If you’re really happy when a scheduled conference or Zoom call is cancelled, does that mean you’re in the wrong line of work? (Asking for a friend.) The demand for Team or Zoom calls certainly skyrocketed during the pandemic, although as companies have moved back into the office to some extent, the demand for them has dropped. Supply and demand determine mortgage pricing, so there is little use in a lender originating loans if there is no demand by investors or portfolios for those loans. Most jumbo loans are originated in states near the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Many originators in those states are wondering where their jumbo pricing will come from, as not only is Wells Fargo Correspondent gone but now First Republic, the 4th largest jumbo mortgage lender, has just exited the market. On the investor call, Jamie Dimon noted that First Republic’s core business of “making very large cheap mortgages will not happen going forward.” Other banks have also reduced their appetite for on-balance sheet jumbo mortgages. An increase in mortgage rates from bank lenders should be a positive for non-bank lenders that use the securitization market for financing. (Today’s podcast can be found here and is this week’s is sponsored by Blend. Want to power a better lending journey from application to close? Find out how their digital end-to-end mortgage experience can help you reach your business goals. Listen to an interview with Wes Brown on customer service: adjusting escrow payments and items he wishes his LO would have briefed him on before closing.)