It hasn’t been a good few weeks for banks whose names begin with “Si” (Silvergate, Silicon Valley, and Signature, with Silicon Valley Bank declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy this morning; today’s Rundown discusses how the bank crisis may impact lenders). Ah, those clever secondary marketing folks. Cornerstone’s Henry S. frets, “I can’t believe it’s bank collapse season already. I just finished taking down my train derailment decorations.” Certainly, time flies by, and I hope you’re wearing some green today. Originally a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish, with the first parade on March 17, 1762, in New York City, featuring Irish soldiers who served in the English military. It certainly is more fun to think about celebrating the Irish than the constant stream of headlines as people r
I have news for you, and I hope that I’m not bursting anyone’s bubble here. If a meat packer could sell the delicious looking meat that you see in the background in ads for hamburger at $15/pound, do you really think they’d put it into $4/pound ground beef, or $2/pound hot dogs? Yes, numbers can tell a story, like it or not. How about this nifty map, great for loan officers and real estate agents and discovered in my email files, showing the population shift in the United States during the last ten years? Continuing with the numbers theme, today only 10 percent of U.S. mortgage borrowers have adjustable-rate mortgages, and that number was 40 percent in 2008. In terms of our biz, today’s higher mortgage rates only impact new buyers and borrowers. Existing fixed-rate home loan borrowers are insulated from increases in short-term interest rates. “Let the Fed do what it will!” Lastly, Rocket gave the world a lot of numbers yesterday in the form of
Raquel Welch, who passed away yesterday, was an icon in the 60s and 70s. Mick Jagger was as well, and sang, “Just My Imagination” many years ago. But it is not your imagination that residential lending is facing some renewed speedbumps. (Yeah, I know that’s a stretch, but it’s a cool song.) Last night in Spokane at the SMLA meeting, key topics including pricing and rates. It isn’t your imagination that lenders are rolling out the new conforming loan level price adjustments this week, given the delivery requirements from Freddie and Fannie, and despite the redisclosure and operations problems that will inevitably arise. It is also not your imagination that we are being hit by mortgage rates moving higher. Jobs, inflation, and retail sales data all point toward a solid economy, recession be damned, and as a result, higher rates. But for some good news, homebuilder confidence is improving, according to the NAHB, seeing the largest monthly increase for bu
Every lender or investor with an “a” in their name seems to be subject to rumors and news in recent months. (More on Flagstar and American Pacific below.) Know anyone named “Bernadette”? The name is actually Latin for, “The act of torching a mortgage.” (Yes, it is cutting edge humor like that which brings you back.) Burning liens isn’t a topic, but paying them off early is, and with mortgage rates off of their highs, early pay offs, or EPOs, were a conversation topic at the conference this week. And with it, loan officer compensation follows. Can a lender pay an originator based on pull through? Yes. Can lenders pay different originators under different payment plans, as long as the originator sticks with one plan? Yes. Can a lender, if they comply with state labor law, ask for compensation back after an EPO or EPD? Yes, and it may depend on the contract signed by both parties at the beginning of employment. As always, consult your in-ho