December 22, 2025
Suzy Lindblom joins Acra Lending as managing director
After serving as Sierra Pacific Mortgage’s chief operating officer for a year, Suzy Lindblom has moved on to Acra Lending, according to her LinkedIn post on Monday morning.Lindblom said that “While it was sad to see Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. close and transition, it ultimately opened a d
S Sarah Wolak
December 22, 2025
Dovenmuehle pay-to-pay plaintiffs win class certification
The judge's order allows potentially thousands of consumers to join the lawsuit against the company, similar to other fights between borrowers and servicers.
A Andrew Martinez
December 22, 2025
Financial firms face rising cyber risks, data challenges
Financial services and insurance firms are facing rising exposure to cyberattacks, fraud and other third-party risks while struggling with poor data quality that is slowing decision-making and artificial intelligence adoption, according to a new global survey from Dun & Bradstreet released earlier t
S Sarah Wolak
December 22, 2025
Using AI to Strengthen Compliance and Efficiency in Property Preservation
Property preservation and field services enter 2026 facing many headwinds. Costs have climbed, volumes have shifted, and stagnant pricing structures have left contractors and preservation vendors absorbing pressure from multiple angles. At the same time, servicers face heightened scrutiny, aging por
D David Wharton
December 22, 2025
Non-prime mortgages support $230.3 million in RMBS
Principal will be distributed pro rata among the senior A1 through A3 certificates, and subordinate bonds will not receive any principal until all senior classes are reduced to zero.
D Donna M. Mitchell
December 22, 2025
Housing inventory sees steepest drop in over two years
The inventory slowdown came as properties sold for 1.6% below asking prices, with some sellers opting to remove their listings altogether, according to Redfin.
S Spencer Lee
December 22, 2025
How Property Preservation Firms Are Realigning for 2026
Property preservation and field services enter 2026 facing many headwinds. Costs have climbed, volumes have shifted, and stagnant pricing structures have left contractors and preservation vendors absorbing pressure from multiple angles. At the same time, servicers face heightened scrutiny, aging por
D David Wharton
December 22, 2025
Non-QM delinquencies rise, but sector looks stable
The number of non-qualifying mortgages (non-QM) that were 30-days past due at the end of November was 1.3% higher than a year ago, according to an analysis released Monday by ratings agency Fitch Ratings.Thirty-day delinquencies averaged 5.9% across the non-QM residential mortgage-backed securities
R Ryan Kingsley
December 22, 2025
Starter homes are making or breaking local housing markets
National home price growth has stabilized in the low single-digit range, according to early estimates of November price trends released last week by title insurance giant First American Financial Corp.Amid a national affordable housing shortage that most analysts measure in the millions of homes, th
R Ryan Kingsley
December 22, 2025
Litigation Trends, FAPA Risks, and the Future of Default Law
Editor’s Note: This interview was conducted on November 21, prior to the Court of Appeals issuing its decision on FAPA and reflects information current at that time. This piece originally appeared in the December 2025 edition of MortgagePoint magazine. Adam J. Friedman is a Managing Partner at the L
D David Wharton
December 22, 2025
How did economists get President Trump's tariffs so wrong?
When President Trump declared ‘liberation day’ back in April economists were quick to predict that increased tariffs would ‘wreck the economy’ leading to a recession, increased inflation, and increased unemployment. Eight months later, tariff revenue is flowing in, GDP is strong, inflation has held
T The Banker Next Door
December 22, 2025
NRMLA urges CFPB not to restrict age-based programs like reverse mortgages
The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) is urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to revise proposed changes to federal fair lending rules, warning that the agency’s approach could undermine reverse mortgages by restricting the permissible use of age in credit progr
S Sarah Wolak
December 22, 2025
Fed Chair Contender: Trump’s Views Don’t Outweigh Committee
Kevin Hassett a leading candidate for Federal Reserve Chair when Jerome Powell leaves the post, said in an interview that he would present President Donald Trump’s views to Fed officials, but said they could reject the president’s ideas when making interest rate decisions.Hassett, in an interview Su
L Lance Murray
December 22, 2025
Home Prices Surge in Rural Counties; Outpace Top Urban Areas
Rural U.S. counties have posted massive home price increases that have far outpaced those in urban centers, according to a new housing analysis from Realtor.com.The trend comes after decades of young professionals flocked to large metro areas searching of well-paying jobs and lifestyle amenities.Acc
L Lance Murray
December 22, 2025
United Wholesale Mortgage Acquires Mortgage Servicer Two Harbors in $1.3B Deal
United Wholesale Mortgage Holdings Corp. said it will acquire Two Harbors Investment Corp. in an all-stock deal valued at $1.3 billion.Pontiac, Michigan-based United Wholesale Mortgage said the deal significantly expands its footprint in the mortgage servicing landscape.“This transaction is a true w
L Lance Murray
December 22, 2025
Zillow: Rate Shopping Can Save Homebuyers Hundreds a Month
Homebuyers invest months, sometimes years, into finding the perfect home.But, according to a report by Zillow, many don’t seek out quotes from more than one mortgage lender. It’s a mistake that could cost them tens of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of their loans, Zillow said.Affordability r
L Lance Murray
December 22, 2025
DSCR mortgages are grabbing the spotlight. They’ll gain speed in 2026
Demand for debt-service-coverage ratio (DSCR) loans grew in 2025 as tight housing inventory and a rising share of nontraditional wage earners pushed more borrowers toward alternative products.The demand was contagious across the industry. In November, Rocket Pro announced the launch of its first DSC
S Sarah Wolak
December 22, 2025
Why 2026 could be the mortgage industry's reset year
Our experts expect a mortgage market reset in 2026 with an uptick in originations, but warn lenders not to skimp on compliance even as the reins loosen.
B Brad Finkelstein
December 21, 2025
BND: Strategy Room 1-10-2026
The Banker Next Door (BND) weekly live stream show. Strategy Room provides financial news, commentary, top stories in the business world, economic indicators, and all things banking for the week. 🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://strea
T The Banker Next Door
December 20, 2025
We need a Rocky Balboa outsider to be the next Fed chair!
Who is the person we need to be the next Fed Chair?
T The Banker Next Door