Archive | The Mortgage Scoop

Rocket Companies

Nov 17, 2025

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12 min read

The Loyalty Crisis Breaking LOs & Fifth Third’s Mortgage Rehab

Customers don't value LOs like they used to, but the industry hasn't kept up. Plus, James Sias looks to makeover Fifth Third's formerly "bad" mortgage division, Pulte's beef w/ Rocket & more

James Kleimann

Zillow

The Confidential Pricing Leak Rocking the GSEs

Nov 14, 2025

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14 min read

The Confidential Pricing Leak Rocking the GSEs

Pulte ally at Fannie shares confidential data w/ chief rival, Better sees an opening w/ ICE frustration, Zillow's mortgage steering case & more

James Kleimann

FHFA

No Exam, Big Checks for Agent-LOs & Pulte's Spaghetti Wall

Nov 12, 2025

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13 min read

No Exam, Big Checks for Agent-LOs & Pulte's Spaghetti Wall

How dual licensing is playing out, portable mortgages somehow are in play for GSEs, more lender M&A deals, bad news for the CFPB & more

James Kleimann

Freddie Mac

Nov 10, 2025

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14 min read

It’s 2076. I Just Paid Off My Mortgage

What to make of Trump's 50-year mortgage proposal, GSEs to remain in conservatorship, Blend turns its nose up at smaller IMBs & more

James Kleimann

Servicing

Nov 7, 2025

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13 min read

The Math Behind UWM’s AI-Servicing Play

UWM's AI voice agent Mia is already delivering big returns, a fun theory on Fannie's big DU change, Rocket's old-but-new servicing platform & more

James Kleimann

Lower

Nov 5, 2025

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12 min read

Big Bites & Slow Chews at Lower

Acquisitive Lower is fusing many big strategies all at once, rumored changes to LLPAs a real bummer for industry, a twist on a classic down payment scam & more

James Kleimann

Rocket Companies

ICE Bets on ICE & Zillow Bets on Mortgage Discounts

Nov 3, 2025

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13 min read

ICE Bets on ICE & Zillow Bets on Mortgage Discounts

How ICE is integrating AI into Encompass & MSP, Zillow's mortgage discount play, what's pissing off LOs & more

James Kleimann

Rocket Companies

The Broker World's Messiest Breakup & Rocket's Scary Potential

Oct 31, 2025

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14 min read

The Broker World's Messiest Breakup & Rocket's Scary Potential

AIME, UWM & Katie Sweeney throw down — plus Rocket's early wins post-M&A spree, the hidden risk in letting lenders pick the higher credit score & more

James Kleimann

optimal blue

Unpacking the Mortgage Cadence Sale & DSCR Bedlam in B'more

Oct 29, 2025

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11 min read

Unpacking the Mortgage Cadence Sale & DSCR Bedlam in B'more

OB's response to the 'cartel' lawsuit, "liberated" from Accenture, plus: ignoring red flags in Charm City

James Kleimann

The Loyalty Crisis Breaking LOs & Fifth Third’s Mortgage Rehab

The Confidential Pricing Leak Rocking the GSEs

No Exam, Big Checks for Agent-LOs & Pulte's Spaghetti Wall

It’s 2076. I Just Paid Off My Mortgage

The Math Behind UWM’s AI-Servicing Play

Big Bites & Slow Chews at Lower

ICE Bets on ICE & Zillow Bets on Mortgage Discounts

The Broker World's Messiest Breakup & Rocket's Scary Potential

Unpacking the Mortgage Cadence Sale & DSCR Bedlam in B'more

If it's being whisperedin the halls, it's here first.

If it's being whispered
in the halls, it's here first.