Forum 2024 agenda | Blend
Skip to main content

Agenda

From fireside chats, innovation showcases, to product demos, Forum has a jam-packed agenda with ample time for fun and relaxation.

Day 1

Monday
September 9

Day 2

Tuesday
September 10

Day 3

Wednesday
September 11

Day 4

Thursday
September 12

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Guest Arrivals

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Early Arrivals: Historical Walking Tour

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Opening Reception & Bunker Tour

7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast Buffet

9:00 - 9:05 a.m.

EMCEE Welcome & Housekeeping

Marc White, Product Manager, Blend

9:05 - 10:00 a.m.

Keynote: State of the Union & Product Roadmap

Nima Ghamsari, Head of Blend

Michael Zochowski, President of Valon Mortgage

10:00 - 10:45 a.m.

Executive Panel: Expanding the Role of Bankers into New Frontiers

How tech advancements and comfort with digital solutions are transforming the role of bankers.
Bonni Walker, VP Credit Card Transformation at Citizens Bank
Adam Boyd, EVP at Citizens Bank
Bob Dowell, EVP at Prosperity Bank

10:45 - 11:00 a.m.

Break

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Roundtable discussion: eClose

Discuss how you and your peers are thinking about opportunities and problems with closing through the lens of Borrowers, LOs, Processors, Title Agents, and QC’ers.

Roundtable discussion: Fraud Prevention & IDV

A deep dive into the current challenges and strategies related to fraud prevention and identity verification.

Session sponsored by Alloy.

Roundtable discussion: Retention & Recapture Strategies

Examine effective methods for retaining existing customers and recapturing lost ones.

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Buffet Lunch

1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

Executive Panel: Implementing Digital Closings at Scale

Bank and Credit Union executives share their lessons learned and insights from implementing digital closings within their organizations.
Tom Parrish, Head of Consumer Lending Product at BMO Bank
Chris Saak, VP Product Manager at U.S. Bank
Jeff Puckett, SVP of Originations at Mr.Cooper

2:15 - 4:00 p.m.

Innovation Showcase: Reimagine What’s Possible

Engage with Blend’s product experts on the latest banking innovations Blend has to offer.

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Free time/Customer meetings

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Cocktail Reception & Seated Dinner

Howard’s Creek Lodge

7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast Buffet

9:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks: Forum Day 2

Nima Ghamsari, Head of Blend

9:15- 10:15 a.m.

Executive Panel: Winning the race for Deposits with Blend

Learn how to optimize your deposits growth and win PFI status with a reimagined digital deposit account opening experience.

Erik Wrobel, Head of Product at Blend
Aesha Shah, Head of Design at Blend
Fred Hagerman, Chief Operating Officer at Langley Federal Credit Union
Bhavna Guglani, Chief Digital Officer at Baxter Credit Union

10:15 - 10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Expert Analysis: Strategies to Succeeding in Today’s Economy

Explore the shifting economic landscape and its impact on the housing market, including how Washington’s latest regulatory decisions may influence housing policies and lending strategies.

Garth Graham, Stratmor Group
Douglas G. Duncan, Fannie Mae Chief Economist & SVP

11:15 - 1:00 p.m.

Boxed Lunch & Customer 1:1 meetings

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Afternoon Activities

Join your peers for some fun in the sun. Sign up for one of several recreational activities offered, including: Golf Tournament, Pickleball Tournament, Falconry Class, and Beginners Golf Class.

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Closing Reception & Golf Awards

11:00 a.m.

Guest Departures

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Guest Arrivals

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Early Arrivals: Historical Walking Tour

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Opening Reception & Bunker Tour

7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast Buffet

9:00 - 9:05 a.m.

EMCEE Welcome & Housekeeping

Marc White, Product Manager, Blend

9:05 - 10:00 a.m.

Keynote: State of the Union & Product Roadmap

Nima Ghamsari, Head of Blend

Michael Zochowski, President of Valon Mortgage

10:00 - 10:45 a.m.

Executive Panel: Expanding the Role of Bankers into New Frontiers

How tech advancements and comfort with digital solutions are transforming the role of bankers.
Bonni Walker, VP Credit Card Transformation at Citizens Bank
Adam Boyd, EVP at Citizens Bank
Bob Dowell, EVP at Prosperity Bank

10:45 - 11:00 a.m.

Break

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Roundtable discussion: eClose

Discuss how you and your peers are thinking about opportunities and problems with closing through the lens of Borrowers, LOs, Processors, Title Agents, and QC’ers.

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Roundtable discussion: Fraud Prevention & IDV

A deep dive into the current challenges and strategies related to fraud prevention and identity verification.

Session sponsored by Alloy.

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Roundtable discussion: Retention & Recapture Strategies

Examine effective methods for retaining existing customers and recapturing lost ones.

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Buffet Lunch

1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

Executive Panel: Implementing Digital Closings at Scale

Bank and Credit Union executives share their lessons learned and insights from implementing digital closings within their organizations.
Tom Parrish, Head of Consumer Lending Product at BMO Bank
Chris Saak, VP Product Manager at U.S. Bank
Jeff Puckett, SVP of Originations at Mr.Cooper

2:15 - 4:00 p.m.

Innovation Showcase: Reimagine What’s Possible

Engage with Blend’s product experts on the latest banking innovations Blend has to offer.

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Free time/Customer meetings

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Cocktail Reception & Seated Dinner

Howard’s Creek Lodge

7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast Buffet

9:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks: Forum Day 2

Nima Ghamsari, Head of Blend

9:15- 10:15 a.m.

Executive Panel: Winning the race for Deposits with Blend

Learn how to optimize your deposits growth and win PFI status with a reimagined digital deposit account opening experience.

Erik Wrobel, Head of Product at Blend
Aesha Shah, Head of Design at Blend
Fred Hagerman, Chief Operating Officer at Langley Federal Credit Union
Bhavna Guglani, Chief Digital Officer at Baxter Credit Union

10:15 - 10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Expert Analysis: Strategies to Succeeding in Today’s Economy

Explore the shifting economic landscape and its impact on the housing market, including how Washington’s latest regulatory decisions may influence housing policies and lending strategies.

Garth Graham, Stratmor Group
Douglas G. Duncan, Fannie Mae Chief Economist & SVP

11:15 - 1:00 p.m.

Boxed Lunch & Customer 1:1 meetings

1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Afternoon Activities

Join your peers for some fun in the sun. Sign up for one of several recreational activities offered, including: Golf Tournament, Pickleball Tournament, Falconry Class, and Beginners Golf Class.

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Closing Reception & Golf Awards

11:00 a.m.

Guest Departures

Inside the Forum experience

From fireside chats, innovation showcases, to product demos, Forum 2024 has a jam-packed agenda with ample time for fun and relaxation. Whether it’s a round of golf on The Old White or a tour of a once-classified nuclear bunker, you won’t want to miss this year’s Forum.

Nima Ghamsari, Head of Blend, talking to two men in suits