Weekly Major Moves & Opportunities Update – (12/25/2025)

December 16–23, 2025 – The U.S. mortgage industry saw a flurry of recruiting activity and leadership changes in the past week. From C-suite shakeups at major firms to strategic talent acquisitions and opportunities for growth, here’s an expert recap of the key hiring and recruiting news geared toward loan officers, branch managers, and mortgage executives.

Freddie Mac Names New CEO

Freddie Mac has appointed Kenny M. Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Dec. 17[1]. Smith brings nearly 40 years of financial services experience to the government-sponsored enterprise – including 27 years at Deloitte Consulting – and is expected to leverage his expertise to enhance access to homeownership and rental housing nationwide[2]. He succeeds an interim chief and joins Freddie Mac’s board as the company positions for 2026 and beyond.

Better.com Taps New COO for Growth

Digital lender Better Home & Finance (Better.com) welcomed Barry Feierstein as its new Chief Operating Officer[3]. Feierstein, who has 30-plus years in the industry, is charged with driving strategic growth and operational efficiency as Better scales up its AI-powered mortgage lending platform[4]. CEO Vishal Garg noted that Feierstein’s blend of entrepreneurial spirit and operational discipline strengthens Better’s leadership team heading into the new year[5].

Movement Mortgage Adds East Coast Growth Director

Movement Mortgage expanded its leadership by bringing on Justin Caplan as East Coast Growth Director[6]. A mortgage veteran with three decades of experience, Caplan will lead market expansion efforts while strengthening recruiting and leadership development across the Eastern U.S.[7]. He previously helped Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group broaden its footprint in the Southeast over 12 years[8], experience he now channels into recruiting opportunities and growth for Movement’s branch network. Caplan expressed excitement about joining Movement’s renowned culture and building up its East Coast presence.

Industry Veteran Joins Acra Lending as MD

Seasoned executive Suzy Lindblom (with 40 years in the mortgage business) has landed at Acra Lending as a Managing Director[9]. Lindblom transitioned to Acra after serving as COO at Sierra Pacific Mortgage – a company that closed following an acquisition – and she viewed the move as “a new and exciting opportunity” after Sierra Pacific’s closure[10]. Monday was her first day in the role, where she will help steer Acra’s operations. Lindblom’s extensive resume includes past COO roles at multiple lenders, positioning her to bolster Acra’s team after the industry consolidation.

Talent Recruitment and Expansion Highlights

In addition to these leadership appointments, several companies announced recruiting drives and team expansions aimed at capturing market opportunities:

Pennymac opened a new corporate hub in Texas designed to eventually house 1,800 employees, consolidating its Dallas-area offices. The lender is actively hiring for over 200 positions at the campus as it seeks to attract top mortgage talent amid its growth mode[11]. CEO David Spector noted that Dallas’s business-friendly environment and industry consolidation have created a prime talent pool for Pennymac’s expansion.
Evergreen Home Loans is expanding its footprint nationwide and actively recruiting. The Washington-based lender is hiring branch managers and loan officers as it grows, supported by programs like its Security Plus Seller Guarantee™ to build client trust[12]. To boost its talent acquisition strategy, Evergreen appointed Staci Hardee as its new Talent Outreach Officer, a role dedicated to connecting with mortgage professionals and strengthening industry relationships[13].
The Loan Store attributed its blockbuster growth this year to an aggressive talent strategy. The Arizona wholesale lender doubled its volume by hiring a team of seasoned “samurai” account executives and underwriters from across the industry, enabling it to capture loans that competitors might have missed[14]. This focus on experienced recruits helped The Loan Store quickly climb to the nation’s fourth-largest wholesale mortgage lender[15].
Federal Housing Agencies: On the public sector side, the U.S. Senate confirmed new leadership at key mortgage agencies last week. Frank Cassidy was approved as HUD’s Assistant Secretary (and FHA Commissioner) and Joseph Gormley as President of Ginnie Mae[16]. These confirmations, completed on Dec. 18, install permanent heads at FHA and Ginnie Mae – moves that industry leaders applauded, expecting stable guidance and partnership as housing finance enters 2026.

Bottom Line: The past week’s flurry of hires and expansion initiatives signals that the mortgage industry is gearing up for growth. From major leadership hires at firms like Freddie Mac, Better, and Movement, to creative recruiting strategies at lenders large and small, there are fresh opportunities on the horizon for mortgage professionals as we head into the new year. Staying attuned to these talent shifts can help loan officers, branch managers, and executives spot the next big recruitment trends and career moves in an evolving market.

Sources: Recent industry press releases and news reports[1][4][6][17][11] (December 16–23, 2025)

[1] [2] Freddie Mac appoints Kenny Smith as new CEO

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/kenny-smith-freddie-mac-ceo/

[3] [4] [5] Better names Barry Feierstein as new COO

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/barry-feierstein-better-coo/

[6] [7] [8] Justin Caplan joins Movement Mortgage as growth director

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/movement-mortgage-growth-director/

[9] [10] [17] Suzy Lindblom joins Acra Lending as managing director

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/suzy-lindblom-acra-lending/

[11] Inside Pennymac’s Texas expansion and its push for top mortgage talent

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/pennymac-texas-hiring-growth/

[12] [13] Dec. 22: LO jobs, transitions; broker, HELOC products; loanDepot LO comp case ethics question; dive into data