Volume 25 Issue 166

Monday, August 31, 2026

MBA Advocacy Update: Read Bob Broeksmit’s WSJ Letter to the Editor; MBA/California MBA’s Significant Advocacy Win; MISMO Fall Summit Recap Amidst Record Attendance; more

This week’s top legislative and policy news from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

MBA Chart of the Week: IMB Production Expenses vs. Gross Production Expenses per Firm

This week's Chart of the Week compares simple average production expenses per-loan for the full sample to the average gross production expenses per firm.

Industry Briefs, Aug. 31, 2026

Industry news from Checkr, Truv, Class Valuation, Allstate Appraisal, eRESI, Prudent AI, Maxwell, Ardley, Dark Matter, Optimal Blue and Clear Capital.

Redfin: Housing, Childcare Consume More Than 50% of Typical Family’s Income

Redfin, Seattle, reported the typical working family spends about 52% of its annual income on housing and childcare. However, those figures vary significantly by region.

MBA VIDEOS

mPower Moments: On Authentic Executive Branding with Moxie Creative Studios’ Stephanie Armstrong

MBANow: Joel Kan on MBA’s Latest Economic Forecast and Annual26 Market Outlook Session

MBANow: Laura Hopkins on the Oct. 10 mPowering You Summit

MBANow: Wendy Penn on CONVERGENCE Baltimore

View in Browser >

TOP NATIONAL NEWS

MBA’s Broeksmit Pushes Back on WSJ’s FHA Distress Narrative
Lenders Prioritize Trust, Borrower Experience When Choosing Subservicers
Here’s Why Interest Rates are Going to Hit 7%

UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEWS

AI Mortgage Practitioner Course, Sept. 1-3
TODAY: Maximizing Home Equity Without Refinancing, Sept. 8

Top 10 Reasons Lenders Order UAD 3.6 Hybrid Appraisals Today (Sponsored by Asteroom)

Hybrid appraisals provide lenders with greater appraisal capacity, broader geographic coverage, faster UAD 3.6 adoption, standardized property data and a scalable nationwide fulfillment model.

The Next Era of Mortgage Subservicing Is Predictive, Not Reactive (Sponsored by LoanCare)

For decades, mortgage subservicing has been measured by responsiveness. The next era will be measured by foresight: the ability to anticipate borrower needs, identify opportunities for retention, and mitigate portfolio risks before they become urgent.

August 28, 2026

MBA NewsLink Q&A: Pennymac’s Mike Hogan on Mortgage Technology’s Next Chapter #MISMOSummit

https://newslink.mba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MISMO-Fireside-Chat-Pennymac-Optimal-Blue-100-120-1.jpg

RESTON, Va.--One central theme of the MISMO Fall Summit: AI is quickly moving to practical applications across the mortgage industry. MBA NewsLink caught up with Pennymac CIO Mike Hogan at the summit to discuss the evolving role of technology in mortgage.

August 28, 2026

MBA NewsLink Q&A: Kelli Himebaugh on Why Some Lenders Are Rethinking Their Loan Origination Systems

https://newslink.mba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Kelli-Himebaugh-100-120.png

MBA NewsLink interviewed LendingPad's Kelli Himebaugh about what lenders should consider as they position themselves for the next market cycle.

August 28, 2026

Broeksmit Addresses FHA Health in Wall Street Journal Letter to the Editor

https://newslink.mba.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/MBA-News-Graphic-100-120.png

The Wall Street Journal published a letter to the editor from Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Robert Broeksmit, CMB, on two subjects related to the health of the Federal Housing Administration.

August 28, 2026

FICO Score Credit Insights: Average FICO Score Holds Steady at 714; Consumers Show Resilience

https://newslink.mba.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Cash-Stock-Photo-Goran-Grudic-via-pexels-100-120.jpg

FICO, Bozeman, Mont., reported the average U.S. FICO Score is 714--unchanged since October 2025 but down one point from a year ago--as student loan delinquency reporting matures.

August 28, 2026

MISMO Congratulates New MISMO Standards Professionals #MISMOSummit

https://newslink.mba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MISMO-CMSP-8-25-26-100-120.jpg

RESTON, Va.--MISMO recognized two new Certified MISMO Standards Professionals and 14 new Associate MISMO Standards Professionals here at its Fall Summit.

August 28, 2026

MBA Independent Mortgage Bankers Conference 2027 in Tampa, Jan. 25-27

https://newslink.mba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMB-27-2026-08-28-100-120.png

MBA’s Independent Mortgage Bankers Conference, taking place January 25-27 in Tampa, Fla. is the industry event of the year for IMBs, curated by IMBs.

CLICK HERE FOR PRIOR ARTICLES

ABOUT MBA NEWSLINK

MBA NewsLink, a daily electronic publication, is a member benefit free to employees of MBA member companies, and available by paid subscription to non-members. For membership information click here

If this email has been forwarded to you, please visit our website to subscribe.

The links at the end of each abstract are to the publisher, publication, or article. Some links may require registration or subscription

One Voice. One Vision. One Resource. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is the national association representing the entire real estate finance industry. For more information visit us at our website.
President and CEO: Robert Broeksmit, CMB
Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing: John Mechem
Editor: Michael Tucker | 202/557-2851
Editorial Manager: Anneliese Mahoney | 202/557-2938
Senior Advertising & Editorial Specialist: Emani Curry | 202/557-2774
Advertising Opportunities: Bill Farmakis | 203/834-8832