Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO) will incorporate Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) data into two of its credit scores set to launch in Fall 2025. The company, which owns the rights to the market’s most widely adopted consumer credit risk assessment methodology, announced the move on Monday. The change will provide mortgage brokers, loan officers and […]
FICO to add Buy Now, Pay Later data to credit scores Read More »
As of April 2025, the typical U.S. homebuyer’s down payment was $62,468, down roughly 1% on a yearly basis and the first annual decline in nearly two years. That’s according to a new report from Redfin that’s based on an analysis of records across 40 of the most populous U.S. metropolitan areas. In percentage terms,
Down payments shrink as homebuyers scoop up FHA, VA loans Read More »
Mortgage veteran Glenn Stearns is taking a different approach with his latest venture. Kind Lending, a national wholesale mortgage lender and his second brainchild, is built on lean operations and a focus on efficiency — a contrast with his first company, Stearns Lending, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019. “This is not our
How midsize lenders are surviving the mortgage squeeze Read More »
Nonqualified mortgage (non-QM) lender Logan Finance Corp. has launched a new set of loan products designed to serve borrowers who fall outside traditional lending requirements. The “Open Road” product series includes seven mortgage offerings tailored to self-employed individuals, real estate investors and international homebuyers. Logan Finance says the suite is intended to close a growing
Logan Finance launches new product suite for non-QM borrowers Read More »
Amid expectations that interest rate declines may reignite refinance activity, Optimal Blue on Monday launched a new tool that automatically analyzes loan officer portfolios each month to identify recapture opportunities. The tool is designed to ensure loan officers are ready when refinance volume picks up. While refinances declined in May from the prior month, Optimal
With rate locks up, Optimal Blue launches automated refinance tool Read More »
Mortgage applications decreased by 3.9% for the week ending May 30, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). On an unadjusted basis, the index fell 15% during the week marked by the Memorial Day holiday. But economists and loan officers say the year-to-date landscape looks much better. “Mortgage applications decreased over the week,
Mortgage demand dips over holiday but keeps yearly momentum Read More »
Often I am asked questions like, “When should I hire a coach?” or “Is coaching a requirement to become a top producer?” Equally as often I hear originators make statements such as “I can’t afford a coach”. All three questions are great questions and each comes with its own unique yet boilerplate answer. So before
What’s the deal with loan officer coaching? Read More »
As borrower expectations for personalized, timely communication rise, loan officers are turning to AI-powered tools to stay competitive. Intelligent automation is no longer a future vision but a present necessity that helps lenders scale personalization, deepen client relationships, and uncover new opportunities. Ryan Young, founder and CEO of Fello.ai, recently shared how AI is transforming
Fello’s next big move: Bringing AI-powered human touch to the mortgage industry Read More »
Rocket Companies scored a win in a derivative lawsuit alleging insider trading by its primary stakeholder, Rocket Holdings, Inc. (RHI), an entity owned by founder and chairman Dan Gilbert, and its board of directors. The lawsuit stemmed from two complaints, one filed by the Doris Shenwick Trust in November 2021 and another by investor Christopher
Judge dismisses insider trading suit against Rocket’s Dan Gilbert Read More »
U.S. homeowners tapped nearly $25 billion in home equity through second-lien mortgages during the first quarter of 2025 — the largest volume for this period in 17 years, according to the ICE Mortgage Technology‘s newest Mortgage Monitor report. That marks a 22% increase compared to the same quarter last year. The first quarter is typically
Americans tapped $25B in home equity in Q1 2025 Read More »