The materials available in this article are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your own advisors with questions regarding the mortgage lending software content herein. The opinions expressed in this article are the opinions of the individual authors and may not reflect the opinions of MeridianLink, Inc.
Modern + adaptable: Two non-negotiables for IMBs in the face of advancing mortgage competition
Independent mortgage brokers (IMBs) have spent the past decade dominating the home lending market, originating 84% of all single-family mortgage loans in 2025.
Now the challenge is preserving and expanding that market share. And with ongoing shifts in the market, evolving consumer preferences, and rapid advances in technology, it’s an increasingly tall order.
Five to ten years ago, your IMB was likely on the bleeding edge of mortgage lending software. You were among the earliest institutions to adopt digital lending experiences, checking all the boxes for homebuyers tired of slow service and confusing application flows.
While that technology helped propel you to the forefront of the mortgage lending market, relying on it to maintain that lead is becoming less sustainable.
Competitor institutions are beginning to catch up
More financial institutions are seeing the opportunity in the mortgage lending market and investing in modern technology to stay ahead and capture greater share of business.
A recent report found that 9% of banks and 15% of credit unions plan to replace their mortgage LOS in 2026. Meanwhile, some institutions have already closed the performance gap in certain areas: Preliminary 2026 data from J.D. Powers reveals that banks are 30 points ahead of nonbanks in customer satisfaction with origination experiences.
Defend & boost your lead with an adaptable mortgage LOS
Leading the mortgage market requires technology that keeps you ahead today and evolves with what comes next. That quality is rare and precious, and it’s exactly why more IMBs are adopting MeridianLink® Mortgage.
Our mortgage lending software is built for the present with an eye on the future, helping you:
- Boost pull-through rates, speed up service, and close more mortgages with native and third-party POS solutions, responsive loan officer communication, and an average of nearly 23% fewer underwriting touches per loan.
- Grow ROI and slash per-loan costs by an average of 38% with intelligent workflows, automated decisions, a built-in PPE at no additional cost—plus third-party PPE options—and title fee service integrations.
- Go live quickly and scale confidently with automatic updates, real-time compliance checks, and expert guidance from reliable Implementation and Support teams.
- Increase overall monthly productivity by an average of 50% while relieving staff strain with rules-based automation, trusted integration partners, and full core connectivity.
See how MeridianLink Mortgage is continuing to sharpen IMBs’ competitive edge, from faster loan cycles to more engaging borrower experiences, by embracing adaptable, evergreen modernity.
