5.31.24 Latest Mortgage Merger; Tim Braheem on Realtor Partnerships; Recession Be Gone

Script Link: https://www.theloanatlas.com/scripts/

Today's podcast is brought to you by American Financial Resources, LLC, the mortgage lender that's shaking things up. AFR is all about innovation – they're currently streamlining their processes, bringing on the best humans in the business, and putting the customer experience front and center.

 Stay tuned for more captivating discussions and insights on June 6th at 2 pm EST, as industry experts Rob Chrisman and Robert Pieklo delve into pressing topics such as what the investment from the fund managed by Proprietary Capital means for the industry, servicing dynamics, and confronting economic headwinds. Discover firsthand the transformative impact of AFR and the vision for both the company itself and the broader industry landscape. Mark your calendars!

Transcript

How is it that there are only three weeks until the summer solstice? Three more weeks of the amount of daylight increasing in the Northern Hemisphere, and then, if you want more sun time, head to the Southern half of the globe. If you think presidential administrations or Federal Reserves eliminate business cycles, they don’t. If your business model is based on lower rates, don’t look at this graph from the Federal Reserve. If you want some insight into builder business and builder associations, today’s “Rundown” has Christy Beck, Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing for Caruso Homes and the current President of the Raleigh-Wake County Home Builders Association (which is one of the largest HBAs in the country). If you think everything that you do is private, sorry. I’m not sure why every outfit needs to keep so much info about us. When we want to buy a ticket we should be able to buy it without our info being kept, because then it can become part of a Ticketmaster data breach and sold to bad people. (Found here, this week’s podcasts are sponsored by American Financial Resources, the mortgage lender that's shaking things up by streamlining processes, bringing on the best humans in the business, and putting the customer experience front and center. Hear an interview with Tim Braheem on both how originators can cultivate relationships with agents in today's market and also diversify their referral sources, so they are not so reliant solely on realtors.)

Employment and yet another retirement

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What are you doing for the next 25 years? ACC has been doing Non-QM for the past 25 years. ACC is seeking five (5) well-qualified Account Executives or a team that is looking for support, pricing, culture, and stability. ACC is the company that continued lending throughout COVID and the GFC. Recent article talks about ACC’s vision: ACC's Senko talks non-QM outlook. Please send your resume for confidential interview.

“Evergreen Home Loans proudly marks 35 years of our innovative Security Plus Seller Guarantee®, the first of its kind in the industry. Our program provides an upfront, guaranteed financing commitment with minimal conditions. If we don't uphold our commitment, we will pay the seller $5,000*, making your offer more attractive and giving you a competitive edge. Over the past 35 years, Security Plus has empowered countless buyers and sellers, simplifying the home buying process and ensuring confidence. As we continue to lead with innovative, customer-focused solutions, we invite talented loan officers and branch managers to join our team. Be part of a company that values excellence and innovation and help us continue making a difference in the home buying experience. To see available jobs here. *View disclosures here.

“Canopy Mortgage is on the rise, attracting top-producing loan officers nationwide and maintaining profitability as we advance through Q2! In a challenging market, how many national lenders can claim profitability this year? Few, if any. Canopy Mortgage is charging ahead with significant momentum, seeking branch managers to join our success story. We empower LOs with cutting-edge technology that streamlines processes and significantly reduces the cost to fund a loan. Come meet us in person at the Mastermind Summit in Vegas June 5-7 or call Josh Neumarker at 888-696-9076 - For more information or to schedule an exclusive Tech-Demo and see our innovative solutions in action.”

Mark Teteris writes, “30+ years flies by, even in the mortgage business, and I have decided to retire, effective June 1st. I was thrilled to join Optimal Blue nearly ten years ago and hope that I have played some small part in the amazing success the company has had over these years, and which I’m sure OB will continue to enjoy in the future. From the early days as an individual contributor and ‘rainmaker’ to building a new department within the sales organization to the director role I enjoy today, I have always felt at home here at Optimal Blue. That is a testament to the wonderful leadership and colleagues that make this place special. As part of my succession plan, Steven Baselice has been named the new Director of Solutions Specialists for Optimal Blue, effective June 1st.”

Software, products, and services for lenders and brokers

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In Q4 2023, independent mortgage banks (IMBs) and mortgage subsidiaries of chartered banks reported an average net loss of $2,109 per loan, nearly double the $1,015 lost per loan in Q3. How can mortgage lenders tackle these rising costs while staying profitable? Join Kevin Peranio (PRMG), Richard Grieser (Truv), and Rob Chrisman on a webinar next week to find out. Learn from real-world examples of lenders reducing production costs through technological innovation and process optimization. June 4 at 1pm CT. Register now.

“Bueller? Bueller? Yes, you heard it right! It's time to channel your inner Ferris and seize the day with MQMR’s Summer Special for MERS audit. Picture yourself in the role of the charismatic Ferris Bueller, effortlessly taking charge and making the most of every opportunity. Just like Ferris, you can make your MERS Audit unforgettable, and with our special offer, you'll be saving some serious cash while you're at it! In the words of Ferris himself, ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’ At MQMR, we embrace Ferris's philosophy by staying ahead of the curve. With our proactive approach, MQMR guarantees a compliant and hassle-free MERS Audit experience! Like Ferris's legendary day off, this MERS offer won't last forever! Our audit professionals will ensure that your MERS audit is as spotless as Ferris's slick moves. Schedule a call!”

“Newrez Correspondent is thrilled to announce that Co-Issue has been added to our suite of delivery methods. If you are interested in Newrez’s Co-Issue program, please contact your Regional Sales Manager. In addition to Co-Issue, we have several other delivery methods and executions that will help you succeed in today’s market. We have also added Delegated Non-QM and Closed-end Home Equity products to enhance your product offering. Not approved? Sign up today! A big thank you to all of our clients, prospects and industry partners for spending your valuable time with our team at the National Secondary in NY. You can meet Tom Van Auken, Alex Weems and Chris Nobile at the upcoming 40th Regional Conferences of the MBAs in Atlantic City, NJ, June 4-7 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to discuss all that Newrez has to offer.”

Yet another merger in the lending biz

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Yesterday I received word that Beaverton, Oregon’s PacRes and Columbus, Ohio’s GO Mortgage have entered a merger agreement expected to close in the third quarter of 2024. “The merger will combine two high-quality mortgage lending platforms, each in business for over 20 years, with geographically diverse footprints and deep customer relationships.

“Following the merger, Michael Isaacs will lead the combined company as CEO. Matt Stashin, CEO/Founder of PacRes Mortgage, will join the GO Mortgage Board of Directors. Melissa Stashin, President/Founder of PacRes Mortgage, will become President. Eric Wiley, Executive Vice President/Founder of PacRes Mortgage, will become Chief Experience Officer. Andrew Panagos of GO Mortgage will become the Chief Operating Officer.

"Combining the companies creates new and exciting opportunities for both organizations," said Melissa Stashin. "This merger represents two culturally aligned and highly complementary brands joining forces to serve our clients and employee-partners better."

Supersonic lawsuit

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Anyone can sue anyone at any time, but this particular mortgage case has some nuances, including allegedly stealing a brand.

Jet Mortgage is the Wholesale division of Home Mortgage Alliance Corporation (HMAC). Around May 1, Michael Turturro, who was the head of Jet, allegedly took a number of AEs and went to OCMBC and set up Jet Alliance Mortgage. Execs and AE going to competitors is a fairly common occurrence in the California mortgage market (and elsewhere) but taking the brand, if true, is a new twist. That’s why, in addition to other claims, HMAC has filed suit in the Superior Court of the State of California in Orange County against Turturro and his new employer OCMBC, Inc., Irvine, CA.

Santa Ana-based Home Mortgage Alliance Corporation (HMAC), the owner of Jet Mortgage, released the following statement regarding the lawsuit it has filed in the Superior Court of the State of California in Orange County against a former senior executive, Michael Turturro, and his new employer OCMBC, Inc., Irvine, CA.

The Company released the following statement. “While surprised and deeply disappointed by the events that forced us to take legal action, we intend to let the lawsuit speak for itself. We are speaking out, however, to address the rumors being spread in the marketplace about our business and our brand. Jet Mortgage is very much still in business and is actively soliciting and processing new loans. We remain committed to the wholesale market and have both the resources and the capital to deliver a superior experience to our mortgage broker clients and their customers.

“On an interim basis, Alfred Hanna, founder of both Jet Mortgage and HMAC, will assume the day-to-day leadership of Jet Mortgage until a new executive has been appointed. Hanna remains fully committed to investing in, and growing, the Jet Mortgage brand. With more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of the mortgage business, Hanna has built three highly successful mortgage companies including a company that, at one time, was the largest Realtor-based mortgage company in California. Over the course of his career, Hanna has led these companies through a number of economic downturns.

“Under his leadership, we have already taken steps to deploy additional underwriting and processing resources so that the Company can continue to provide extraordinary service to our broker clients. In the weeks to come, the Company will be announcing a number of high-level, high-quality executive and account executive hires.”

Founded in 2013, HMAC is a national mortgage lender licensed in 47 states with 13 branches employing more than 175 loan officers. Its Jet Mortgage division was established in 2022 and is a national wholesale lender, serving more than 1,900 mortgage brokers nationwide.

The CFPB wants to hear from you by August 2

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With your opinion about a Request for Information (RFI) regarding fees imposed in residential mortgage transactions. You can access the RFI here.

The California MBA wants to hear from you

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With your opinion about insurance. “Our association has launched a public affairs campaign to draw attention to the insurance crisis that is affecting property owners throughout the state. We know that homeowners and commercial property owners are getting dropped from their insurance carriers, facing uncompetitive costly new polices, or having to turn to the FAIR plan or force-placed insurance as a last resort.

“California MBA has the opportunity to increase awareness of how the crisis is impacting homeowners and business owners and increase pressure on policymakers to adopt swift and meaningful solutions. We are developing materials and will be distributing messages through a variety of communication channels to encourage business community engagement and coalition activation.

“We will be calling for the Legislature and Insurance Commissioner to take actions that will lead to more reliable rates, greater insurance availability, and safer communities. As such, we would like to show the harm that is occurring across the state from this crisis.

“Can you help by sharing examples of how the insurance crisis is impacting your business or your customers? We would like to point to real-life examples of the consequences across California. Here is a link to fillable form to enter any helpful information or examples. (Any questions should be addressed to California MBA CEO Susan Milazzo.)

Capital Markets: with no recession in sight…

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There’s not a lot of reason for rates to drop much. But is U.S. economic growth going to slow enough to help the Fed’s fight against inflation? We learned yesterday that Q1 Gross Domestic Product was revised downward to 1.3 percent from 1.6 percent, as expected but primarily driven by weaker consumer spending, which grew at 2.0 percent, down from the previous estimate of 2.5 percent. Initial jobless claims remained stable, in line with expectations and indicating a generally solid labor market. Pending home sales experienced a notable decline in April, with contract signings dropping across all regions, particularly in the Midwest and West.

Today’s month-end session brings Fed favorite Personal Core Expenditures, the Fed’s favorite gauge of inflation. For April it was +.2 percent, year over year +2.7 percent. Expectations were for the core PCE Price Index increasing 0.3 percent month-over-month and 2.8 percent year-over-year, unchanged from March, with personal income and spending (+.2 percent) increasing 0.2 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. The core deflator year over year was +2.8 percent, as expected. Later today brings Chicago Purchasing Managers Index for May, and remarks from Atlanta Fed President Bostic. We begin the last day of the shortened workweek with Agency MBS prices a touch better from Thursday’s close, the 10-year yielding 4.53 after closing yesterday at 4.55 percent, and the 2-year still much higher at 4.92.

(Thank you to Bo H. for this one.)

Morris and his wife Esther went to the state fair every year, and every year Morris would say, “Esther, I'd like to ride in that helicopter.” Esther always replied, “I know Morris, but that helicopter ride is fifty dollars, and fifty dollars is fifty dollars.”

One year Esther and Morris went to the fair, and Morris said, “Esther, I'm 85 years old. If I don't ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance.” To this, Esther replied, “Morris that helicopter ride is fifty dollars, and fifty dollars is fifty dollars.”

The pilot overheard the couple and said, “Folks, I'll make you a deal. I'll take both of you for a ride, and if you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say a word, I won't charge you. But if you say one word, it's fifty dollars.”

Morris and Esther agreed, and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word.

When they landed, the pilot turned to Morris and said, “By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn't. I'm impressed!”

Morris replied, “Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Esther fell out, but you know, fifty dollars is fifty dollars.”

Visit www.robchrisman.com for more information on our industry partners, access archived commentaries, or to subscribe to the Daily Mortgage News and Commentary. If you’re interested, visit my periodic blog at the STRATMOR Group web site. The current blog is titled, “Down Payment Assistance Programs Helpful But Not a Universal Remedy.” The Commentary’s podcast is live and at any place you obtain your podcasts (like Apple or Spotify).

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(Market data provided in partnership with MBS Live. For free job postings and to view candidate resumes visit LenderNews. This newsletter is for sophisticated mortgage professionals only. There are no paid endorsements by me. For up-to-date mortgage news visit Mortgage News Daily. For archived commentaries, or to subscribe, go to www.robchrisman.com. Copyright 2024 Chrisman LLC. All rights reserved. Occasional paid job & product listings do appear. This report or any portion hereof may not be reprinted, sold, or redistributed without the written consent of Rob Chrisman.)