Now that a new year has arrived, it's time to once again think about your New Year's resolutions. Along with the resolutions you set to improve your personal well-being, there are many things you can do to improve your mortgage business, and Iowa Bankers Mortgage Corporation can help.

The last couple of years have had their fair share of challenges, but there are signs of improvement for 2024. IBMC offers the following to ensure a successful 2024.

1. Expand your knowledge. Keep an eye on the IBMC training calendar for new training opportunities that can broaden your mortgage knowledge, increase your expertise and position yourself to best serve your customers. You can also access IBMC recorded webinars at any time through IBMCHQ.
2. Ask for help. IBMC's Underwriting Help Desk is your go-to resource for any complex underwriting questions. Contact IBMC's underwriters if you need assistance with a mortgage loan.
3. Use your resources. IBMC's lender website, IBMCHQ, gives you access to all manuals and forms you need to process loans effectively and efficiently. It also includes an FAQ for troubleshooting loan problem areas.
4. Review the conforming loan limits. The Federal Housing Finance Agency recently announced the general and high-cost area loan limits for 2024. IBMC's product matrices have been updated to reflect the increased loan limits for both conforming conventional and FHA loans. IBMC recently sent out an announcement, detailing how they will impact different loans. Review the announcement.
5. Know your options. Contact the IBMC relationship team to discuss loan options for your borrowers. Our experienced staff — Shana Light, Megan Severson, Kristin Smith and Stephanie Eggert — can help ensure you are offering your customers the best product for their needs. Contact the team.

Name: Cindi Leal

Job title: Business operations specialist

Years of mortgage experience: I have been employed in the mortgage industry for 35 years. My first job was as a collector with Stateman Mortgage in downtown Des Moines, which is where I met our own Deb Hansen. I’ve been lucky enough to experience the industry from several perspectives. From collections, I went to processing foreclosures; I worked in underwriting for several years; I trained retail staff on condos, FHA and VA processing, and a new proprietary application system, among other things. I became a project manager and specialized in product development. I can’t say that I ever woke up one morning and thought, “Mortgage banking — that’s what I want to do!” but it’s been a pretty good ride.

Favorite part of the job: I love helping people, whether it’s helping someone do their job more effectively or helping customers realize their dreams. I think that’s where I find personal fulfillment. I want customers to get those houses they want but, in doing so, we need to make sure we, as the lender, do what we’re supposed to do. We need to make sure we do things correctly so we’re here to help the next customer realize their dreams, too. This position allows me to use my experience but to also learn a new skill. I really look forward to what the future has in store for me here at IBMC.

Discovering the Possibility

of the Alliance Channel

Feb. 8, webinar

Down Payments Assistance

Feb. 28, webinar

Mortgage 101 and/or

Mortgage 201

Feb. 20, IBMC headquarters

Heritage Training

March 5, IBMC headquarters