Mortgage origination has always had boom and bust selling cycles. When the good times roll, originators do well and are so busy closing loans that it seems there is little room for other sales activities. But when the boom cycle ends, originators can be in peril of losing their jobs and their income. The seesaw […]
Three Ways to Correct Boom or Bust Selling Cycles Read More »
There is no other topic in financial circles more sizzling than digital transformation. The buzz is everywhere: conferences, trade papers and webinars. It is like Y2k on steroids. But are we looking at digital transformation the wrong way? I think so. Here’s why we need to change our mindset. A recent Financial Brand article noted that
The Nuttiness of Today’s Digital Transformation Focus Read More »
Last week, a lender reached out to me regarding consulting services because the company’s production was down 20% from the previous year. This is a familiar scenario in mortgage banking where companies that once had high volumes are experiencing lower production and higher costs. The big question is what can lenders do to turn around their
Are You Running Your Business Like an Ostrich? Read More »
Prospecting is more difficult than ever because of all the filtering devices that exist. Yet salespeople still must prospect for new customers if they want to be successful in the long run. Unfortunately, originators who use phone calls or emails to prospect are experiencing record low response rates. Can you blame people for not answering
How to Cut Through the Clutter with Prospecting Efforts Read More »
In today’s volatile financial marketplace, lenders and their originators must position themselves as different from their competitors if they want to be successful. This reality is challenging everyone to abolish a “being average mindset” in delivering their services from prospecting to closing. Not doing so is a ticket to becoming irrelevant. Obviously, differentiating yourself
If Nothing Changes, then Nothing Changes Read More »
One of the most talked about topics in mortgage banking is whether the industry will evolve into a self-service business. Many managers are speculating whether purchasing a home loan will become a fully automated, point-and-click business similar to booking an airline flight or obtaining concert tickets. A number of high-level executives believe that digital is
Is Self-Service the Future of Mortgage Banking? Read More »
The recent announcement that General Motors will be closing plants has sent shock waves throughout the economy. The news seemed to be a surprise for many and was originally attributed to the tariff wars. However, a closer look reveals that GM had the wrong products and structure to face changing consumer preferences. In a New
Why GM’s Failure to See Tougher Times Ahead Matters Read More »
One of the most common complaints that I hear from managers is how Quicken is soliciting borrowers before the lender’s sales staff is able to do so. By reaching out first, Quicken is able to get loans from bank customers before the bank that owns the account! Lenders are frustrated and upset that their
How Quicken Is Stealing Your Accounts! Read More »
The hottest question at the executive level is “When will lenders change their compensation packages for originators?” I’ve heard managers say that if someone will be the first to do it, they will follow but the reality is that no one wants to take the lead on this issue. If compensation metrics don’t change, more
The Oracle of Omaha has Spoken Read More »
In today’s more difficult marketplace, the question I hear most frequently is some version of “What must my company do to succeed in a world where the consumer’s home-buying journey has changed so dramatically?” Consider that in just five years, more than 50% of homebuyers are finding their homes by searching the Internet. This monumental
Disruptors and the Importance of People Analytics Read More »
