Consumer lending

Loan officers from the Top Producers rankings share some of their best career anecdotes and advice behind their success in the mortgage industry.

JPMorgan Chase reported a 21% drop in year-over-year earnings for its mortgage business as revenue dropped 10%.

BankUnited of Miami Lakes, Fla., has exited the retail mortgage origination channel.

Employment at nonbank mortgage lenders and brokers was down in November, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Ditech Financial, a subsidiary of Walter Investment Management, is exiting the distributed retail mortgage production channel.

As the purchase market heats up, banks are looking to utilize digital tools meant to make the daunting homebuying experience easier.

The more aggressive nonbank lenders are attracting top producers by essentially allowing loan officers to set their own rate of pay. While so-called "pick-a-pay" compensation plans are not illegal, critics say they can encourage loan officers to steer consumers into more expensive loans in order to increase their own pay.

National Mortgage News is pleased to begin accepting submissions for the 2016 Top Producers, an annual ranking of mortgage loan officer and broker origination volume.

Rather than relying on a formal marketing services agreement to get business, loan officers now have to prove that they can provide realty agents and consumers the best mortgage experience.

Jason Evans of Mortgage Master sees his business thrive through close attention to the finer points of customer experience.