Loan officers are enduring one of the slowest market cycles in more than a decade. While volume remains low, early indicators suggest underlying momentum may be forming. Refinance applications have risen, but the number of home purchases dropped by 14% compared to the prior quarter, highlighting a slower market for new buyers. At the 2021 peak, nearly 4.2 million loans were originated per quarter. By the fourth quarter of 2025, data from Attom shows this figure had dropped to 732,615.
For many loan officers, this slower transitional phase creates uncertainty and pressure. But this transition also presents a valuable and often overlooked opportunity. Loan officers can use this time to refocus, reset and rebuild. By strengthening resilience, ...
