HELOC, HOA Lien Monitoring, AI, Developer Platform Tools; Webinars and Training
The gap between where rates are and where households “need them to be” is suppressing labor mobility, distorting retirement decisions, and reshaping expectations about generational wealth building: 56 percent of working Americans have either turned down a job requiring relocation or say they would, and 20 percent have already turned down a job, promotion, or career opportunity because it required moving. LOs will tell you that the attachment to low rates is behavioral, not just financial. Polls show that the majority of homeowners with mortgages would consider moving if they could transfer their current rate, and a portion of those would move immediately. Generational wealth expectations have shifted, with the minority of Americans believing their children will ever be able to afford a home. If you recall, this year’s State of the Union Address did not include proposals for housing construction, zoning reform, first-time buyer credits, or changes to housing finance policy, and this data helps explain why rate drops alone won't be enough. It is hoped that Trump administration moves before the midterms will shift the landscape. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s ‘casts are sponsored by NFTYDoor, the white-label HELOC platform for banks, credit unions, and brokers. Close in zero days with warehouse funding. Power your home equity lending with NFTYDoor. Today’s features an interview with THE David Lykken on transformation in mortgage lending over the past five-plus decades, as well as lessons on leadership.)
Lender and Broker Products, Software, and Services
KIND KWERKS: Our differences, your advantages. Kind is built to solve the deals others walk away from. Lowered LLPAs on second homes and investment properties keep your margins intact. Manual underwriting on FHA, VA, and USDA means a real second look for borrowers who deserve one. No credit score? No problem. Kind underwrites using Non-Traditional Mortgage Credit Reports for FHA, VA, and conventional loans. We handle VA joint loans, temporary buydowns, manufactured housing, high-LTV escrow waivers, and streamlined FHA spot approvals. If you've had a scenario sitting on your desk that didn't fit anywhere like a 580 FICO VA borrower, a non-traditional credit file, an investment property that priced out; there's a good chance Kind can help. Contact your Kind AE today! Not an approved partner? Let’s change that! Join the Kind movement here.
Every lender has a list of things they wish their platform could do, but most are told to wait six months for a tech budget and a custom integration project before any of it gets built. Dark Matter is taking a different route. Its Developer Platform now publishes a downloadable OpenAPI Specification (OAS) file for every API, which means a developer can drop the spec into the AI coding tool of their choice, Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT, or GitHub Copilot, describe what they want to build, and get working integration code back in minutes. This is live and functioning code that compiles on the first try. What used to be a multi-month engineering project becomes a quick conversation. For lenders, the gap between "we wish Empower did this" and "Empower does this" just got a lot smaller. Steve Joyce, Director of Product Management for Empower, breaks down what is in the spec. Read it here.
What do gas station sushi and a mortgage application with no clear next steps have in common? Technically nothing, but both can make people nervous. LenderLogix released a free eGuide, What Today’s Mortgage Borrowers Expect and How AI Is Closing the Gap, looking at what borrowers actually value in the mortgage process: faster answers, clearer guidance, and a loan team that feels informed without being buried in backend work. It also explores how AI can help reduce friction without replacing the human relationship borrowers still want. Download the free eGuide here.
Less back-and-forth. More first-time-right verifications. Truework replaces manual verification waterfalls with a single automated platform, so underwriters, LOs, and ops can cut down the document chasing, conflicting numbers, and last-minute corrections. Lenders see up to 50 percent cost savings on verifications, with faster turn times, higher accuracy, and stronger R&W relief. Trusted by top lenders in the U.S., Truework gives your team verification results they can rely on. Learn more.
Every 90 seconds a new HOA lien is filed somewhere in the U.S. How many are on properties in your portfolio? Clayton’s HOA Lien Monitoring Service alerts servicers to HOA liens in their portfolios and then runs a second check on all properties in HOAs and COAs, just to make sure that the automated search hasn’t missed any liens. When a lien is found, our team gets the latest payoff information from the HOA and checks again to make sure there are no other HOAs or lien-bearing entities on the property. Given what’s at stake, it’s worth asking how we can help. Contact the Clayton team to learn more about Clayton’s HOA Lien Monitoring Service.
NFTYDoor, an end-to-end digital HELOC platform, is now operating as a fully independent company, enabling direct partnerships with wholesale brokers and private label correspondents. Brokers are already active on the new structure, submitting applications and closing loans today with no waiting period, supported by NFTYDoor's combination of AI-powered origination and real people on every loan. Key enhancements include minimum FICO reduced from 640 to 600, maximum CLTV increased from 80 to 90 percent, maximum loan amount increased from $500,000 to $750,000, borrower rates reduced by 100+ bps, increased compensation for partners, and a fully embedded no-cost warehouse line for private label partners. Available exclusively to partners contracting directly with NFTYDoor.
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.
Sponsored Webinars and Training
Climate risk isn't just a future concern; it's impacting the $55+ trillion U.S. housing market now. According to ICE's recent research paper, delinquencies spiked 250 percent after wildfires and severe delinquencies increased 30 percent+ in high-risk flood and hurricane zones over five or more years. Additionally, home price appreciation is slower in higher exposed areas, and rising insurance premiums are increasingly tied to mortgage performance. The question isn't whether climate risk affects your portfolio. It's whether you have the data to act on it. Join ICE Climate experts and Benjamin Keys, Professor of Real Estate and Finance at Wharton School of Business, on Wednesday, June 3 at 10 a.m. ET to explore where geographic stress hotspots are emerging, the importance of climate risk integration in portfolio management and how to use ICE Hazard Watch for portfolio stress testing to turn climate risk challenges into portfolio opportunities. Don’t miss out, register for this upcoming webinar now.
In today’s market, top-producing MLOs are not working harder. They are working smarter with a CEO mindset. Join James Jin, CEO, and top LOs from GMCC as they break down the daily routines and strategies that consistently generate business, strengthen Realtor and builder relationships, and help originators win more deals. Learn how successful loan officers market themselves with purpose, leverage product knowledge to stand out, and take full control of their pipeline and growth strategy. If you want to separate yourself from the competition and build long-term success, this webinar is a must-attend. This Thursday, May 28 at 1:00 PM ET. Register now.
Today is Mortgages with Millennials at 1PM ET, sponsored by Insellerate. Robbie Chrisman and Kristin Messerli are joined by Sosimo Avila for an informative session focused on educating consumers about home buying, mortgage strategy, credit, affordability, and real estate finance through consultations, newsletters, podcasts, and social media content.
Tuesday is a show focused on origination, Mortgage Pros, at 2PM ET.
Lenders One’s Mortgage Matters is tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27, at 2PM ET | 2:00 PM ET. Robbie, Rob, and Tricia Migliazzo will dive into a range of mortgage-related topics, including market trends, interest rate fluctuations, innovative mortgage products, and industry advancements. The panel brings a unique mix of age perspective, expertise, and charisma to the screen, ensuring that the information is not only educational but also entertaining.
Recapture Wars is tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27, at 3PM ET sponsored by Mortgage Solutions Financial. On this brand-new Chrisman Commentary show, Rick Smith, Nolan Turner, Courtney Thompson, and Seth Sprague debut Recapture Wars with a candid discussion on why recapture remains one of mortgage’s most misunderstood challenges. The conversation explores why retention problems often stem from sales and borrower engagement, not servicing alone.
Join Arch MI on Wednesday, May 27th, at 1:00 PM ET for a live webinar that takes a closer look at the mortgage industry outlook, informed by their economic team’s analysis of recent housing and economic data.
The Big Picture is Thursday, May 28, at 3PM ET. Rich Swerbinsky and Rob Chrisman are joined by Varun Krishna of Rocket to discuss the future of mortgage at scale. The conversation explores technology, innovation, and how lenders are adapting to changing borrower expectations and market dynamics.
Last Word is Friday, May 29 at 1PM ET. The weekly roundtable breaks down market signals, agency developments, and where the industry succeeded or failed. The discussion focuses on separating real insight from reaction as the market evolves.
After skipping yesterday due to the holiday, Now Next Later returns next Monday at 1PM ET, sponsored by Relcu. Jeremy Potter and Sasha Stair to discuss leading through volatility in a tech-driven market. The conversation explores rising expectations, AI’s impact, and how leaders balance innovation with execution.
Training is essential for successful mortgage professionals. But when things get busy, you may not have the time for a full webinar or in-person session. That’s why Arch MI introduced their new Micro Learning Library.
There are the National MI, ARCH MI, MGIC, Essent, Radian, and Enact training calendars.
Servicing Smarter in 2026! The latest QC Now webinar offers mortgage servicers clear strategies to address evolving technology and regulatory demands. Industry experts explain how to use data and automation to manage increased volume and complexity, discuss AI’s impact on servicing quality, and outline a practical planning framework for 2026. The webinar features insights from Brock Miller, Director of Business Development at ACES Quality Management, and John Freda, VP of Compliance and Quality Control at Selene Finance. Watch the webinar on demand.
Capital Markets
Despite the difficult/uncertain times (still better than “unprecedented?), last week brought some housing data that has shown signs of stability. Builder sentiment improved in May, returning to pre-war levels, while pending home sales posted their strongest April reading since 2023, evidence that some buyers are gradually adapting to elevated mortgage rates and affordability pressures. Still, lenders, borrowers, and investors are not expecting meaningful near-term relief. Mortgage and bond markets remain heavily influenced by (the now-usual culprits of) geopolitical instability, persistent inflation concerns, elevated energy costs, and a growing acceptance that interest rates may stay “higher for longer,” even if economic growth continues to moderate.
Kevin Warsh took his oath of office as chairman and a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System after the Federal Open Market Committee unanimously selected Warsh as its chairman last week. Investors expect Chair Warsh to prioritize controlling inflation over political pressure for lower interest rates, especially as the Iran war fuels the sharpest inflation surge since 2023 and markets increasingly price in possible rate hikes by year-end. While White House adviser Kevin Hassett believes easing oil prices after a deal in the Middle East could eventually allow rate cuts, the view held amongst many “strategists” is that long-term borrowing costs may remain elevated even if geopolitical tensions cool.
Minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee’s April meeting reinforced the burgeoning view that the Federal Reserve is becoming increasingly cautious about inflation risks, with most policymakers acknowledging that additional rate hikes remain possible if inflation stays persistently above target. While the Fed stopped short of signaling a clear tightening bias, the minutes revealed significant uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook, particularly regarding whether elevated energy prices and tariffs could spill over into broader domestic inflation categories such as housing and labor-intensive services. Markets responded by pushing Treasury yields higher, with the 10-year note climbing alongside oil prices, showing just how closely bond markets remain tied to geopolitical developments and energy-driven inflation expectations. Although crude prices subsequently retreated after reports of potential diplomatic progress between the U.S. and Iran, investors remain skeptical that a durable resolution is near, especially given conflicting messaging surrounding negotiations and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
Data this week is expected to show continued consumer resilience despite higher prices and a less certain job market. Forecasts suggest that nominal spending gains will be almost entirely offset by rising costs, meaning consumer spending is simply keeping pace with inflation rather than expanding. This ongoing inflation is also expected to erode personal income gains, causing real wage growth to remain nearly flat for April. As consumers struggle to absorb these higher prices, it becomes increasingly likely they will need to pull back on discretionary spending in the coming months. On Thursday, April’s new home sales data will be released. Builders continue to rely heavily on incentives, such as mortgage rate buydowns and direct price cuts, to move inventory that sat at an elevated 481k units in March. With mortgage rates firmly entrenched in the mid six percent range, the pace of sales is forecast to decline in April from March. Affordability remains the primary factor keeping inventories elevated; however, builders are also contending with their own rising input and financing costs.
Today’s economic calendar kicked off with the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (registering +0.14 after a previous reading of -0.15), though markets are paying much more attention to reports that the U.S. military carried out “self-defense strikes” targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats around the Strait of Hormuz, hours after President Trump suggested negotiations with Tehran over an interim deal were making progress. Later today brings several housing market indicators including the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index and FHFA House Price Index readings, Consumer Confidence data, and the Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index, followed by Treasury auctions for short-term bills and 2-year notes. We begin the week with Agency MBS prices a touch higher than Friday’s close depending on duration, the 2-year yielding 4.06 percent, and the 10-year yielding 4.50 percent after closing last week at 4.51 percent.