In a lending environment shaped by shifting market conditions and evolving borrower needs, staying informed matters. For loan officers, underwriters, and processors, having access to thorough, non-competitive industry education can help support better decisions and more confident conversations.

One such resource is the U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI), the national trade association representing the leading private mortgage insurance industry. USMI is comprised of leading mortgage insurance companies and serves as a conduit for homeownership advocacy. A core tenet of USMI’s mission is to provide research, data, and educational materials designed to help mortgage professionals and policymakers better understand market trends, homeownership accessibility, and the role mortgage insurance plays in supporting sustainable homeownership.

What Is USMI and Why Does It Matter?

USMI was established to promote transparency, data-driven insight, and education around private mortgage insurance. USMI focuses on sharing industry-level information that helps mortgage professionals and policymakers understand how MI supports the housing finance system.

For lenders, USMI resources offer an in-depth view of mortgage insurance and its role in helping homebuyers access affordable and sustainable homeownership within a well-functioning U.S. housing finance system, making it a useful complement to industry educational tools and training.

Using USMI Research to Stay Informed

USMI regularly publishes a range of research and reports that help provide insight into mortgage insurance usage, borrower demographics, and housing access trends in the U.S. These resources are designed to help lenders understand who MI serves and why it continues to play an important role in today’s market.

For example, USMI’s annual reports and data summaries highlight how private MI helps support lower down payment options, including for first-time homebuyers, and feature state-level information. Reviewing this type of research can help lending teams ground conversations in broader industry context and better understand how MI factors into affordability discussions. As just one example, USMI data has shown that American homebuyers have collectively saved more than $285 billion in down payment costs since 2020, including more than $35.3 billion in 2025 alone. That translates to an average of more than $48,000 per homebuyer, more than half the median annual household income.

USMI also provides educational materials that break down how mortgage insurance works and how it can help support prudent risk management and stability across the housing finance system, offering a layer of protection for lenders in the event of default. These materials can be helpful for newer team members or anyone looking to refresh their understanding without diving into product-level detail.

In addition to the latest industry news and resources, you can also find valuable market data on the USMI website, including:

• PMI by the Numbers
• MI by State
• MI Tax Deductibility
• Explore cost of MI
• Strength and Resiliency Report
• Credit Risk Transfer
• Homeownership Market Survey

While USMI resources are industry-focused, their value is practical. Loan officers, and loan officer assistants, can use this information to help maintain clarity in borrower conversations, particularly when explaining why MI exists and how it helps support access to homeownership. Underwriters, processors and sales managers can use USMI data to stay informed about broader industry trends that may influence borrower behavior or lending volumes. Because USMI materials are educational, they can also serve as a neutral reference point when teams want to drive credibility or align on shared understanding internally.

Complementing Industry Education with Practical Training

Industry insights are most effective when paired with hands-on guidance. While USMI provides valuable context around mortgage insurance at a market level, lenders may also benefit from practical training that shows how MI works within day-to-day workflows.

Radian Guaranty’s MI Online tutorials offer step-by-step guidance on using Radian’s MI tools, navigating processes and managing loans efficiently. Together, industry education from USMI and practical training from Radian can help lending teams stay informed, confident, and prepared to support borrowers at every stage of the MI process.

By leveraging trusted resources inside and outside the organization, lenders can build a stronger foundation for clear communication, sound decision-making and long-term success.

USMI is a trademark of U.S. Mortgage Insurers registered in the U.S.. U.S. Mortgage Insurers is a non-profit corporation incorporated in Washington D.C. and serving as a private mortgage insurance trade association. Radian Guaranty is a member of USMI. All related marks are owned by their respective companies. © 2026 Radian Group Inc. All Rights Reserved.  550 East Swedesford Road, Suite 350, Wayne, PA 19087.   “Radian” is a brand of Radian Group Inc., including its licensed insurance affiliates. Mortgage insurance is provided and underwritten by Radian Guaranty Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Radian Group Inc. with home offices at 550 East Swedesford Road, Suite 350, Wayne, PA 19087 . Radian Guaranty Inc. is a monoline mortgage insurance company licensed to write business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.  This communication is provided for use by real estate or mortgage professionals only and is not intended for distribution to consumers or other third parties.  This does not constitute an advertisement as defined by Section 1026.2(a)(2) of Regulation Z.