2026 Clarity : When The Excuses Stop ft. Eddy Perez

In this episode, we sit down with Eddy Perez, CMB, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM), for a direct and timely conversation about leadership, accountability, and what it will take to win in the mortgage industry as we move toward 2026. This is not a discussion about surviving the market—it’s about eliminating excuses, building durable businesses, and leading with clarity when conditions get harder, not easier.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Eddy oversees all core functions at EPM, including operations, sales, revenue, marketing, compliance, and technology. As co-founder of Equity Prime Mortgage, he has helped build the company into one of the industry’s most respected independent mortgage platforms. EPM has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list, reflecting its sustained growth and operational discipline in an industry defined by cycles and volatility.

Eddy’s career spans nearly every phase of modern mortgage banking. Prior to co-founding EPM in 2008, he operated the top-producing office at Global Mortgage, Inc., gaining firsthand experience in what drives performance at the branch level. That foundation shaped his leadership philosophy: results come from structure, accountability, and people who take ownership of outcomes.

A defining milestone in Eddy’s career was earning the Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation in 2014—one of the most rigorous and respected credentials in the industry. Beyond his company leadership, Eddy plays a significant role in shaping the future of mortgage banking at a national level. He serves as Chairman of MORPAC, sits on the Board of Directors for the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), participates as a panelist in the MBA Future Leaders Program, and is Co-Chair of the MBA Affordable Housing Council, where he helps drive meaningful progress around access, sustainability, and long-term housing solutions.

Eddy has been recognized as one of the industry’s most influential voices, including being named to National Mortgage Professional Magazine’s “40 Most Influential Mortgage Professionals Under 40.” Through his leadership, advocacy, and public commentary—including his ongoing vlog at https://www.eddygperezjr.com—he consistently challenges leaders to confront reality, stop blaming the market, and build organizations that perform regardless of conditions.

In this episode, Eddy shares unfiltered insight on where the industry is headed, what leaders must do now to prepare for the next cycle, and why clarity—not optimism—is the most valuable currency heading into 2026. This conversation is essential for mortgage executives, branch leaders, and originators who are ready to move past excuses and take control of their future.

EPISODE SPONSORS

Polly — https://polly.io
Polly is a capital markets technology platform that helps lenders optimize pricing, manage margin, and execute loans efficiently with real-time accuracy.

Floify — https://floify.com
Floify delivers a borrower-focused point-of-sale solution that simplifies document collection, communication, and workflow from application through closing.

TrueWork — https://truework.com
TrueWork provides fast, secure income and employment verification to reduce friction, improve accuracy, and speed up loan decisions.

FundingShield — https://fundingshield.com
FundingShield protects lenders and borrowers from wire fraud and transaction risk with real-time verification and closing protection technology.