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7th April, 26
Wednesday Could Be Entirely Different
Wednesday Could Be Entirely Different April 7th has been one of the most important days on the calendar for the Iran war due to deadline for Iran to accept Trump's terms or face major escalation. If the escalation was even remotely similar to Trump's threats, it would all but preclude a quick end to the war and especially the market-related fallout. heading into the close, Pakistan floated an option for a 2-week ceasefire in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Markets responded favorably to notion with stocks and bond both rallying and oil prices falling to session lows. Given
Wednesday Could Be Entirely Different
Wednesday Could Be Entirely Different April 7th has been one of the most important days on the calendar for the Iran war due to deadline for Iran to accept Trump's terms or face major escalation. If the escalation was even remotely similar to Trump's threats, it would all but preclude a quick end to the war and especially the market-related fallout. heading into the close, Pakistan floated an option for a 2-week ceasefire in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Markets responded favorably to notion with stocks and bond both rallying and oil prices falling to session lows. Given
7th April, 26
Mortgage Rates Little-Changed But Volatility Could Return Quickly
In stark contrast to the entire month of March, April's mortgage rate volatility has been downright boring. To put this in context, the average top tier 30yr fixed rate rose a substantial 0.65% by March 27th. In the first five business days of April, they've held inside a range of just 0.04%. Today did nothing to expand that range although it did leave rates microscopically higher versus yesterday. The Iran war continues to be the dominant source of inspiration for the financial markets, including the bond market that underlies interest rates. Given that tonight brings a deadline for a
Mortgage Rates Little-Changed But Volatility Could Return Quickly
In stark contrast to the entire month of March, April's mortgage rate volatility has been downright boring. To put this in context, the average top tier 30yr fixed rate rose a substantial 0.65% by March 27th. In the first five business days of April, they've held inside a range of just 0.04%. Today did nothing to expand that range although it did leave rates microscopically higher versus yesterday. The Iran war continues to be the dominant source of inspiration for the financial markets, including the bond market that underlies interest rates. Given that tonight brings a deadline for a
7th April, 26
AI Assistant, eSignature, Subservicing, AI Adoption Products; VA Servicing and Loss Mit Update
Artificial intelligence is all the rage in conferences and webinars, and today’s Advisory Angle at 2PM ET, powered by STRATMOR Group. Sue Woodard and Garth Graham break down the biggest takeaways from ICE Experience 2026 and what they mean for lenders right now. The discussion focuses on borrower expectations, AI adoption, and how leading organizations are aligning strategy with long-term outcomes. Tomorrow’s "Mortgage Matters: The Weekly Roundup” presented by Lenders One, has the CHLA’s Scott Olsen discussing how and what independent mortgage bankers are doing in the current AI,
AI Assistant, eSignature, Subservicing, AI Adoption Products; VA Servicing and Loss Mit Update
Artificial intelligence is all the rage in conferences and webinars, and today’s Advisory Angle at 2PM ET, powered by STRATMOR Group. Sue Woodard and Garth Graham break down the biggest takeaways from ICE Experience 2026 and what they mean for lenders right now. The discussion focuses on borrower expectations, AI adoption, and how leading organizations are aligning strategy with long-term outcomes. Tomorrow’s "Mortgage Matters: The Weekly Roundup” presented by Lenders One, has the CHLA’s Scott Olsen discussing how and what independent mortgage bankers are doing in the current AI,
7th April, 26
Waiting on Tonight's Ceasefire Headlines
Tonight brings 8pm ET deadline for Iran's response to U.S. demands (opening shipping channels among other things). If there's no response, Trump has threatened to attack critical infrastructure like bridges, power plants, etc.--a major escalation that would all but guarantee a much longer run of high oil prices (and all that goes with it). Reports of progress in peace talks (or lack thereof) are all over the map depending on who's reporting and when. If there's a genuine de-escalation (which could be announced hours before the deadline), you'll know it based on the market response. If it
Waiting on Tonight's Ceasefire Headlines
Tonight brings 8pm ET deadline for Iran's response to U.S. demands (opening shipping channels among other things). If there's no response, Trump has threatened to attack critical infrastructure like bridges, power plants, etc.--a major escalation that would all but guarantee a much longer run of high oil prices (and all that goes with it). Reports of progress in peace talks (or lack thereof) are all over the map depending on who's reporting and when. If there's a genuine de-escalation (which could be announced hours before the deadline), you'll know it based on the market response. If it
6th April, 26
Holiday-Adjacent Waiting Game
Holiday-Adjacent Waiting Game Monday may not have been an official holiday for the U.S. bond market, but it way as well have been. Volume certainly acted the part, which is no surprise considering overseas holiday closures. Headlines and data had a limited impact, at best. In general the market is waiting to see what happens in Iran after tomorrow night's deadline on Trump's ultimatum to reopen shipping channels. Econ Data / Events ISM N-Mfg PMI (Mar) 54.0 vs 55 f'cast, 56.1 prev ISM Services Employment (Mar) 45.2 vs -- f'cast, 51.8 prev ISM Services New Orders (Mar) 60.6 vs -- f'cast, 58.6
Holiday-Adjacent Waiting Game
Holiday-Adjacent Waiting Game Monday may not have been an official holiday for the U.S. bond market, but it way as well have been. Volume certainly acted the part, which is no surprise considering overseas holiday closures. Headlines and data had a limited impact, at best. In general the market is waiting to see what happens in Iran after tomorrow night's deadline on Trump's ultimatum to reopen shipping channels. Econ Data / Events ISM N-Mfg PMI (Mar) 54.0 vs 55 f'cast, 56.1 prev ISM Services Employment (Mar) 45.2 vs -- f'cast, 51.8 prev ISM Services New Orders (Mar) 60.6 vs -- f'cast, 58.6
6th April, 26
Mortgage Rates Steady to Slightly Lower
It was an uneventful day for mortgage rates with the average lender close enough to Friday's levels that borrowers would not see much of a difference between the two days. The bond market (which underlies and dictates rate movement) was still in quasi-holiday mode as most overseas markets were closed for holidays. Financial markets (including bonds) continue taking cues from major developments in the Iran war, but today ended up being more about waiting for those events based on Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen The Strait of Hormuz or face major escalation
Mortgage Rates Steady to Slightly Lower
It was an uneventful day for mortgage rates with the average lender close enough to Friday's levels that borrowers would not see much of a difference between the two days. The bond market (which underlies and dictates rate movement) was still in quasi-holiday mode as most overseas markets were closed for holidays. Financial markets (including bonds) continue taking cues from major developments in the Iran war, but today ended up being more about waiting for those events based on Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen The Strait of Hormuz or face major escalation
6th April, 26
BBYS, HELOC Processing Products; In-Person Events Through Year End; Population Shifts Matter
This year, “Bring a Kid to Work Day” is April 23. The name seems to have shifted: I remember “Bring Your Child to Work Day.” The population of the United States also shifts, something that lenders and originators are very aware of in the primary markets, and should be aware of in the secondary markets. Companies and job creators move, for various reasons. Population migration since 2019, accelerated by the pandemic, has shifted growth toward Sun Belt states like Texas and Florida while leaving places such as California flat and several Midwestern and Southern states declining, trends
BBYS, HELOC Processing Products; In-Person Events Through Year End; Population Shifts Matter
This year, “Bring a Kid to Work Day” is April 23. The name seems to have shifted: I remember “Bring Your Child to Work Day.” The population of the United States also shifts, something that lenders and originators are very aware of in the primary markets, and should be aware of in the secondary markets. Companies and job creators move, for various reasons. Population migration since 2019, accelerated by the pandemic, has shifted growth toward Sun Belt states like Texas and Florida while leaving places such as California flat and several Midwestern and Southern states declining, trends
6th April, 26
Roughly Unchanged as Holiday Effect Persists
Much of the international trading community remains on holiday today, making for lower volume and liquidity in the US. Bonds have managed to mostly shrug off Friday's stronger jobs report--a fact that we'd attribute mainly to the focus on the unemployment rate over the balmy payroll count. Additionally, war-related developments remain near the top of the heap of relevant market movers until their impacts translate more forcefully to economic data. On that note, we'll get ISM Services data this morning and CPI on Friday--both for the month of March. The weekend offered no meaningful changes in
Roughly Unchanged as Holiday Effect Persists
Much of the international trading community remains on holiday today, making for lower volume and liquidity in the US. Bonds have managed to mostly shrug off Friday's stronger jobs report--a fact that we'd attribute mainly to the focus on the unemployment rate over the balmy payroll count. Additionally, war-related developments remain near the top of the heap of relevant market movers until their impacts translate more forcefully to economic data. On that note, we'll get ISM Services data this morning and CPI on Friday--both for the month of March. The weekend offered no meaningful changes in
3rd April, 26
Nothing Else Happened After Initial Selling
Nothing Else Happened After Initial Selling The typical early close for the bond market is 2pm ET. This is usually reserved for a holiday-adjacent day such as Christmas Eve or the day after Thanksgiving. Good Friday is unique. On years where it DOES NOT coincide with a jobs report, it's fully closed. Otherwise, it's open for a partial day, but only until noon ET instead of 2pm. That didn't leave much time for anything else to happen this morning after the initial bout of moderate selling pressure. It also discouraged trading volume in general--especially in light of other markets being
Nothing Else Happened After Initial Selling
Nothing Else Happened After Initial Selling The typical early close for the bond market is 2pm ET. This is usually reserved for a holiday-adjacent day such as Christmas Eve or the day after Thanksgiving. Good Friday is unique. On years where it DOES NOT coincide with a jobs report, it's fully closed. Otherwise, it's open for a partial day, but only until noon ET instead of 2pm. That didn't leave much time for anything else to happen this morning after the initial bout of moderate selling pressure. It also discouraged trading volume in general--especially in light of other markets being
3rd April, 26
AI Due diligence, AI Guide, Data Mining Tools; Investor Agency Changes; Good Stats to Help LOs
Products, Services, and Software for Brokers and Lenders The team at Model Match has launched the first phase of a complete platform overhaul, reimagining how lenders access and act on real estate, mortgage, and borrower data. The release centers on a simplified search experience across loan officers, agents, offices, and companies, alongside a major data expansion pushing coverage beyond 6 billion records. Model Match also introduced Market Signals, a new dataset providing visibility into mortgage activity from application through funding across roughly one in every two U.S. mortgages, along
AI Due diligence, AI Guide, Data Mining Tools; Investor Agency Changes; Good Stats to Help LOs
Products, Services, and Software for Brokers and Lenders The team at Model Match has launched the first phase of a complete platform overhaul, reimagining how lenders access and act on real estate, mortgage, and borrower data. The release centers on a simplified search experience across loan officers, agents, offices, and companies, alongside a major data expansion pushing coverage beyond 6 billion records. Model Match also introduced Market Signals, a new dataset providing visibility into mortgage activity from application through funding across roughly one in every two U.S. mortgages, along