March 2026 - Page 4 of 6 - Chrisman Commentary

Mar. 12: U/W, LO, sales jobs; AI roadmap, UAD 3.6, repurchase tools; False Claims Act rumors; STRATMOR’s subservicing survey; credit trend interview

Posted on March 12June 4 by Rob Chrisman

I’m sitting here, wondering how many numbers my phone can permanently block given the daily calls I receive about some personal loan I’ve never applied for. Speaking of applications, let’s see what’s in the mailbox. “Rob, are there any jobs out there that you know of that you don’t post in your Commentary?” Kind of: Lenders and vendors add jobs to the Chrisman Job Board which takes just a few minutes and the listing is seen by thousands of mortgage professionals. If you’re looking for your…

Rethinking the Mortgage Point of Sale

Posted on March 12June 4 by Jason Mapes

For years, the mortgage industry has talked about the need for a seamless point-of-sale experience, but the reality on the ground has been more uneven. The largest financial institutions have invested heavily in fully integrated digital platforms that can guide a borrower from application through closing with relatively little friction. Meanwhile, independent mortgage banks, credit unions, and regional lenders have often struggled to deliver the same level of digital convenience while…

Mar. 11: SoFi LO jobs; fraud guard, cap. mkts. data, QC, POS products; PHH & OptiFunder name news; non-Agency product changes

Posted on March 11June 4 by Rob Chrisman

Most passwords that are suggested to me by a computer look like a cat walked over the keyboard. Technology is a two-edged sword. Have you ever heard of “surveillance pricing?” “Big brother” knows a lot about you. Ridesharing companies like Uber, for instance, can charge users more when they have lower battery life on their phone. “Democrats in Pennsylvania have introduced a bill that would stop retailers from changing the price of essential goods and services in a given 24 hour period.”…

Beyond Brokers and Branches: Building the Mortgage Model of Tomorrow

Posted on March 11June 4 by Mike Kortas

The mortgage industry has long been defined by a divide between retail and wholesale channels, but that line is blurring. At NEXA, our strategy from the beginning has been rooted in access: access to products, access to flexibility, and access to speed. Traditional retail lending comes with overlays and internal inconsistencies. One underwriter may approve a loan that another denies. That frustration led us to focus on wholesale, where we could operate more efficiently, reduce friction, and…

Data, AI, and the Compliance Crossroads

Posted on March 11June 4 by Wendy Lee

Artificial intelligence has captured much of the mortgage industry’s attention, but the deeper transformation underway is about data. As lenders rethink marketing, servicing, retention, and long-term borrower relationships, responsible consumer data management has become central to both strategy and risk. Every modern initiative, from AI-powered customer engagement to automated servicing workflows, depends on the quality, accessibility, and legality of the underlying data. The institutions…

Friction in Mortgage Lending Isn’t About Technology

Posted on March 10June 4 by Phil Ganz

For years, the mortgage industry has framed “friction” as a technology problem. If the application is faster, if the disclosures are digital, if the underwriting is automated, then the experience must be improving. But friction in mortgage lending is rarely about how quickly someone can e-sign a document. It is about uncertainty. It appears when borrowers do not know what happens next, when a pre-approval arrives without a clear understanding of true cash to close, and when momentum replaces…

Rethinking Mortgage Quality Control for Modern Risk

Posted on March 10June 4 by Sharon Reichhardt

Quality control (QC) has never been the most glamorous part of the mortgage business, but it has always been one of the most important. In a market defined by tightening margins, regulatory scrutiny, and heightened operational risk, QC is no longer just a back-office requirement. It is increasingly becoming a strategic function that protects profitability, safeguards reputations, and ultimately ensures that lenders are producing high-quality loans. At its core, quality control in mortgage…

Mar. 10: AE jobs; BBYS, trigger lead, document generation, AI rollout tools; Pennymac’s Spector on strategy; prediction markets & ratesI

Posted on March 10June 4 by Rob Chrisman

“I saw a man at Walmart with March Madness teeth… He was down to the final four.” Speaking of “4”, TransUnion turned some heads by announcing 99-cent mortgage pricing for VantageScore® 4.0 . While we’re talking about money, President Donald Trump called surging oil costs, which are now at their highest level since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, a “very small price to pay” if the goals of the war are met. Politicians, regarding of party, are never good at cutting costs, and there are…

Mar. 10: AE jobs; BBYS, trigger lead, document generation, AI rollout tools; Pennymac’s Spector on strategy; prediction markets & rates

Posted on March 10 by Rob Chrisman

“I saw a man at Walmart with March Madness teeth… He was down to the final four.” Speaking of “4”, TransUnion turned some heads by […]

An Economy Running on Fewer Legs

Posted on March 10June 4 by Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D.

The U.S. economy right now feels a bit like a bar stool that has lost a few of its legs. As long as the remaining ones hold, everything looks stable enough. But the fewer supports you have, the more vulnerable the whole thing becomes. That is increasingly how the current economic expansion looks. The headlines still show growth, unemployment is relatively low, and consumer spending has not collapsed. Yet beneath those numbers, the economy appears to be relying on a surprisingly small number…