Lykken on Lending

In today’s mortgage environment, volatility isn’t just a headline—it’s a real and immediate risk to your pipeline. In this segment, industry leaders break down why unpredictable rate movements, driven by global events and after-hours market shifts, are making it nearly impossible to accurately time the market. The conversation highlights a critical takeaway for loan officers and lenders alike: dis...

In today’s mortgage landscape, uncertainty has become the only constant. From geopolitical instability and oil-driven inflation to unpredictable interest rate movements, market conditions are shifting faster than ever—and traditional indicators are offering less clarity. In this segment, industry experts unpack why no lender truly has a competitive advantage in this environment and how that realit...

This podcast segment explores how agentic AI is rapidly evolving from a support tool into an autonomous “digital coworker” that can execute tasks, streamline operations, and transform mortgage workflows. ----------------------------------------------------- Allen Pollack , Tech Consultant Allen Pollack, a Mortgage & Financial Services Technology Advisor, is a subject matter expert in the mortg...

This podcast segment explains why despite evolving Department of Labor guidance, loan officers still face significant legal, regulatory, and structural barriers to being classified as independent 1099 contractors. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Alice Alvey , Master CMB Vice President Partner Education and Training at  Union Home Mortgage She handles develop...

This podcast segment explains how shifting Fed expectations, rising inflation signals, and Middle East tensions triggered sharp swings in bond yields and mortgage rates. ----------------------------------------------------- Matt  began as an originator in 2002. He fell in love with the idea of following MBS in real-time but felt that existing products were only scratching the surface. Thus wa...

03-24-2026 War and "Basketball Jones" Brings March Madness -------------------------- Basketball Jones, Jay’s got a Basketball Jones. Got a Dribble-Hawk Jones, Oil maybe, too-oo-ooo. Dribbling around inflation rebounds, war zone-defense, oil technicals, and foul growth prospects yield no final four results. The Sweet Sixteen only flirts with conclusions about inflation, war, Oil, and growth, and w...

This podcast segment highlights how the revised Basel III proposal delivers meaningful capital relief for mortgage servicing, lending, and credit availability following years of industry advocacy. ------------------------------------------------------------- Adam DeSanctis , VP of Communications at Mortgage Bankers Association As a strategic public affairs and communications executive with nearly...

The mortgage industry is facing a critical inflection point—millions of qualified buyers remain on the sidelines, not affordability alone, but due to a deep lack of trust and financial understanding. In this episode, industry leaders Kristin Messerli and Dave Savage unpack a powerful solution: leading with education to unlock the next generation of homebuyers. Through initiatives like FirstHomeIQ’...

The Lykken on Lending Weekly Mortgage Update  delivers expert commentary and timely insights from across the mortgage industry. Each episode features a curated lineup of respected thought leaders and analysts: Adam DeSanctis  with the  MBA Mortgage Minute , providing key updates from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Les Parker’s  TMSpotlight  offers a macroeconomic perspe...

This podcast segment explores how emerging AI tools, automation platforms, and even AI-to-human marketplaces are reshaping mortgage technology while raising important questions about keeping the borrower experience at the center of innovation. ----------------------------------------------------- Allen Pollack , Tech Consultant Allen Pollack, a Mortgage & Financial Services Technology Advisor,...

This podcast segment takes a candid look at recent housing executive orders, questioning their real impact while highlighting ongoing policy gaps and the challenges facing community banks under current regulations. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Alice Alvey , Master CMB Vice President Partner Education and Training at  Union Home Mortgage She handles develo...

This podcast segment explains how rising mortgage rates are being driven not just by oil and geopolitical tensions, but also by inflation expectations, heavy bond supply, and shifting market dynamics ahead of the Fed. ----------------------------------------------------- Matt  began as an originator in 2002. He fell in love with the idea of following MBS in real-time but felt that existing pr...

03-16-2026 "Grenade" ------------------------- Easy come, easy go, that's how terrorists live Oh, take, take, take it all, but they never give. Near-term, bears win, but when Oil flows smoothly, then watch Oil prices and rates fall. The new trend is bearish, driven by war-induced Oil inflation and spotty global growth prospects, leading the market to expect the Fed will ease later. Future rates de...

This podcast segment covers key developments in Washington, including new housing legislation, upcoming Basel III reforms, and executive orders aimed at expanding housing supply and improving mortgage market efficiency. ------------------------------------------------------------- Adam DeSanctis , VP of Communications at Mortgage Bankers Association As a strategic public affairs and communications...

This Weekly AI Update tackles one of the most misunderstood topics in technology today: the gap between AI hype and reality. Following headlines about thousands of layoffs attributed to AI, Pavan Agarwal and I break down what’s really happening behind the scenes—and why large language models like ChatGPT don’t actually “think,” but instead process and predict. We explore where AI is delivering mas...

What if your most valuable asset isn’t your home, your savings, or your investments—but your data? In this eye-opening conversation, David Lykken sits down with innovators Pavan Agarwal and Damon Burrows to unpack how breakthroughs in AI, blockchain, and medical imaging are reshaping the global economy. From owning your medical records to securely storing and licensing your data through digital wa...

The Lykken on Lending Weekly Mortgage Update  delivers expert commentary and timely insights from across the mortgage industry. Each episode features a curated lineup of respected thought leaders and analysts: Adam DeSanctis  with the  MBA Mortgage Minute , providing key updates from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Les Parker’s  TMSpotlight  offers a macroeconomic perspe...

This podcast segment explores the growing tension between AI’s ability to dramatically boost productivity and the potential risks of overreliance, including privacy concerns, data profiling, and people increasingly trusting AI for advice and decision-making. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Marc Helm , CEO, and Author Marc Helm...

Global events are once again taking center stage in the mortgage market. In this segment, industry leaders discuss how escalating tensions in the Middle East and rising oil prices are influencing bond markets and mortgage rates—often overriding traditional economic signals. The conversation explores why today’s markets aren’t responding to geopolitical conflict the same way they historically have,...

This podcast segment discusses the growing debate over whether the federal government should restrict institutional investors from buying single-family homes or if housing policy decisions should remain at the local and state level.------------------------------------------------------------------ Alice Alvey , Master CMB Vice President Partner Education and Training at  Union Home Mortgage S...

This podcast segment explains how escalating tensions with Iran and surging oil prices are fueling inflation fears, pushing Treasury yields higher and driving mortgage rates upward despite mixed economic data. ----------------------------------------------------- Matt  began as an originator in 2002. He fell in love with the idea of following MBS in real-time but felt that existing products w...

03.10.2026 "Soul Power" and Sole Control ------------------- What bulls need? (Sole power) What bears want? (Sole power) Fed don’t have. (Sole power), What they want? (Sole power) The legacy puppet masters want to control Iran, but the new multipolar US wants it free of terrorist power and the Persians free to choose. What will a successful Operation Epic Fury signify? Rates will go down down down...

This podcast segment explains the administration’s push to restrict large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes and highlights the Mortgage Bankers Association’s concerns about potential unintended consequences for rental housing supply, mortgage servicing, and overall housing affordability. ------------------------------------------------------------- Adam DeSanctis , VP of...

The Lykken on Lending Weekly Mortgage Update  delivers expert commentary and timely insights from across the mortgage industry. Each episode features a curated lineup of respected thought leaders and analysts: Adam DeSanctis  with the  MBA Mortgage Minute , providing key updates from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Les Parker’s  TMSpotlight  offers a macroeconomic perspe...

Global headlines can move markets quickly, but not every geopolitical event has a lasting impact on mortgage rates. In this segment, the panel unpacks how recent tensions in the Middle East, shifts in oil prices, and movements in the 10-year Treasury are influencing market sentiment. While early reactions can cause volatility, the discussion emphasizes the importance of separating headline-driven...