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Welcome to Thought Leadership, your resource for insights and expertise in the mortgage industry. Explore articles, analyses, and interviews covering the latest trends, regulatory updates, and market dynamics. Whether you're a lender, broker, investor, or industry professional, Chrisman Commentary's Thought Leadership aims to provide the knowledge needed to navigate the evolving mortgage landscape.
Robbie Chrisman
1 day ago2 min read
Why Lenders Should Know the Differences Between Fiscal and Monetary Policy
Fiscal and monetary policies are two key levers that governments and central banks use to manage economic stability, yet they operate in...
Robbie Chrisman
Feb 122 min read
January Prepayment Speeds Decline as Mortgage Rates Remain Elevated
The January prepayment speed report, based on February 2025 data, revealed a notable 14 percent decline in aggregate Fannie Mae 30-year...
Brian S. Levy
Feb 109 min read
Move Fast and Break Things
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg popularized the ‘tech bro-ish’ saying, “ Move fast and break things ”, but it has clearly been adopted by Elon...
Rich Swerbinsky
Feb 102 min read
CFPB Bold Predictions 2025
The CFPB is on pause. Will the Bureau ever return? If not, what will be the ramifications for the industry? I gaze into my crystal ball...
Robbie Chrisman
Feb 72 min read
Mortgage Prepayments Hit New Lows as High Rates Keep Homeowners Locked In
Mortgage prepayment speeds slowed significantly in January, with Fannie Mae’s 30-year mortgage-backed securities seeing a 14 percent drop...
Emily Farley Gardner
Feb 23 min read
Strengthening Homeownership Through Community-Driven Lending
Leveraging Community Roots When the Great Recession hit in 2008, America’s largest banks left a void in mortgage lending – one that...
Rich Swerbinsky
Feb 22 min read
The Old Playbook is Dead – Here’s How Lenders Are Actually Growing
Lenders picking up market share right now aren’t waiting for rates to drop. They’re adapting, innovating, and playing offense while...
Rich Swerbinsky
Jan 272 min read
The Path to Lower Mortgage Rates in 2025: Breaking Down the Myths
Everyone in the mortgage industry seems convinced that 7%+ rates are here to stay for 2025. Here’s why I think they’ve got it wrong. ...
Amanda Tucker
Jan 243 min read
Bridging the Gap: Supporting First-Time Homebuyers in 2025
As we begin 2025, it is imperative to examine how the evolving mortgage market is affecting first-time homebuyers. Historically, this...
Rob Chrisman
Jan 214 min read
Understanding the Calculation of Tangible Net Worth and Adjustable Tangible Net Worth for Mortgage Companies
In the mortgage industry, accurately assessing a company’s financial strength is crucial for both regulatory compliance and effective...
Robbie Chrisman
Jan 214 min read
Economic Challenges Across Income Groups and the Impact on Consumer Spending
In recent years, workers in lower-paid industries have faced significantly tougher economic conditions than their higher-income...
Rob Chrisman
Jan 212 min read
California, Insurance, the Fair Plan, and Money
I would be surprised if those homes in Southern California that have burned have paid enough premiums to insurance companies to cover...
Brian S. Levy
Jan 216 min read
The Spirit of DOGE
Let’s go DOGE! Now that the Inauguration is over ( and Vivek Ramaswamy has apparently resigned ), I owe Elon Musk and the Department of...
Marvin Chang and Jeremy Potter
Jan 145 min read
Beyond the "Innovation Thing.” It’s time to deliver.
As we celebrate Jimmy Carter’s life, thoughts turn to another underappreciated one-termer, George H.W. Bush and infamous “vision” gaffe....
Rob Chrisman
Jan 132 min read
Navigating 2025: Building Success in Uncertain Times
Predicting the future is always a challenge, and no one has the crystal ball to foresee exactly what will happen in 2025, especially when...
Ruth Lee, CMB
Jan 134 min read
Not Just Another AI Hype Train: Agentic AI
Buzzwords are like that random cousin at Thanksgiving—they crash the party, dominate the conversation, and leave you wondering if they're...
Robbie Chrisman
Jan 64 min read
Mortgage Company Strategy 2025: Preparing For the Year Ahead
As we embark on a new year, it’s essential for decision makers at mortgage companies to focus on setting clear goals and aligning...
Rob Chrisman
Jan 64 min read
The Agencies Have Been Recapitalized Somewhat… Now What?
No one expects conventional conforming rates to drop if & when they leave conservatorship which they’ve been in for over 16 years. The...
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