A few years back someone told me, “Two lenders merging in this environment is like two drunks outside a bar holding each other up.” That isn’t quite the case anymore for various reasons (we’re just one big announcement away from yet another block buster strategic deal, right?), not the least of which is certain companies are expanding while talented individuals are looking. I received a note from the head of HR at a well-known lender asking me about people looking. I pointed him to the Chrisman Job Board where job seekers can join the Talent Community for free, and employers can easily add a job listing or forward the listing to the team and they’ll take care of it for you. Do you think your company is going to last forever, like Kikkoman Soy Sauce or the Lowenbrau Brewery? Think again. Here’s a little trivia question for tonight’s happy hour. At its peak in 2004, this company had 9,094 locations. Today, 21 years later, it has just one, in Bend Oregon… This isn’t a contest; don’t write with answers please. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by FirstClose. FirstClose provides fintech solutions to HELOC and mortgage lenders nationwide, increases profitability, and reduces costs for mortgage lenders through systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist borrowers more effectively and ultimately shorten closing times. Hear an interview with ThoughtFocus Build’s Bradley Clerkin on AI scalability in the mortgage industry, highlighting the shift from basic AI functions to agentic AI with background workers.)