Last month, members of the Coalition for Home Equity Partnership (CHEP) had a significant presence at the Information Management Network’s (IMN) Home Equity Investment (HEI) and Home Equity Capital Markets Forum in Nashville. As the only conference dedicated exclusively to home equity, this gathering provided an important platform for industry leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of home equity investments, also referred to as shared equity products (SEPs).
CHEP — a collective of companies including Hometap, Point, and Unlock — provides innovative home financing solutions that allow homeowners to access the equity they have built in their homes without taking on additional debt. Throughout the conference, our coalition members participated in several key panels where a variety of important industry topics were addressed. While many valuable insights emerged, two themes stood out as particularly critical to CHEP’s mission: the need for regulatory clarity in the SEP industry and the importance of prioritizing consumer protections and education.
The Growing Need for Regulatory Clarity
As the SEP industry continues to mature, regulatory scrutiny has naturally followed. This theme was prominent during the “C-Level” HEI Origination Plenary, where Jim Riccitelli, CEO of Unlock, addressed why regulators are now taking a closer look at the industry. With capital markets becoming more receptive to home equity investments, regulatory interest has increased significantly. Riccitelli emphasized that proactive education of regulators about how these products work and benefit consumers is crucial for the industry’s continued growth and stability.
The regulatory conversation continued during the panel “Insiders Evaluate Potential Local/Fed Regulation And Consumer Protection & What Is Being Done,” featuring Josh Gaffney, General Counsel at Hometap. Gaffney highlighted how the industry has united through coalitions like CHEP to make meaningful progress on the regulatory front and standardize consumer protections. He advised that operators should build their compliance infrastructure now rather than wait for regulations to be imposed, which demonstrates the industry’s commitment to responsible practices and consumer protections.
Prioritizing Consumer Protection and Education
The second major theme that emerged from the conference was the critical importance of consumer education and protection, starting with the overview panel “What Is Different Today About The HEI & Home Equity Loan Universe.” During this discussion, Jordan Fox, Head of Investor Relations at Point, shared his company’s comprehensive approach to consumer education, highlighting Point’s resources, such as interactive tools and quarterly statements that help homeowners understand their investments and remain informed throughout the relationship.
This focus on education continued with the panel “How Are You Educating The Consumer & Other Market Participants?” where Rachel Keohan, CMO of Hometap, emphasized that homeowner education and transparency have been primary focuses since the company’s inception. Keohan explained that Hometap’s commitment to education extends well beyond the initial investment period and continues throughout the duration of the investment. She showcased the various tools Hometap uses to maintain this ongoing educational relationship, which help build trust and ensure consumers fully understand the nature of their financial arrangement.
Addressing the important issue of inclusivity, the panel “Expanding Your Outreach… Creating Awareness Of Home Equity Products For Underserved Markets” was moderated by Michael Micheletti, CMO of Unlock. Micheletti led an important discussion around reaching diverse consumer groups with appropriate educational materials. This outreach is essential for ensuring that all homeowners, particularly those in traditionally underserved markets, have access to the information they need to make informed decisions about their home equity.
Leading the Way Forward
The strong presence of CHEP members across these interconnected panels demonstrates our coalition’s leadership in addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges. As the SEP sector continues to evolve, CHEP remains committed to promoting responsible practices that benefit homeowners while ensuring the long-term viability of these innovative financial products.
The discussions at this year’s IMN HEI and Home Equity Capital Markets Forum highlighted both the progress we have made and the work that remains ahead. CHEP members look forward to continuing these important conversations and implementing the insights gained as we work together to advance the home equity investment industry.