AI Document, Broker, U/W, QC Tools; Lender/Investor Earnings; Credit News; LO Retention Examined

The MBA believes that 2027’s production will be 5 percent less than 2026’s and be below $2 trillion. “Rob, are you hearing that, with volumes down (units and volume), lenders are once again examining keeping entire loan originator workforces?” Indeed I am. At the most basic level, as we move through autumn and into winter with no sign of greatly improved rates and the spring “home buying season” five months away, lenders are asking, “Is the LO carrying him/herself?” Lenders are moving LOs to part-time status, cutting benefits when possible, or suggesting they “find success elsewhere.” Many are shifting. RETR reports that from January through September 9, 2026, independent mortgage bankers lost roughly 100 net loan officers, representing approximately $1.8 billion in production, while the non-delegated, broker and wholesale channels gained 327 net loan officers and nearly $7 billion in production. Technology-enabled platforms make it easier to move production into operating models with lower costs and more efficient fulfillment. (Today’s podcast can be found here. This week’s ‘casts are presented by nCino, the platform for agentic AI in mortgage lending. nCino is helping mortgage lenders deliver a faster, simpler path to homeownership. Today’s has an interview with SF Realtor Arrian Binnings on how real estate agents and mortgage originators build effective partnerships and how AI may change their work.) Lender and Brokers Products, Services, and Software