Brad Finkelstein
@bradfinkelstein.bsky.social
Originations editor at National Mortgage News, sports fan, former umpire, husband and dad to two Eagle Scouts.
Last play in the Grey Cup got a bit scary- was a lot better pass than I thought.
November 17, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Last play in the Grey Cup got a bit scary- was a lot better pass than I thought.
The day I am running behind I get to the bus stop on time but the bus is early. The day I get to the bus stop when I normally do- 4 minutes ahead of schedule, the bus is significantly late.
October 22, 2025 at 11:51 AM
The day I am running behind I get to the bus stop on time but the bus is early. The day I get to the bus stop when I normally do- 4 minutes ahead of schedule, the bus is significantly late.
Fact from local newspaper: wearing ties can reduce blood flow to your brain by 7.5%. Glad I rarely wear ties anymore!
October 19, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Fact from local newspaper: wearing ties can reduce blood flow to your brain by 7.5%. Glad I rarely wear ties anymore!
Wife before we go into Costco: we’re not buying the five pack of Romaine lettuce we will get the three pack at the supermarket because the five pack goes bad.
In Costco me: you bought the five pack
Wife: they look good should be fine.
After using one wife: we have to take them back they are moldy.
In Costco me: you bought the five pack
Wife: they look good should be fine.
After using one wife: we have to take them back they are moldy.
October 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Wife before we go into Costco: we’re not buying the five pack of Romaine lettuce we will get the three pack at the supermarket because the five pack goes bad.
In Costco me: you bought the five pack
Wife: they look good should be fine.
After using one wife: we have to take them back they are moldy.
In Costco me: you bought the five pack
Wife: they look good should be fine.
After using one wife: we have to take them back they are moldy.
Reading Shelly Palmer's newsletter today and I have come to the conclusion that America needs an AI-powered pizza oven - NOT
September 4, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Reading Shelly Palmer's newsletter today and I have come to the conclusion that America needs an AI-powered pizza oven - NOT
Conversation between wife and son
Son: The internship is Monday through Thursday
Wife: How many days is it?
Son and Dad: :facepalm:
Son: The internship is Monday through Thursday
Wife: How many days is it?
Son and Dad: :facepalm:
August 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Conversation between wife and son
Son: The internship is Monday through Thursday
Wife: How many days is it?
Son and Dad: :facepalm:
Son: The internship is Monday through Thursday
Wife: How many days is it?
Son and Dad: :facepalm:
How you know you are a parent:
When your earworm for the day is "Toot, Toot, Chugga, Chugga, Big Red Car"
When your earworm for the day is "Toot, Toot, Chugga, Chugga, Big Red Car"
July 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
How you know you are a parent:
When your earworm for the day is "Toot, Toot, Chugga, Chugga, Big Red Car"
When your earworm for the day is "Toot, Toot, Chugga, Chugga, Big Red Car"
Having pandemic flashbacks. Everyone is working from home today and on meetings so I have to return to the bathroom so I can make my calls.
June 6, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Having pandemic flashbacks. Everyone is working from home today and on meetings so I have to return to the bathroom so I can make my calls.
Happy Mother’s Day from me and our kids!
May 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Happy Mother’s Day from me and our kids!
The time is here - the first portion of this year's National Mortgage News Top Producers listing has been revealed. Keep an eye on our homepage for the remaining segments, as well as additional data points to be released.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/2025s-t...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/2025s-t...
2025's Top Producers ranked 250-151
The 250 top mortgage originators in 2025 brought in high volumes despite less than ideal conditions. Check back in the following days for 150-51, the top 50 and the final full list, with further cuts ...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
April 28, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The time is here - the first portion of this year's National Mortgage News Top Producers listing has been revealed. Keep an eye on our homepage for the remaining segments, as well as additional data points to be released.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/2025s-t...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/2025s-t...
Nonbank #mortgage lenders made money per loan on both sides of the equation last year -originations and servicing - only the third time since 2018 that has happened, according to the MBA's study.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
IMBs earn $443 per loan in 2024 comeback
Even after posting production losses in two of four quarters last year, independent mortgage bankers made $443 on every loan originated during 2024.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
April 17, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Nonbank #mortgage lenders made money per loan on both sides of the equation last year -originations and servicing - only the third time since 2018 that has happened, according to the MBA's study.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
If #mortgage rates average 7% this quarter, that means they will have to go above (possibly well above) 7% at some point. www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
Mortgage rates to average 7% in 2Q, MBA says
The highly volatile interest rate environment will actually result in higher refinance mortgage volume than previous forecast for 2025 and 2026.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
April 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
If #mortgage rates average 7% this quarter, that means they will have to go above (possibly well above) 7% at some point. www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
“Investors don’t have the patience for chaos dressed up as strategy," Nigel Green of deVere Group said.
“They want clarity. They want stability. They demand leadership that actually supports growth rather than sabotages it.”
My #mortgage take: www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/tariff-...
“They want clarity. They want stability. They demand leadership that actually supports growth rather than sabotages it.”
My #mortgage take: www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/tariff-...
Tariff twist boosts mortgage stocks, interest rates still up
Pres. Trump's decision to pause most of the tariffs has sparked a rally in the stock market, but the 10-year yield, while off of its peak, remains higher.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
April 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
“Investors don’t have the patience for chaos dressed up as strategy," Nigel Green of deVere Group said.
“They want clarity. They want stability. They demand leadership that actually supports growth rather than sabotages it.”
My #mortgage take: www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/tariff-...
“They want clarity. They want stability. They demand leadership that actually supports growth rather than sabotages it.”
My #mortgage take: www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/tariff-...
Recent vintage borrowers are going back to their current servicer for their next loan, a reading of #mortgage customer retention rates from ICE Mortgage Technology found. www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/refi-bo...
Refi boomlet likely as mortgage rates start to fall
If mortgage rates drop into the low 6% range, there will be a retention opportunity on 5.4 million loans that have interest rates starting at 6.5%.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
April 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Recent vintage borrowers are going back to their current servicer for their next loan, a reading of #mortgage customer retention rates from ICE Mortgage Technology found. www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/refi-bo...
FHA cancels policy that allows consumers to challenge an appraisal. Lenders can still do their own challenge, but is it a step back for fairer valuations? Fair lending laws still apply.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/biden-e...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/biden-e...
What FHA's dropping of appraisal rule means for lenders
While ending mandated consumer rights, lenders can still ask for a reconsideration of value on FHA loans; plus, fair lending laws still apply in these cases.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
March 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
FHA cancels policy that allows consumers to challenge an appraisal. Lenders can still do their own challenge, but is it a step back for fairer valuations? Fair lending laws still apply.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/biden-e...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/biden-e...
Mortgage lenders, brokers and branch managers: do you know (let alone understand) what you true costs are for adding loan officers? How are you measuring the financial and non-financial benefits they are bringing to your business?
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
The real costs of hiring LOs: What lenders must know
Mortgage originators are still struggling with profitability, and getting their income and costs to pencil out could mean the company's survival.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
March 14, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Mortgage lenders, brokers and branch managers: do you know (let alone understand) what you true costs are for adding loan officers? How are you measuring the financial and non-financial benefits they are bringing to your business?
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
Mortgage rates rose this week- still in the upper mid 6’s. Just another twist in the roller coaster
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
Mortgage rate decline ends as Treasury yields edge higher
The good news in the Consumer Price Index report has not carried over to the 10-year Treasury yield and thus mortgage rates, Freddie Mac found.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
March 13, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Mortgage rates rose this week- still in the upper mid 6’s. Just another twist in the roller coaster
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/mortgag...
Last chance - at the end of the day, the submission window closes!
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/nominat...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/nominat...
Nominations open for 2025 Top Producers
Submit your production volume from last year to be considered among the top in your field. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 28, so don't dally!
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
March 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Last chance - at the end of the day, the submission window closes!
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/nominat...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/nominat...
Mortgage loan officers: Friday is the deadline for submissions for the National Mortgage News Top Producers survey. Don't be left out. More details at www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/nominat...
Nominations open for 2025 Top Producers
Submit your production volume from last year to be considered among the top in your field. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 28, so don't dally!
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
February 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Mortgage loan officers: Friday is the deadline for submissions for the National Mortgage News Top Producers survey. Don't be left out. More details at www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/nominat...
It’s national fake iCloud suspension notice day. I’ve got five so far.
February 21, 2025 at 6:10 PM
It’s national fake iCloud suspension notice day. I’ve got five so far.
Going to start a support group for those of us whose new cable TV boxes don’t have the clocks on front anymore!
February 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Going to start a support group for those of us whose new cable TV boxes don’t have the clocks on front anymore!
My afternoon coffee choice in honor of the Super Bowl
February 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
My afternoon coffee choice in honor of the Super Bowl
I'm in the camp of those that believe Josh Allen did not deserve the MVP - but neither did Lamar Jackson. It is not the best statistical player award. It is for the player whose presence made a difference, and therefore it should have gone to Saquon Barkley.
February 7, 2025 at 9:43 PM
I'm in the camp of those that believe Josh Allen did not deserve the MVP - but neither did Lamar Jackson. It is not the best statistical player award. It is for the player whose presence made a difference, and therefore it should have gone to Saquon Barkley.
Soapbox time here: With the Trump Administration's stated position on DEI, the mortgage industry needs to remember that its future is in providing services in an inclusive and equal fashion to diverse communities. The demographics say so. www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/corners...
Cornerstone launches effort to expand homeownership access
The company, which became a depository in 2022, will be offering affordable housing products and initiatives in 45 states and the District of Columbia.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
February 6, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Soapbox time here: With the Trump Administration's stated position on DEI, the mortgage industry needs to remember that its future is in providing services in an inclusive and equal fashion to diverse communities. The demographics say so. www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/corners...
It should not a surprise that the Fed's decision not to change short-term rates was seen in this week's flat Freddie Mac report. Could next week's rate report move lower? It's possible given several time-sensitive pricing sources are lower today.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/lack-of...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/lack-of...
Lack of Fed action seen in this week's mortgage rates
Mortgage rates declined by one basis point this week, not enough to change the equation to bring consumers back into the housing market, Freddie Mac said.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com
January 30, 2025 at 8:01 PM
It should not a surprise that the Fed's decision not to change short-term rates was seen in this week's flat Freddie Mac report. Could next week's rate report move lower? It's possible given several time-sensitive pricing sources are lower today.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/lack-of...
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/lack-of...