Explore the strategic evolution of Fannie Mae’s FinOps journey, from its 2019 inception using third-party vendors to its current focus on custom-built automation. This session breaks down the “build vs. buy” dilemma, illustrating how maturing governance and a deep understanding of cost drivers eventually favored internal development for enterprise-scale needs. Participants will learn why this choice is a matter of timing rather than a “right vs. wrong” binary, especially within highly regulated environments. We will share critical lessons on the pitfalls of building too early or buying too long, alongside indicators that your organization is ready to pivot. Attendees will walk away with a practical decision framework to align tooling investments with their own FinOps maturity and executive expectations.