Turning HMDA Data Into Mortgage Market Advantage

HMDA is sitting in plain sight, and most lenders still treat it like a once-a-year reporting requirement. We think that’s a huge miss. HMDA data is a public record of mortgage applications and outcomes that links lenders, borrowers, loan products, and geography, making it a market map for any credit union trying to grow smarter and serve members better.

We’re joined by Val Buresch, CEO of Polygon Research, to break down what HMDA actually captures and why executives should care. We dig into the story the latest dataset tells, including the surprising rise in HELOC originations and what it means when independent mortgage banks start gaining ground in categories that credit unions often “own.” We also get practical about opportunities hiding in the numbers, especially secondary market execution with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae, and how liquidity and product depth can expand without abandoning relationship strategy.

Then we turn insights into an action plan. We talk candidly about whether the data support the credit union’s mission, where pricing shines, and where outreach across the broader community can fall off. Val points to a signal leaders should not ignore: “Approved Not Accepted,” when a borrower is approved and still walks away. We also cover what to watch in DC, including CFPB activity around disclosures, the growth of non-QM and DSCR investment-property lending, fair-lending risk, and how AI is changing the way market intelligence is used.

If you want to use HMDA for mortgage strategy, member engagement, fair lending alignment, and real competitive analysis, press play. Subscribe, share this with a lending leader, and leave a review so more credit union teams can find the show.

Sponsored by Polygon Research