The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) has announced that Laura Escobar, president of Lennar Mortgage, has been nominated to serve as MBA's vice chair for the 2023 membership year.
She is expected to be installed at the association's 109th Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn., in October.
"It is my pleasure to welcome Laura to MBA’s leadership ladder. She is a tireless advocate for mortgage lenders and their customers and is an inspired choice to lead MBA and its members,” said Kristy W. Fercho, 2022 MBA chair, and executive vice president and head of homelending at Wells Fargo. “Her strategic mind, energetic personality, and deep compassion for others will ensure we continue to succeed in our members’ commitment to advancing homeownership and affordable rental housing opportunities nationwide.”
Escobar is a 35-year real estate finance industry veteran who has held leadership positions with both bank-owned and independent mortgage companies overseeing all aspects of mortgage banking. Since 2018, she has been president of Lennar Mortgage, a subsidiary of Lennar Corp., leading a team of more than 1,100 associates in 34 locations across 20 states.
Escobar joined Lennar Mortgage in 2002 as branch manager; in 2004, she was promoted to senior vice president managing the eastern region; and in 2016, she became executive vice president, overseeing operations and production of the company's Builder Division.
Escobar serves on several advisory boards and committees, including MBA’s 2021-22 Board of Directors, as co-chair of MBA’s IMB Executive Council, and as vice chair of the Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA). She is also a member of the MORPAC Steering Committee; Fannie Mae AHAC; Freddie Mac Advisory Board; NAHREP; NAMMBA Visionary Ambassador; and United Way’s chapter — Women United.
Escobar, whom the MBA said is passionate about “paying it forward,” is on the MBA Opens Doors Foundation’s Board of Directors and is active in her local community in South Florida, showing support and volunteering through organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. She is also a licensed mental health counselor and devotes much of her time working with underprivileged women and minorities.
