QRL webinar · September 4, 2026
What happened after one member used DREAM?
Michael Abraham · GLCU and Mortgage Forward
Fred Campobasso · Chief Lending Officer, Great Lakes Credit Union
A conversation with Michael Abraham and Fred Campobasso about the McGoverns’ experience.
One member’s experience; outcomes and program fit vary. Mortgage Forward is a DREAM program partner. Fred also serves on Takara’s advisory board.
Picture enhanced with AI; original audio and timing retained.
Read full transcript
The McGoverns' loan
A conversation with Michael Abraham and Fred Campobasso.
QRL lender webinar / Zoom call, September 4, 2026.
Source excerpt: 00:34:26.900 to 00:35:28.500, continuous original audio.
Michael Abraham: Chief Strategy Officer, Great Lakes Credit Union; President & CEO, Mortgage Forward.
Fred Campobasso: Chief Lending Officer, Great Lakes Credit Union. Fred also serves on Takara's advisory board.
Mortgage Forward is a DREAM program partner.
Context: The discussion describes one member's experience and the participants' assessment of it. Outcomes and program fit vary by member and institution. The full thought includes the qualification that the approach is not for every borrower.
Picture enhanced with AI, including estimated image detail. Original audio and timing retained. Both participants remain visible; this transcript does not assign individual lines to either participant.
Transcript:
So I think from a financial institution perspective on Frank, we got another loan, right? We did the loan on the next property. He also used the additional equity and got a home equity line for some of what was left over, and has probably been the biggest singer of our praises that we could ever ask for ever, and he would have done none of those things without the program. He would have just stayed with what he was doing.
And I think the unlocking of that lock-in effect is really relevant in that specific instance. Like you said, this isn't a one-size-fits-all approach for every single borrower, but for those that would otherwise not do anything, we've generated significant value for the institution, for the member, and really brand recognition now through this as well, which I think is really unique. And it's been a fun story to tell in a lot of different trade publications.
QRL webinar · September 4, 2026
What would implementation take?
Fred Campobasso · Chief Lending Officer, Great Lakes Credit Union
Fred looks back at getting DREAM started at GLCU—and what another credit union could learn from it.
Fred distinguishes his institution’s experience from his retrospective estimate. Timing depends on the institution. Fred also serves on Takara’s advisory board.
Read full transcript
What would implementation take?
Fred Campobasso, Chief Lending Officer, Great Lakes Credit Union.
Also: Takara advisory board member.
Edited QRL webinar excerpt, September 4, 2026.
It took us about 13 months just in discussions and that's on us and that's on me. I'm very slow when it comes to these things and deliberate. The actual implementation, which we were slow, we were very deliberate again, and that took us six weeks. Realistically, looking back, the fact that we were the first, being deliberate is not a bad thing. Realistically, Jonathan, I think an organization could deploy this, internal coordination with accounting and finance, within a couple of weeks with not a significant lift for resource deployment. Is that fair?
Context: Fred distinguishes GLCU's deliberation from its first implementation, then offers his own retrospective estimate for another institution. Timing depends on the institution. The excerpts remain in original chronological order; pauses and repeated setup are shortened.
Unspoken end card: Talk through your rollout. Start with your team, workflow and review requirements. takara.finance/book-a-call. One credit union's experience. Timing depends on the institution.
QRL webinar · September 4, 2026
How does Michael explain DREAM?
Michael Abraham · Chief Executive Officer, Mortgage Forward
Michael Abraham shares how he thinks about DREAM after working with the program.
Michael was GLCU Chief Strategy Officer and Mortgage Forward President & CEO at the recording. Mortgage Forward is a DREAM program partner. Program fit and available benefit depend on the loan and arrangement.
Read full transcript
How does Michael explain DREAM?
Michael Abraham, GLCU Chief Strategy Officer and Mortgage Forward President & CEO at the recording. Mortgage Forward is a DREAM program partner.
QRL webinar, September 4, 2026.
It takes a little bit of time to wrap your mind around it, but what I keep telling people, and to quote Fred here, it's actually much simpler the further you zoom out and understand that all you're really doing is unlocking the economic benefit that's already built into that loan, and instead of taking it from an institution standpoint, you're sharing it back with the rightful owner, which is the borrower.
Context: Michael describes how he thinks about DREAM. This is his explanation of the program, not a guaranteed result for a particular loan. Program fit and available benefit depend on the loan and arrangement.
Unspoken end card: Explore fit for your institution. Talk through the program and your questions. takara.finance/book-a-call.
The Credit Union Connection · March 30, 2026
“People helping people.”
Fred Campobasso · Chief Lending Officer, Great Lakes Credit Union
Fred explains why possible uses of a DREAM benefit toward new financing matter to a credit union’s member mission.
Recorded in the prospective pilot period. These are intended benefits, not a report of later results. Fred also serves on Takara’s advisory board. Eligibility and terms depend on the loan and participating lender.
Read full transcript
Fred Campobasso, Chief Lending Officer, Great Lakes Credit Union
The Credit Union Connection interview, published March 30, 2026.
Context: discussing possible member benefits before the planned DREAM pilot.
On-screen context: Possible uses of a DREAM benefit toward new financing.
Fred Campobasso also serves on Takara’s advisory board.
They can either buy down the rate in some instances or that's a larger down payment for them. It improves their lives in so many ways. I think that's a metric. Is it a true metric? No. But that's why we're here. People helping people.
End card (unspoken): Could DREAM fit your credit union? Start with a briefing on member needs and program fit. Request a briefing: takara.finance/book-a-call. Availability and terms depend on the participating lender and borrower eligibility.
Full source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3gjliOzTl8
Publisher: https://thecreditunionconnection.com/golden-handcuffs-no-more-fred-campobasso-and-jonathan-arad-on-the-dream-program/
QRL webinar · September 4, 2026
Marketing and servicing support
Michael Abraham · President & CEO, Mortgage Forward
Michael describes help from a marketing toolkit and servicing experts as institutions work through the process.
Mortgage Forward is a DREAM program partner. This describes available support in the webinar; the institution’s responsibilities and implementation plan still need to be agreed.
Read full transcript
Michael Abraham | President & CEO, Mortgage Forward
DREAM program partner
QRL webinar, September 4, 2026.
Source 00:25:54.860 to 00:26:06.700, continuous original audio.
Context: Michael describes member-outreach toolkits and servicing expertise available through Mortgage Forward. Support and responsibilities depend on the program arrangement.
We can help you market. Takara has built some really cool toolkits on how to talk to members and ensure that's there. We've got experts on staff at Mortgage Forward from a servicing standpoint to assist with the transaction.
Unspoken end card: Talk through your rollout. Start with your team, workflow and review requirements. takara.finance/book-a-call. Support described by Mortgage Forward. Scope depends on the program arrangement.
QRL webinar · September 4, 2026
Start with member fit
Michael Abraham · President & CEO, Mortgage Forward
“We’re not trying to sell something you don’t need.” Michael puts member value at the center of the conversation.
Mortgage Forward is a DREAM program partner. A new home and its financing still need to fit the household’s budget. Availability and terms vary by participating lender and loan.
Read full transcript
Michael Abraham · President & CEO, Mortgage Forward
Mortgage Forward is a DREAM program partner.
QRL webinar · September 4, 2026
Original recording 18:10.00–18:16.80, continuous audio.
We’re not trying to sell something you don’t need. We are all about member value, member benefit and client benefit as well.
On-screen end card (not speech): Does DREAM fit your members? Start with a conversation about program fit. takara.finance/book-a-call. Through participating lenders. Eligibility and terms vary.
