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ServiceLink Survey Reveals Gen Z Is Primed To Buy, But Tolerance For High Costs Is Waning

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The 2025 ServiceLink State of Homebuying Report highlights generational preferences and trends from today’s homebuyers  

PITTSBURGH, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new report released today from ServiceLink, the nation’s premier provider of tech-enabled mortgage services, revealed that Gen Z remains eager and ready to buy a home this year. But high interest rates and home prices could deter them from crossing the finish line as their tolerance is waning. The annual survey analyzes generational trends among recent and prospective homebuyers, revealing their sentiment about the current housing market and their intentions to purchase, refinance or leverage home equity this year.

ServiceLink surveyed more than 1,500 people to get their perceptions on the current housing and mortgage markets.

Now in its fifth year, the 2025 ServiceLink State of Homebuying Report (SOHBR) features insights from homeowners who either purchased a home or tried to purchase a home within the past four years and focuses on yearly trends that provide valuable insights for lenders, servicers, investors and real estate agents alike. This year, buyers and would-be buyers showed a growing interest in technology, adding more space to their home and a desire for even greater transparency.

“These findings show that there is still a strong appetite for homeownership, particularly among the youngest generation, despite the ups and downs of today’s market,” said Dave Steinmetz, president, origination services. “Today’s buyers need to be armed with information, while demonstrating patience and flexibility, in order to achieve their dream of homeownership. For lenders, this provides an opportunity to tap into technology and increase offerings that buyers indicate they want to see. Lenders also should focus on education and increasing transparency to meet the current needs of today’s buyers.”

Key findings of the report include: 

Gen Z remains ready to buy a home, but also willing to walk away

67% of Gen Z respondents said they plan to purchase a home this year compared to 51% of millennials, 49% of Gen X and 22% of baby boomers.Overall, 47% of those surveyed said they plan to consider purchasing a home in 2025.High home prices and interest rates could hold buyers back from going through with a purchase. 43% of respondents said they considered buying a home in 2024 but decided against it for those reasons.Gen Z led all respondents in their decision to walk away from the process, as 58% said they abandoned the homebuying process in 2024 and 38% said they were unsuccessful in their attempt to purchase in the last four years.

A favorable outlook, but tolerance for high interest rates is waning

41% of all respondents said that they believe conditions are favorable for buying a home this year. Gen Z led the way with 52% having a favorable outlook on the market, while only 23% of baby boomers felt the same.69% of all respondents said they are happy with their current mortgage rate.For those interested in purchasing this year, their tolerance for high rates is waning. Gen Z respondents indicated that they have an average 5.1% mortgage rate yet would consider going as high as 5.8%. That number is down from a year ago, when Gen Z respondents were willing to go as high as 6.3%.Millennials also are pulling back their tolerance this year, with the highest rate they would consider set at 5.5%, down from 6.2% in 2024.

Millennials are slowly stepping back, while Gen X is making a return

Millennials, who just two years ago were the most eager among all generations to purchase a home, are slowly pulling back their desire. 51% of millennials still plan to buy in 2025, down from 59% last year and 61% two years ago.Only 46% of millennials said conditions are favorable to buy in 2025, down from 60% in 2023.Gen X, on the other hand, is showing a renewed interest in buying a home in 2025. This year, 49% of Gen X respondents said they plan to buy, up from 45% in 2024, 25% in 2023 and 12% in 2022.Gen X also is the most influenced by technology, with 82% saying they would be more likely to work with a lender that offers appraisal or closing appointment scheduling from a phone or tablet that allows them to select the exact date and time they desire. Additionally, 77% of Gen X respondents said they would select a lender who offered virtual closings.

Buyers know what they want: Space

60% of respondents who plan to purchase a home in the next year said they’re looking for a home with more space, a 17% surge from a year ago, while 39% of respondents said they would like to see more room between homes.51% of respondents said the biggest deal breaker in buying a home would be that the size of the home is too small. Other top deal breakers include higher taxes (48%), lack of privacy/homes too close together (43%) and lack of outdoor space (33%).Gen Z leads all generations in their desire for a larger home with more space at 66%, followed closely by millennials at 64%.

Lenders take note: Technology benefits are widespread

59% of respondents said the biggest benefits of mortgage technology offerings is the convenience and ease of use it provides, while 51% said they like that it saves them time and 45% enjoy the flexibility that it offers to make progress on their own schedule.eSigning technology continues to surge with 62% of all respondents who purchased a home in the last four years saying they utilized digital document signing, up from 48% who said they did the same two years ago.Baby boomers leveraged eSigning the most at 70% compared to 42% of Gen Z respondents.35% of all survey respondents who purchased a home in the last four years said they scheduled their appraisal or closing digitally, with millennials leading the way at 39%.

Equity is growing, so is the desire to refinance

39% of all respondents said they have at least $100,000 in home equity, up from 34% in 2023.One in four respondents said they plan to take out a home equity loan this year, down slightly from 28% in 2024. 10% of respondents said they don’t know enough about home equity loans to consider them.Many respondents have hope that mortgage rates might drop this year, allowing buyers to secure a better rate. 60% of respondents said they are either “likely” or “somewhat likely” to refinance this year in an attempt to get a better rate. That is up slightly from 57% in 2024.

Read the full report here.

Methodology
ServiceLink partnered with Sago to complete an online survey of potential respondents who purchased a home, or tried to purchase a home, in the past four years. A total of 1,526 respondents completed the survey. The respondents were made up of equal parts male and female, as well as equal distribution between all four homebuying generations. Interviewing was conducted by Sago from November 18, 2024, to December 5, 2024. 

About ServiceLink
ServiceLink is the nation’s premier provider of digital mortgage services to the mortgage and finance industries. ServiceLink leads the way by delivering best-in-class technologies, a full product suite of services and proven experience, built on a foundation of quality, compliance and service excellence. ServiceLink provides valuation, title and closing, and flood services to mortgage originators; and default valuation, integrated default title services, vendor invoicing and claims audit services, as well as field services and auction services to mortgage servicers. ServiceLink helps clients in the lending industry and beyond achieve their strategic goals, realize greater efficiencies, and better serve their customers. For more information about ServiceLink, please visit servicelink.com.

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Great Place To Work names Invisors on the 2026 Best Workplaces for Women List, Ranking no.65

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Invisors named a UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™!

GLASGOW, Scotland, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Invisors, a Workday Services Partner has officially been recognized as one of UK’s Best Workplaces for Women 2026™, in 65th place out of the 350 ranked organisations.

Invisors’ values and culture are among the reasons women at our organisation say it is a great place to work. Discover how the team brings this philosophy to life at invisors.com/company-overview.

The 2026 UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list is made up of employers whose people have told Great Place To Work® UK they work for a place that is inclusive and equitable for all. The 350 companies on the list are committed to ensuring a reasonable balance of women and men across the organisation; removing barriers to women’s career advancement; and creating workplaces where all employees, regardless of gender, can flourish.

“I’m incredibly proud to see Invisors recognized as a Top Place for Women to Work. This award reflects the culture we’ve built together—one that values inclusivity, flexibility and empowerment. It’s a place where people are supported to bring their whole selves to work, grow their careers and strive for excellence every day.” Jennifer Donnelly-Corbett, EMEA Manager, HCM and Absence at Invisors.

Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place To Work UK says:

“This year’s UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list celebrates businesses making a genuine difference day to day, not just in what they say, but in how people experience work. What matters most is that this recognition comes directly from women working in these organisations, who tell us they feel supported, valued, and able to grow.

Our research demonstrates that these organisations creating high-trust environments deliver stronger results, whether in financial outcomes, impact, or service delivery, alongside greater agility and resilience in the face of change.

Congratulations to Invisors for creating an environment where inclusion is clearly felt in practice.” 

Matt Smith, Managing Director, Global HR Operations, Invisors “Being named as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list is an achievement because it reflects what our people actually experience, not just what we aspire to. We’ve worked to build an environment where career growth and success aren’t something women have to fight for — it’s built into how we operate. This recognition is a great step in the journey, not the finish line, and we’re committed to keeping that bar high as Invisors grows within the UK.”

About Invisors

As a certified Workday Services Partner, Invisors helps clients leverage their organisational data to make better-informed business decisions through the deployment of Workday. Invisors’ success is measured by their clients’ ability to achieve their big-picture vision. From initial deployments to ongoing projects, Invisors is dedicated to elevating perspectives and transforming results. To learn more, visit invisors.com

About Great Place To Work®

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, helping organisations to create exceptional, high-performing workplaces where employees feel trusted and valued. The UK’s Best Workplaces for Women™ enables these outstanding organisations to celebrate their achievements, build their employer brand, and inspire others to take action. For more information, visit www.greatplacetowork.co.uk.

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Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, Makes It Easy to Shop for Used Vehicles Online

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RALEIGH, N.C., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, helps shoppers browse used-vehicle inventory, compare options, and complete key steps of the buying process online for a faster, more convenient shopping experience.

Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, is simplifying the used vehicle shopping experience by offering convenient online tools that help drivers browse inventory, compare options, and begin the purchasing process from the comfort of home.

With a user-friendly website, shoppers can explore an extensive selection of used cars, trucks, and SUVs that fit a variety of budgets and lifestyles. Detailed vehicle listings provide important information, including photos, key features, specifications, pricing, and availability, allowing customers to make informed decisions before visiting the dealership.

The online platform also makes it easy to narrow vehicle choices using search filters for make, model, body style, price range, mileage, model year, and other preferences. These features help shoppers quickly find vehicles that meet their individual needs while saving valuable time.

In addition to browsing inventory, customers can use several digital shopping tools to streamline the buying process. Visitors can estimate monthly payments, value a trade-in, complete a finance application, and schedule a test drive online. These resources allow shoppers to prepare for their dealership visit with greater confidence and convenience.

Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, regularly updates its online inventory, giving customers access to fresh vehicle selections as they become available. Whether someone is searching for a dependable commuter car, a family-friendly SUV, or a capable pickup truck, the website provides an efficient way to explore available options before stepping into the showroom.

The dealership remains committed to delivering a straightforward, customer-focused buying experience by combining a wide range of high-quality used vehicles with digital tools that simplify every stage of the shopping journey.

Drivers looking to begin their search can visit Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, or browse the current inventory online to compare vehicles and take advantage of convenient shopping resources before visiting the dealership in person.

About Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC

Auction Direct USA in Raleigh, NC, offers a diverse inventory of quality used cars, trucks, and SUVs to meet a wide range of driving needs and budgets. By combining a customer-focused approach with convenient online shopping tools, the dealership helps make finding and purchasing a used vehicle simple, efficient, and enjoyable.

Media Contact: Tony Kicinski, 844-678-8048, tonyk@auctiondirectusa.com

 

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SOURCE Auction Direct USA

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FLAGSTAR BANK, N.A. ANNOUNCES $250 MILLION SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

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Board of Directors Authorizes Repurchase of Up to $250 Million of Outstanding Common Stock, Reflecting the Bank’s Strong Capital Position and Commitment to Long-Term Shareholder Value

HICKSVILLE, N.Y., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Flagstar Bank, N.A. (NYSE: FLG) (the “Bank”) today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program under which the Bank may repurchase up to $250 million of its outstanding common stock over the next 12-month period.

Commenting on the repurchase program, Joseph M. Otting, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are pleased to announce our stock buyback program, which reflects the meaningful progress we have made in executing our strategic plan, the strength of the balance sheet, and Flagstar’s long-term growth prospects. We have consistently maintained capital levels well above regulatory requirements, and we believe that returning capital to our shareholders through a share repurchase program represents a compelling and disciplined use of our excess capital at this time.

“We remain deeply committed to serving our customers and communities and we are confident that this program — alongside our continued investment in our people, products, systems, and technology — will deliver sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders.”

Repurchases may be conducted through open-market purchases, which may include purchases under a trading plan adopted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1, or through privately negotiated transactions. The timing and exact amount of any share repurchases will be subject to a variety of factors, including the availability of stock for repurchases, the Bank’s capital position and financial performance, regulatory considerations, and general market conditions. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Bank to acquire any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time without prior notice. Any future stock repurchase programs would be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors and other various factors, including the Bank’s liquidity, capital position and financial performance, accounting and regulatory considerations, and general market conditions.

Flagstar Bank, N.A.

Flagstar Bank, N.A. is one of the largest regional banks in the country and is headquartered in Hicksville, New York. At June 30, 2026, the Bank had $87.7 billion of assets, $61.2 billion of loans, deposits of $67.5 billion, and total stockholders’ equity of $8.1 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates approximately 340 locations across nine states, with strong footholds in the greater New York/New Jersey metropolitan region and in the upper Midwest, along with a significant presence in fast-growing markets in Florida and the West Coast.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Language

This press release may include forward‐looking statements by us and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding, among other things: (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to achieve profitability goals within projected timeframes and to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to execute our capital management strategies, including our ability to complete our current stock repurchase program and to implement future stock repurchase programs; (g) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (h) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our recent holding company reorganization, which was completed in October 2025 (the “Reorganization”), our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed in December 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, which was completed in March 2023, and our ability to comply with the heightened regulatory standards with respect to governance and risk management programs to which we are subject as a national bank with assets of $50 billion or more; (i) the impact of the $1.05 billion capital raise we completed in March 2024; (j) the conversion or exchange of shares of our preferred stock; (k) the payment of dividends on shares of our capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of our preferred stock; (l) the dilution of existing equity holders associated with future equity awards and stock issuances; (m) the effects of the reverse stock split we effected in July 2024; and (n) the impact of the 2024 sale of our mortgage servicing operations, third party mortgage loan origination business, and mortgage warehouse business.

Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “should,” “confident,” and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; we do not assume any duty, and do not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results.

Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; the ability to implement future stock repurchase programs, which are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors and other various factors, including the Bank’s liquidity, capital position, and financial performance, accounting and regulatory considerations, as well as general market conditions; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Reorganization; changes in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; changes relating to rent regulation and housing, including recent legislative action in New York City to freeze rents on certain rent-regulated properties; the impacts of tariffs, sanctions and other trade policies of the United States and its global trading counterparts; the outcome of federal, state, and local elections and the resulting economic and other impact on the areas in which we conduct business; the impact of changing political conditions or federal government shutdowns; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; our ability to comply with heightened regulatory standards with respect to governance and risk management programs to which we are subject as a national bank with assets of $50 billion or more; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to achieve anticipated cost savings and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our balance sheet and expense reduction strategies; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of our operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, civil unrest, international military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed in December 2022, and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, which was completed in March 2023: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that we may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected.

More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10‐K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in other reports we file with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and voluntarily file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and which are also available on our Investor Relations website. Our forward‐looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our securities disclosure filings. All such files are accessible on our website at ir.flagstar.com, on the OCC’s website at www.occ.gov, and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Investor Contact:
Salvatore J. DiMartino
(516) 683-4286

Media Contact:
Jessica Torchia
(248) 312-6451

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SOURCE Flagstar Bank, N.A.

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