5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Welcome Reception
 

Join us at the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel to network with fellow industry professionals and meet the FHLB Des Moines mortgage team. Enjoy a variety of food stations, heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages while connecting with peers before the conference. Dinner is on us, so no reservations are necessary. Early conference badge pickup and printing will also be available.

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM

Keynote Speaker

Aron Ralston
In this powerful and inspiring keynote, Aron Ralston, the mountaineer whose extraordinary survival story inspired the film 127 Hours, shares how life’s greatest challenges can become our greatest opportunities for growth. Drawing from the experience of being trapped by an 800-pound boulder and the life-changing decisions that followed, Aron explores the mindset that enabled him to overcome seemingly impossible circumstances.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

10:30 AM – 11:50 AM

BREAKOUT - Artificial Intelligence for Mortgage Professionals: Unlocking the Power of AI

Will Vickers, Arch MI

Mortgage teams at all stages of AI adoption need continued guidance on where AI stands today, how it can help and where it’s headed next. In this keynote, you will learn about a clear, practical overview of AI fundamentals, and its relevance to mortgage lending. Attendees will gain a stronger understanding of how Gen AI tools work, how lenders are applying AI today, and where AI is most likely to impact the industry next. By attending, you’ll leave with practical context to evaluate AI opportunities, understand potential risks and rewards and apply responsible AI thinking within your organization.

10:30 AM – 11:50 AM

BREAKOUT - Influencing without Authority: 4-Step Process to Persuade People and Decisions

Steve Richman, steverichman.com

Have you ever tried to get someone to choose you as their lender, hire you or clean their room, but you didn’t have the power to make them? Join us for a discussion on how to employ a four-step process to persuade people and decisions. It is easy to implement and has proven successful across industries and in personal life.

10:30 AM – 11:50 AM

BREAKOUT - Part 1: Let’s Talk Variable income: What Really Counts & Why Trends Matter
Part 2: Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)

Fran Gallo, Essent

This dynamic two-part training series is designed to build confidence in assessing and documenting variable income for conventional loans. Using real world case studies, we’ll break down how to analyze tips, bonus and overtime income. Participants will also learn why income trends matter and how trend analysis directly affects eligibility and loan quality. The second half of this training will explore how "buy now, pay later" accounts are reported—or not—on credit reports, how lenders view them and their potential impact on debt-to-income (DTI) ratios and overall mortgage qualification.

11:50 AM – 1:00 PM

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

Peer Perspectives
 

Step away from the presentations and join your peers for one of our conference’s most valuable conversations. This interactive networking session brings together your ideas and experiences to exchange best practices with others across our district. Whether you’re looking for fresh perspectives, practical solutions, or new connections, you’ll leave with actionable insights and a stronger network of industry peers.

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

BREAKOUT - Evaluating the Self-Employed Borrower (SEB), Schedule E/K1 - Partnerships & S Corporations

Jeff Platfoot, MGIC

Typically, 1 out of 10 borrowers is self-employed. Take advantage of the opportunity these borrowers represent by learning how to determine their cash flow. Whether you're new to analyzing tax returns or looking for a refresher, you'll gain the critical skills that mortgage teams need - from assistants to underwriters. 

• Highlight personal and business tax return forms and schedules
• Focus on areas of concern that affect income
• Calculate qualifying income
• Percentage of ownership and the impact on required documentation
• Stability of K-1 income by evaluating distributions and/or liquidity

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

BREAKOUT - The Relationship Advantage: How Banks and Credit Unions Win the Modern Mortgage Market

Rich Swerbinsky, Onward & Upward Consulting

The mortgage business is commoditizing fast. The independent mortgage banks (IMB) that dominate the volume tables built their model on transaction velocity, not relationships. That's exactly the lane banks and credit unions can own if they stop competing on the IMB's terms. This talk walks through three structural advantages banks and CUs have that IMBs cannot replicate (full customer relationship, local trust, cross-product economics) and the specific playbook to operationalize each one in 2026.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

BREAKOUT - Test Your MPF Knowledge with Trivia Mafia

Laura Turrittin, FHLB Des Moines and Trivia Mafia

Step into a high-energy trivia session led by Trivia Mafia and FHLB Des Moines' Laura Turrittin, where learning meets friendly competition. Whether you’re a seasoned participant or newer to MPF, this team-based trivia experience offers a fun and collaborative way to deepen your understanding while competing alongside peers. Questions are thoughtfully crafted to reinforce key messages and expand awareness of topics essential to MPF success. Join us for a lively, team-based trivia experience that blends learning and friendly competition and leave with new knowledge and a refreshed perspective.  

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Keynote Speaker

Paul Long
Drawing from his experience answering 80 customer service calls daily and leading teams of thousands for a Fortune 300 company, Paul’s methodology centers on three simple, actionable practices: owning what you can control, breaking cycles through brain pattern interrupts and creating moments that matter.

4:15 PM – 4:30 PM

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Putt Putt and Partnerships
 

Join us for a fun evening at Fat Putter where networking meets friendly competition! Connect with colleagues and peers while enjoying mini golf, great conversation, dinner and the chance to win exciting prizes. Whether you're sinking putts or building new relationships, it's the perfect opportunity to strengthen partnerships in a relaxed and entertaining setting. Transportation will be provided.

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

BREAKOUT - UAD 3.6 Industry Update & Role of AI and Digital Valuations

Mark Walser, Class Valuation

• Update on appraiser readiness and what class is seeing nationwide with appraiser adoption and lender adoption
• What challenges and learnings are being seen with the first wave of UAD 3.6 appraisals – readiness, fees
• Role of AI and digital valuations in automating internal operations workflow and offering alternatives for traditional appraisals

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

BREAKOUT - eNotes, Digital Notes and the Future of Digital Collateral

Rachael Sokolowski, Magnolia Technologies, LLC

As financial institutions continue modernizing lending operations, the industry is moving beyond simple eSignatures toward fully digital loan execution, custody and collateral management. This session provides an overview of eNotes and emerging digital note frameworks, including the legal, operational and technology requirements needed to create, execute, transfer, store, service and pledge digital lending assets.The session explores the growing distinction between traditional residential mortgage eNotes and newer digital notes used for commercial real estate, multifamily, agricultural and HELOC lending. Topics include evolving legal and collateral frameworks, operational controls, eVaults and digital custody models, and Federal Home Loan Bank considerations shaping the future of digital lending and collateral management.

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

BREAKOUT - How Today’s Economy Impacts Homebuyers & Sellers

Vance Edwards, MGIC

The housing market shapes and is shaped by the broader economy. But which economic forces matter most right now, and how are they influencing homebuyers and sellers? This session breaks down the key national and local trends affecting affordability, demand and buyer behavior. You'll gain a clear understanding of today's challenges and, more importantly, where opportunities exist to better guide and support your clients.

• Current economic trends and insights – both nationally and at local level
• Key challenges facing first-time buyers—and how to navigate them
• Actionable opportunities to better serve clients and expand access to homeownership 

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Industry Panel: Mortgage Matters
 

Join representatives from leading bank and credit union trade associations, FHLB Des Moines and the MPF Program for a timely discussion focused on the mortgage business and regulatory developments shaping the industry. Panelists will share perspectives on the current housing policy and regulatory environment, emerging topics of note and potential rulemaking trends for mortgage. In addition, the conversation will reference how these developments relate to the value FHLB members derive from the MPF Program.

Ron Haynie, Senior Vice President, Housing Finance Policy for Independent Community Bankers of America
Peter Benjamin, President of ACUMA
Patrick Sullivan, Executive Vice President, Group Head, Mortgage Partnership Finance^® Program, FHLBank Chicago

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM