David Olson head of Wholesale access predicts that by the end of 2009 only 15,000 mortgage broker firms will be left in the industry. This represents a 72% decline from the peak in 2005. unfortunately, this is a trend where the big banks are too big to fail and get tax payers' money while the small firms in the industry and related industries are being eliminated. Similar scenario is taking place in the appraisal business and in both cases it is due to excessive regulation.

I remember prior to the tech bubble, there were a lot of Mom and Pop Stock Broker shops.  I worked for Fidelity Investments during this time period. 

They lowered the commissions on trades, so the Mom and Pops, were forced out of business.... Not just Fidelity, all big firms.

Do you know many small Stock Brokerage firms anymore? Mom and Pop, next door neighbors doing small business consulting?   It's all corporate now... You're a number instead of a person.

If we can hold on, and give outstanding customer service and true representation, just maybe we'll survive.