Property Data, Construction Products; Webinars and Training; STRATMOR on Operational Readiness

Group 1: Industry Trends and Developments - Optimal Blue is hosting a webinar on January 27 to discuss the benefits of mandatory delivery in hedging strategies, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decisions in secondary marketing execution [1] - Planet has enhanced its correspondent sales team by hiring Scott Henley, who brings over 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry, to support correspondent partners in several states [2] - APB Wholesale's One-Time Close Construction loans are innovating construction financing by combining construction and permanent financing into a single loan, streamlining the process for borrowers [3] - Citi Correspondent Lending is focusing on growth for 2026, introducing enhancements to its Non-Agency Jumbo program, including increased loan amounts and cash-out limits [3] - ICE is providing comprehensive property data covering 99.99% of U.S. properties, which is crucial for lenders to make informed decisions in a competitive mortgage market [3] Group 2: Operational Readiness and Customer Experience - STRATMOR emphasizes the need for lenders to be operationally ready for a potential increase in loan volume, highlighting the importance of consistent processes and real-time feedback for strong borrower experiences [5][6] - Lenders are encouraged to integrate customer experience into their operating models to enhance scalability and protect business during demand fluctuations [6] Group 3: Market Insights and Economic Indicators - The mortgage market is seeing sub-6 percent rates, with mandatory loan sale delivery potentially offering a 10-50 basis point advantage over best efforts when managed effectively [11] - Recent economic data shows construction spending declined by 0.6% in September but rebounded by 0.5% in October, indicating a flat overall activity since August, with private residential improvements contributing to the October gain [14] - Ginnie Mae II 30-year aggregate speeds increased by 3% to a 12.4 one-month CPR, with varying prepayment speeds across different loan types, highlighting the importance of servicer behavior in prepayment risk [15]