Mortgage Connects

Joining us for this episode is special guest host Elyse Mitchell, MGIC's Vice President of National Accounts. Elyse interviews Lenny McNeill, Executive Vice President of U.S. Bank Home Mortgage. Lenny has more than 35 years of service in the finance industry and has held executive and senior leadership roles in both banking and mortgage. His knowledge and expertise in sales development, multicultural lending strategies, and implementation allow him to address housing, sustainability and affordability issues on a national level.

In this episode, Lenny shares:

• Why it’s important for companies, organizations and lenders to maintain a diverse perspective when it comes to homeownership and the homebuying process
• How educational initiatives and knowledge of the homebuying process can boost homeownership rates and strengthen communities that have an ethnically diverse footprint
• The importance of staying connected to your community if you truly want to make a difference
• His personal recollection of the time he first perceived himself to be “different” as a Black American – which led to his drive and passion today to be a voice for those who might not have one

Episode breakdown:

• Can you tell me why it’s so important that companies, organizations and lenders maintain a diverse perspective, especially when it comes to the homeownership process? (2:05) 
• Last year, U.S. Bank launched the “U.S. Bank Access Commitment” approach, with an overall focus on increasing homeownership education. Can you tell me more about this commitment and how it’ll help racially diverse communities? (6:08) 
• We talk about solutions to combat the challenge of the lack of homeownership within diverse communities, but what do you think the root of the problem is? (11:39) 
• Let’s narrow the focus a bit more to the Black community. What would you say their biggest struggle to obtaining homeownership is, and what can lenders do to help? (16:34) 
• U.S. Bank is a big supporter of NAMMBA and NAHREP. Why do you think it’s so important for lenders to partner and support organizations that foster diversity and inclusion within mortgage lending? (22:58) 
• I read an interview about when you were 11 years old and your parents were trying to buy a house. You described it as the first time you realized you were different. Share with me how you felt at that time, and how did it inspire you to make a difference to others? (27:40)
• You’ve been quoted as saying, “If you’ve lived, but all you’ve ever done is live, then you really haven’t lived.” What does that mean to you? (37:21)