June 2026 brought a modest uptick in Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) activity, though year-to-date volumes remain cooler than a year ago. The latest data from HECMWorld.com, based on Reverse Market Insight (RMI) figures, shows that the top retail lenders registered a combined 2,064 HECMs in June, up 6% from May but down 9.8% for the year through June.

At the center of the month’s results stands Finance of America (FOA), which extended its lead with 481 HECMs closed in June. Through the first half of 2026, FOA has processed 2,498 endorsements, claiming roughly 23.3% of the accumulated retail market. The pace represents an 18.2% increase from May, yet year-to-date production remains about 10.8% below the year-ago period. Analysts note that the gain underscores ongoing demand for stable, retirement-oriented financing tools as interest rates stabilize somewhat after last year’s volatility.

Finance America Widens Lead

The June results reinforce the observation that finance america widens lead in the competitive HECM landscape. FOA’s share leadership comes as lenders contend with a cautious but improving purchase environment for reverse mortgages. While the overall market grew from May, the broader trajectory still points to 2026 running below the pace set in 2025.

Top Lenders in June

Beyond FOA, several lenders posted notable activity in June. Here is a snapshot of the top five retail players for the month and year-to-date totals:

• FOA — 481 June endorsements; 2,498 YTD; 23.3% market share.
• Longbridge Financial — 407 June; 2,101 YTD; 19.7% share.
• Mutual of Omaha Mortgage — 398 June; 2,567 YTD; 19.3% share.
• Fairway Home Mortgage — 112 June; 391 YTD; 5.4% share.
• South River Mortgage — 74 June; 450 YTD; 3.6% share.

These five lenders alone accounted for a significant portion of June’s activity, underscoring FOA’s enduring advantage even as others expand or rebalance their own HECM portfolios.

Other Notable Movements

In the broader top-10 cohort for June, several names stood out for momentum. TMAC (doing business as GoodLife Home Loans) logged 61 endorsements, Guild Mortgage 49, Plaza Home Mortgage 37, New American Funding (NAF) 34, and HighTechLending (HTL) 32. Of those, NAF and HTL posted some of the strongest monthly gains among all lenders, with MoM increases of about 36% and 39%, respectively, even as year-to-date volumes lag behind the prior year.

Month-to-Month and Year-to-Date Trends

The June lift in total endorsements came despite a slower year-over-year pace. The top-100 HECM retail lenders reported a combined 2,064 endorsements for June, a 6% rise from May but a roughly 10% decline versus the first six months of 2025. This pattern suggests banks and nonbank lenders are rebalancing exposure as policy and consumer demand for home equity products evolve in a higher-rate environment.

For FOA, the 18.2% month-over-month gain in June is notable because it comes even as the year-to-date total remains roughly a tenth lower than last year. The broader market leaders appear to be pursuing strategic product positioning, with FOA signaling continued emphasis on stickier, amortizing reverse mortgage offerings rather than rapid, quarterly volume spikes.

What This Means for Borrowers and the Market

The June data paints a cautious but constructive picture for homeowners looking at reverse mortgages as a way to access home equity. FOA’s sustained lead may reflect a combination of robust borrower education efforts, partner lender networks, and a steady product experience that resonates with older homeowners seeking predictable cash flow and loan terms.

Nevertheless, the year-to-date gap versus 2025 indicates the market remains sensitive to rate cycles, appraisal norms, and regulatory guidance. For prospective borrowers, the message remains clear: shop around, compare wholesale and retail pricing, and assess the long-term implications of a HECM as part of a broader retirement plan.

Looking Ahead

Market observers will be watching whether June’s momentum translates into sustained gains in the second half of 2026. If the path of interest rates and housing affordability stays favorable, FOA’s lead could widen further, or at least secure a more durable top position in a market that rewards lender stability and transparent disclosures. The ongoing data flow from HECMWorld.com and RMI will be crucial to assess how borrower demand shifts as lenders refine eligibility criteria and outreach efforts.

In the near term, industry executives say the health of the HECM segment will hinge on borrowers’ ability to qualify and the alignment of loan terms with retirement planning needs. As the landscape evolves, the headline remains consistent: finance america widens lead, keeping FOA at the forefront of the HECM lending scene for June and potentially beyond.