Lenders are always analyzing automation for parts of the manufacturing process, and industry vet and STRATMOR Senior Advisor Sue Woodard has her thoughts about last week’s MBA conference. “The IMB has always been a barometer for where this industry actually is, not where slide decks say it should be. This year, the signal was unmistakable. The mood is more optimistic than it has been in years, attendance is strong, and conversations have shifted from survival to execution. But that optimism is disciplined. Lenders are encouraged, not complacent, and the challenges in front of us are well understood. What stood out most in conversations across the conference floor was not a single technology, product, or policy headline. It was a shared recognition that the industry is at an inflection point. The next phase will be defined less by bold proclamations and more by focused decisions, thoughtful adoption, and follow-through. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s ‘casts are Sponsored by Cenlar. Cenlar supports lenders and investors with scalable, best-in-class loan servicing built for today’s complex market. From compliance to customer experience, Cenlar helps portfolios perform better, borrowers stay supported, and servicers focus on growth. We’re proud to partner with a true industry leader. Hear an interview with Experian’s Joy Mina and Ken Tromer on how to access reliable income, employment, and asset data upfront in the origination process, enabling more precise prequalification decisions while reducing friction and improving the borrower’s early-stage experience.)