Fortunately for the readers of this Commentary, we don’t receive federal funding, so it won’t be cut… Unlike groups like NPR and PBS which the Trump Administration call “biased.” Most media have advertising as a source of funding, and speaking of ads, Mark Zuckerberg says ads will soon be handled entirely by AI. Doubt it. But for those interested in lending and artificial intelligence, “artificial” being the key word, here is a story about how high rates and low volumes are accelerating the Rise of AI-Enabled Mortgage Lenders. But technology isn’t going away, and is often a topic on today’s Last Word at 10AM PT, Brian Vieaux, Kevin Peranio, and Robbie Chrisman explore the impact of recent economic news and falling mortgage rates on the housing and lending markets. They’ll also reflect on key takeaways from the 109th tech-heavy TMBA Annual Conference and preview what’s ahead in the busy spring conference season. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week is sponsored by CreditXpert, the credit optimization platform that helps today’s top mortgage originators and more than 60,000 mortgage professionals qualify more applicants, make more competitive offers, reduce LLPA premiums and close more loans. Hear an interview with Realfinity’s Kipper Bush on how embedded finance can empower real estate professionals with seamless mortgage solutions at the point of sale.) Software, Products, and Services for Lenders and Brokers Leading Lenders: Risk, Reward, and Reinvention dives into how industry leaders are embracing change, overcoming challenges, and driving innovation in today’s market. Produced by HousingWire in partnership with Polly, this exclusive docuseries showcases the people and platforms changing how pricing, automation, and strategy intersect. Each episode takes you inside a different lending organization to share their unique perspective on the industry and how they are raising the bar. Episode 1 features Kristin Ankeny Bickenbach of New American Funding, sharing how the company is leveraging strategic technology and automation to empower their loan officers and lead in a tightening mortgage landscape. NAF has redefined how loan officers engage with crucial parts of the mortgage process, including the lock desk, secondary marketing, and customer service. From intuitive pricing systems to high-touch lock desk support, NAF’s strategy prioritizes speed, accuracy, and adaptability while staying rooted in its people-first values. View episode!