OCTOBER 2026

Welcome to our October Newsletter!

Happy Halloween! Sitting in Dallas at 92 degrees mid-October, it sure doesn’t feel like Fall but I guess it’s better than what both coasts are dealing with from Mother Nature.

As we approach Halloween, the market sure does feel a little scary. Logically, we know that this too shall pass but tell that to Loan Officers seeing dwindling pipelines. Those big investments in AI may be causing some lenders heartburn about now. Check out how the mortgage industry feels a lot like a haunted house these days…

Also in this issue:

Do Loan Officers Make Good Leaders?
The World Cup Numbers are In - Is Anyone Else Surprised by what the Biggest Revenue Generator Was?
The Psychology of Treating Yourself

With less-than-optimal market conditions, the inevitable question always arises, “Am I with a stable lender who can withstand this?” If you want to consider other options or have questions surrounding your career, be sure to connect with us for a confidential discussion. Don’t forget to sign up for our monthly Newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox!

Your Best Producer May Not Be Your Best Leader

In mortgage lending, top producers are often the first people considered when leadership opportunities open up. They know how to generate business, build relationships, manage referral partners, and close loans. They've proven they can succeed in a competitive industry, often under challenging market conditions. But does that automatically make them good leaders?

Not necessarily...

Trick or Treat? The Mortgage Market Has a Few Tricks Up Its Sleeve

Ghosts, goblins, and interest rates… Oh my!

October is here, and while most people are busy decorating their homes with skeletons, carving pumpkins, and stocking up on candy, those of us in the mortgage industry might argue that we’ve been living in a haunted house for quite some time. Between unpredictable interest rates, affordability challenges, shrinking margins, and borrowers who seem...

The World Cup Numbers are In…is Anyone Surprised at the Biggest Revenue Generator?

FIFA was a huge deal for the US, especially for host cities. We saw packed stadiums, fans sucking up so much beer there had to be “emergency” replenishment stocks, restaurants packed to the gills, elaborate watch parties and numerous hosted events. Somehow, I thought the US would have profited more than it did. To be sure, lots of revenue was made, However...

The Psychology of Little Treat Culture

In the modern economy, the concept of treating oneself has evolved from occasional indulgence to a daily ritual. The "little treat" — a $7 oat milk latte, a small candle, a single piece of designer chocolate — has become less about consumption and more about psychological survival. What was once considered an occasional splurge has become a way for consumers...

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