“Where do amputees get prosthetics on a budget? The secondhand store.” Budget, stalemate, and shutdown news continues in Washington DC. The sun still comes up in the morning, and there is news on related issues. For example, thank you to Sean S. who told me that HUD opened the suggestions window for improving the HECM (reverse mortgage) product. The reasons why Treasury and mortgage rates remain elevated despite the shutdown and Fed’s rate cuts will be discussed in the Capital Markets Wrap at 3PM ET, presented by Polly. In other shut down news, “USAA has stepped up for military service members and federal employees impacted by the government shutdown, delivering over $232 million in no-interest loans to about 62,000 members to date. As part of this program, eligible USAA members can apply for a no-interest loan equal to one net paycheck, up to $6,000. USAA has also processed tens of thousands of additional payment relief offers for banking and insurance products.” All the while, lenders and vendors are grappling with market shifts due to lack of economic news, interest rates, regulatory landscape (steady vs. being reactive), consumer behavior, and are participating in industry advocacy at the state or national level, thus giving them a voice. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s are sponsored by Floify, an industry-leading point of sale platform. With Floify’s new Dynamic AI feature, lenders can modify applications with no coding required and rely on AI to autofill key application fields, allowing borrowers to fill out only a few fields relevant to their needs. Hear an interview with Tavant’s Mohammad Rashid on how automation and artificial intelligence will reshape customer experience, streamline operations, and address key lender challenges, positioning technology as the catalyst for modernizing and transforming the mortgage landscape.)
Services, Products, Software, and Tools for Lenders and Brokers
Turns out there’s a science to making a big splash. For the best water bomb, the pros in New Zealand rely on the manu jump, a 45-degree, butt-first dive that’s all about technique, timing, and eliminating wasted motion. Cloudvirga applies the same physics to mortgage lending by giving teams a single, fluid workspace to manage pipelines, tasks, and borrower communication without the clumsy belly-flop of toggling between systems. It’s precision, not brute force, that helps lenders move faster and leave borrowers satisfyingly drenched. To get a sneak peek of Cloudvirga’s new solution focused on team member experience, schedule time with Carissa Orozco at the MBA’s Annual Convention next week.
“Supporting Your Business Is Cenlar’s Business! Cenlar is the nation’s leading mortgage subservicer. But did you know we’re also a commercial bank? Our subservicing platform is built on decades of experience in managing the complexities of mortgage servicing, offering cost-saving solutions through advanced infrastructure, regulatory expertise, customer retention strategies, and innovative AI driven innovation, helping clients grow and deliver long-term value. And, as a commercial bank, we offer scalable liquidity solutions through our Mortgage Purchase Offering. We never compete with our clients but empower them with reliable execution and capital flexibility. Whether selling in bulk, flow, or participations, servicing retained or servicing released, contact us to learn how we can design a program to meet your needs. For information on how we can support mortgage and home equity servicing, please contact Andrew Pohlmann, SVP of Business Development. For information about our Mortgage Purchase Offering, please contact Keith Dyer, VP Mortgage Acquisition.
A 600-pound octopus can squeeze its entire body through a hole the size of a quarter. That kind of flexibility and adaptability are invaluable survival skills… And it’s just as critical in signing solutions. Signer’s Choice is redefining the signing experience by combining the power of technology and the strength of human service to deliver an all-in-one solution that simplifies transactions anytime, anywhere. By joining Signature Closers’ nationwide network of in-person signing professionals with NotaryCam’s online notarization expertise, title companies, lenders and institutions have a seamless waterfall-based signing solution that delivers unmatched flexibility. Backed by Stewart, Signer’s Choice ensures every signing is secure, compliant, and scalable, no matter the complexity. When the signing process is seamless, business moves forward with less friction, more confidence, and stronger client trust. Meet the experts at MBA Annual October 19-22, room Azure 7 Level 4, to discover how Signer’s Choice makes signing simple.
The CFPB’s new rule on Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) took effect October 1st. Mortgage originators and secondary market issuers must now follow strict quality control standards to ensure AVMs are accurate, unbiased, and compliant. Learn more about the final rule here. To help you meet these requirements, Inglet Blair, a QC Ally company, has launched a purpose-built solution designed to safeguard against data manipulation, mitigate conflicts of interest, and streamline random sampling testing and reviews. With our support, you can move forward confidently, knowing your AVM processes align with regulatory standards while protecting your business from risk.
Not all change moves you forward… This one does. The appraisal process hasn’t changed in decades. Now it’s been completely reimagined for the better. Class Valuation’s CVUE program is redefining what’s possible for lenders, delivering dramatic cost savings and faster appraisals, without adding risk. The Class Valuation team will be on the ground at MBA Annual, ready to talk about this industry-changing innovation. Many organizations are already experiencing faster turn times, lower costs, and a more efficient appraisal process. To learn how CVUE can transform your business, book time with us at MBA Annual.
QC doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, with errors popping up faster than your team can smack them down, spreadsheets multiplying, and deadlines slipping further away. AuditGenius by Indecomm changes the game with a smarter, sharper approach to quality control. With pre-fund automation, intuitive workflows, customizable reporting, and interactive dashboards, AuditGenius gives you the visibility and control you have been missing. Instead of reacting to problems, your team can focus on preventing them and turn QC into a driver of improvement rather than a drain on resources. Smarter feedback loops, cleaner data, and deeper loan insights mean fewer surprises, stronger compliance, and a team that stays ahead of the curve. Learn how Indecomm’s modern AuditGenius dashboards are changing the game for QC teams! Register to attend the November 5th webinar, “Dismantling the Risk Delta: Turning QC Dashboards into Operational Clarity and Control."
“Most LOS platforms are stuck in the past, built on outdated tech stacks, patched together over decades and unable to keep pace with today’s lending demands. Blue Sage is different. We’re not the LOS of yesterday. We’re the LOS for today and tomorrow: a true, cloud-native Digital Lending Platform designed from the ground up to deliver speed, flexibility and innovation from point of sale through servicing. At this year’s MBA Annual, stop by our booth to see how Blue Sage helps lenders lower costs, boost productivity and stay ahead in a rapidly changing market. And don’t miss the exclusive sneak peek of our new AI Sales Agent during the Tech Demo at the Hub on Tuesday at 1:30pm PST, a first-of-its-kind, voice- and text-enabled assistant that transforms the way loan officers work. Visit booth 307 and schedule a demo to see the future of mortgage lending in action.”
LO-Specific Tools for Borrower Marketing and Retention
Think your borrower data isn’t saying much? It’s actually telling you who’s ready to refinance. You just need the right tool to listen. Capture℠ from Optimal Blue helps lenders and servicers spot refinance opportunities hiding in plain sight. With rates shifting, now’s the time to reconnect. Capture delivers real-time alerts and borrower-specific pricing straight to your CRM, so your team knows exactly who to reach out to and what to say. No more generic offers or missed chances. Powered by the Optimal Blue® PPE, Capture turns your servicing portfolio into a smart, scalable lead engine that helps you have better conversations and close more deals. Whether your borrowers want to lower payments or tap into equity, you’ll be ready. Want to see how top lenders are making it happen in Q4? Watch Optimal Blue’s Refi Revival session today.
“Tradeshow season is here and Cotality is everywhere you’re going to be! We will be out and about this fall showcasing our Intelligent Marketing Solutions on Araya at multiple events over the next several weeks. We will be conducting onsite demos showcasing how Araya’s the one-stop growth engine for mortgage originators who want to retain their customers and increase the number of loans they close. If you’re attending NAMB National, MBA Annual or AIME Fuse this month, stop by and see how we can help you reduce tech stack costs and increase your productivity. Contact us today to schedule a demo or set some time to meet with us at a show.”
Loan officers don’t lose deals because they can’t close. They lose them because they can’t chase every lead. Imagine never missing a refinance, equity, or credit inquiry opportunity again. That’s the power of Total Expert’s AI Sales Assistant, and we’re bringing it to Sales Mastery, October 14–17 in Dallas. The next 12 months will be won or lost on retention, as big lenders spend millions to poach your borrowers. With AI + Customer Intelligence, we’ll show you how top lenders are protecting and expanding their book of business. Stop by the Total Expert booth to test your skill at the wiffle ball toss, score some swag, and learn how to avoid a slump and put up MVP numbers.
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.
Interview About Credit Trends
Today at 2PM ET, on MortgagePros411, Audrey and Kevin focus on originator’s topics, interviewing Partner’s Credit’s COO Tracey King regarding current developments in credit reporting, changes in pricing, and strategic moves by companies like Montana’s Fair Isaac.
LOs and Baton Passing
Yesterday I received an “MLO VieauxPoint” from Brian Vieaux, CMB, President & COO of FinLocker, Founding ‘Expert’ of MLO Live, soon to be President of MISMO, introducing Ethan Vieaux, Vice President, FinLocker (a new VieauxPoint).
“As I wrap up my time with FinLocker and begin my new chapter as President of MISMO, I’m proud to share that the MLO VieauxPoint weekly segment will continue right here in Chrisman Commentary, just with a new (and improved) Vieaux. Ethan Vieaux, Vice President of Customer Success at FinLocker, is stepping in to carry the column forward. Ethan has spent years working directly with loan officers to help them use technology that strengthens relationships, builds borrower trust, and prepares more first-time buyers for successful homeownership.
“He’s also become a leading voice in applying AI tools to help originators ‘show up’ in smarter, more consistent ways, something every loan officer needs in a market that rewards presence and personalization over pressure and promotion.
“While Ethan will take the lead on MLO VieauxPoint, you’ll still hear from me within the Chrisman Commentary ecosystem as I shift my focus to MISMO’s work in data standards, automation, and interoperability. These efforts will be key to driving efficiency and collaboration across our industry.
“So with that, I’m officially handing the pen to Ethan. His first contribution explores Sora, one of the most innovative AI video tools we’ve seen, and how loan officers can begin using it to create compelling, compliant marketing content in minutes.” Thank you, Brian! #VieauxPoint, and welcome to Ethan.
Capital Markets
New economic data remains limited due to the ongoing government shutdown, however it was announced that September's Consumer Price Index would be released on October 24 to meet the deadline for 2026’s Social Security cost of living adjustment. This means the Federal Reserve will at least have updated inflation data when it meets at the end of the month. This is significant given that some Fed members have expressed hesitation about continuing to ease monetary policy amid concerns that persistently elevated inflation would lead to rising expectations over the longer-term. Current long-term consumer inflation expectations held steady in the latest University of Michigan survey.
The challenge for Fed officials will be determining if changes in prices are driven by one-time tariff induced increases or if they are due to longer run inflationary pressures. For the time being, the market expects a 25-basis points cut at each of the two remaining FOMC meetings this year.
After the U.S. bond market was closed yesterday for the Columbus Day holiday, today’s economic calendar is already underway with the lone data point for the day: NFIB small business optimism for September (98.8, below expectations of 100.5). Aside from some short-duration Treasury auctions, the main event today will be a speech from Fed Chair Powell, which will be delivered alongside vice chair for supervision Bowman and Governor Waller. We begin the trading week with Agency MBS prices are a few ticks (32nds) better than Friday’s close, the 2-year yielding 3.48, and the 10-year yielding 4.02 after closing Friday at 4.05 percent.
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