Latest news
29th July, 26
Hedging, Credit, Anti-Fraud Tools; STRATMOR on Borrower Satisfaction; Fannie's $4 Billion Earnings Quarter
“Technology is dominated by two types of people: Those who understand what they do not manage, and those who manage what they do not understand.” Even if you’re a 90-year-old LO using a rotary phone, the rest of your company, and your borrowers, use technology and new products and need to stay up on them. FICO Score 10T, adoption, for example, has surpassed 70 mortgage lenders. There’s still time to participate in STRATMOR Group’s first module of its 2026 Technology Insight® Study (TIS), the LOS Perception Survey. The survey explores how lenders view today's loan origination systems
Hedging, Credit, Anti-Fraud Tools; STRATMOR on Borrower Satisfaction; Fannie's $4 Billion Earnings Quarter
“Technology is dominated by two types of people: Those who understand what they do not manage, and those who manage what they do not understand.” Even if you’re a 90-year-old LO using a rotary phone, the rest of your company, and your borrowers, use technology and new products and need to stay up on them. FICO Score 10T, adoption, for example, has surpassed 70 mortgage lenders. There’s still time to participate in STRATMOR Group’s first module of its 2026 Technology Insight® Study (TIS), the LOS Perception Survey. The survey explores how lenders view today's loan origination systems
29th July, 26
"Pause" Ends in Iran, But Probably Not For The Fed
The big news over the weekend was that the U.S. and Iran paused hostilities--something that led to 2 solid days of gains in the bond market. But in the overnight session, the pause ended as multiple attacks were reported on both sides. Oil rose predictably and bond yields did the same. One "pause" that's less likely to change is the Fed's abstention from hiking or cutting in 2026--at least not today. That may seem like a strong claim given futures pricing showing a 36% chance of a hike today. While a hike is in the realm of possibility, it's not in the 1 in 3 realm. That number represents an
"Pause" Ends in Iran, But Probably Not For The Fed
The big news over the weekend was that the U.S. and Iran paused hostilities--something that led to 2 solid days of gains in the bond market. But in the overnight session, the pause ended as multiple attacks were reported on both sides. Oil rose predictably and bond yields did the same. One "pause" that's less likely to change is the Fed's abstention from hiking or cutting in 2026--at least not today. That may seem like a strong claim given futures pricing showing a 36% chance of a hike today. While a hike is in the realm of possibility, it's not in the 1 in 3 realm. That number represents an
28th July, 26
Giving Peace (And Bonds?) a Chance
Giving Peace (And Bonds?) a Chance Granted, it may be far less promising than some of the more conclusive headlines that led up to previous ceasefires and peace memos, but Tuesday delivered at least a modicum of hope that war sentiment is shifting. In not so many words, an Israeli media outlet reported that U.S./Iran mediators are getting closer to re-implementing the previous memo of understanding that paved the way toward more permanent peace. Markets take this with a grain of salt for obvious reasons, but it was enough to lift stocks and cause a small-but-quick drop in oil prices and bond
Giving Peace (And Bonds?) a Chance
Giving Peace (And Bonds?) a Chance Granted, it may be far less promising than some of the more conclusive headlines that led up to previous ceasefires and peace memos, but Tuesday delivered at least a modicum of hope that war sentiment is shifting. In not so many words, an Israeli media outlet reported that U.S./Iran mediators are getting closer to re-implementing the previous memo of understanding that paved the way toward more permanent peace. Markets take this with a grain of salt for obvious reasons, but it was enough to lift stocks and cause a small-but-quick drop in oil prices and bond
28th July, 26
Verification, HELOC, Non-QM Broker Products; RESPA Thoughts; Redwood Trust 2x Production
Does innovation in lending always means building something new? MISMO’s President Brian Vieaux challenges that familiar assumption, instead, he argues that some of the industry's greatest opportunities lie in eliminating outdated processes that add friction without adding value. Read why the future of mortgage may depend as much on what the industry chooses to let go of as on what it chooses to build next. This kind of forward thinking leads directly to strategy, and tomorrow, Rick Scherer, CMB, Chief Strategy Officer at NewFed Mortgage Corp., sponsored by Lenders One, discusses this kind of
Verification, HELOC, Non-QM Broker Products; RESPA Thoughts; Redwood Trust 2x Production
Does innovation in lending always means building something new? MISMO’s President Brian Vieaux challenges that familiar assumption, instead, he argues that some of the industry's greatest opportunities lie in eliminating outdated processes that add friction without adding value. Read why the future of mortgage may depend as much on what the industry chooses to let go of as on what it chooses to build next. This kind of forward thinking leads directly to strategy, and tomorrow, Rick Scherer, CMB, Chief Strategy Officer at NewFed Mortgage Corp., sponsored by Lenders One, discusses this kind of
28th July, 26
Another Slightly Stronger Start
Once again, bond yields dropped in the overnight session in concert with lower oil prices. Today's iteration is less swift than yesterday's, but after last week's sell-off, we'll take any green we can get. Econ data is light and inconsequential. The 7yr Treasury auction is typically not a source of drama. That leaves focus on any notable war headlines. Otherwise, Wednesday afternoon's Fed announcement remains the week's focal point for clarifying the Fed's policy stance and for the bond market to adjust accordingly. The big picture remains little-changed, but slightly less dire than last
Another Slightly Stronger Start
Once again, bond yields dropped in the overnight session in concert with lower oil prices. Today's iteration is less swift than yesterday's, but after last week's sell-off, we'll take any green we can get. Econ data is light and inconsequential. The 7yr Treasury auction is typically not a source of drama. That leaves focus on any notable war headlines. Otherwise, Wednesday afternoon's Fed announcement remains the week's focal point for clarifying the Fed's policy stance and for the bond market to adjust accordingly. The big picture remains little-changed, but slightly less dire than last
27th July, 26
Compared to Oil, Yields Not Quite as Willing to Drop
Compared to Oil, Yields Not Quite as Willing to Drop While the moment-to-moment correlation between bond yields and oil prices remained almost perfectly intact today, yields were less willing to follow the bigger drops. In other words, if we benchmark bonds to oil price movement, they underperformed the drop in oil prices. $139 billion in Treasury auctions and defensive positioning ahead of Wednesday's Fed announcement likely both contributed to that underperformance. Bottom line: it's encouraging to see the willingness to follow oil, but we won't be able to see more unrestrained trading until
Compared to Oil, Yields Not Quite as Willing to Drop
Compared to Oil, Yields Not Quite as Willing to Drop While the moment-to-moment correlation between bond yields and oil prices remained almost perfectly intact today, yields were less willing to follow the bigger drops. In other words, if we benchmark bonds to oil price movement, they underperformed the drop in oil prices. $139 billion in Treasury auctions and defensive positioning ahead of Wednesday's Fed announcement likely both contributed to that underperformance. Bottom line: it's encouraging to see the willingness to follow oil, but we won't be able to see more unrestrained trading until
27th July, 26
Mortgage Rates Roughly Unchanged Versus Friday's Lows
After bottoming out around 6.5% in late June, mortgage rates moved steadily higher this month, ultimately hitting 6.85% last Thursday--the highest level in over a year. There was a modest recovery on Friday with a fair amount of intraday changes from the average mortgage lender. Because rates are based on bonds, it's worth noting that bonds are in better shape today compared to Friday's latest levels. But if we use Friday's stronger mid-day levels as a baseline, bonds are just barely stronger. As such, it's no surprise to see mortgage rates just barely lower. The key consideration for
Mortgage Rates Roughly Unchanged Versus Friday's Lows
After bottoming out around 6.5% in late June, mortgage rates moved steadily higher this month, ultimately hitting 6.85% last Thursday--the highest level in over a year. There was a modest recovery on Friday with a fair amount of intraday changes from the average mortgage lender. Because rates are based on bonds, it's worth noting that bonds are in better shape today compared to Friday's latest levels. But if we use Friday's stronger mid-day levels as a baseline, bonds are just barely stronger. As such, it's no surprise to see mortgage rates just barely lower. The key consideration for
27th July, 26
DSCR, HELOC, Market Analysis, Pricing Rule Tools; FHA, HUD, Ginnie Changes
In 2025, the IMF reported that, across the globe, companies, households, and countries had amassed $251 trillion in debt. Looking toward the end of 2026, J.P. Morgan has warned that interest rates on such borrowings are set to spike, owing largely to dwindling populations and diminishing fiscal discipline. JPMorgan’s Joyce Chang and team unpacked the “six D’s” that will shape the global economy under the current and surrounding Administrations: Deficits, deregulation, de-carbonization, de-population, de-globalization, and de-dollarization. Of these factors, two in particular will put
DSCR, HELOC, Market Analysis, Pricing Rule Tools; FHA, HUD, Ginnie Changes
In 2025, the IMF reported that, across the globe, companies, households, and countries had amassed $251 trillion in debt. Looking toward the end of 2026, J.P. Morgan has warned that interest rates on such borrowings are set to spike, owing largely to dwindling populations and diminishing fiscal discipline. JPMorgan’s Joyce Chang and team unpacked the “six D’s” that will shape the global economy under the current and surrounding Administrations: Deficits, deregulation, de-carbonization, de-population, de-globalization, and de-dollarization. Of these factors, two in particular will put
27th July, 26
Less Bombing. More Rallying
It's a pretty simple morning for the bond market (and many other markets). While there's no formal ceasefire, both the U.S. and Iran have indicated a pause in the tit for tat airstrikes that have characterized most of July. Oil dropped sharply on the news though it's not clear exactly how much because markets were fully closed at the time. Still, it's safe to assume a majority of the move in oil/bonds/stocks is directly correlated. This gets 10yr yields just back under the upper line of the long-term trend channel after spending the last 2 days above. Econ data was a non-event this morning,
Less Bombing. More Rallying
It's a pretty simple morning for the bond market (and many other markets). While there's no formal ceasefire, both the U.S. and Iran have indicated a pause in the tit for tat airstrikes that have characterized most of July. Oil dropped sharply on the news though it's not clear exactly how much because markets were fully closed at the time. Still, it's safe to assume a majority of the move in oil/bonds/stocks is directly correlated. This gets 10yr yields just back under the upper line of the long-term trend channel after spending the last 2 days above. Econ data was a non-event this morning,
24th July, 26
How Technical Do You Want to Be?
How Technical Do You Want to Be? There are always multiple technical lenses through which to view market movement, but the simplest involve trendlines and level lines. Yield movement has largely held inside the same high/low trendlines since October 2025, so that's a useful trend to keep tabs on the big picture. On a separate note, it's almost always worthwhile to keep tabs on the most recent long-term highs/lows. The past 2 days have seen yields flirt with both of these technical frameworks. Yesterday, we broke above the upper trendline and the long-term high. Today, we recovered under the
How Technical Do You Want to Be?
How Technical Do You Want to Be? There are always multiple technical lenses through which to view market movement, but the simplest involve trendlines and level lines. Yield movement has largely held inside the same high/low trendlines since October 2025, so that's a useful trend to keep tabs on the big picture. On a separate note, it's almost always worthwhile to keep tabs on the most recent long-term highs/lows. The past 2 days have seen yields flirt with both of these technical frameworks. Yesterday, we broke above the upper trendline and the long-term high. Today, we recovered under the