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In This Issue
Congratulations 2018-2019 Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Matthew Goldman, CLO, CRO
Atlantic Home Loans 
PRESIDENT-ELECT  
Michael Azzarello, CMB  
VICE PRESIDENT
Sherry Gallitz
Union Home Mortgage
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Michelle Knoebel, CMB
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Doug Leever
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Pat Gaver
Capital City Bank
LOCAL CHAPTER REP
Brittany Johnson

Teresa Hale
HomeBridge Financial Services 
Timothy Bazell
Fidelity Bank Mortgage
Jeff Kaufman
iberiabank Mortgage Company
Tara Merritt
Atlantic Home Loans
Jaime Fiore
Synovus Mortgage
Sandy Garcia
Robert Villalon
National MI
Associate Director
Dawn Henshaw
Genworth Mortgage Insurance
 
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Margie Fletcher (elected 2005)
Georges Lussier (elected 2010)
BB&T
Local Chapter Presidents
MBA OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Brittany Johnson 
bjohnson@envoymortgage.com
 
GULF COAST MBA
Yvette Clermont, AMP, CMB
 
MBA OF JACKSONVILLE
Mick Dolan
 
MBA OF THE PALM BEACHES
Dan E. Doherty
 
MBA OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Charlie Suarez
CRsuarez@prmg.net
 
MBA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
John Irons
 
MBA OF TALLAHASSEE
Becky Morris
Morris.becky@ccbg.com
 
MBA OF TAMPA BAY
Denise Drews
Future Leaders
Do you have someone in your organization that is a candidate?

MBAF's Future Leaders Program is dedicated to identifying and cultivating the next generation  
of industry leaders by delivering 
a comprehensive leadership 
training experience for participants. For more information or to nominate a Future Leader please contact 
the committee chair,

Doug Leever
954-517-7532
Congratulations to our newest Future Leader, Amy Ellmore! Amy is a Senior Encompass Analyst at  
Home Point Financial Corporation and is an active member of her local chapter, the MBA of Central Florida. We are excited to have Amy in the program and look forward to working with her on the state level. 
Member News
Yvette Clermont, AMP, CMB, our Gulf Coast MBA President, has been recognized in Mortgage Professional America edition titled "Elite Women 2018".
 
Yvette has been described as an amazing woman and is truly a pleasure to see her recognized nationally in our industry for her hard work, dedication and many accomplishments.
 
To view the publication click MPA Elite Women 2018. Yvette is highlighted on page 23 of the magazine. As you will see there are many others listed that we all know in our industry.  
 
Congratulations to all!
Introducing Jasper
Margie Fletcher was missed at the June Convention, but for a very good reason! She is now a first time very proud grandmother, welcoming Jasper on Father's Day, Sunday June 17th.

Congratulations Margie!
2018 Annual Convention
It has only been several weeks since the 65th Annual Convention but we have great memories to cherish.

We thank Matthew Goldman once again for his tireless commitment taking lot's of convention photos! Click the link to view them on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10212112778629843&type=1&l=4ad12f0819



The recipient of this year's esteemed Brown L Whatley award is Dawn Henshaw, presented by Pat Gaver, above. Dawn is truly deserving as she is a long time active and positive force within the industry. Congrats Dawn!

We had so many volunteers to help with the events at the convention and many for the registration area. Thanks to Margie Fletcher for getting the desk volunteers before enjoying the arrival of your grandson! Amy Ellmore did a fantastic job as a fist time assistant taking over for Margie. Thank you Amy!

Georges Lussier again gathered all the golfers for the golf outing, and a good time was had by all, even with the rain!

Congratulations to Matthew Goldman as our 2018/2019 President and our new Board of Directors!

Special thanks to our Convention Committee Co-Chairs, Michael Azzarello and Jeff Kaufman. 
 
To view the presentations from the speakers, the final convention information, including the program descriptions, committee list, sponsors and speaker bios, please visit the link via our website below:

A hearty thank you to our speakers for taking time out to bring exceptional education and your knowledge to our members.
MPAC
WOW!
The MBA of SW Florida did a amazing job, taking the trophy from the MBA of Central Florida for their whopping $13,011 record donation to MPAC!

The total  from all the chapter fundraising efforts this year was also a record of $35,842! THANK YOU!

Online Store-Education and Designations
Summer News August 2018

Welcome to our Summer News. We hope you have been enjoying these extra hot days with family and vacation time! 
Presidents Message
by Matthew Goldman, CLO, CRO President
 
As we celebrate the 66th anniversary of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Florida, I am reminded of the long, rich History of leadership that has guided us over the past 6 ½ decades.
 
There is synergy within this group... A genuine partnership amongst our members. Lifelong relationships that have developed and new relationships emerge each year, as we continue to grow with each other. These are the reasons I got involved and, perhaps more importantly, why we stay engaged in this organization.
 
I was first introduced to the MBA in the early-2000's, as there was an event with a free drink. Looking back I saw the importance and value that the MBA offered. I'll never forget the great speakers and educational opportunities that our local chapters offered, like how to analyze tax returns to Steve Richman teaching us how to get a larger paycheck. Whether you're new to the industry, or a 20 year veteran, there is always something to be learned.
 
Here we are in 2018, and as our industry continues to evolve and adapt, we at the MBA are committed to offering timely, useful information and educational opportunities to our members... and maybe more importantly, we continue to build partnerships and strengthen the relationships that carry us day-to-day in this tough, but wonderful business!
 
Which brings me to the "theme" I have chosen for my year as your President:
 
SYNERGY: I see it every day in this business.Sure-some of us may be competitors, but we share information. We share experiences and "battle stories". We help each other out and lift each other up. We work together to promote professionalism and pride in our industry.
And in working together, we are greater than the sum of our parts.
 
Thank you and I hope I can serve you and your future the way it is intended.
 
SYNERGY: Synergy is defined as the increased effectiveness that results when two or more people or businesses work together.
 
Synergy is also defined as a state in which two or more things work together in a particularly fruitful way that produces an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
MBA National Advocacy Conference
Florida's delegation of industry advocates at MBA's National Advocacy Conference held April 24 - 25, 2018 were from left to right:
Tarah Reed - Mortgage Coach, Tom George - USAA,
Joe Puthur - Mortgage Coach, Richard Peek - The Mortgage Firm,
Shari Ferline - TIAA Bank, Tim Allen, CMB - aboutMYmortgage.com,
Shelly Kobb - EverBank, Paul LaBarbera - USAA,
Mike Azzarello, CMB - Caliber Home Loans, Traci Craven - Eagle Home Loans, and Larry Brewster - Union Home Mortgage. 
by Tim Allen, CMB®,Founder and CEO
aboutMYmortgage.com and  
Michael Azzarello, CMB®, Southeast Sales Director
Caliber Home Loans
 
If you have never attended MBA's National Advocacy Conference (NAC) in DC you are missing one of the best and most important events the MBA provides to its membership! MBA remains the most influential and powerful presence on real estate finance issues in the country. A strong and cohesive voice is critical as we enter into an election year and move forward as a united industry. This is why our National Advocacy Conference is so important. 
 
Nearly 400 industry advocates from over 40 states attended MBA's annual National Advocacy Conference (NAC) last week. The program featured a slate of congressional and administration speakers including Senate Banking Committee (SBC) Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID), HUD's Deputy Secretary Pam Hughes Patenaude (of New Hampshire), senior SBC Democrat Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) members Reps. French Hill (R-AR), Denny Heck (D-WA) and Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN). On Wednesday, April 25, over 360 attendees participated in 230 official constituent meetings with their Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill.
 
The NAC is a critical component of our advocacy efforts and everyone from Florida did a terrific job representing our industry on Capitol Hill. We divided into two separate groups, visited several members of Congress offices including Rep. Bill Posey, Rep. Charlie Crist, Rep. Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon, Rep. John Rutherford, Rep. Kathy Castor, Rep. Carlos Curbelo, Rep. Stephanie Murphy, Rep. Dennis Ross, and Rep. Francis Rooney. Several of us met up to visit Sen. Marco Rubio's and Sen. Bill Nelson's offices together.  
 
We discussed the following issues affecting our industry and asked for their support.
  • GSE Reform
  • Regulatory Relief
  • CFPB Reform     
  • Federal Housing Program Support
  • SAFE Act Amendments
  • PACE Financing
  • National Flood Insurance
Attending the NAC is important way you can support our industry but there are other ways you can stay engaged throughout the year:
 
If you are here in Florida: Join the MBA of Florida and/or one or more of our 8 local Chapters http://www.mbaf.org/
 
The Mortgage Bankers Association of Florida is dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the Mortgage Banking Industry through a proactive relationship with Federal and State legislators, industry agencies, and other housing trade organizations. Our members are kept informed about changes in mortgage laws and pending legislation. Our standing committees provide seminars, meetings, and general information, for the purpose of education for our members and the public.
 
 
 
 
We hope to see you next year at MBA's National Advocacy Conference 2019, April 2-3 at the Capital Hilton! 

What--Why--When--How?
-It's the Mortgage Bankers Associations' FREE grassroots network.
-It gives You the opportunity to directly impact YOUR business and livelihood.
-It is vital to us as an industry that legislators and regulators who are making new laws and rules hear the industry's views, loud and clear.
-Politics is a numbers game.  Elected officials pay attention to efforts conducted by a large group of people.
-Letters from MAA members show elected officials that real people in their states or districts care about these issues.
 
Ready to join? Sign up with the app:  
Text MAA to the number 313131 
 
With the app: 
  • Receive updates on bills affecting the real estate finance industry
  • Let your elected officials know how those bills will impact you directly
  • Research bills that MBA is watching
  • Find contact information for your members of Congress
  • Learn about MORPAC, MBA's political action committee
 
Please email maa@mba.org
or call (202) 557-2933 if you need any assistance with the app. 
Local Chapter News
 
All chapters are in the process of planning their events for the year. Check the link above to view the various events taking place with the chapters throughout the year! As more events are confirmed they will be added to the calendar.
MBA of Tallahassee
by Becky Morris, MBA of Tallahassee President
Summer seems to be flying by! We started early this year and met in May for our Planning Meeting so that we could get a jump start on the year. Our focus is new ideas, new education, new meeting locations, new membership, and overall and new beginning for our Chapter. We have a very energetic board this year and we believe it will be the best year yet. We already have our meeting place set up for August and our topics narrowed down so that we can get an invite out early in hopes we have high attendance. We have other meeting ideas established for future meetings as well. We already have on the schedule 6 socials including our annual bowling tournament that is well known to the real estate agents, appraisers, title companies, and lenders in this area. We are off to a great start and look forward to a prosperous and productive year.
MBA Tampa Bay 
by Denise Drews, MBA of Tampa Bay President
Realtor Cyndee Haydon 'In a World of Wolves & Sheep...Be the Sheepdog!'
Cyndee Haydon, Broker Associate with Future Home Realty  
(ranked in the top 5% of all local Realtors®) spoke about why it is so important for lenders to support MPAC. As a real estate broker, Cyndee is an enthusiastic supporter of RPAC and she encouraged our members to donate to protect the real estate and mortgage industries.
We presented a $20,000 check (proceeds of our 2017 Children's Home Auction) to the Children's Home Network at this meeting. MBA Tampa Bay would like to thank everyone from MBAF for your continued support for our event. Save the date! Our 34th Annual Children's Home Auction will be November 7th

Our June meeting was a combined event (which started at 4 pm) with Christie Moss discussing various Fannie Mae programs
 
Followed by our Installation for Denise Drews and our 2018-2019 board. We were very proud to present the 2017-2018 Steven R. Will award to Tina Gordon! The evening ended with our annual Member Social - always a fun event!
Sandy Garcia installing Denise Drews and our 2018-2019 Board

 Dawn Henshaw, Brown L Whatley Award and
Tina Gordon- Steven R Will Award  
In July we had Tony Tate, Chief Blockchain Asset Analyst from Currency Cadets 
Tony Tate, founder of Currency Cadets, gave a presentation on Bitcoin, Blockchain and how they could potentially impact our industry. We had a lively discussion with lots of questions for our speaker.
Upcoming Events for MBA of Tampa Bay
August 14, 2018-Tarin Quigley-the 'New 4 Point Inspection'
September 11, 2018-'Self Employed Training' an
'9/11 Memorial'
October 9, 2018-Leo Cannyn 'That Sinking Feeling - Sinkholes'
November 7, 2018-'34th Annual Children's Home Auction'
M BA of SW Florida
The MBA of SW Florida is gearing up for a great year with planning our events. Information will be posted soon on the calendar. We hope you will join us this year!
Matthew Goldman installing the MBA of SW Florida 2018/2019 Board
M BA of Jacksonville
The MBA of Jacksonville is also finalizing their schedule for the year of planning their events. Information will be posted soon on the calendar and welcome anyone to join us.
Matthew Goldman installing the BA of Jacksonville 2018/2019 Board
BIG NEWS-2019-Mark Your Calendars!
Thank You Members!
Below are the paid members as of 8/11. Dues invoices have been sent and payments still coming in but if you think you've paid and not showing here, email mbaf@mbaf.org (or if you need another copy of your invoice.)
We value and appreciate your continued support. 


Financial Institution Members
*Acopia Home Loans
American Bancshares Mortgage
Ameris Bank
Apex Mortgage Corp. 
Assurance Financial
Atlantic Home Loans 
*Branch Banking & Trust 
Capital City Bank
Chase
Deephaven Mortgage 
*Christensen Financial, Inc.
Embrace HomeLoans
Farm Credit of Northwest Florida
Fidelity Bank Mortgage
First Commerce Credit Union
First Federal Bank of Florida
First Home Bank
Florida Capital Bank N.A.
Group One Mortgage, Inc.
Hancock Whitney Bank
Home Point Financial Corporation
*Iberiabank Mortgage Company
K Hovnanian Companies
NattyMac
PrimeLending 
Regions Mortgage 
SWBC Mortgage Corp.
*The Mortgage Firm
TIAA Bank
Union Home Mortgage
United States Automobile Association 
Waterstone Mortgage
 

 

Associate Members
*Arch MI
CATIC
Ditio
*Doc Probe
Essent Guaranty
*Genworth Mortgage Insurance
Kahane & Associates
KOW Building Consultants
MERSCORP Holdings, Inc.
*Mortgage Guaranty Ins. Corp.
Mortgage Information Services
*Radian
Rumberger Kirk & Cardwell
Seeman Holtz Property and Casualty, LLC
Shapiro, Fishman & Gache, LLC
The StoneHill Group
Western Technologies Group, LLC
 
Individual Members
Tim Allen, CMB 
Michael Azzarello, CMB
Amy Ellmore 
Michelle Glass, Esq.
David Greif
Michelle Knoebel, CMB 
Michael Pollis 
Coleen T. Regan
Tolly Spence
Alan Verch, CMB
Paul Wholley 
 

Join a Committee
We are super excited to move into the next adventure for the association and are asking you to join us! It is our members that provide the ideas for your peers. Please take a minute to review the committee options and sign up to volunteer-Click Here.All committee work is done via conference calls.
 
The Membership committee is very busy up until around December. The first 2019 Back to Back Eastern Secondary Market Conference and Annual Convention committee will have separate duties related to their specific event but will have their calls together so everyone is aware of all the activities going on throughout the event days. This committee will be very busy for several months outlining speakers/programs and securing exhibitors and sponsors. Fun event planning is also a factor! Communications committee helps get the important news out there! Legislative committee is mainly busy during session in Tallahassee, which begins March 5, 2019, but anything can come up that needs attention. The Future Leaders committee works to secure those interested in moving ahead in the industry and also learning more about the association.  
 
This is a great opportunity for you as a member to interact with other members, get a chance to see how your association works, meet new friends and feel good about knowing you are a part of something important to your industry.
Certified Mortgage Banker
The Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation is the industry standard of professional success. It symbolizes respect, credibility, ethics, and achievement within real estate finance. Earning a CMB instantly places you at the top of our dynamic industry and makes you a part of the elite group that has achieved the highest level of professional success.
 
You can choose to earn a Commercial or Residential CMB. Complete both programs to earn your Master CMB. Achievement of these designations represents the epitome of dedication and expertise in the real estate finance industry. Since its inception in 1973, the CMB has been the highest professional designation for the real estate finance industry. The CMB community is made up of outstanding industry professionals and leaders. With such a great community, the designation continues to define excellence within the industry.
 
Whether obtaining the designation as a personal achievement in their career, or as a testament to the industry, CMB designees exhibit the dedication that inspires other professionals to strive for excellence. In fact, more than 89% of CMB designees hold the title of vice president or higher, reflecting the level of leadership and commitment designees maintain.
 
The Tools to Succeed
The designation program is comprised of several steps. From documentation, to exam preparation, through graduation, the MBA staff helps you every step of the way. They have all the right tools to help you succeed and offer award-winning training to help you meet the requirements and prepare for the exam. And you can track your progress with your online transcript. If you are an individual who would like to demonstrate your commitment to professional excellence and distinguish yourself as a leader within the industry-the CMB designation is the program for you: Residential - Commercial - Master.
 
Choose the path that is right for you
When the program was initially developed, professionals who wished to earn the designation were required to learn both commercial and residential finance disciplines before they could earn the CMB. At that time, most lenders had commercial shops within their organization, so it was expected that professionals could, and would learn both parts of the industry.
The growth of the industry necessitated the division of companies to focus on more specialized operations and many new companies appeared on the playing field as a result. Now many successful professionals are experts within their field and may never have the opportunity or need to learn the other side of the business.
 
The CMB Society recognized this shift within the industry and resolved to address the progression of our workforce by segmenting the designation into these three distinct groups.
 
CMB Logo
About the Certified Mortgage Bankers Society of Florida
 
The idea of a CMB Society within the MBAF began in 2011 . The purpose of the proposed Society would be to create awareness of the purpose of the CMB designation and promote membership in the CMB society. Tim Allen, CMB, who was the 2010/2011 Chairman of MBAF's CMB Committee, together with some others, came up with the idea of forming a State of Florida CMB Society, and having a breakfast at the MBAF Eastern Secondary Conference to discuss the idea. Ross Bennett, CMB founder and longtime Chairman of MBAF's CMB Committee also saw value in a Florida CMB Society and assisted Tim presenting the concept at the CMB Breakfast. Approximately 25 CMBs and Candidates attend the CMB Breakfast at the Eastern Secondary Conference and all the CMBs present voted unanimously to form a CMB Society of the MBAF.
 
The name of the organization is The Certified Mortgage Bankers Society of Florida. (CMB Society of Florida)
 
The purpose of the Certified Mortgage Bankers Society of Florida is:
 
  • To create awareness of the purpose of the CMB designation and promote membership in the CMB society.
 
  • To encourage qualified individuals to pursue the CMB designation.
 
  • To provide more opportunity for prospective CMBs to learn what it means to be a CMB.
 
  • To provide mentors and proctors for CMB candidates.
 
  • To provide a networking opportunity for Florida CMBs to meet and exchange knowledge and ideas.
 
  • To educate ourselves to national and local issues affecting our industry.
 
  • To act, if and when necessary, to influence positive change.
 
  • To encourage and enhance networking relationships.
 
Membership
 
Membership in the Certified Mortgage Bankers Society of Florida is divided into two categories:
 
A) Regular Members, both active and inactive, who have achieved the CMB designation; and regular members who have full rights and privileges of membership which entitle them to vote, hold office, proctor examinations and perform other duties as appropriate.
 
B) Candidate Members will allow individuals to attend certain functions and activities without the privileges of full membership.
 
Meetings
 
The Certified Mortgage Bankers Society of Florida meetings are held at the Eastern Secondary Conference and at the Annual Convention of the MBA of Florida.
 
 
More information at www.mbaf.org and www.mbaf.org/cmb/about-cmb-designation/
We could not do it without our sponsors! We appreciate your support!
 and 2018 Eastern Secondary Conference Sponsors!