There's so much technology for mortgage bankers to pick from, but so little of it really makes a difference in growing top-line volume. Many have been marred by investing in old technology platforms, choices that didn't really get them anywhere. Lenders need to realize that thier back office doesn't matter to their success at all.

Our culture is very disparate and we'll start to see more market niches emerge. The big lenders aren't that maneuverable, but smaller lenders can focus in on the needs of these different markets. Lenders all have niches that differentiate them and they can tailor products and sales messages to chase business in these market niches.

"Lenders need to realize that their back office doesn't matter to their success at all."

Lenders' IT budgets have to be pointed towards automated decisioning, product pricing engines and other technology that allows them to bring more products to the market more quickly. That's going to be the key differentiator for lenders going forward and it will allow smaller lenders to compete against the big five.