DENVER, Colo. — October 16, 2025 — The mortgage industry is entering a new era defined by consolidation, competition, and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence, according to the latest STRATMOR Group Insights Report. In their article, “Raising the Stakes: Competing with Giants in the Age of AI and Consolidation,” Senior Partner Garth Graham and Principal David Hrobon say independent mortgage bankers (IMBs) must act decisively to define their place in a market dominated by powerful, vertically integrated players.
“The question for lenders today is simple,” writes Graham. “Will we build, will we partner, or will we follow? Whichever path you choose, passivity is not an option. The future will not be kind to firms that wait for technology to come to them—or worse yet, come at them.”
The article outlines how lenders can navigate a competitive landscape reshaped by major deals, such as Rocket’s acquisition of Mr. Cooper and Redfin, Bayview’s acquisition of Guild, and Compass’s purchase of Anywhere’s real estate brands. “These integrations between real estate, lending, and technology are rewriting how consumers engage in the homeownership journey—and they’re doing it at scale,” Graham says. “But this doesn’t mean independents are doomed. It means the rules of the game are changing.”
The article explores strategies for both IMBs and those considering mergers or acquisitions, emphasizing that the most successful organizations will combine strategic discipline, data-driven execution, and smart technology adoption to thrive. “There is room for both the bold independent and the strategic consolidator—but not for the complacent,” Graham writes.
STRATMOR is tracking more than a dozen active AI use cases across the industry—from borrower engagement and pricing to underwriting and servicing—each promising improved efficiency and margin performance, according to Graham.
Other highlights from the article include:
Also featured in this month’s Insights Report is “Running Smarter: How Benchmarking Turbo-Charges Servicing Retention” by STRATMOR Customer Experience Director Mike Seminari. Using the analogy of training for a race, Seminari challenges mortgage servicers to think strategically about borrower retention rather than simply reacting to market shifts.
Seminari also draws on STRATMOR’s MortgageCX Servicing data to explain how benchmarking and comparative performance measurement can dramatically improve borrower satisfaction and loyalty. His article outlines three “benchmark-driven habits” shared by top-performing servicers to measure borrower experiences, engage borrowers proactively, and use benchmarking insights to guide coaching and accountability across teams.
“Benchmarking turns anecdote into action,” he writes. “You can’t solve a 360-degree problem with a 30-degree view.”
Both articles emphasize a central theme: success in today’s mortgage market requires intentionality, measurement, and bold action. Those who adapt with speed, discipline, and data-driven insight will define the next chapter of the industry.
Click here to read the October 2025 edition of STRATMOR’s Insights Report.
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