8.19.26 Loan Production Costs; Polly's Brandon Story on Capital Markets Tech; Long Bond Rising

Mortgage lenders continued their recovery in Q2 2026, with average production profits rising to $973 per loan and 85 percent of surveyed companies remaining profitable, driven primarily by meaningful reductions in production costs that more than offset declining revenue, while servicing income also improved modestly. Robbie interviews Polly’s Brandon Story on differentiators among capital markets technology providers. And we close with why markets remain focused on the sharp selloff and bear-steepening at the long end, with the 30-year Treasury yield reaching 5.33 percent as fiscal deficits, inflation concerns, geopolitical risks and AI-related borrowing pressure long-term rates, while softer economic data keeps September Fed hike expectations contained; for housing, the resulting higher financing costs are already weighing on activity, with July housing starts plunging 12.4 percent and pending sales falling 2.3 percent despite a 5 percent increase in building permits.Thank you to JazzX, the first true end-to-end AI platform built for mortgage. From application to close, JazzX is a new operating model that helps you scale growth, boost productivity, and transform how your team performs.The Chrisman Commentary is 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.