When I see lover’s names carved into the wood on a tree, I don’t think it’s sweet. I just think how surprising it is how many people bring a knife on a date. Time passes, life goes by fast, first dates turn into long-term relationships, a hot summer has been forgotten, turned into a beautiful autumn, and turned into an arctic winter. Time has passed, and it is nearly Christmas Eve. Ya’ll sick of Christmas carols (again)? The Winter Solstice has occurred, meaning that the minutes of daylight will only increase for the next six months in the northern hemisphere. People are planning for 2023, as if the calendar changing from December to January will have an impact on rates, volumes, margins, or revenue. Augie Del Rio with Gallus Insights did a video interview with Tammy Richards and me about how lenders and vendors are reacting to the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023. (Gallus Insights helps lenders make data-driven decisions.) And before we know it, Wi-Fi will be free on airlines… Just ask Delta. (Today’s podcast is sponsored by Richey May, a recognized leader in providing specialized advisory, audit, tax, technology, and other services in the mortgage industry and in banking. Listen to an interview with Ally Home’s Glenn Brunker on the current environment and how originators are coping.) Lender and Broker Software, Products and Services Strength. Stability. Deep know-how that comes from navigating 35 years of all kinds of markets. That’s what Flagstar Bank brings to the table. Nearly $90 billion in assets. Vast experience in all four mortgage-channels. A comprehensive product offering including the recently rolled-out Advantage Plus, with expanded eligibility guidelines including a minimum credit score of 660 and DTI to 55%, and which also allows full and limited documentation including asset depletion. So, whatever your business initiative, know this: for 35 years Flagstar Bank has delivered in challenging markets. And they’ll deliver in this one. Don’t settle for second best, especially in a market this challenging. Choose Flagstar. Visit us or reach out to John Gibson.