Haydn Richards Quoted in National Mortgage News on AI's Role in Mortgage Origination

Bradley partner Haydn Richards was quoted in National Mortgage News discussing whether AI could eventually handle the entire mortgage origination process.

Richards argued that AI cannot completely replace licensed mortgage professionals.

"There will need to be a natural person that is licensed somewhere in the process,” Richards said.

He added that the industry is unlikely to reach a point where a mortgage company operates without any mortgage loan originators.

Even if AI handles most interactions, Richards believes regulators will expect borrowers to have access to a qualified human when needed.

"What the regulators are going to expect, even as AI is fully deployed, is that if there is a need for a consumer to be able to speak to someone, there needs to be someone that they can reach out to and ask questions and interact with," Richards said.

The full article, “Wither AI: Don’t Count on an All-Automated Loan Anytime Soon,” was published by National Mortgage News on June 12, 2026. (login required)