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Category Archives: HECM Originators

HECM Originators – October 2021

HECM endorsements jumped significantly higher in October, and now we know that Wholesale/Broker volume powered 23.2% compared to 12.3% growth for Retail/Direct.

We talked plenty about top 10 lender performance highlights in our Lenders post for the month, but originators that aren’t FHA approved lenders are what makes this report different:

  • Ennkar jumped 82% to 133 loans […]

HECM Originators – September 2021

September saw a return to normal for HECM endorsements, with loan count rising 17.6% after a disappointing August to full recover to the tight range seen before that. Wholesale/broker volume rose 16.6% to hit the highest level in more than a year (likely surpassed in October) while Retail gained 19.3% to leave it just shy […]

HECM Originators – August 2021

August was a bit of a lost month for HECM endorsements, as we saw volume drop -14.1%. Some combination of summer vacations, endorsement lag times, and slowing business activity. Pick your favorite order.

Which makes this a good month for other aspects of our HECM Originators report that don’t always show up:

  • Open Mortgage is […]

HECM Originators – July 2021

HECM endorsements rose 2.8% in July to 4,276 loans. Wholesale declined for a fourth straight month, dropping -1.7% while Retail bounced back 5.9% from a poor June showing.

Lenders fared better in the rising tide, with 6 of the top 10 lenders increasing volume.

  • RMF jumped 55.8% to 642 loans, good for second highest for the month
  • South […]

HECM Originators – June 2021

HECM endorsements dropped -4.2% in June to 4,158 loans. Wholesale declined -2.1% to outperform Retail (-5.6%) for the first time in 5 months.

That subtle shift in channels showed up powerfully in lender performance, although once again just 3 of the top 10 lenders gained on the month.

  • Mutual of Omaha surged 43.5% to 333 loans – […]

HECM Originators – May 2021

HECM endorsements rose 3.8% in May, with Retail (+10.7%) outperforming Wholesale (-5%) for the 4th consecutive month.

Only 3 of the top 10 lenders increased volume in May, but putting that together with Retail dominance should make the top performing lender no surprise:

  • AAG lapped the field, jumping 32% to put 1,000+ loans between them and second […]

HECM Originators – April 2021

HECM endorsements dropped -0.8% in April as Retail outpaced Wholesale yet again. Retail grew 2.5% to 2,357 loans while Wholesale declined -4.7% to 1,825 loans.

Half of the top ten lenders increased volume on the month:

  • South River showed the continuing strength of refinance volume, rising 24.4% to 148 loans
  • Open Mortgage gained 20.4% to 242 loans
  • Longbridge rose […]

HECM Originators – March 2021

HECM endorsements rose 3.7% in March as Retail outpaced Wholesale, 4.1% to 3.3%.

Several top 10 lenders recovered well from a poor February:

  • HighTech continued its every other month cycle with 98 loans, a 133.3% jump from Feb and just above its January total of 94 loans
  • RMF gained 26.7% to 564 loans to balance out the Feb […]

HECM Originators – Feb 2021

HECM endorsements dropped -10.3% in February, as Wholesale/broker volume fell -12.8% and Retail/direct was slightly better at -8.1%. Each channel and the industry overall are almost identical to their December totals.

Several lenders managed to buck the downturn though:

  • Open Mortgage rose 10.6% to 219 loans
  • #1 lender AAG gained 6.9% to 1,437 loans
  • South River Mortgage jumped into […]

HECM Originators – January 2021

HECM endorsements rose 10.7% in January, with Wholesale/brokers pacing 14.1% growth while Retail/direct managed 7.8%.

Several lenders in the top ten marked impressive gains on the month as well:

  • Hightech jumped 67.9% to 94 loans, bouncing back from a disappointing December
  • Longbridge rose 59.8% to finish with 513 loans, a new high for the company on this report
  • Ennkar […]