No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, one thing is clear—our industry is going through some serious changes. I recently spent a few weeks in our nation’s capital for a series of productive meetings, including the MBA National Advocacy Conference and three MBA and STRATMOR Peer Group Roundtable (PGR) meetings. It was a packed schedule, but incredibly insightful. Across those events—and really over the past several months—I’ve noticed a few big themes consistently coming up. With everything from federal policy shifts to rapid tech disruption, it’s a critical time for lenders to take a step back and rethink their game plan.
In this month’s InFocus article, we’re diving into four key trends every lender should be paying attention to right now. We’ll explore what they mean, and more importantly, what you can do to stay ahead—whether it’s navigating uncertainty, boosting profitability, or preparing for what’s next. Don’t miss, “Mr. Graham Goes to Washington: Navigating Policy Shifts and Profit Pressures.”
In a second article this month, Customer Experience Director Mike Seminari dives into why lenders can’t afford to treat past borrowers like one-time transactions. In a market where acquisition costs are rising and volume is down, retaining your existing customers isn’t just smart—it’s essential. “Strangers No More: Flipping the Script on Borrower Retention” offers practical insights and data-backed strategies to help you build stronger borrower relationships, improve lifetime value, and stay competitive in an increasingly margin-compressed environment. Don’t miss the opportunity to turn repeat business into a core strength.
Thank you for joining us for the May Insights Report. Your success remains our top priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way. STRATMOR provides a wide range of advisory services to facilitate, optimize and address the challenges lenders are facing today, including strategy design and implementation, financial benchmarking and performance, process review and improvement, maximizing servicing assets, optimizing your customer experience initiatives to get more business, technology procurement and implementation, M&A and strategic options, and much more. STRATMOR’s advisory team is available now to discuss these services. Please contact us to learn more.
In a market that’s shifting fast on everything from federal policy to tech disruption, this is a pivotal moment for lenders to reassess their strategy.
In this article, we’ll look at four core themes that should be on every lender’s radar right now, along with strategic actions you can take to navigate uncertainty, improve profitability, and position your business for what comes next.
Only 18% of borrowers return to their prior servicer or lender when they’re ready for a new loan. And in a market this competitive, that’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a full-blown crisis of loyalty. Let’s dig into why this happens and how servicers can flip the script.
The 2025 Technology Insight® Study: Lender Intelligence survey is now open. As the only independent study of its kind in the industry, it provides a candid view of how mortgage lenders perceive the technology platforms and vendor support they depend on daily.
Origination costs are at an all-time high. Given that sales costs will continue to be the largest component of retail origination costs, what can be done to manage this beast?
Understanding the key characteristics of the Expense Management Branch (EMB) and comparing the key performance metrics between it and the corporate branch model is essential to identifying which is best for your organization.
Secret shopping is the best way for lenders to remove the disconnection between perception and reality and pave the way for meaningful improvements in customer experience.
Last month, STRATMOR Principal Kris van Beever laid out a compelling vision for what’s possible through AI, automation, and digital transformation. But as any lender knows, vision alone isn’t enough—now it’s time to examine what’s actually being built.
Are we laying solid foundations for automation and AI within our organizations, or are we encountering constant delays, rising costs, and missed expectations?
The results from the Digital Innovations module of STRATMOR’s 2024 Technology Insight® Study offer a clear-eyed look at the state of digital adoption across the industry. Think of it as an on-site inspection of the mortgage tech foundation, highlighting the real progress being made—and the barriers that still need to be addressed.
The mortgage industry stands at the threshold of unprecedented transformation, with artificial intelligence (AI) as the catalyst for change. Just as modern railways revolutionized transportation, AI is reshaping lending operations with promises of enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and the ability to navigate new routes.
AI serves as the powerful engine propelling our industry forward by:
Despite the clear potential, many lenders remain uncertain about selecting the right technology partners and implementing AI solutions while maintaining regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction.
This article serves as a comprehensive guide, offering mortgage professionals a practical blueprint for leveraging AI in their operations. You’ll discover proven AI applications already delivering results, explore emerging technologies poised to reshape lending practices, and learn actionable implementation strategies that can position your organization at the forefront of this technological revolution.
To start the new year, we asked STRATMOR advisors: “What is the one thing you would tell your clients to focus on as we start 2025?” A clear takeaway emerged: adaptation is essential. Companies that resist change risk falling behind, while those that evolve with the market will maintain their competitive edge.
As we step into 2025, now is an ideal time to set resolutions that will guide your business toward continued growth and innovation. Whether it’s improving operational efficiencies, embracing new technology, or refining your customer experience, this year presents a unique opportunity to take practical steps that will pay dividends in the long run.
In this article, STRATMOR advisors offer practical recommendations to help you:
Read on so you can hit the ground running and make 2025 your best year yet.
Feel free to reach out with any questions or needs we might be able to help with.
