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MortgagePoint ยป Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 72 December 2025 J O U R N A L gasoline, groceries, utility bills, and internet service. This year, the institute said that almost a quarter of all U.S. households lived paycheck to paycheck. It said several factors explain why many people are lagging. First, the institute said that the na- tion's inflation rate in 2025 has crept up to an annual rate of 3% after dipping to 2.3% in April. It said the rise in consumer pric- es this year is well below their pandem- ic-era peak of 9.1% in 2022 but is above the Federal Reserve's target rate of 2%. "Inflation is picking back up again, and cost increases are picking back up again," said Joe Wadford, an economist at the Bank of America Institute. "That's definitely going to put some renewed pressure on those households." Second, the institute said the cost of groceries and other essentials continues to rise as lower-wage workers' paychecks and purchasing power stagnate. In October, the institute said wages for lower-income households were up only 1% from a year ago. "The gap between their wages and expenses has just continued to wid- en since the beginning of the year," Wadford said. "When the cost of living is increasing 3% but your wages are only increasing 1%, you're just going to really struggle to keep up." Fewer Job Openings, People Leaving Jobs Impact Low-Income Workers The institute said that lower-wage workers experienced strong wage growth during the pandemic and subsequent economic recovery, but that increase has slowed sharply since late 2022, said Elise Gould, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute. The in- stitute said that one factor weighing on wage growth is a decline in the number of job openings and the rate at which workers are leaving their jobs. "When people aren't looking for other offers or quitting, that is going to cause wage growth to slow," she said. In the preceding 12 months through October, higher-income millennial households have seen their average wages grow five percentage points faster than those of lower-income millennials, according to the institute. Bank of America Institute noted that while lower-income households are struggling, middle- and high- er-income households are on firmer financial ground, buoyed by stronger wage growth. This demographic has seen little to no increase in the share of households living paycheck to paycheck, the Bank of America Institute said. "These higher-income cohorts are more able to absorb the recent reaccel- eration in inflation due to their outsized wage growth," Wadford said. The institute said that is fuel- ing what economists refer to as the "K-shaped economy," which experts describe as the divergence in spending and financial health between wealthier Americans and people with more mod- est incomes. FINDING A POSITIVE PATH FORWARD MORTGAGE LENDERS: THREE WAYS TO BREAK THE HIRING-LAYOFFS CYCLE Tactfully navigating changes in the mortgage marketplace can make or break a company, and Tim Von Kaenel of CI&T provides three keys to better position yourself when the market pivots. IN A CHALLENGING MARKET, HOME EQUITY INVESTMENTS OWN THE SPOTLIGHT In order for HEIs to realize their full potential, it will take the expertise and resources of multiple industry stakeholders. BUILDING REFERRAL RELATIONSHIPS FOR MORE CONSISTENT BUSINESS Veteran mortgage sales trainer and coach Ron Vaimberg shares with MortgagePoint the coaching tips and strategies necessary to establish and foster enduring relationships in the mortgage marketplace. HOW INVESTORS CAN THRIVE IN CRE AMID CHALLENGING MARKET CONDITIONS Derrick Barker of Nectar discusses the state of the commercial real estate sector, and steps that investors can take in order to weather market volatility. IN THIS ISSUE Amid political controversy and budgetary cutbacks, experts discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies' role in today's marketplace as both the American homeownership landscape and workforce continue to diversify and undergo significant demographic shifts. Brought to you by & YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MORTGAGE BANK ING AND SERVICING NEWS MAY 2024 Magazine Brought to you by & YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MORTGAGE BANK ING AND SERVICING NEWS JULY 2024 Magazine White House Main Street America TO FROM THE As the November elections near, what ripple effects will the next Administration have on the housing industry? MortgagePoint gathered a panel of experts to dig deeper into the impact of the Presidential Elections and potential changes in the White House. FEATURE STORY THE BEST SOLUTION IS NOT ALWAYS THE SHINY NEW TOY While it can be debated as to how much default and foreclosure activity lies ahead, default servicers must carefully examine their tech systems to keep ahead of the curve. FEATURE STORY DRIVING GROWTH: LEVERAGING HOME EQUITY TO EXPAND LOAN OFFICER OPPORTUNITIES In a tight market, LOs seeking to diversify their product offerings are turning to home equity offerings to expand their role and become a financial guide for life. COUNSEL'S CORNER FACING THE FORECLOSURE AND BANKRUPTCY CHALLENGES OF TODAY Robert S. Kahane, a foreclosure and bankruptcy attorney with more than 30 years under his belt, discusses current compliance issues related to loan servicing process enhancements. EXPERT INSIGHTS TONY JULIANELLE, CEO OF REAL ATLAS ESTATE discusses current market trends and the forces that will shape the landscape in the industry. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Brought to you by & YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MORTGAGE BANK ING AND SERVICING NEWS AUGUST 2024 Magazine The Burden of Proof MortgagePoint profiles Bron, Inc., a company that has carved out a unique niche with a focus crucial but often-overlooked tasks such as managing registrations, utilities, and HOA verifications. TO YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MORTGAGE BANK ING AND SERVICING NEWS LEAVING ITS MARK ON THE INDUSTRY THE 2024 FIVE STAR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 24-26, 2024 DALLAS, TEXAS OCTBER 2024 Magazine EXPERT INSIGHTS DUTCH MENDENHALL Founder of RADD Companies YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MORTGAGE BANK ING AND SERVICING NEWS NOVEMBER 2024 Magazine Industry Leaders on What's Ahead MortgagePoint speaks with servicing executives about the current state of the industry, the challenges they are currently navigating, and what they expect for the year ahead. PUTTING OUR FOCUS ON THE BORROWER'S EXPERIENCE While technology is upgraded and elevated in the mortgage space, nothing can replace the deep understanding of a borrower's needs that only a lender can have. HOW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY HELPS KEEP THE AMERICAN DREAM ALIVE FOR MILITARY BORROWERS TAKING THE PULSE OF MORTGAGE SERVICING FINDING A POSITIVE PATH FORWARD MORTGAGE LENDERS: THREE WAYS TO BREAK THE HIRING-LAYOFFS CYCLE Tactfully navigating changes in the mortgage marketplace can make or break a company, and Tim Von Kaenel of CI&T provides three keys to better position yourself when the market pivots. IN A CHALLENGING MARKET, HOME EQUITY INVESTMENTS OWN THE SPOTLIGHT In order for HEIs to realize their full potential, it will take the expertise and resources of multiple industry stakeholders. BUILDING REFERRAL RELATIONSHIPS FOR MORE CONSISTENT BUSINESS Veteran mortgage sales trainer and coach Ron Vaimberg shares with MortgagePoint the coaching tips and strategies necessary to establish and foster enduring relationships in the mortgage marketplace. HOW INVESTORS CAN THRIVE IN CRE AMID CHALLENGING MARKET CONDITIONS Derrick Barker of Nectar discusses the state of the commercial real estate sector, and steps that investors can take in order to weather market volatility. IN THIS ISSUE Amid political controversy and budgetary cutbacks, experts discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies' role in today's marketplace as both the American homeownership landscape and workforce continue to diversify and undergo significant demographic shifts. Brought to you by & YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MORTGAGE BANK ING AND SERVICING NEWS MAY 2024 Magazine Brought to you by & YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MORTGAGE BANK ING AND SERVICING NEWS JULY 2024 Magazine White House Main Street America TO FROM THE As the November elections near, what ripple effects will the next Administration have on the housing industry? MortgagePoint gathered a panel of experts to dig deeper into the impact of the Presidential Elections and potential changes in the White House. FEATURE STORY THE BEST SOLUTION IS NOT ALWAYS THE SHINY NEW TOY While it can be debated as to how much default and foreclosure activity lies ahead, default servicers must carefully examine their tech systems to keep ahead of the curve. FEATURE STORY DRIVING GROWTH: LEVERAGING HOME EQUITY TO EXPAND LOAN OFFICER OPPORTUNITIES In a tight market, LOs seeking to diversify their product offerings are turning to home equity offerings to expand their role and become a financial guide for life. COUNSEL'S CORNER FACING THE FORECLOSURE AND BANKRUPTCY CHALLENGES OF TODAY Robert S. Kahane, a foreclosure and bankruptcy attorney with more than 30 years under his belt, discusses current compliance issues related to loan servicing process enhancements. EXPERT INSIGHTS TONY JULIANELLE, CEO OF REAL ATLAS ESTATE discusses current market trends and the forces that will shape the landscape in the industry. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Brought to you by & YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MORTGAGE BANK ING AND SERVICING NEWS AUGUST 2024 Magazine The Burden of Proof MortgagePoint profiles Bron, Inc., a company that has carved out a unique niche with a focus crucial but often-overlooked tasks such as managing registrations, utilities, and HOA verifications. TO YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MORTGAGE BANK ING AND SERVICING NEWS LEAVING ITS MARK ON THE INDUSTRY THE 2024 FIVE STAR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 24-26, 2024 DALLAS, TEXAS OCTBER 2024 Magazine EXPERT INSIGHTS DUTCH MENDENHALL Founder of RADD Companies YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR MORTGAGE BANK ING AND SERVICING NEWS NOVEMBER 2024 Magazine Industry Leaders on What's Ahead MortgagePoint speaks with servicing executives about the current state of the industry, the challenges they are currently navigating, and what they expect for the year ahead. PUTTING OUR FOCUS ON THE BORROWER'S EXPERIENCE While technology is upgraded and elevated in the mortgage space, nothing can replace the deep understanding of a borrower's needs that only a lender can have. HOW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY HELPS KEEP THE AMERICAN DREAM ALIVE FOR MILITARY BORROWERS TAKING THE PULSE OF MORTGAGE SERVICING Subscribe to MortgagePoint and MortgagePoint Digital now! Experts you trust. People you know. News you want. MortgagePoint is putting essential mortgage market news at your fingertips with our new digital edition, now available online via your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Enjoy the magazine at your desk, and tap into MortgagePoint Digital's easily accessible platform anywhere, anytime. Committed to giving originators, servicers, and all lending professionals access to smarter perspectives, MortgagePoint believes it's time to think differently about the mortgage industry. Because the American Dream is evolving . . . are you? Magazine