TBA Bidding, HELOC, DSCR, CRM, HMDA Analysis, MI Tools; Events Throughout 2026

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.)

Products, Services, and Software for Brokers and Lenders

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

“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

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 MBA “Annual”, this year in Chicago.

On 11/18, in St. Louis, we have the Mortgage Bankers Association of St. Louis annual luncheon, along with other events throughout the year, and on 11/19, in Kansas City, is the annual MBAKC luncheon. (Watch for details.)

The MBA has announced the 2027 IMB Conference, set for 2/25-2/27, once again in Florida, this time in Tampa.

Capital Markets

In today’s volatile mortgage market, speed, precision, and transparency aren’t just advantages, they’re necessities. Join Agile on May 1st at 10AM PT for their webinar on How Agile is Powering the Next Generation of MBS Execution to learn how lenders can modernize TBA and MBS pool execution through automation. Greg Vacura, president of Agile, along with a team of panelists will review how automation is delivering improved price consistency and operational efficiency, while Agile’s enhanced TBA bidding interface delivers customizable usability alongside transparency and execution performance. This webinar will also discuss how centralized, automated systems can effectively eliminate settlement errors and streamline workflows from setup through trade award. Register for the webinar or schedule a meeting with Agile at the upcoming MBA Secondary conference to learn more.

With the possibility of further peace talks, everything lined up unusually well in the mortgage market yesterday: prices improved just enough, at just the right time, to lower borrower rates (by about 0.125 percent) to the lowest closing levels in nearly a month, without causing the usual side effects or trade-offs. The rally was driven by steady price gains and calmer markets, though trading activity has slowed a bit and some uncertainty still lingers. Conditions have been steadily getting better since the volatility in March, and softer inflation data released yesterday eased concerns about near-term pricing pressures.

The March PPI report came in notably better than feared, with headline producer prices rising just 0.5 percent month-over-month versus expectations of 1.2 percent and core PPI increasing a modest 0.1 percent, reinforcing the view that underlying inflation pressures remain relatively contained despite energy-driven volatility. While year-over-year figures still reflect elevated price levels (largely due to energy and airfare costs), the overall report suggests inflation may not be accelerating as aggressively as feared, even as sustained geopolitical tensions cloud the path forward.

Today marks the end of tax season, and tracked individual refunds have come in below earlier expectations at the start of filing season (raise your hand if you like funding international conflicts?). This may act as a slight headwind for near-term consumer demand. Regardless, mortgage applications rose modestly by 1.8 percent last week, driven primarily by a 5 percent increase in refinancing activity, which is up 15 percent from a year ago. Meanwhile, purchase demand remained soft, slipping slightly week-over-week and running below last year’s levels.

We’ve also received April Empire State Manufacturing (optimistic: 11.0 versus 0 expected), March Import Prices (+2.1 percent y-o-y) and Export Prices. Later today brings the April NAHB Housing Market Index, the April Beige Book, some short-duration Treasury auctions, and Fed speak. We begin the day with Agency MBS prices little changed from Tuesday’s close, the 2-year yielding 3.76, and the 10-year yielding 4.27 after closing yesterday at 4.26 percent.