HECM endorsements rebound in October but stay near decade low

The federally insured reverse mortgage market posted a rebound in October, but activity remained at historically low levels compared to the past decade, according to data compiled by Reverse Market Insight (RMI) and published Friday by HECMWorld.com. Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) endorsements rose to 1,995 in October, an 11% increase from September and the highest level in three months, the data shows. But even with the gain, this was the lowest figure for the month of October in at least 10 years. Year to date, endorsements are about 3.19% below last year’s level — but comparisons are complicated by the federal government shutdown in October 2025, which disrupted activity and reporting. Finance of America Reverse (FOA) remained the top HECM lender in October with 460 endorsements, followed by Longbridge Financial with 362 and Mutual of Omaha Mortgage with 332. Goodlife Home Loans posted 110 endorsements and Fairway Home Mortgage recorded 67. Longbridge and Mutual of Omaha switched positions from September, and Goodlife jumped three spots by originating 62 more HECMs compared to the prior month. The top three lenders accounted for about 63% of all HECM endorsements in Octo...