In this episode, David Lykken sits down with Justin Demola, President of Lenders One, for a timely and candid discussion on the biggest forces shaping independent mortgage bankers today. From credit pricing spikes and rising regulatory scrutiny to the rapid acceleration of AI on both the sales and loan manufacturing sides, Justin offers a behind-the-scenes look at what lenders are experiencing in real time and how the Lenders One cooperative is helping its members stay profitable, compliant, and strategically positioned for the next market cycle. He also shares updates on lender consolidation trends, the explosive growth of L1 Credit and L1 Insurance, and why peer-level collaboration is more valuable than ever. If you want clarity on where the IMB market is heading in 2026 and beyond, this conversation delivers it.