Date Published: October 2025
Last week at the Loan Vision Innovation event, they had the chance to hear Marina Walsh, VP of Industry Analysis at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), share her outlook on the economy and our industry. Her message? There are clear signs that a slowdown is on the horizon.
What’s Happening in the Job Market
According to Marina, job growth is slowing, and people are taking longer to find their next role.
For anyone in mortgage, that matters. Slower job creation means fewer buyers with the confidence to purchase a home. It can also mean that refinance opportunities stay muted because household incomes aren’t growing as quickly.
The Tariff Factor—The Impact Isn’t Fully Here Yet
One comment that really stuck with me:
“We haven’t felt the full impact of the tariffs yet.”
Tariffs ripple through the economy slowly. For housing and mortgage finance, that can mean higher construction costs, persistent inflation pressure, and slower consumer spending—all of which can weigh on housing demand and mortgage activity.
What Lenders and Mortgage Pros Should Be Thinking About
This isn’t a doom-and-gloom forecast, but it is a call to get ready. A few priorities that came to mind:
Get lean and efficient. Automate where you can and streamline processes to protect margins. Revisit product strategy. Think about programs that address affordability and meet borrowers where they are. Stay close to your pipeline. Forecast carefully and stress-test scenarios in case growth slows further.
Why This Matters Now
The mortgage industry has weathered plenty of cycles, but Marina’s insights are a reminder that change is coming—maybe sooner than we think. If we prepare now, we’re far better positioned to navigate whatever 2026 brings and even spot opportunities as the market shifts.
See: https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/opinion/pipelinepress-09242025 for more info
Author: Mary Newberry
