The urgency of business

"Drive Now, Text/Phone Later". That is what the marquis on 610 said today. I saw it twice. So I tried it for about 10 minutes. Pure silence. I did not even have the radio on. It was grueling! Is there such a thing as talkers anonymous? I sadly admit that I am one of them, that drives down the freeway with (at least) BOTH hands on the wheel (and I use a headset). But I must say, I know I need to stop. Its dangerous. So far I have been lucky, but do not want to learn my lesson the hard way. What is it about our society that demands such instant gratification that we must talk and respond to email immediately? We just cannot wait to reply. Its good customer service, right? But is it really if you are risking the lives of others at the same time? Just something for you to think about over the weekend.........

Speaking of instant gratification, what about in the stock market? I remember the days (15 years ago) when I began originating loans, rates changed only 2-3 times a week. Also, Credit reports still took 4 hours to generate, and came printed out on the glossy, scroll fax paper! Now rates change 2-3 times a day! Depending what investors see on CNN the last hour (literally). Information is changing at warp speed. This makes it even more difficult to quote rates, lock loans, and execute anything! You need to be sure your loan officers are skilled and knowledgeable. Your clients experience depends on it!

Rates were pretty flat this week. Monday will be interesting (possibly lower rates?), as the results of today were that the stock market fell from the news of Goldman Sachs credit downgrade and criminal investigation became official. Also the continuing bad news of the oil spill in the Gulf. Galveston beach anyone?