Mortgage Market Intelligence

Mortgage Market Intel #9 -  Mar 2, 2026

Written by James Hooper | Mar 2, 2026 12:00:00 PM

Market Movers

Last week, 253 originators switched companies and 969 individuals obtained their NMLS license. Notable originator movements last week include:

Figures are based on last 14 months’ production.

Market Movers (Companies)

Top Gainers (non-Bank/CU):

  1. Federal First Lending LLC +3.23%
  2. Hoot Home Loans LLC +2.94%
  3. Mission Loans, LLC +2.75%
  4. Neighborhood Loans, Inc. +2.55%
  5. FIRST HERITAGE MORTGAGE, LLC +2.43%
  6. Columbus Capital Lending, LLC +1.96%
  7. Cornerstone First Mortgage, LLC +1.57%
  8. Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation +1.45%
  9. Loan Titan, Inc. +1.18%
  10. Mortgage Solutions FCS Inc. +1.17%

Calculations based on last aggregate production of individual LO’s 14 months’ production for companies with at least 20 loan officers. Excludes companies below $100M in 14mo LO production value after gains factored in.

 


 

Borrower Retention Migration Is Accelerating - And the Stakes Are Rising 

Earlier this year, we published findings from our 2024 analysis showing that Top 500 IMBs were missing 64% of repeat borrower opportunities, representing more than $108 billion in lost recapture volume.

We have now updated our analysis using loan data from the first half of 2025.

The trend is not improving. It is getting worse.

68% of repeat borrower opportunities are being lost among the Top 500 IMBs.

That equates to more than $66 billion in lost borrower retention volume in just six months.

If that pace continues, the industry will outpace last year’s already staggering loss totals.

And while many lenders are still debating retention strategy, the largest players are moving aggressively to control the borrower relationship.

Rocket expanded its ecosystem through Redfin and Mr. Cooper.
UWM acquired Two Harbors.
PennyMac acquired Cenlar’s servicing business.

Each of these moves increases control over servicing, borrower data, and long-term customer touchpoints.

The direction of the market is unmistakable. The companies investing in servicing scale, consumer access, and lifecycle ownership are positioning themselves to capture the repeat borrower before competitors ever get a shot.

Meanwhile, 68% of opportunities are walking out the door.

This is not a rate problem.
It is not a brand problem.
It is a visibility and execution problem.

Borrower retention migration is accelerating because borrowers are being engaged consistently by someone. If it is not their original lender, it is a competitor with better timing, better data, and a stronger follow-up system.

The implications compound quickly:

    • Lower lifetime customer value
    • Higher future acquisition costs
    • Reduced portfolio leverage
    • Gradual erosion of market share

Retention begins the day after closing, not at payoff.

The lenders outperforming in recapture share three consistent traits:

    • Proactive, data-driven borrower engagement
    • Continuous monitoring of equity and rate incentive triggers
    • Structured retention playbooks for originators

RETR’s Home Value Report remains a practical way for originators to maintain borrower engagement between transactions. Teams can also access the Borrower Retention Strategy class in the Training section for implementation guidance. Company-level and originator-level retention performance can be reviewed at www.LoanLossReport.com.

Servicing is consolidating.
Platforms are scaling.
Data advantages are widening.

Here’s the big question: Are you positioned to compete for the borrower you already earned?  

 

Upcoming RETR Training

  • Mon, Mar 2 @ 2p ET - Intro to RETR: The Modern Loan Officer’s Data Advantage Register
    An overview of the many tools available to you in RETR – from agent and LO research, to list building and bulk contact exports, and borrower retention and refi finder tools, and more!
  • Wed, Mar 4 @ 12p ET - The Borrower Retention Advantage: How Loan Officers Stay Relevant Long After the Close Register
    Learn how RETR helps you turn past clients into future opportunities through smart alerts and data-driven follow-up.
  • Thurs, Mar 5 @ 2p ET - Intro to RETR: The Modern Loan Officer’s Data Advantage Register
    An overview of the many tools available to you in RETR – from agent and LO research, to list building and bulk contact exports, and borrower retention and refi finder tools, and more!

Is RETR Better?

When it comes to mortgage market intelligence, you have a handful of options, and RETR is one that truly stands out. Here’s what Kayla Kallander, top producer at First International Bank & Trust has to say about RETR: “The smarter, easier-to-use data from RETR helps me have better strategic conversations with my agent partners.”

But you don’t have to take their word for it. RETR offers a free trial to loan officers, branches, and mortgage companies to judge the quality of the data and insights for themselves.