In this episode of Road to Close, Paul Apostolakis sits down inside the Clear2 Mortgage Sprinter studio with one of the most influential leaders in the mortgage industry: Brian Vieaux, CMB — President of MISMO.

MISMO is the digital backbone of the mortgage world, powering everything from DU and LP data to eMortgages, compliance, and the next era of AI-driven lending. Whether you’re a loan officer, lender, broker, tech provider, or real estate professional, you’ve relied on MISMO even if you didn’t realize it.

In this high-impact conversation, Brian breaks down:

• What MISMO actually is and why every mortgage touches MISMO standards

• The new Mortgage Compliance Dataset (MCD) and how it will change state audits and lender workflows

• How AI is transforming lending — and why loan officers who use AI will replace those who don’t

• The dangers of misusing AI tools (including a real example that will shock LOs)

• Why data security and standardization matter more than ever

• The first inning of AI in mortgage lending — and what guardrails the industry must build

• Affordable housing, inventory shortages, and the “3 percent rate lock” trap

• Why portable mortgages, 50-year loans, and next-gen products might emerge

• The real path to helping first-time buyers in today’s market

• Why now may actually be the best time to be in the mortgage business

Brian also shares insights on leadership, technology, industry collaboration, and how MISMO’s small core team leverages hundreds of experts across the country to create standards that move the entire housing finance system forward.

Finally, he joins Paul for three fun rapid-fire questions — including who he’d trade places with for a week and the one thing he’d bring to a deserted island.

This is one of the most informative and forward-looking episodes we’ve ever produced. If you want to understand where the mortgage industry is truly headed, this conversation is required listening.