Rodney Hart - Mortgage Loan Consultant NMLS #517986

09/08/2026

09/04/2026

Friday Commentary

Good morning and happy Friday!

Studies show that people with high IQs tend to be lazy, or something like that. I didn’t read the whole article.

MARKET UPDATE
U.S. Treasury yields moved sharply higher to open the week as renewed U.S.-Iran hostilities pushed oil prices over $90 a barrel. Mortgage rates also increased to their highest levels in over a year before dropping on Thursday to the best levels of the week, following Fed Governor Chris Waller’s comments that increasing rates is not necessary unless inflation data surprises to the upside.

Employment data indicates the job market is clearly slowing down, giving the Fed more justification to not increase rates. Mortgage applications managed to increase 0.8% last week, with purchase applications up 2%.

MORTGAGE TIDBIT
MONITORING AND PROTECTING YOUR CREDIT

It is important to regularly monitor your credit to help ensure accuracy and quickly address any issues, like ID theft. It is simple, free, and can be done as often as weekly at annualcreditreport.com. You can place alerts and freeze your credit with each of the credit bureaus at Equifax.com, Experian.com, and Transunion.com.

FROM THE HART
Labor Day is upon us, when we celebrate work and take an extra day off to rest from it. Work was part of God’s good creation. It pre-dates the fall/curse (Genesis 2:15). It is still good and necessary for people to work and be productive. We just now have to do it under the curse of sin. Some days the curse is more evident than others! But, we still can enjoy our work and are to do it as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23).

Hard work is commended throughout Scripture, and laziness condemned (Proverbs 10:14, Proverbs 14:23, Titus 3:14, 2 Thessalonians 3:10). Rest is also important and instituted by God. God Himself worked for 6 days during creation and rested on the 7th (Exodus 20;11), establishing the foundation for the Sabbath (day of rest and worship) and the pattern of the seven-day week.

We ourselves are the work of God, each of us created for a purpose. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). Every follower of Christ is a minister, and our work is part of our ministry.

As we take an extra day this weekend to rest from our work, let’s think about the achievements and the work done for us that we appreciate and enjoy. We can also be thankful for the work that we have been given and the fruit of our labor. For it is God who works in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

Have a great weekend!

*This information is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. All information is provided in good faith; however, no representation or warranty is made of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy and validity of any information. The information contained herein represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Trustmark Bank, and Trustmark Bank does not make any representations or warranties with respect to its accuracy or reliability. *

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08/28/2026

Friday Commentary

Good morning and happy Friday!

Research shows laughing for 2 minutes is just as healthy as a 20 minute jog. So, now I’m sitting in the park laughing at all the joggers.

MARKET UPDATE
Several forces are keeping long-term yields elevated, including resilient economic activity. Inflation and Iran seem to be the two things with the greatest potential to move markets. Core PCE was on target, but headline inflation was a tenth of a point above the monthly and annual targets. The easing of U.S.-Iran tensions has helped push oil back toward $80/barrel, reducing near-term fears of an energy-driven inflation resurgence.

Consumer confidence weakened to its lowest level of the year in August. Mortgage rates are slightly lower than this time last week.

MORTGAGE TIDBIT
VA SELLER CONCESSIONS

VA allows a home seller to pay 100% of your standard closing costs and provide extra concessions up to 4% of the home's appraised value. The VA splits seller payments into two separate categories:

1. Standard Closing Costs (No Dollar Limit)
The seller can pay all normal fees required to close the loan. These costs do not count toward the 4% limit. They include:

2. Seller Concessions (Capped at 4%)
The seller can provide extra financial incentives or gifts, but the total cannot exceed 4% of the home's reasonable value (from the VA appraisal). These include paying off your personal debts (like credit cards or car loans) to help you qualify or providing appliances.

FROM THE HART
I love to hike. Getting away from people (no offense) and technology and into God’s creation is totally therapeutic for me. Sometimes I find snakes and share pictures, for which I am harshly judged by many. Mark 16:18 speaks of handling snakes. Do with that what you will. Work it out with God.

Hiking has many health benefits, including quieting your mind, reducing stress (until you see a snake), increasing your oxygen, restoring awareness, attention, and perspective. Humans are wired to heal in nature (Biophilia Effect), which naturally lowers cortisol and blood pressure, boosts immunity, and lifts your mood.

Spiritual alertness and sensitivity also increase away from synthetic environments. Spiritual truths are reflected in natural elements. You can recognize divine design and general revelations of God, His character, power, and creativity (Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:20). Getting away from daily distractions allows God’s voice to become louder. The order, beauty, and rhythm of creation reflect the peace of the Creator, which calms your spirit. “He leads me by still waters; He restores my soul (Psalm 23:2-3).”

Have a great weekend!

*This information is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. All information is provided in good faith; however, no representation or warranty is made of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy and validity of any information. The information contained herein represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Trustmark Bank, and Trustmark Bank does not make any representations or warranties with respect to its accuracy or reliability. *

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08/21/2026

Friday Commentary

Good morning and happy Friday!

God is patient. I’ve tested this.

MARKET UPDATE
U.S. retail sales fell in July by the most in more than a year as consumers pulled back on purchases at online stores and auto dealers. The University of Michigan’s preliminary August consumer sentiment index fell sharply in July. After ending last week near the lowest level since July 17th, mortgage rates moved up on escalating tensions with Iran. Oil is up to around $86 per barrel.

The U.S. Treasury announced that it is going to at least double the size of some of its Treasury bond buybacks starting September 9th. The aim is to lower long-term interest rates and support borrowing without materially increasing the overall size of its balance sheet.

MORTGAGE TIDBIT
QUESTION: Can your mortgage application be denied after being pre-qualified?
ANSWER: Yes. Pre-qualifications are subject to final approval and are only as good as the loan officer that provided the pre-qualification and the verifications done up front.

FROM THE HART
How about some good news to finish the week and head into the weekend? It’s good news for every person in every situation. For every struggle, every fear, every failure, there is hope. It is the gospel, which literally means, “good news.”

God made us and the rest of creation good (Genesis 1:31). But, through the sin of Adam and Eve, all of mankind and creation was cursed and separated from God (Genesis 3). Religion is man’s attempt to reach God. But, we cannot. The gospel is about God reaching man. Jesus came from Heaven, lived a sinless life, took on himself the punishment for our sins on the cross, died and rose from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 1 Peter 3:18). He took care of our biggest problem, sin, and defeated our greatest enemy, death.

This good news requires a response: to turn away from sin and self (repent), believe and receive Jesus as Lord (John 1:12). Jesus says, in Mark 1:15, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you,” James 4:8. If you have wandered away from God, He says, “Return to me, and I will return to you,” Malachi 3:7, Zechariah 1:3.

In this world, we all have trouble. But, Jesus says to take heart, because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Have a great weekend!

*This information is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. All information is provided in good faith; however, no representation or warranty is made of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy and validity of any information. The information contained herein represents the views and opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Trustmark Bank, and Trustmark Bank does not make any representations or warranties with respect to its accuracy or reliability. *

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