What We're Hearing

So, what was the mood at the Mortgage Bankers Association's secondary marketing conference in Chicago? It all depends on who you talk to. One of our editors said lenders were trying to be optimistic but (obviously) acknowledged the huge challenges that lie ahead, including the warehouse funding crisis and delinquencies. One analyst sent out a message to his clients, noting that every lender he spoke with "is at or near record levels of production. They are originating conforming and government products with the best underwriting standards in years and with the biggest profit margins in years. There was plenty of reflection that this is how 'the business used to be.'" As far as mortgage employment is concerned, every lender that this analyst talked to is looking to hire "good" underwriters…