In this episode, we discuss cultural elements to consider when identifying a potential closing team, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to determine the inner circle best positioned to bring the companies together. As emotions heighten nearing the closing, we stress the importance of managing employee expectations and concerns to conducting pulse checks and identifying early wins that reflect the bright future of the company.

In this episode, "Third Party Consents – Warehouse Facilities and Regulatory Approvals," hosts Lauren and Brian are pleased to welcome back Steve Smith, along with two partners from Mayer Brown: Krista Cooley and Susannah Schmid. We discuss how best to approach warehouse lenders with respect to the consent process. This discussion includes outreach efforts and what essential points the parties should be prepared to address. Our guests also share some strategies for collaborating with warehouse lenders and other emerging trends regarding legal terms. We conclude the episode by discussing the consent process pertaining to a "change of control" in an equity transaction and obtaining branch office approvals for a platform sale.

In this episode, "Definitive Agreement Terms and Negotiations," hosts Lauren and Brian are joined by Jennifer Fuller and Michael Linger of Houlihan Lokey and Michael Serafini of Mayer Brown. We begin by reminding our listeners of common deal structures prevalent in mortgage M&A and provide an overview of the material terms in the agreements. Our guests from Houlihan Lokey then delve into considerations for originators and servicers, explore how bankers can be helpful if there are sticking points in negotiations, and we conclude the episode by sharing our predictions for the evolving landscape in 2024.