements, and the new report features designed to improve consistency, transparency, and data quality across the appraisal process.

Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how UAD 3.6 impacts appraisal workflows, lender review processes, and overall loan production—helping teams prepare for implementation and minimize disruption while maintaining compliance.

Speaker Spotlight: Eric Levin, Founder of Model Match

Speaker: Eric Levin, Founder of Model Match

Topic: “Unlock Hidden Revenue from Closed Loan Data”

Mortgage and real estate professionals generate vast amounts of data with every closed loan, yet much of that information goes underutilized. This session will explore how closed loan data can be analyzed and applied more effectively to identify better targets, reduce wasted effort, and support measurable revenue growth.

Attendees will learn how market intelligence tools and real-time mortgage and real estate data are being used across organizations—from enterprise leadership to local producers—to improve focus, collaboration, and performance. The discussion will highlight practical ways teams are turning raw data into actionable insight, saving time, and making smarter, more strategic business decisions.

This session is designed to help professionals understand how to transform data into a true competitive advantage in today’s mortgage and real estate markets.

Speaker Spotlight: CareyAnn Cyr, CMG Financial

Keynote: CareyAnn Cyr, CMG Financial

Topic:“Next Level Originator – Building a Business That Wins in Any Market”

Carey Ann Cyr has become a standout force in the Middle Tennessee mortgage community. Originally drawn to Nashville by her passion for music, she soon discovered a new stage—one where her drive, curiosity, and entrepreneurial spirit could flourish. Through dedication to excellence and a relentless commitment to learning, Carey Annhas built one of the most successful mortgage operations in the region.

Today, Carey Ann & My Mortgage Team are recognized as the #1 mortgage team in Tennessee and are consistently ranked among the top producers nationwide. Their success is rooted in deep industry experience, a genuine passion for helping clients secure the home of their dreams, and a service model centered on professionalism, trust, and follow-through. Much of their growth comes from repeat clients and referrals—testament to the team’s consistency, integrity, and commitment to delivering smooth, seamless transactions.

At the heart of their work is a focus on guiding borrowers with clarity, helping them make informed financing decisions that align with both their short- and long‑term financial goals. From payment strategy to equity planning, Carey Ann’s team prides itself on putting the customer first and providing the highest quality mortgage experience possible.

In her session, “Next Level Originator: Building a Business That WINS in Any Market,” Carey Ann shares the core principles, mindset, and systems that have propelled her to national recognition. Attendees will gain practical strategies for thriving through market cycles, elevating client relationships, strengthening personal discipline, and building a resilient business model that stands out regardless of market conditions.

This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the industry’s most accomplished leaders—and walk away with actionable steps to take your business to the next level.