April 15… Tax Day. “Donald Trump is introducing a 30 percent tax on shredded cheese. It's part of his plan to Make America Grate Again.” Plenty of people were, no doubt, working on their federal taxes last night, as well as state income taxes although nine states don’t have income tax and others, like Mississippi and Oklahoma, are seeking to eliminate it altogether. Some of those working on their taxes could very well have bought or refinanced a home last month. According to Curinos’ proprietary application index, March 2026 funded mortgage volume increased 35 percent y-o-y and increased 30 percent m-o-m. How did your company stack up? Curinos calculates that refinance and purchase rates were 5-6 basis points lower m-o-m and about 73 basis points y-o-y. (Curinos sources a statistically significant data set directly from lenders to produce these benchmark figures and drills into this data further here.) (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s ‘casts are Sponsored by Truework. Replace costly, error-prone verification waterfalls with a single, fully automated VOIE solution that delivers faster, more accurate, GSE-ready reports. So, your team can close more loans with less effort and lower cost. Today’s has an interview with Evergreen Home Loans’ Tamra Rieger on leadership, building teams, and winning business in the current rate environment.)
Employment and transitions
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Fresh off $127M in funding on month 3 with LenderLTD… and we’re just getting started. All 9 of our Account Executives, and 90 percent of our broker partners, are based east of Missouri. Which means one thing: The West is wide open. If you’re an AE or Sales Manager with a team, ready to step into open territory and actually take market share, this is your window. Aggressive pricing. Ruthless execution. Deals don’t stall… they close. $127M on month three with 9 AEs. The scoreboard doesn’t lie. Above-market AE comp. No Conv./Gov overlays. And obviously, you'll ramp up fast. Interested? Contact Thomas Michel.
The Chrisman Job Board is the go-to platform for employment opportunities across the mortgage industry. For employers, adding a job listing is easy. Simply create an account and drop in your existing application link, or forward the details to our team and we’ll take care of it for you. For job seekers, joining our Talent Community is completely free. Upload your resume to be visible to hiring companies across the industry and stay connected to new opportunities as they go live.
Products, services, and software for brokers and lenders
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Missed milestones. Late valuations. Files are stuck between teams and third-party providers. Sound familiar? Default servicing depends on a network of third parties, but most organizations still rely on emails, status calls, and manually accessing provider systems for data entry and status updates to keep things moving. The result: delays, rework, and growing operational risk. In our latest blog, "Stop Managing Service Providers. Start Orchestrating Outcomes," Clarifire challenges conventional wisdom, arguing the issue isn't provider performance, but what happens when workflow breaks at the boundary between your team and your outside partners. The blog outlines how a workflow orchestration approach brings structure, visibility, and control across the entire default lifecycle, not just the parts your internal team touches. If you're feeling the strain of manual efforts and managing service providers to keep timelines intact, this blog is worth reading.
Think the weather constantly changes? So does the mortgage finance industry! But one constant is MGIC. You can depend on MGIC to show up as a trusted partner, invested in your success, helping you close more loans and manage risk. For nearly 70 years, MGIC has been steadfast in our unmatched integrity and commitment to customers. Turn to the original mortgage insurance provider for insightful guidance and forward-thinking MI solutions in all kinds of market cycles. Market tested. Industry trusted. Authentically
MGIC. Check out more reasons to partner with MGIC.
Servicers today need to be able to manage their portfolios with precision, speed, and confidence. That’s why ICE is focusing on the continued modernization of the MSP loan servicing system. As announced in February, the enhanced user experience in MSP brings simplified navigation and streamlined workflows to users and is a part of ICE’s long-term product roadmap that supports servicers in pursuit of a critical business goal: increased productivity. Vice President of Product Management Matt Dowd spoke with MBA’s Adam DeSanctis about how ICE is continuing to enhance MSP to reduce manual work for back-office teams so they can get more done in less time. Listen to the interview to learn more.
Richey May’s 2025 HMDA Dashboard is now available, transforming the latest Home Mortgage Disclosure Act dataset into an interactive experience built specifically for mortgage lenders. Our team has refined the raw data and organized it into a dynamic platform that allows you to explore origination activity across markets, competitors, and loan characteristics with clarity and precision. New this year, we are offering a Premium HMDA Dashboard, including enhanced capabilities, including benchmarking against other lenders, more loan types, prior year data, year-over-year industry trend insights, and enhanced lender search. Access the dashboard today and start exploring the data that drives decisions! Contact info@richeymay.com with any questions.
What are top-performing mortgage companies doing differently with their CRM right now? After speaking with more than 20 lenders Usherpa partners with, a clear pattern is emerging: Those getting the most from their CRM are seeing 25 percent+ YoY growth, with 20 percent+ of volume from repeat business. Email engagement exceeds 70 percent+ in key segments, and loans are closing today from relationships built 5–10+ years ago. But here’s what stood out most. These results are not coming from more time in the system. Loan officers are responding to alerts, automation, and timely prompts that guide daily activity and prioritize exactly who to engage next. Usherpa is built to surface these opportunities directly to your fingertips. If your CRM is not doing that, what is it doing? It may be worth a conversation. Is your CRM driving action, or just tracking it?
The Chrisman Marketplace is a centralized hub for vendors and service providers across the mortgage industry to be viewed by lenders in a very cost-effective manner. We’re adding new providers daily, so check back often to see what’s new. To reserve your place or learn more, contact us at info@chrismancommentary.com.
Wholesale and correspondent product news
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“What if you could scale your non-QM without hiring? ClearEdge Lending Non-Delegated gives your organization full banker margins, complete brand control, while we handle credit risk, deal desk support, and same-day scenario answers on non-delegated non-QM. No broker comp constraints. Close and fund under your name and leverage our underwriting, processing, and capital markets infrastructure without adding headcount. Non-QM flexibility. Aggressive pricing. Don’t forget to ask us about the superior pricing versus brokering loans. Let’s talk about your non-delegated strategy. Contact Matt Shaw or visit ClearEdge Lending.”
“With Symmetry, there are no condo questionnaires or condo docs… ever. We only require the master insurance policy, making approvals faster and easier for you and your borrowers. You can even use a Symmetry HELOC to purchase a condo without a condo review or place it in 2nd lien behind an existing first. Highlights include up to 89.99 percent CLTV for primary residence 2nd liens up to 500k, 1st lien HELOCs up to $1M (75 percent LTV, primary residence, 720+ mid FICO), no pricing add-ons for property type, and fast reliable approvals. Give us a call! Symmetry Lending.”
DSCR lending is booming. Can your valuation partner keep up? Investor-driven lending is surging, and DSCR loans are leading the charge. But as volume rises, so do the challenges, especially when it comes to getting expedient, high-quality appraisals. Service 1st, a Covius solution, helps lenders navigate the complexity of DSCR with appraisals built for income-based lending. While the process may look standard, the difference is in the execution. Service 1st delivers a flexible, hands-on approach, customizing workflows, responding quickly to lender feedback, and resolving rental income-related questions without delays. In a market where speed, accuracy, and confidence matter more than ever, Service1st gives DSCR lenders the edge. Ready to scale your DSCR business with fewer valuation headaches? Think Service 1st. Learn more.
In-person events through 2026 and into 2027
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A good place for longer term conference planning and for organizers to post their events is to start is here for in-person events in the future. Book those flights in advance… they’re not cheap and going up given the war in the Middle East. Lenders and vendors are casting a critical eye on ROI (return on investment) given how much it costs to send an individual thousands of miles away, week after week.
The inaugural THX Spring Summit is coming up April 16 in Westlake, Dallas. The Housing Exchange is a collaborative, closed-door gathering of industry leaders from across housing finance (attorneys, investors, servicers, and brokers) for a high-impact, exclusive day of candid dialogue, expert insights, and truly meaningful connections.
Join the Oregon Mortgage Bankers Association (OMBA) at Conference Room 5300 Meadows Rd. Lake Owego, Thursday, April 16th at 12:00 PM (PDT) for a leadership masterclass with Natalie Overturf, lunch is provided.
There’s the 2026 Forum by Asurity, presented in collaboration with premier sponsor RiskExec, and taking place April 20–22 at The Roosevelt New Orleans. The 2026 Forum brings together leaders in Fair and Responsible Banking, CRA, compliance, and financial crimes for two days of practical, real-world insight. The conference features dynamic panels of regulators, legal experts, and practitioners, along with hands-on sessions covering CRA modernization, fair lending, AI governance, and emerging supervisory priorities. Attendees can earn CRCM and CERP continuing education credits, with CLE credit anticipated pending state approvals. Reserve your place today!
The Texas Women Mortgage Bankers will host their Spring Social, a brunch and panel experience designed to bring women together through shared perspective and real conversation, on Monday, April 27th at the Austin Marriott Downtown in Austin, Texas. This year’s theme, Pass the Crown, centers around the idea that every stage of a career offers something worth sharing and something worth learning. Six women. Three stages. One conversation that changes everything. The discussion will feature three pairs of speakers, each representing a different chapter of the professional journey: early career, mid-career, and the back half. Together, they’ll share lessons learned, challenges faced, and insights that only come with time and experience. TWMB events are known for their authentic energy and sense of community, and our Spring Social promises to be no exception. Registration is open now!
The Texas MBA’s 110th Annual Convention is April 26-28 at the Marriott Austin Downtown, in Austin, Texas: 110th Annual Convention.
The SFH Guaranteed Loan Program Servicing Office is offering their lending partners and loan servicers a free, in-person, Lender Default Servicing training taking place May 4th – 8th at the Charles F. Prevedel Federal Building in St. Louis. The training will offer multiple sessions to provide technical training on Lender Reporting, Loss Mitigation and Loss Claims.
MMBBA invites you to their 2026 Annual Conference, the premier gathering of mortgage professionals from across the state taking place on Tuesday, May 5th in Annapolis. Kick off the conference experience at MMBBA’ exclusive VIP Reception on Monday, May 4th for an opportunity to connect with industry leaders, speakers, and fellow attendees in a more intimate setting before the main event.
Join Acuma on May 11–12th for the FOCALpoint Workshop and experience powerful industry education set against one of the most beautiful cities in the country. This is more than a conference. It is an opportunity to learn, connect, and experience San Diego at its best.
Set Your Course for Growth at NAMB Navigate on Thursday, May 21, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm in Scottsdale, AZ., for a high-impact, one-day experience for mortgage professionals seeking to stay ahead of the market, sharpen their skills, and gain expertise to serve more borrowers
Starting in May, NAMMBA’s OPSCON 2026 is a conference built specifically for underwriting and operations professionals in the mortgage industry. In Dallas, Irvine, and Orlando, the event delivers 1.5 days of high-impact keynotes, interactive breakout sessions, and live technology demonstrations. The agenda focuses on operational excellence, workflow automation, compliance, and leadership strategies. OPSCON 2026 is where mortgage operations teams connect, collaborate, and shape the future of efficiency in housing finance.
May 17-20 is the MBA’s National Secondary in Manhattan. Yes, it will be at the Marriott on Times Square… where else would it be? (Next year: Chicago.) It is a fine event.
Join October Research May 19-21, for the National Settlement Services Summit (NS3). Interact with 50+ exhibitors, participate in tech demos, and discover new solutions designed to give you a competitive edge in today’s market.
From May 31 to June 2, Insellerate is bringing together lenders and vendors in San Juan Capistrano. (Reach out to Josh Friend for details.)
Reverse mortgages create opportunities for professionals who know how to navigate this evolving market. Join NRMLA Western Regional meeting at the Sonesta Irvine Hotel on Tuesday, June 9th from 9-5 for NRMLA's 2026 Western Regional Meeting, a daylong event featuring insightful business development sessions and meaningful networking that will position you for long-term success.
June 14-16 will be the Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association annual conference near Columbus, Ohio.
6/17-6/18 in Honolulu is the MBAH’s annual conference.
August 10-12, the California MBA hosts its fabled Western Secondary, not to be missed.
The Louisiana Mortgage Banker Association’s Annual Conference is August 16th-18th 2026 at the Hilton Capitol Center Downtown Baton Rouge.
In September we have, in Hood River, Oregon, the PNMLC yearly conference from 9/13-9/15 as well as, in Dallas from 9/15-16, the LoanVision Innovation conference. (Watch for details.)
From 9/21-9/23 the NY MBA conference is at the Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady NY, close to the Albany International Airport.
10/4-10/6 in Ypslanti, near Detroit, the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association is having its annual fete.
10/11-10/14 is the 80,000+ mortgage professionals get this every weekday morning.