Lennar Mortgage president Escobar nominated for MBA vice chair
The Mortgage Bankers Association announced the nomination of industry veteran Laura Escobar, current president of Lennar Mortgage, as vice chair for its 2023 membership year.
Photo by Miguel Salas
Escobar has held leadership positions with several companies throughout her career, including at both banks and independent mortgage lenders. She has been with Lennar Corp. since 2002, joining its mortgage subsidiary as a branch manager, before a promotion to senior vice president in charge of the Eastern region for the Miami-based lender. Escobar later stepped up to the role of executive vice president of Lennar’s homebuilder division in 2016 before rising to president at Lennar Mortgage, a title she’s held since 2018. Lennar Mortgage’s network includes more than 1,100 associates working across 20 states.
“It is my pleasure to welcome Laura to MBA’s leadership ladder,” said Kristy W. Fercho, the association’s 2022 chair and head of home lending at Wells Fargo, in a press release.
“Her strategic mind, energetic personality and deep compassion for others will ensure we continue to succeed in our members’ commitment to advancing homeownership and affordable rental housing opportunities nationwide,” Fercho added.
Escobar will be installed in October at MBA’s annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The association represents over 2,200 companies involved in real estate finance.
She’ll take on the position in a year when the lending industry is facing increasing headwinds after a prolonged period of record growth, with current origination volumes down 54% year over year. Last month, the Washington, D.C.-based trade group predicted mortgage production will decline 41% from its 2021 level next year, primarily due to slowing refinance activity, which is expected to fall 74%. Meanwhile, other segments of the mortgage industry, particularly servicing, are humming along.
Within MBA, Escobar serves on several advisory boards and committees, including its current board of directors. She also holds the role of co-chair of MBA’s IMB Executive Council and vice chair of the Mortgage Action Alliance, its lobbying arm. Escobar is a director on the board of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation, which provides mortgage and rental payment assistance grants to families nationwide, as well. Outside the organization, she is active on committees at the likes of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America.
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