January HECM Endorsements Signal Broker Channel Momentum
New data from Reverse Market Insight (RMI) and HECMWorld shows January 2026 broker activity in the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) market staying robust at the top end, even as rate moves and HMBS program changes loom. The snapshot highlights which broker groups paved the way for a potentially dynamic year ahead in reverse mortgages.
Atlantic Avenue Mortgage Leads the Pack
In the 12-month window ending in January, Atlantic Avenue Mortgage topped the list with 935 endorsements, underscoring its outsized footprint in the broker channel. The company also led monthly endorsements in January 2026 with 113 loans, well above its 12-month January average of 78 endorsements.
Observers point to atlantic avenue mortgage leads as a bellwether for broker channel momentum in January. While the broader market wrestles with rate volatility, this top broker demonstrates how senior homeowners continue to seek liquidity through a mix of HECM and alternative products.
Market Pulse: Rates, HMBS, and Alternatives
February data from the same trackers showed a sharp pullback across the broker channel, with endorsements dipping nearly 21% month over month to 1,821. The decline marks the weakest pace since the early COVID-19 era, underscoring how rate volatility and policy shifts are shaping activity.
New View Advisors also captured a softer secondary market tone in February, noting HMBS issuance slid to $431 million across 66 pools, and first participation declined to $260 million. The drop from January’s levels reflected broad market softness and the ongoing transition in program structures.
Industry observers note a growing tilt toward proprietary reverse mortgages as a counterweight to the government-insured HECM. By December, proprietary products accounted for about 45% of the market, a share that has grown as lenders diversify beyond the HECM framework.
What This Means For Borrowers And Lenders
For homeowners evaluating cash-out options, the January signal remains nuanced. On one hand, the top brokers’ endorsement activity suggests continued access to liquidity solutions for seniors with adequate equity. On the other hand, the broader market cadence and policy dynamics could influence product choices and pricing in the months ahead.
A spokesperson for Atlantic Avenue Mortgage cautioned that the results reflect ongoing market recalibration rather than a single metric. "We’re seeing demand stay steady in many markets, with rate movements prompting borrowers to explore both HECM and proprietary paths," the spokesperson said.
Analysts emphasize that seniors should weigh multiple factors—interest rates, caps, lender overlays, and HMBS funding cycles—before selecting a program. The January leadership by atlantic avenue mortgage leads underscores a competitive broker landscape that could drive more favorable terms for some borrowers, depending on regional dynamics.
Data At A Glance
- 12-month period ending January: Atlantic Avenue Mortgage leads with 935 endorsements; loanDepot 449; Caliver Beach Mortgage 386; C2 Financial Corp. 204; Carrington Mortgage Services 153.
- January 2026 endorsements: Atlantic Avenue Mortgage 113; loanDepot 38; others not disclosed at the January snapshot.
- February activity: 1,821 endorsements, down ~21% from January; lowest since early COVID-19 era.
- HMBS market: February 2026 issuance $431 million across 66 pools; first participation $260 million; January’s numbers were higher, with a notable pullback in February.
- Proprietary reverse mortgages: share rose toward 45% by December, reflecting a shift away from the conventional HECM in some portfolios.
Closing Remarks
As 2026 unfolds, Atlantic Avenue Mortgage’s January leadership in broker endorsements highlights the evolving landscape for reverse mortgages. With rate volatility persisting and HMBS programs recalibrating, the market could tilt further toward proprietary solutions in some regions. For borrowers and lenders alike, the trajectory of atlantic avenue mortgage leads will be a key read on the health and direction of the broker channel as the year progresses.
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