The Construction Lending Podcast

To kick off the new season, we feature a special guest, Dr. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders. Dr. Dietz provides a data-driven review of 2025 and an outlook for 2026. From the impact of interest rates and tariffs to shifting demographics, this episode explores the forces shaping the American dream.

The construction lending world is SHAKING UP! On the latest Construction Lending Podcast, MBA’s John McMullen breaks down the direct advocacy wins that impact construction lending.

Our latest episode of the Construction Lending Podcast is a must-listen featuring industry veteran Mitzi Hutchens! She breaks down the “aha moment” every lender needs to succeed and shares high-value strategies you can use today.

Cory Bearden, Senior Vice President of the Construction Division at Luminate Bank joins the podcast in this captivating episode. Cory shares how he and his team scaled their program from lending in just four states to over 46, a remarkable feat in the lending industry. He also gives us a clear look into how his team has created a buffet of options for borrowers, making new construction and affordable housing more accessible.

US Congressman Sam Liccardo joins this episode to dive into the housing affordability crisis and his bipartisan Housing Supply Act. We talked about why the US is struggling with housing supply, and how ADUs, or backyard homes, could be a game changer, and why new federal support for financing these units could unlock more affordable housing.

Robert Turbeville, Chief Lending Officer at First Federal Bank, shares his journey from his first job doing roofs in Florida to overseeing a vast portfolio of lending divisions, including commercial, residential, SBA, and specialty banking

Dana Solberg from Churchill Mortgage shares her truly unique career journey—from welding to mastering complex construction finance operations.

Want to build a sustainable, customer-centric construction lending program? Sarah Bender from BECU shares her unique journey and blueprint for success, including crucial advice on efficient processes and building strong referrals.

We welcome the USDA to discuss its single-close construction-to-perm loan program—a financing option that promises no down payment, locked-in rates from day one, and immediate saleability

We discuss this and more with Tim Roy and Ron Haynie from the ICBA. Listen to this new episode as we dive into today’s most pressing issues—from navigating thousands of pages of new regulations, to the critical role local banks play in fueling small business, agriculture, and housing development.

We sit down with Zach Ragland, Affordable Lending Manager at Fannie Mae to discuss the game-changing potential of manufactured housing and Fannie Mae’s initiatives to make quality, affordable housing accessible.

The cost of homeowners insurance is increasing, affecting affordability, loan approvals, and the entire home-building process. Veteran freelance editor and writer Deborah Kearns discusses the reasons behind rising premiums and their ripple effects on the housing market.

We had the privilege of hosting Jonathan Lawless, Head of Homeownership at Built Rewards, who shared his wealth of knowledge and experience from over 20 years in the housing industry. In this episode, we explored a myriad of topics relevant to both current housing market challenges and innovative solutions to bridge the gap.

As ADUs now make up to 21% of new housing permits in states like California, they are becoming part of the solution to the housing shortage in every community. This episode uncovers the challenges of financing these construction projects and explores viable solutions and visionary ideas to overcome these hurdles.

We’re exploring the evolution, significance, and future potential of manufactured homes with Chris Nicely , an expert with over 30 years in factory-built housing. We’ll challenge some outdated perceptions, review landmark HUD standards, and uncover how manufactured homes stand up to traditional site-built homes in quality and appreciation