Blogs

How Credit Unions Can Use Mortgage Opportunity Zones to Drive Growth

By Bernard Nossuli posted 11 days ago
At the 2025 ACUMA Annual Conference, I shared a data-driven roadmap credit unions can use to capture new purchase opportunities in any market. Using the Denver metro area as an example, I demonstrated how local lenders like Westerra Credit Union and Ent Credit Union are turning market data into clear, focused growth strategies. This approach centers on mortgage opportunity zones (MOZs), which are defined areas where credit unions can focus their efforts to expand market share and strengthen community connections. This framework gives credit unions a practical way to find new mortgage opportunities, understand their competition, and invest strategically in ...

The 2026 Crossroads: 4 Decisions That Will Define Your Year

By Lyubomira Buresch posted 16 days ago
As we stand at the crossroads of 2025 and 2026, the path forward for credit union leaders can feel as uncertain as a misty mountain trail. Finalizing your strategic plan now requires more than just setting goals; it demands Prioritization. And in this landscape, the only reliable guide is making Data-Driven Decisions. But data is more than just numbers. Data is and should be the source of true insight. It’s how you finally replace "I think" with "I know." As you stand at this junction, here are the four paths that demand your full attention. 1. How will mortgage consolidation affect credit unions in 2026? Industry consolidation from major lenders like ...

Innovation and readiness shine through at MBA Annual

By Lyndsey Hearn posted 26 days ago
By Wes Horbatuck The Mortgage Bankers Association’s Annual Convention and Expo recently wrapped up in Las Vegas with a sense of optimism not felt in years. Energy and engagement across sessions, lounges and partner events were at an all-time high, a sign that the mortgage community, including the many credit unions serving members nationwide, is reconnecting and refocusing on what’s ahead. At Dark Matter, we’re especially grateful to all of our clients, and especially our credit union clients, who traveled to Las Vegas and stopped by to meet with our team. Your conversations and feedback made the event even more meaningful. Collaboration and partnership ...

U.S. Mortgage Growth in 2026 Signals Opportunity for Credit Unions

By Bernard Nossuli posted 27 days ago
For credit unions looking ahead, the mortgage market appears poised for renewed energy and fresh opportunity. According to iEmergent ’s newly released 2025–2027 U.S. Mortgage Origination Forecast, originations will climb to $2.27 trillion in 2026, a 13% increase over 2025. The forecast calls for a rebound in refinance activity as well as modest purchase gains, trends driven by slowing economic growth and easing interest rates. This recovery presents a critical window for credit unions to expand their mortgage presence, serve more members, and capture renewed refinance opportunities. Key Forecast Highlights The 2026 outlook reflects a shifting economic ...

Sourcepoint/The StoneHill Group at MBA Annual 10/19-10/22/25

By Anthony Golden posted 10-07-2025
Mortgage 4.0: AI-Powered Execution at the Speed of Now. From surge-ready lending operations to agentic AI in collections, Mortgage 4.0 is built for execution—not experimentation. If your teams are still waiting on insights, you’re already behind. At MBA Annual 2025 (October 20–21, Fontainebleau Las Vegas), our executive team will host private sessions in Room Azure 2, 4th floor, with senior mortgage leaders to discuss how they are: • Accelerating lending with touchless mortgage workflows • Reducing investor risk with predictive, real-time compliance • Scaling with mortgage-trained global talent • Modernizing collections with digital-first, ...

Why Credit Unions Should Embrace Shared Equity, Risk Models

By Bernard Nossuli posted 09-22-2025
The U.S. housing market is at a turning point. For many people—especially first-time buyers, low- to moderate-income (LMI) households, and communities of color—traditional lending and subsidy models are proving insufficient. But by adopting shared equity, shared appreciation, and shared risk models, credit unions have an opportunity to create structural change that leads to a more inclusive, sustainable housing market. These models represent a fundamental shift in how wealth, risk, and opportunity are distributed and underscore a collaborative approach to solving complex, long-standing community challenges. And while they’ve shown promise at the local level, ...

Sharing My Vision as Dark Matter’s New CTO

By Lyndsey Hearn posted 09-09-2025
By Vikas Rao ___________ As I step into the role of Chief Technology Officer at Dark Matter Technologies, I see an exciting opportunity for credit unions to embrace a new era of innovation. Your members want more than just digital speed and convenience — they want experiences built on trust, transparency, and a genuine understanding of their needs. At Dark Matter, our mission is to deliver technology that keeps pace with expectations and helps you exceed them — enabling you to serve your members with greater efficiency, stronger compliance, and more personalized service. Bridging Technology and Member Value With a decade in mortgage fintech, ...

Xactus Attends ACUMA 2025 Fall Conference

By Jack Bourlas posted 09-05-2025

Accounting for Mortgage Lending: A Credit Union Challenge

By Danielle Coley posted 09-03-2025
Written by Brian Friedman, Loan Vision VP of Sales As credit unions continue to grow their mortgage presence, many are finding that accounting for that side of the business brings unique challenges. Loan-level detail, commission structures, secondary market activity, and reporting demands often sit outside the capabilities of traditional core systems. For teams that are used to managing consumer or commercial portfolios, mortgage lending introduces a level of complexity that isn’t always obvious at the start. We’ve heard from credit unions that rely heavily on spreadsheets, custom workarounds, or legacy general ledger systems — not because they want to, ...

5 Takeaways from HousingWire’s 2025 AI Summit for Credit Unions

By Lyndsey Hearn posted 08-19-2025
By Craig Rebmann _______________ At this year’s HousingWire AI Summit, held on August 12, the conversation around artificial intelligence (AI) in lending reached a turning point. The buzz wasn’t just about “what this technology might do someday” but about “what we should be doing with it now.” Executives, regulators, technologists and practitioners gathered to examine AI adoption's opportunities and risks. My biggest takeaway: while the hype is loud, real progress depends on smart adoption, strong guardrails and a clear-eyed understanding of how fast this field is changing. The stakes are high for credit unions. AI has the potential to ease member ...

How Empowering First-Generation Buyers Can Drive Growth

By Bernard Nossuli posted 08-14-2025
Credit unions are familiar with the term first-time homebuyer (FTHB) . Typically defined as anyone who hasn’t owned a principal residence in the last three years, it’s a familiar phrase embedded in underwriting guidelines, down payment assistance programs, and marketing materials—and for good reason. But there’s another group reshaping the future of homeownership, and they deserve more attention. First-generation homebuyers are individuals whose parents or guardians have never owned a home. These members aren’t just purchasing their first home—they’re taking the first step toward building generational wealth, often without the benefit of inherited ...

Let’s Make Compliance a Competitive Advantage for Credit Unions

By Lyndsey Hearn posted 07-16-2025
By Craig Rebmann _______________ Credit unions have long been reputed for doing right by their members. But in today’s regulatory landscape — defined by state-level shifts, complex federal mandates and growing expectations around data integrity — compliance is no longer just a defensive posture. It’s become a strategic asset. As financial cooperatives, credit unions are uniquely positioned to turn compliance into a powerful differentiator that improves service quality, enhances trust and reinforces the core mission of member advocacy. The Regulatory Reality for Credit Unions From the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures ...

AAPI Homeownership Gaps: What Credit Unions Need to Know

By Bernard Nossuli posted 07-10-2025
The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is a more diverse, complex ecosystem of households than its aggregate trend of upward mobility shows. iEmergent conducted an in-depth analysis of homeownership trends among the AAPI community , the fastest growing racial group in the United States, showing the disparities between its two population segments and how credit unions can move beyond one-size-fits-all strategies. While key housing metrics show Asian Americans track closely with national averages, Pacific Islanders lag far behind. This knowledge reveals the need for credit unions to consider how progress for one member segment does not mean ...

Tech Should Support – Not Replace – Your Loan Officers

By Courtney Dodd posted 07-08-2025
By Jason Mapes, Head of Sales, Floify _______________________________ As someone who’s bought a few homes and spent over two decades in mortgage and lending tech, I’ll tell you this: I would never go through a mortgage process that was 100% online and 0% human. That may sound odd coming from someone in mortgage technology, but it’s because I’ve seen both sides. I understand the efficiencies automation brings. I know what’s possible with AI, machine learning and digital transformation. But here’s the thing: I still believe in the irreplaceable value of a skilled loan officer, especially in mission-driven lending environments like credit unions. Because ...

Understanding HMDA Data Releases: Your Essential Guide for Unlocking Mortgage Market Insights

By Lyubomira Buresch posted 06-25-2025
The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data stands as the bedrock of mortgage industry intelligence , offering unparalleled transparency to lenders, regulators, and market researchers. However, many industry professionals don't fully understand the careful choreography involved in collecting, releasing, and continuously updating this critical data throughout the year. If your role touches mortgage lending, fair lending compliance, market analysis, or housing policy, a deep understanding of HMDA data releases isn't merely beneficial—it's essential to informed decision-making and strategic growth. At Polygon Research, we transform HMDA data into strategic ...

How Credit Unions Are Keeping Equity in Focus

By Bernard Nossuli posted 06-16-2025
In today’s shifting mortgage landscape, one thing remains clear: credit unions are uniquely positioned to lead with purpose. During iEmergent’s April 30 webinar, “Not Sold on Diversity? Fine. Let’s Talk About Your Bottom Line,” John Harpst of Lake Michigan Credit Union emphasized that mission-driven lending doesn’t just endure disruption—it thrives on it. Credit Union DNA: Member-First, Mission-Always Recent rollbacks in DEI policies and changes to GSE support for special purpose credit programs (SPCPs) have left many lenders questioning the long-term viability of equitable lending efforts. But credit unions like LMCU aren’t backing down. When regulatory ...

Credit unions can no longer afford outdated mortgage tech. Here’s what to do about it.

By Courtney Dodd posted 06-11-2025
By Sofia Rossato In today’s mortgage environment, one thing is clear: Change is no longer on the horizon; it’s here. For credit unions, which are trusted by millions of members to provide personalized, affordable financing solutions, adapting to this new reality is essential. Credit unions that continue to rely on outdated technology, particularly in their mortgage and home loan operations, are not just at a disadvantage; they’re falling behind. Today’s members are staying in their homes longer, holding on to low-rate mortgages and exploring new ways to tap into their home equity. This is fueling a boom in demand for HELOCs and home equity loans. In fact, ...

A New Chapter for Dark Matter Technologies

By Lyndsey Hearn posted 06-04-2025
By Sean Dugan, CEO, Dark Matter Technologies It was a pleasure connecting with many of you at our Horizon user conference. For those who couldn’t attend this year, we hope to see you at next year’s event. Your insights and partnership are what make gatherings like Horizon so valuable. As I step into the role of CEO at Dark Matter Technologies, I’m excited about the road ahead and deeply committed to supporting our credit union clients in navigating the evolving mortgage landscape. Together, we share a mission rooted in service, trust, and community impact. Credit unions and the members you serve are at the heart of everything we do. After more ...

Turning Market Shifts into Growth Opportunities with 2024 HMDA Data

By Bernard Nossuli posted 05-07-2025
Each year, the release of HMDA data provides new insight into how the mortgage landscape is evolving. The 2024 data reveals early signs of recovery from the challenges of 2023, with a notable rebound in refinance activity and continued shifts in market leadership. For credit unions, these trends offer both a reality check and a strategic opportunity: competition is rising, but there is room to grow by leaning into mission-driven lending and deepening service to members. Loan Volumes Are Rebounding, but Affordability Pressures Remain In 2024, U.S. lenders originated 4.9 million purchase and refinance loans totaling $1.67 trillion in volume, a modest increase ...

3 Must-Have LOS Features for Credit Unions

By Lyndsey Hearn posted 05-06-2025
By Wes Horbatuck, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Dark Matter Technologies Credit unions have long been recognized for their member-first approach, community focus, and commitment to trust and transparency. But in today’s lending landscape, those values must be supported by modern, efficient technology, especially when it comes to your loan origination system (LOS). Whether you're upgrading your current system or exploring LOS options for the first time, the selection process can be overwhelming. You’re not just picking software — you’re choosing a core partner that will impact your lending efficiency, compliance, member experience and bottom ...