http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/topic/rob-chrisman Pipeline Press - Rob Chrisman https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-08212026 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:52:30 GMT 6a884894c475e7480d62ac78 Rob Chrisman LOs tell me that they are counseling potential borrowers. “If you’re in the market for a home, focus on the things you can control. Save for your down payment which can be less than 20 percent, but the more you can put down, the less you have to borrow and the lower your monthly payments. Consider your priorities. Can you live further from the city and save a little money? Do you need a fourth bedroom or will three do for now? Understand clearly your ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ and be ready to compromise. Shop around for your mortgage. Don’t just go to your primary bank or get a loan from the credit union your real estate agent recommends. Do the legwork to search for the best mortgage rate you can qualify for. Lower rates aren’t going to fix everything, but it never hurts to get one as low as possible.” (Today’s podcast can be found here. This week’s ‘casts are sponsored by JazzX, the first true end-to-end AI platform built for mortgage. From application to close, JazzX is a new operating model that helps you scale growth, boost productivity, and transform how your team performs. Today’s has an interview with NonQMVerifi’s Danny Flucke on how lenders can make faster, better-supported underwriting decisions without relying on hard-to-obtain CPA letters for non-Agency borrowers.) Lender and Broker Software, Products, and Services Affordability pressure doesn't disappear when the loan closes. It comes back later as repurchase risk. Your borrowers are stretched, leaving less room for errors in the file. Truework, a Checkr company, verifies income, employment, and assets before you close, replacing error-prone processes with fast, automated reports pulled directly from sources. Lenders see up to 50 percent cost savings on verifications, with faster turn times and higher accuracy. Learn more. Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/chrisman https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-08202026 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:43:37 GMT 6a86f54fe03a12bfc5d8b6fd Rob Chrisman Lender and Broker Software, Products, and Services Automating individual tasks isn't the same as transforming mortgage operations. Real efficiency comes from connecting people, policies, systems, and decisions across the entire loan lifecycle. JazzX AI creates a governed intelligence layer that orchestrates work from application through post-close, without replacing your LOS. See how leading lenders are reducing cost per loan and increasing throughput. Book a demo with our team to see JazzX in action. The industry’s most valuable conversations are coming to you. Is your team using a PPE... or building a survival strategy around one? Extra pricing checks. Delayed locks. Manual workarounds. Hopping in and out of the loan. Individually, they seem manageable. Together, they become the way your organization operates. That's the real warning sign. When experienced teams spend more time validating decisions than making them, friction has become process. The Optimal Blue® PPE helps restore what a pricing engine should deliver: trusted real-time pricing, seamless in-loan execution, centralized automation, AI-powered intelligence, and confidence at every step. No more wondering if updates synced correctly. No more workflow detours. No more treating pricing verification like a second job. Just faster execution, stronger control, and better-informed margin decisions across the pipeline. Discover what your team is capable of when the system actually works with you. See the warning signs. Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/chrisman https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-08192026 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:43:49 GMT 6a85a2e98b71f9c9187ca918 Rob Chrisman Everyone is racing to bolt AI onto their lending process. QAwerk's Konstantin Klyagin says most of them are skipping the boring part that actually matters, and it's going to catch up with them. His argument: an AI agent that can't explain its own decisions isn't a shortcut; it's a liability waiting for a regulator to find it. Read on for what separates the lenders who'll survive scrutiny from those who won't. I remember when the cost to produce a loan was less than $11,000, where it is now. (More detail below.) I remember when LOs weren’t insurance counselors, trying to help clients with affordability struggles not even due to interest rates. Yes, I think that we all remember lots of things while collectively we continue to help thousands of borrowers every day. (Today’s podcast can be found here. This week’s ‘casts are sponsored by JazzX, the first true end-to-end AI platform built for mortgage. From application to close, JazzX is a new operating model that helps you scale growth, boost productivity, and transform how your team performs. Today’s has an interview with Polly’s Brandon Story on differentiators among capital markets technology providers.) Lender and Broker Software, Products, and Services What? What’s that you say? Your AML program got away? Finding out during an exam that you didn’t complete your internal AML Risk Assessment or Independent Review shows regulators you can do better! Presenting a current and updated AML Policy, a current Risk Assessment, and ongoing Independent Review are three of the pillars of an effective AML Program and demonstrate to examiners you take protecting against suspicious activity and money laundering seriously. If it’s been 12 to 18 months since your last Independent Review, it’s time to get it scheduled and Firstline Compliance wants to help. We evaluate how your AML program works in practice, identify areas that need attention before an examiner finds them for you, and provide recommendations to strengthen your program. Contact Ashley Bradford or 469-717-4232 to learn more. Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/chrisman https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-08182026 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:52:10 GMT 6a845404e440571de06d7240 Rob Chrisman While Lake Powell and the Colorado River are at their lowest levels ever, and states like Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington are in a drought, would you like a short clip of what they’re experiencing in Hawai’i? So far, the North Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to November 30) has been light, which pleases homeowners, servicers, lenders, and insurance companies. But elsewhere this year’s tornado season showed the continued trend of Tornado Alley shifting eastward and into more populated areas, with Illinois leading all states in tornado activity (220 confirmed tornadoes) and Indiana and Wisconsin also setting record high numbers. The insurance industry is far ahead of the mortgage industry in terms of monitoring damage, and it reports that “Tornado Alley” appears to be shifting from Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas thanks to a warming climate that is moving warmer and more-humid air further north and further east. Mortgage servicers can’t ignore the fact that Illinois’ annual tornado report average was up 45.6 percent in the 2020 to 2025 period than it was in the 2000 to 2025 period; by comparison, in Kansas, the average was down 49 percent in the five-year span compared to the 25-year span. Look for this to impact the value of servicing. (Today’s podcast can be found here. This week’s ‘casts are sponsored by JazzX, the first true end-to-end AI platform built for mortgage. From application to close, JazzX is a new operating model that helps you scale growth, boost productivity, and transform how your team performs. Today’s has an interview with Yardi’s Doug Ressler on affordability-driven housing demand, favoring markets where housing costs, jobs and migration align and challenging lenders and the mortgage industry to rethink traditional paths to homeownership.) Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/chrisman https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-08172026 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:41:27 GMT 6a8301092c0720ae16dae1bb Rob Chrisman Some aren’t a fan of new federal escrow laws. Ten states have sued the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency over new federal rules that would prevent them from enforcing laws requiring national banks to pay homeowners interest on money held in mortgage escrow accounts. Some weren’t fans of 10 percent credit card caps, 50-year mortgages, portable and/or assumable mortgages, but proponents say that the Administration is at least making suggestions. Congress’ effort to boost the nation’s housing supply passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support and became law, although it also left a mountain of paperwork for Washington’s significantly shrunken federal agencies, which are now tasked with turning dozens of new policies into reality. And at this point, from now through election day, we pretty much have Congress on vacation or campaigning to keep their jobs. Are we having fun yet? (Today’s podcast can be found here. This week’s ‘casts are sponsored by JazzX, the first true end-to-end AI platform built for mortgage. From application to close, JazzX is a new operating model that helps you scale growth, boost productivity, and transform how your team performs. Today’s has an interview with Bipartisan Policy Center’s Emma Waters on the shift from legislation to execution now that the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is law, and how quickly its provisions will translate into tangible effects for builders, lenders, local governments, and homebuyers.) Lender and Broker Software, Products, and Services Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/chrisman https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-08142026 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:43:40 GMT 6a7f0d027d551f11ea58805c Rob Chrisman If you think that profit per loan, or gain per unit, is based purely on size, think about this short video. “Profit” can also be a personal measure in terms of income versus expenses. Owning a home is all about having a job and spending less than you earn. Bankrate’s 2025 Wage to Inflation Index revealed that prices rose 23 percent since the start of 2021 while wages were up a cumulative 22 percent. This is why many households feel like they’re falling behind, even if they’re making more money, not even looking at the current prices for gas or steak. For lenders interested in vendor management, return on equity is important, and part of that is making sure third-party providers “talk” to each other. Hearing about that is covered in the monthly Chrisman Demo Day that kicks off August 20, built for people who want to see how new technology actually works, not just hear about it. If you read this newsletter every day, this event is for you. And if you're a technology or service provider interested in participating, reach out to Jake Perkins to learn about the Chrisman Marketplace and member perks. (Today’s podcast can be found here. This week’s ‘casts are sponsored by Optimal Blue. Optimal Blue’s Profitability Center unifies pricing, hedge performance, pipeline activity, profitability, and market intelligence into one personalized dashboard, giving mortgage lenders faster, more complete insights to make better capital markets decisions. Today’s has an interview with UpPayment recipient Tiffany Bauldwin on her first-time homebuyer's journey, including how achieving homeownership has shaped their confidence, future, and long-term financial outlook.) Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/chrisman https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-08132026 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:45:43 GMT 6a7dba516128d903e5763862 Rob Chrisman Innovation, compliance, and affordability were key themes at this week’s Western Secondary. At the state level, for example, Kinder Institute report shows homeowners insurance has become a growing barrier to housing affordability across Texas. As Texas leaders search for ways to rein in soaring homeowner insurance costs, new research suggests premiums are playing an increasingly important role in housing affordability across the state. When homeowners’ insurance is factored into the cost of homeownership, nearly two-thirds of Texas households can no longer afford the median-priced home in their county. Nationwide, condominiums and townhomes have long served as the affordable entry point into homeownership, but rising HOA dues, higher insurance costs, stricter lending requirements, and mortgage rates are making attached homes less attractive to buyers. As affordability erodes, these properties are taking considerably longer to sell than detached homes. (Today’s podcast can be found here. This week’s ‘casts are sponsored by Optimal Blue. Optimal Blue’s Profitability Center unifies pricing, hedge performance, pipeline activity, profitability, and market intelligence into one personalized dashboard, giving mortgage lenders faster, more complete insights to make better capital markets decisions. Today’s has an interview with Hometap's Jeff Glass on the latest and greatest from the home equity space.) Lender and Broker Software, Products, and Services Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/chrisman https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-08122026 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:15:11 GMT 6a7c68de1c1222df5d6923c1 Rob Chrisman One of the panels during this year’s California MBA Western Secondary focused on the ramp up of non-Agency/equity lending. Why has it increased as a portion of the overall residential origination pie? It is attributed to a changing economy and changing borrowers, along with record equity. Add in the high percentage of borrowers who have first-lien mortgage rates below 5 percent (the “lock in effect”). There’s consumer pressure (high debt), equity extraction, the 40 percent of owners don’t have a mortgage, so owners are levering. From Freddie and Fannie’s perspective, the Agencies don’t have an answer for many of these borrowers or scenarios. Any lenders refusing to adapt to these demographics, do so at your own peril. On the housing side of things, Saturday’s Commentary featured “The Missing Principle in Housing Finance” by Marc Biron and Steven Siegel. The article explores how diversifying individual home-price risk could enhance homeowner financial resilience and support safer no- or low-down-payment mortgage lending. Mortgage lenders, loan investors, and other industry participants interested in the concept can contact Marc. (Today’s podcast can be found here. This week’s ‘casts are sponsored by Optimal Blue. Optimal Blue’s Profitability Center unifies pricing, hedge performance, pipeline activity, profitability, and market intelligence into one personalized dashboard, giving mortgage lenders faster, more complete insights to make better capital markets decisions. Today’s has an interview with Angel Oak's Tom Hutchens on the latest from the non-QM space.) Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/chrisman https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-08112026 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:45:49 GMT 6a7b13caa016ba63251b74ca Rob Chrisman What are folks talking about here at the Western Secondary? Small things and big things. There’s a brand-spankin’ new private MI company: Anza. (Contact Melissa Gemma with questions.) Lenders are doing interesting things to help communities: for example, here’s Fairway Independent not leaving a dry eye in the house. That UWM has filed a lawsuit in federal court regarding the Two Harbor/CrossCountry deal is no surprise, although $500 million is attention-grabbing. China unleashes $28 trillion (yeah, with a “t”) capital markets to challenge the United States. We’ve heard about profitability, but volume is also important. According to Curinos proprietary application index, July 2026 funded mortgage volume was flat for the year but was -7 percent M-o-M. The average 30-year conforming retail funded rate in July 2026 was 6.42, 8bps higher than June 2026 and 33bps lower than the same month last year. 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. This week’s ‘casts are sponsored by Optimal Blue. Optimal Blue’s Profitability Center unifies pricing, hedge performance, pipeline activity, profitability, and market intelligence into one personalized dashboard, giving mortgage lenders faster, more complete insights to make better capital markets decisions. Today’s has an interview with Redwerk's Konstantin Klyagin on how AI in mortgage lending must be governed as an entire decision-making system, requiring rigorous testing of data, integrations, permissions, escalation, edge cases, and audit trails.) Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/chrisman https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-08102026 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:42:58 GMT 6a79befc34378d000c4e186c Rob Chrisman Here in the hallways at the Western Secondary in L.A., there isn’t a lot of talk about GSE reform, although this short clip from Sam Valverde, ex-acting president of Ginnie Mae, revisits the subject: The GSE reform trigger nobody's watching closely enough. More of the talk is about 2nd quarter earnings, and I received this note: “Rob, I am a broker in Missouri. Last week there was a lot of news about UWM. All I try to do is help my clients. Why should I care about UWM’s earnings, or write downs on the value of their servicing, or losses on hedges?” Thank you for the note: see below for some perspective originators and others should have on earnings and counterparty relationships. Meanwhile, the California MBA, and national MBA, has a patient strategy: absorb shocks and respond to consumer demand, advocate for continuation of programs and policies, and promote competition in the $2 trillion ’26 market. There is needed regulatory reform to be discussed (“we need better, not more”), as well as seeing the rate lock affect easing. “For sale” inventories are recovering. First time home buyers & low-income borrowers have been disproportionately affected. The MBA has avoided spats with Agency officials. Consumers are safe from abusive trigger leads. (Today’s podcast can be found here. This week’s ‘casts are sponsored by Optimal Blue. Optimal Blue’s Profitability Center unifies pricing, hedge performance, pipeline activity, profitability, and market intelligence into one personalized dashboard, giving mortgage lenders faster, more complete insights to make better capital markets decisions. Today’s has an interview with California MBA’s Paul Gigliotti on the Western Secondary Conference, and cohesive advocacy efforts.) Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/chrisman