Chrisman Commentary - Daily Mortgage News

Latest Episodes:

9.25.26 NEXA's Mike Kortas on Rumors; Spring EQ's Reno Heine on Non QM; Talking Rates Up or Down Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

As NEXA has grown it has been under a microscope by those outside the company. Questions range from its compensation model and recruiting practices to its approach to servicing. Mike Kortas isn't running from those questions. In fact, he thinks some of the criticism comes from people trying to explain a model they haven't actually taken the time to understand. Robbie also interviews Spring EQ’s Reno Heine on actively navigating a volatile mortgage market by expanding into non-QM offerings, evolving its third-party origination strategies to meet modern broker needs, and advancing a new digital platform to capture future growth opportunities. And continuing the lesson that “you can’t talk rates up, or down,” U.S. Treasury yields climbed inexorably yesterday, with the 30-year yield nearing 5.5 percent, its highest level since 2004.
This week’s podcasts are presented by Spring EQ, the home equity experts. See why Spring EQ is the clear choice in home equity. Since 2016, Spring EQ has helped more than 160,000 homeowners access over $16 billion in equity.
Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.

9.24.26 Servicing Primer; KBW's Bose George on Market Dynamics; Sell Off Sell Off Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Focusing on traditional refinances is a strategic mistake for the mortgage industry, as shifting demographics like aging Boomers and wealth transfers demand that servicers pivot from rigid automation to highly flexible products and specialized, human-centric loss mitigation. Robbie interviews KBW’s Bose George on his market research and view for the industry moving forward. And a severe bond market selloff, fueled by strong economic data, hawkish Fed remarks, a weak Treasury auction, and rising oil prices, pushed yields to two-decade highs and caused mortgage rates to spike to 7.125 percent.
This week’s podcasts are presented by Spring EQ, the home equity experts. See why Spring EQ is the clear choice in home equity, helping over 150,000 homeowners access almost $15 billion in equity.
Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.

9.23.26 Philanthropy and Appraisals, Castor Financial's Brooks Champagne on Account Executive Compensation; MSR Warning Signs Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Major financial contributions from philanthropic organizations and corporate leaders, such as Freedom Mortgage CEO Stan Middleman's $50 million gift to Penn Medicine and millions in donations to Southwest General Health Center and the American Warrior Initiative, are driving critical advancements in medical research, hospital infrastructure, and community support. Robbie interviews Castor Financial’s Brooks Champagne on innovative Account Executive (AE) compensation plans and how AEs can build a team without management duties. And while high interest rates and slow prepayment speeds have driven bank mortgage servicing rights (MSR) fair values to historic highs, lenders must look beyond simple cash flow projections to rigorously analyze their debt structures, liquidity access, and funding locks to survive potential liquidity shocks and credit market volatility.

This week’s podcasts are presented by Spring EQ, the home equity experts. See why Spring EQ is the clear choice in home equity, helping over 150,000 homeowners access almost $15 billion in equity.
Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.

9.22.26 Builder Business; BSI's Larry Goldstone on Servicing; Fed Path Forward Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

To protect the valuation of existing subdivision inventories, homebuilders like Lennar are increasingly relying on costly interest rate buy-downs instead of price cuts to sustain sales, a strategy that is beginning to strain industry earnings as reflected in Lennar's recent quarterly miss. Robbie interviews BSI's Larry Goldstone on the servicing landscape, industry consolidation, and lessons learned from previous market cycles. And Fed Chair Warsh’s restrained communication style may be preferable to excessive Fed transparency, particularly given his skepticism of unreliable frameworks like the SEP and estimates of the “neutral rate.”
This week’s podcasts are presented by Spring EQ, the home equity experts. See why Spring EQ is the clear choice in home equity, helping over 150,000 homeowners access almost $15 billion in equity.
Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.

9.21.26 Treasury Price Discovery; Balerion’s Naren Krishna on AI Underwriting; Economic Calendar Ahead Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Led by Chair Kevin Warsh, the Federal Open Market Committee raised the federal funds rate to 3.75–4 percent amid stubborn inflation, causing the 10-year Treasury yield to hit a near two-decade high as oil prices and investor fears climbed. Robbie interviews Balerion’s Naren Krishna on the company’s AI-driven approach to mortgage lending, market needs, partnerships, and plans for growth. And persistent rate volatility, driven by a hawkish Fed and economic pressures, continues to weigh on cheap but risky mortgages as buyers await a stable Treasury range ahead of a light data week highlighted by an expected rebound in new home sales.
This week’s podcasts are presented by Spring EQ, the home equity experts. See why Spring EQ is the clear choice in home equity, helping over 150,000 homeowners access almost $15 billion in equity.

Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.

9.18.26 MBS Portfolio Convexity; Cinchy's J. Paul Haynes on Cybersecurity; Further Fed Reaction Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Ginnie Mae’s MBS portfolio surpassed $3 trillion in August 2026 as issuance remained strong, while rising mortgage rates have left roughly 98% of 30-year borrowers without a refinancing incentive, reducing prepayments and pushing much of the Agency MBS market toward positive convexity. Robbie interviews Cinchy’s J. Paul Haynes on helping enterprises safely deploy AI in production, and gain the visibility, runtime policy enforcement, and operational oversight needed to confidently scale AI. And the Fed’s hawkish return to tightening has bolstered its inflation-fighting credibility, but with much of the expected additional tightening already priced in and growth remaining resilient, further hikes are less certain, leaving Treasuries supported near term while fiscal and inflation risks continue to constrain a sustained decline in long-term yields.
This week’s podcasts are sponsored by FirstClose. FirstClose helps lenders accelerate home equity originations with faster property decisioning, streamlined workflows, and a digital borrower experience from application to closing. FirstClose is the only end-to-end digital HELOC and HEL solution built specifically for home equity lending. Learn more at: https://hubs.ly/Q04tLGXh0
Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.

9.17.26 Fed Decisioning; Mortgage Nerd Group’s Denise Donoghue on Broker Channel; Resilient Economic Data Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

The Fed’s anticipated 25-basis point hike to 3.75%–4.00% was less consequential than its increasingly hawkish outlook, with 16 of 18 policymakers projecting at least one more hike in 2026 and higher growth, inflation, and long-run rate forecasts reinforcing a higher-for-longer stance, leaving markets focused on the potential for one to two additional hikes and the implications for duration, Treasuries, Agency MBS, and already-elevated mortgage rates. Robbie interviews Mortgage Nerd Group’s Denise Donoghue on how top brokers are leveraging technology and deciding where to broker loans. And August data underscored resilient U.S. consumer demand, with retail sales and core spending materially exceeding expectations, while rising import and export prices pointed to renewed price pressures, weaker housing sentiment highlighted ongoing softness in the housing sector, and strong inventory accumulation provided near-term GDP support but could become a drag if consumer demand moderates.

This week’s podcasts are sponsored by FirstClose. FirstClose helps lenders accelerate home equity originations with faster property decisioning, streamlined workflows, and a digital borrower experience from application to closing. FirstClose is the only end-to-end digital HELOC and HEL solution built specifically for home equity lending. Learn more at: https://hubs.ly/Q04tLGXh0
Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.

9.16.26 Tornado Alley; Lender Price's Maddi Sievers on Demos; Fed Decision Day Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Genstar Capital and Aksia have made a strategic growth investment in Denver-based Richey May, providing capital to accelerate the accounting and advisory firm’s organic growth and M&A strategy while its management team and existing investor F3 Partners retain significant ownership. Robbie interviews Lender Price’s Maddi Sievers on tips for success for both companies giving and receiving tech demos. And rising oil prices and renewed inflation concerns pushed Treasury yields and mortgage rates higher, weighing on MBS demand and housing activity as investors await a closely watched Fed decision, with markets pricing in a 90%+ chance of a quarter-point hike.

9.15.26 Around the Industry; FirstClose’s Adam Nicholson on Cycle Times; Treasury Yield Patterns Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Driven by near-year-high interest rates and a lack of borrower incentive, a broadening slowdown in MBA mortgage applications is being led by a sharp, government-borrower-led decline in refinance activity that could ultimately drag monthly gross MBS issuance below $100 billion by the end of the year. Robbie interviews FirstClose’s Adam Nicholson on how faster cycle times directly impact pull-through and funded volume. And driven by persistent supply, geopolitical tensions, and an upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate decision, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield breached 5 percent for the first time since 2023, threatening economic growth and equity markets by independently tightening financial conditions.

9.14.26 Consumer Strength; mLoop's Ellen Duncan on LO Movement; Fed Week Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Despite consumer challenges, housing demand remains resilient, with record homeowner equity and rapidly growing borrowing activity increasingly being captured by nonbanks, creating a widening competitive and operational gap for traditional banks and credit unions. Robbie interviews mLoop’s Ellen Duncan on how data and AI can modernize LO–lender matching and what lenders must do to attract top producers. And last week’s sharp rate selloff, driven by renewed oil-fueled inflation, fiscal concerns, and expectations for multiple Fed hikes, pushed Treasury yields and MBS spreads materially higher, underscoring the need for better loan-level execution and risk visibility as markets brace for another 25-basis point Fed hike this week.
This week’s podcasts are sponsored by FirstClose. FirstClose helps lenders accelerate home equity originations with faster property decisioning, streamlined workflows, and a digital borrower experience from application to closing. FirstClose is the only end-to-end digital HELOC and HEL solution built specifically for home equity lending. Learn more at: https://hubs.ly/Q04tLGXh0
Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.

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