2.17.26 Down Payment Assistance; TRUE’s Steve Butler on Automation; Economic Calendar

Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.In today’s episode, we look at the rise of affordability programs like down payment assistance (DPA). Plus, Robbie sits down with TRUE’s Steve Butler for a discussion on why lenders start automation too late by focusing on late-stage checks instead of intake, even though most costs are created early, and how to move certainty upstream. And we close by looking at this week's shortened economic calendar.Today's podcast is brought to you by Optimal Blue, the only end-to-end capital markets platform built to power performance, precision, and profitability, helping lenders of all sizes operate more efficiently, manage risk more effectively, and maximize results.