Call them wretched or call them splendid, in Japan, robots and service bots run some restaurants and are indeed taking the place of humans, who have no doubt, been displaced. In displacement (and labor) news in the United States, call it posturing or real, the Trump Administration’s budget office is threatening mass firings if the federal government shuts down (with no back pay to be paid like in a furlough), and obviously if someone is out of work, they’re not buying a house. This month’s STRATMOR piece is titled, “No Lender Wants a Government Shutdown, but Just in Case…”. Today’s Last Word at 1PM ET may include shutdown ramifications for lenders, as well as delinquencies, student loans, trigger leads, and new credit scoring updates that are reshaping how lenders compete for borrowers in 2025. Another topic may be that, fortunately, the net production income for independent mortgage banks has been creeping up, although the number of IMBs has been gradually diminishing. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s podcasts are sponsored by BeSmartee, the most innovative mortgage technology platform for banks, credit unions, and non-bank mortgage lenders. Hear an interview with Angel Oak’s Tom Hutchens on the impact of the Fed’s rate cuts on mortgage activity and the potential for increased demand for non-QM products like HELOCs.) Services, Products, Software, and Tools for Lenders and Brokers This October, FirstClose is heading to Las Vegas for the MBA Annual Convention & Expo. Just like the lights on the Strip, the opportunity is hard to miss: homeowners are sitting on trillions in untapped equity, and lenders who act now can capitalize even in a higher-rate environment. FirstClose solutions give lenders the edge, streamlining home equity lending, accelerating workflows, and enhancing borrower experience. In a market where efficiency and growth are always on the line, it pays to play with the right partner. With so much equity waiting, the odds have never looked better. Ready to deal yourself in? If you’ll be in Vegas, schedule time with the FirstClose team. Book your meeting here.