“Twas the third of September, the day I’ll always remember… Wherever he laid his hat was his home, and when he died, all he left us was a loan…” Okay, maybe it was “alone.” Residential lenders aren’t alone out there. Our fates and fortunes often move in tandem with commercial lenders, so it is worth noting that the delinquency rate on Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) for offices surged 62 basis points in August, to a record 11.7 percent, a full percentage point above the post-2008 peak of 10.7 percent, per the weekly commercial sector newsletter, the Kobeissi Letter. Returning to the “resi” sector, there is noise out there about the government declaring an “emergency” because of it. Lenders know the issues are complex. For example, Condotek offers a compliance report for condominium associations battling ineligibility for financing. These days, one never knows what will come out of the government, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week is sponsored by Gallus Insights. Mortgage KPIs, automated, at your fingertips. Gallus allows you to turn data from your various databases and systems into automated business intelligence and actionable insights. Hear an interview between Robbie and me on what the shift from summer to fall historically means for the mortgage industry.) Products, Services, and Tools for Lenders and Brokers As kids head back to the classroom, it is a good reminder that education fuels success not just for students, but for financial institutions as well. With U.S. homeowners holding trillions in tappable equity, demand for home equity products continues to grow. The real differentiator, however, is not only about rates or speed. It is about education. Lenders who invest in training their teams and guiding borrowers position themselves as trusted advisors, capturing opportunities others may miss. This new blog from FirstClose highlights strategies to help build a more confident front line, engage equity-rich homeowners, and drive long-term growth by turning knowledge into action. It is a quick, free read with practical insights for making the most of today’s home equity opportunity. Tappable equity is rising, and education is the key to capturing it. Read the full blog here.