#MBAAnnual22: Kristy Fercho Reflects on Ambitious Year
(MBA Immediate Past Chair Kristy Fercho addresses MBA Annual Convention & Expo Monday.)
NASHVILLE—In her year as 2022 Mortgage Bankers Association Chair, Kristy Fercho oversaw an ambitious agenda aimed at promoting minority homeownership, affordable rental housing and diversity in the real estate finance industry. As she relinquishes that title, she said she was grateful that work will continue.
“It’s been my privilege to lead our efforts to serve you over the past 12 months, and I’m proud of what we accomplished together,” Fercho said here at the MBA Annual Convention & Expo. “Serving you has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. I got to see, in a whole new way, the difference you make. I got to see your heart for the business and the customers you serve. And to be honest, I was floored. I always knew my fellow MBA members did extraordinary things. But I never knew you did so much for so many. You make a difference each and every day – consciously and intentionally and our industry is better for it.”
During her year as MBA Chair, Fercho, Head of Home Lending with Wells Fargo, announced the “Home For All Pledge,” an initiative to promote minority homeownership, affordable rental housing and diversity in our industry. So far, 369 MBA members have signed the pledge.
“I made the Pledge the focal point of my vision for one very specific reason: Minority homeownership, racial equity in housing and diversity aren’t just passions of mine,” Fercho said. “They’re prerequisites for the future success of our industry. The data is clear. The business case is compelling. Everyone here knows it.”
Fercho said it was her intention for the Pledge to be a long-term effort. “When I created the Home For All Pledge, I was intentionally building something that would last long after I left,” she said. “Thanks to you, and your unbelievable commitments, we’re on track to transform our industry, for the benefit of future homeowners, renters and generations to come…When it comes to promoting minority homeownership and diversity, we’re just getting started – and this group of leaders won’t stop anytime soon! What we have set in motion this year will help us thrive for many years to come.”
Fercho expressed her gratitude to “the remarkable membership of the MBA” for their support over the past year.
“I don’t know anyone who’s more committed to their communities,” he said. “I don’t know anyone who does more to build up our country. In the past year alone, we’ve lived through good times and, most recently, bad times. But through it all, your leadership remains. In fact, your leadership grows, because that’s just who you are.”
“It has been my privilege to work side by side with you over the last year,” Fercho added. “I am better for knowing and working with you.”
