Mortgage rates have reached an inflection point, says Frost Bank CEO Phil Green

Mortgage Lending - Mortgage lending activity saw an inflection point as rates decreased, leading to increased refinancing and home purchases [3][4] - Approximately half of the mortgage lending activity is driven by refinancing, as people seek to adjust rates on adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) reaching maturity [3] - A conventional mortgage rate of 5.75% is attracting borrowers [3] Consumer Behavior - Consumer spending is bifurcated, with middle to low-income consumers being cautious and high-income consumers maintaining good spending activity, including automobile purchases [5][6] Interest Rate Expectations - The company expects the Federal Reserve to respond to the economy, particularly potential softness in the labor market, by lowering rates [8][9] Expansion Strategy - The company is not interested in mergers and acquisitions, focusing instead on organic growth, having increased physical locations by 50% in the last five years in Texas markets [10] - The company aims to capitalize on dislocations resulting from mergers by attracting disenfranchised customers and bankers [11]