A report from the front lines of the secondary market.

I’ve just returned from the MBA Secondary show in New York, and I’m pleased to report that it was a bit like a trip to the candy store. An excellent experience! The attendees were operating on all cylinders. This group…

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Posted: May 15 2013
Tags: jumbo, purchase, re-fi, second mortgage, secondary market, secondary marketing conference, servicing
Comments: 2862

I love New York!

Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new acquaintances next week in New York! I will be interested to hear what the good people of the secondary marketing segment are saying about the state of the industry. I’m especially…

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Posted: May 02 2013
Tags: conference, New York City, secondary market
Comments: 3339

Now what?!

Buckle up! We’re in for a few pot holes in the road. Many brokers and bankers have been so busy over the past six months that strategic planning has fallen by the wayside. There’s just been too much volume to…

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Posted: Apr 26 2013
Tags: mortgage broker, mortgage lending, re-fi, strategic planning
Comments: 4642

For mortgage brokers, it’s a question of stayin’ alive…

It ain’t easy being a mortgage broker these days. It seems that brokers unfairly took the brunt of the blame for the subprime mortgage crisis, and they’ve been paying the price ever since. The ongoing regulatory saga concerning loan originator…

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Posted: Apr 18 2013
Tags: LO compensation, mortgage broker, strategic planning, subprime meltdown
Comments: 4295

The warehouse lending world continues to change…

We’ve long known that the mortgage industry is one of cycles. Nothing stands still for very long. Over the past two years, however, it would seem that the traditional cycles have been juggled a bit more with the introduction of…

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Posted: Apr 08 2013
Tags: alliances, mortgage lending, network, sublines, warehouse lending
Comments: 5478

Inside the mind of the reverse mortgage prospect.

Picture this. You are a 75 year old widower and your monthly cash flow from Social Security and a small pension does not allow you to live the life you’re accustomed to living. The home you own, in which you’ve…

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Posted: Mar 26 2013
Tags: borrower, consumer, reverse mortgage
Comments: 3348

New Worry List entry: Increased capital requirements for warehouse lenders.

There was a very good article written for American Banker this week. You can see it here. (registration required) The essence of the piece is summarized in the column’s first paragraph: “When does a warehouse loan become a loan, and…

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Posted: Mar 15 2013
Tags: increased capital requirements, liquidity, mortgage lending, mortgage regulation, warehouse lending
Comments: 3261

Is Henny Penny right this time?

In spite of the improving overall housing market, there are still a number of developments which should have us, as an industry, on our toes. The FHA loan may soon be a very different creature. Refinance volume is falling. And…

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Posted: Feb 25 2013
Tags: FHA, mortgage lending, strategic planning
Comments: 3685

Don’t get too comfortable with the recovery (yet)!

Picture this, if you will… You are on one of your two winter vacations, smoking a wonderful cigar on the ocean-view balcony of your state room. Needless to say, you’re very happy with the world at the moment–especially with your…

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Posted: Feb 07 2013
Tags: Fed, mortgage broker, mortgage lender, rates, strategic planning
Comments: 7960

If you were hoping for a quiet year…

While 2012 was an excellent year for many bankers and brokers, it’s difficult to say what 2013 has in store for the mortgage industry. The recent CFPB definition of “Qualified Mortgage” still has industry pundits debating what impact, if any,…

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Posted: Jan 30 2013
Tags: Basel III, business planning, CFPB, mortgage regulation, QM
Comments: 3110