11.24.23 Short and Sweet: Animal Charities; Expected Versus Actual Inflation

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Transcript

With all the poultry in circulation yesterday, or more precisely out of circulation, some of it was bound to end up in pets’ food bowls. Feline aficionados know that cats who roar can’t purr, and those that purr can’t roar. There are plenty of charities that cater to helping animals, and lots of folks reading this commentary have plenty to be thankful for and tend to donate to various charities during the holidays, including those focused on helping animals. How do you know which are reputable across the nation, and which ones don’t use most of your donation to increase their salaries? Try Charity Navigator. “Across the nation” is a big place. For example, of course you knew that El Paso, Texas, is closer to San Diego CA than it is to Houston TX, right? Today, given the lack of news, let’s take a look a recent job postings just in case we can make someone thankful for a new job.

Jobs coast to coast

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Don’t forget that anyone can post a resume, for free, at www.lendernews.com for potential employers to view for a nominal charge of $75 for several months.

Don’t forget that private mortgage insurance companies are hiring: MGIC, National MI, Arch MI, Radian, Essent, and Enact (in no particular order). And while’s we’re at it, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And my cat Myrtle’s friend the CFPB has career opportunities.

Kind Lending is seeking a candidate for the position of Director of Non-QM. As Director, you will be responsible for spearheading the growth of our non-QM division. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of non-QM lending, and a proven track record of success in the industry. In this role, you will be responsible for program pricing for multiple channels, loan sales, trading, and hedging, overseeing analytics and pricing engines, as well as margin management and reporting for non-QM production. “At Kind Lending, we pride ourselves on providing our partners and customers with the best possible mortgage lending experience. As the Director of Non-QM, you will play a key role in achieving this goal. If you are a motivated and experienced professional looking for a new opportunity, we encourage you to apply today: Click here to learn more about this opportunity!

“GO Mortgage distinguishes itself in product, technology, and personal touch! GO has the full range of products including single close construction, non-QM, state housing, and more to ensure you capture every loan you can. Get the modern top-tier tech suite you need to build your personal brand, including Total Expert with Customer Intelligence for real-time database insights, online reputation management from Experience.com, and the SOCI platform for automated social media, all without any added costs. Plus, the personal touch of unmatched speed, adaptability, and direct access to underwriting and leadership. Let’s GO! Reach out to us or apply directly here.”

Movement Mortgage has experienced a 300 percent year over year growth in reverse mortgage business in 2023! Earlier this year Movement brought in the most experienced reverse mortgage team in the nation who have dedicated their careers to reverse sales and operations. Plus, Movement has set its loan officers up for success with a reverse-eligible borrower dashboard in MORE, Movement’s new sales and marketing platform powered by Salesforce. Movement LOs can now identify reverse-eligible borrowers from their previous and current loans to offer this incredibly powerful product. Click here to learn more about reverse mortgages at Movement.

Sure, you could work for one of those big mortgage brokerages and do everything for yourself. Or you could own a mortgage brokerage, and get more. “At my previous mortgage brokerage, I was doing everything for myself. I was on an island. At Motto Mortgage, you’re not duplicating efforts… all the support leaves so much time to find borrowers. And when the check comes in at the end of the day, it’s yours.” (Scott Dixon, Motto Mortgage Paradise Group.) *Email franchise@mottomortgage.com to learn more about franchise ownership. *

What direction do you see your business headed in the new year? 2024 is upon us and Guaranteed Rate Affinity’s mindset is laser focused on every loan officer owning their local market. We have a proven Business and Marketing Plan that gives you the ability to brand yourself as a leader and stand out from the competition with our tech and tools. It’s part of our winning formula that’s helped our top 200 loan officers in the country continue to remain leaders in this market. We do things differently here, like prioritizing growth while still giving our loan officers a work-life balance unheard of in the industry. Interesting, right? Click here to get a taste of what your 2024 could look like.

“It’s all part of the Plan! Operating as MWF Home Loans in Tennessee, Mountain West Financial is continuing our expansion plans in Tennessee. Throughout this year, we have continued our growth with recent launches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and several other states east of Texas. The expansion is part of our overall growth strategy to expand our footprint. EVP and Board member, Ben Holloway has relocated to Tennessee in an effort to help drive our expansion. For more information about our growth plans and career opportunities, contact Ed Adams or Ben Holloway. Or visit us here for more information.”

“At Evergreen Home Loans™, we’ve always believed in supporting our associates and team members in their commitment to local causes. With the establishment of the Evergreen Cares Foundation, we’ve provided a powerful tool to help them do just that. The Evergreen Cares Foundation is our way of enabling our team to make a difference in the community. Whether it’s addressing hunger, promoting education, or providing assistance during crises, this foundation reflects our dedication to community well-being. Our associates are passionate about giving back, and this foundation allows them to channel their energy and resources toward causes they care deeply about. By doing so, we strengthen our community and embody our core values of empathy and support. Learn more about the Evergreen Cares Foundation and the remarkable impact it’s making. Together, we can build a brighter future for everyone.”

“Explore Spring EQ’s job postings and come join our growing team of fun and experienced mortgage professionals! At Spring EQ our primary focus is second mortgages.”

An established independent mortgage bank in the Dallas metro area is searching for an Accounting Manager. “Join our dynamic team as an Accounting Manager and play a key role in overseeing all financial activities. You will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, managing the accounting team, and maintaining compliance with industry regulations. Your expertise will be crucial in analyzing financial data, identifying trends, and providing strategic recommendations for improvement, collaborating with other departments to streamline financial processes and enhance efficiency. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting, excellent leadership skills, a deep understanding of industry regulations, and either live in the Dallas area or be prepared to relocate. Encompass and AMB experience preferred. If you are a detail-oriented professional with a passion for finance and a desire to make a significant impact, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.” Interested parties should send a confidential resume to Chrisman LLC’s Anjelica Nixt for forwarding.

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation’s commitment to technological advancements in the closing process is notable and reflects broader industry trends toward digitizing mortgage transactions for the benefit of borrowers. Fairway recently reached a significant milestone by surpassing 100,000 eNotes on the MERS© eRegistry, and more than 150,000 eClosings overall. Borrowers have provided positive feedback about their eClose experience. They recognize that a digital solution reduces stress and saves time over a traditional paper closing. Being able to preview and sign documents in advance of meeting with their signing agent adds convenience and can even reduce errors, enhancing the overall process. Fairway’s teams report close to 80 percent of all eligible transactions have an eClose component. Fairway continues to look to the future of fully digital and remote transactions, closing how, when, and where their borrower would like.

“Independent Mortgage Banker owners: If you are uncertain how you will survive this winter if rates remain higher, please contact me directly to discuss a win-win opportunity. Equity Resources, Inc is an established mortgage banking company that has been successful in business for 30 years. We are privately owned and continue to look at growth opportunities. We offer a full marketing team and a media production team to provide best-in-class support to our loan officers and partners. Our history and culture are exceptionally important so let’s have a conversation to see if we may be a fit. We are large enough to offer exceptionally sharp pricing and products, yet we have a boutique feel where you may talk to the owner of the company at any time. We have a successful history of incorporating other companies into our model. Please contact Tom Piecenski, EVP of Sales.

Accomplished industry veteran joins WeLoan! WeLoan proudly announces the addition of Frank Fuentes to its team as Executive Vice President of Retail National Sales. With an illustrious career spanning over 20 years in the financial services sector, Fuentes will oversee the Retail National Sales division, solidifying WeLoan’s position as a growing presence within the mortgage industry. Fuentes joins WeLoan with recent experience as a Top Producing Loan Officer, Producing Branch Manager and National Vice President of Multicultural Community Lending. “We are thrilled to welcome Frank. His extensive experience and proven leadership in the multicultural sector align perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our customers,” said Rey Reyes, WeLoan CEO. WeLoan, a dba of Sharp Loan, Inc., is a California-based mortgage lender committed to excellence, customer satisfaction, and personal service.

“Cody Archer, a seasoned financial industry leader with over 22 years of experience, joins Northpointe Bank as Vice President of Business Development. Cody’s impressive career spans from AG Edwards to United Guaranty and MGIC, where he consistently garnered many accolades and multiple awards throughout his career. Cody’s primary goal at Northpointe is to attract top-tier sales talent, while also championing the comprehensive tools and resources available to pave the way for success! At Northpointe, we pride ourselves on a diverse product menu, a steadfast commitment to efficiency, and an unwavering dedication to exceptional customer service. Our workplace is a high-performance environment that values its team members and customers like family. If you’re eager to advance your career and become part of a dynamic team that encourages personal and professional growth and fosters meaningful relationships, connect with Cody Archer today to explore the exciting possibilities that await you at Northpointe Bank!”

“SWBC Mortgage fosters an environment where our Loan Officers can thrive and continue to provide exceptional service to their clients and partners, even during tough times. One of the most successful ways our team has stayed connected and engaged this year is by hosting educational workshops across the country. One in particular features Blake Hastings, SVP Corporate Strategy & Chief Economist at SWBC. As keynote speaker of 12 workshops, he has covered local and national economic analysis and provided dynamic forecasts for the coming months. Support is more important now than ever before. Because SWBC Mortgage has the right resources available to our teams, we are able to navigate challenges with resilience, while continuing to grow in a down market. To learn more about career opportunities at SWBC Mortgage contact Scott Brown, EVP of Retail Sales or visit us here.”

Movement Mortgage is helping builders and buyers navigate the high-rate environment with its new Lock It & List It program. Designed for new home builders, the program allows builders to lock in and buy down an interest rate today, PLUS pay up to the maximum amount of seller contributions toward closing costs. With Lock It & List It, builders can attract new buyers with competitive interest rates and closing cost savings, give buyers rate confidence with one free float down, and meet many buyers’ needs as the program is available for 30-year conventional, VA and FHA loans. By empowering builders to enhance home affordability and attract a broader pool of buyers, Movement is revolutionizing how builders navigate the complexities of today’s real estate landscape. Learn more here and contact Movement today to get locked in!

Capital markets: still inflation driven, expected & actual

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Before Thanksgiving, investors continued to digest the latest FOMC minutes (showing Federal Open Market Committee policy voters are proceeding with caution) and the most recent economic data releases. Treasury yields rose, and MBS prices dropped, Wednesday after data again showed an increase in consumer year-ahead inflation expectations.

Consumers see year-ahead inflation coming in at 4.5 percent, which is the highest since April. The jump in inflation expectations is not what the Fed wants to see following 525 basis points worth of tightening already. It is the type of indication that will keep the Fed entertaining the thought that further tightening may still be necessary. Still, U.S. mortgage rates have posted the biggest four-week decline in almost a year, spurring a fresh round of applications to purchase homes. Since reaching a 23-year high of almost 8 percent a month ago, mortgage rates have dropped nearly half a percentage point.

Applications for U.S. jobless benefits fell by 24k to 209k last week after a run of increases, a slight reprieve in a gradually cooling labor market. The low level of initial jobless claims should support expectations for some decent growth for nonfarm payrolls. Durable goods orders for October declined 5.4 percent month-over-month, fitting with a softening environment in the manufacturing space.

Following yesterday’s Thanksgiving holiday, markets return to what is expected to be a quiet session with both equity and bond markets seeing early closes. There are a couple of data points to digest, headlined later this morning with preliminary November S&P Global manufacturing and services PMIs. U.S. futures’ settlement and U.S. equity markets will close at 1:00pm ET with cash bonds at 2:00pm ET. We begin the day with Agency MBS prices are worse about .125 and the 10-year yielding 4.46 after closing Wednesday at 4.42 percent, as if anyone is locking loans today.

We have much to be thankful for. And for those who can see colors, even more so.