Remember when Intel was “the cat’s meow” in the IT and chip world? Intel is laying off 15,000 to save $10 billion in costs. Big numbers… Sometimes you… feel like a number. Let’s look at some round numbers. If our industry does $1.5 trillion in business in 2024, that is an average of $6 billion in originations per day. If we do $1 trillion industry-wide, that is still $4 billion per day. What percent of that $4-6 billion a day is your company doing? There’s a lot of business out there! Numbers… The combined net worth of the Agencies (Fannie & Freddie) is north of $120 billion, yet the industry is once again dealing with an increase in the cost of doing business with Fannie Mae. (More below.) Numbers can make or break a company, or a family. Fractional home ownership appears to be in vogue, given prices. With mortgage rates elevated, home prices continuing higher since the start of the pandemic, and vacations expensive, the solution might be buying 1/6 of a house. (Today’s podcast is found here and this week’s is sponsored by Optimal Blue. Optimal Blue bridges the primary and secondary mortgage markets to deliver the industry’s only end-to-end capital markets platform, helping lenders maximize profitability and operate efficiently so they can help American borrowers achieve the dream of homeownership. Hear an interview with Zilker Media’s Nichole Williamson on developing branding and marketing for banks to bring their communications into the modern landscape.)