JANUARY 23RD, 2019

This chart from the MBA shows their originations predictions through 2021. Although 2019 is expected to see a slight drop in overall originations from 2018, originations are expected to grow in both 2020 and 2021. One big positive note for this year: Purchase originations are expected to grow by 4%, and then by 3% in 2020 and 2021. What does this mean for you? 2019 is going to see increased competition among lenders for the decreasing supply of originations, meaning MLOs and managers need to bring their A-game day after day in order to not only succeed in 2019, but to set themselves up for the 2020 turnaround. This needs to be a year of planting seeds, growing referral partnerships, mining databases for repeat business, and honing sales skills to differentiate from the competition.