APRIL 2026

Welcome to our April Newsletter!

A candidate recently commented to me , “You like going to the Circus? Join the mortgage business!” The industry is once again on one of its infamous rollercoasters. We’ve all been here before, right? Some world event (in this case, the Iran conflict) is shaping rates and homebuyer behavior. The public is nervous – rising gas, airfare prices and grocery spikes have a ripple effect on homebuyer confidence. In this issue, check out how the war is affecting our industry and what it could mean if a ceasefire holds…or doesn’t.

The conflict isn’t just affecting homebuyer trends, it’s also having an impact on how lenders are approaching Recruiting…strategic recruiting is front and center vs “growth at all costs.”

In this issue:

The Iran Conflict is Affecting Your Business – Here’s How
Global Events Drive Change in Recruiting Strategies
Is AI Killing Effective Recruiting?
What the MBA is Doing to Attract New Talent to the Industry

Reach out to MSA for help in making your Executive team world class as we face the latest rollercoaster. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox!

The Iran Ceasefire Could Be a Gamechanger for the Mortgage Industry (If it Holds, That Is…)

Ten-year US Treasury yields tumbled on Tuesday evening as the US announced a two-week pause on hostilities in Iran, sparking hopes of lower mortgage rates and a boost to homebuyer confidence in the weeks ahead. The conflict, which erupted at the end of February, canceled out a brief mortgage rate decline into the fives and sent scores of US homebuyers to the sidelines amid growing fears about surging oil prices and a potential big hit to the US economy.

Global Events Are Also Affecting Recruiting

For years, mortgage professionals could mostly keep their focus on the usual suspects—Fed policy, inflation data, and housing supply. Global events were something you watched, but they didn’t always feel directly tied to your day-to-day business.

That’s changed. Today, global instability—from geopolitical conflicts to energy price shocks—is having a direct and immediate impact on mortgage rates.

Breaking the Cycle: Is AI Really Helpful in Recruiting?

The mortgage industry is, in many ways, beautifully predictable. The same top producers, the same referral networks, and the same names that surface in every market cycle. And for those of us in talent acquisition, that familiarity can quietly turn into something else. It can turn into an endless recycling of conversations that feel transactional, repetitive, and—at times—uninspired. But, the industry hasn’t become stagnant, the approach to recruiting has.

The Talent Gap Isn’t Coming—It’s Already Here

Since 2021, the mortgage industry has seen a staggering 36%–47% decline in active producing loan officers. For hiring managers and leaders, this isn’t just a statistic—it’s a growing challenge to sustain production, support growth, and build the next generation of talent.

But there’s a meaningful solution beginning to take shape.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

About MSA Recruiting:

As a leading executive search firm, MSA Recruiting specializes in connecting exceptional talent with top-tier opportunities across the financial services industry. Committed to excellence and precision, we redefine the recruitment experience through tailored solutions designed for your organization. With 30+ years of experience recruiting Best in Class leadership candidates, partnering with MSA provides a one-stop solution to your organization by surrounding your team with Impact Players.

Explore our comprehensive range of services and discover how our expertise can elevate your career or organization. Partner with MSA Recruiting and experience the difference an accomplished executive search firm can make. www.MSArecruiting.com