With almost three more months of political jabbering, here’s a town in Kentucky that keeps politics in perspective with qualified candidates. In a mix of politics and lending, candidate Trump was quoted (again) saying that he wants more control over the Federal Reserve and setting interest rates. Lenders and vendors, of course, are less concerned with political dickering and more concerned with helping our clients in the here and now. According to Curinos’ new proprietary application index, refinances have increased nicely. “Additionally, July 2024 funded mortgage volume increased 8% YoY and increased 7% MoM. The average 30-year conforming retail funded rate in July 2024 was 7.02, 9bps lower than June 2024 and 36bps higher than the same month last year. (Curinos sources a statistically significant data set directly from lenders to produce these benchmark figures. We drill into this data further here.) (Today’s podcast is found here and this week’s is sponsored by Truv. Truv lets applicants verify income, employment, assets, insurance, and switch direct deposits. Unlock the power of open finance, with Truv. Hear an interview with Mortgage Advisors Steven Cooley on the capabilities of mortgage technology and how lenders are making vendor decisions in the market.) Lender and Broker Software and Services “The mortgage industry is evolving, and appraisers are adapting! The future of valuations is here, with new technologies like inspection-based waivers (IBWs) streamlining the process. IBWs can save borrowers time and money, and lenders need to understand how to implement them effectively. The “Leaders in Lending: Inspection-Based Appraisal Waivers” webinar recording offers valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of IBWs, best practices for implementation, and expert opinions on the future of appraisal modernization. Watch the webinar recording today and stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly changing industry!”