May 1, 2023 Edition

Newsletter Archive

MMLA Weekly e-Newsletter

CONNECTING THE BEST OF THE MICHIGAN MORTGAGE INDUSTRY

Lunch & Learn Series - FREE to Members:

May 3 - Appraisals – Frequently Asked Questions


Did you miss a previous webinar - simply go to that event page and click on the link to watch the recording.



Northern Michigan Reverse Mortgage Luncheon May 4 @ Traverse City Country Club Learn about how this program can help your customers.


Southeast Chapter Happy Hour at Fifth Avenue May 10 @ Fifth Avenue, Royal Oak


Northern Michigan Luncheon - Advertising Compliance June 1 @ Traverse City Country Club "To post or not to post - that is the question!"


Plan your foursomes and sponsorships now for these great golf events!


SE Chapter Outing

June 8 @ Cherry Creek GC, Shelby Township  Watch this video


West Chapter Outing

June 15 @ the Mines, Grand Rapids

Registration now open!


MMLA "Up North Classic" Golf Outing

August 9 @ PohlCat, Mt. Pleasant. Registration now open!


Mid Chapter Golf Outing

August 24 @ College Fields, Okemos. More info coming soon!

Annual Lending Conference

August 9 - 11, 2023

Soaring Eagle, Mt. Pleasant


Sponsorship and registration NOW OPEN

Congratulations to Mary Townley on her upcoming retirement from MSHDA. Help her celebrate at this event. Contact Roxy Eaton @ eatonr4@michigan.gov for more info!

President's Post

Julie Conley

President MMLA

Area Account Manager, Union Home Mortgage TPO/NDC

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s National Advocacy Conference once again did not disappoint with their on-point messages delivered to lawmakers by MBA members. This year, Michigan had the largest delegation in attendance. The MMLA’s commitment to advocacy for our membership has never been more evident. The topics of most importance this year were the state of the mortgage industry, the 40% DTI LLPA adjustment that was delayed to August 1, 2023, trigger leads, and remote online notarization.  We asked our legislatures to write a letter to FHFA Director Sandra Thompson and ask her to reconsider the LLPA’s second roll out. 


Trigger leads continue to cause concern as they relate to consumer confidence and predatory lending. The number of times one credit inquiry can be sold by Equifax, Transunion and Experian is staggering. It can cause borrowers to be inundated with 50 to 150 text messages, phone calls, and emails within 72 hours of their credit pull by the mortgage originator.  Many of these texts and phone calls can be predatory in nature confusing the borrower on who is collection their information. Our legislative ask was to encourage and back legislation, like H.R. 2656 introduced this month, that eliminates trigger leads. If elimination is not possible then the borrower should have the option to “opt in” to their personal information being sold.


Lastly, Remote Online Notarization was passed by the House of Representative this Spring. We encouraged Senators to pass it in the Senate. This will enact a nationwide implementation of RON, it is already allowed in 43 states and the District to Columbia.



Looking forward, we have great sponsorships opportunities still available for our Annual Lending Conference August 9-11 at Soaring Eagle in Mt. Pleasant. The popular resort has gone through a major hotel room, lobby, and pool renovation. Its high-end additions include Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Our keynote speakers Bill Cosgrove, President and CEO of Union Home Mortgage, and David Stevens, former FHA commissioner and Mountain Lake Consulting CEO, will provide industry insight for the next 5 years. Look forward to seeing everyone there! 

Name: Josh Pulsifer              

Company: Transnation Title

Occupation/Position: Account Executive

Family: Beautiful wife of 10 years Amanda, 4 boys- Ayden (18), Korben (17), Talen (16), and Hezekiah (6)

Hobbies: I love to hang with family and friends. I love to play golf and basketball. I also love to play Texas Holdem. 

Pets: 1 Dog named Mia, and 1 cat named Chico

Years in the business: 3

Years as an MMLA member: 3

Why are you involved with the MMLA...what does it mean to you? The MMLA was the first association I joined when I started my career with Transnation. Shout out to Allister Lynch and Mike Fontana for all of the introductions. You two made sure to introduce me to everyone. I noticed right away I wanted to join this group. Everyone I met was inviting and willing to help me by connecting with others. I love the social aspect, giving back, and the support of this group. We are all willing to help one another, whether that’s in business or something on the personal side. I appreciate all of my peers in this group.


Why you think others should become an MMLA member? I believe others should become a member to be a part of the community. If you are in this business, networking is the most important part. There are multiple networking opportunities to get involved with. Educational resources are available at some of our events. Overall, it has been a wonderful experience and I have gained some great friends.


What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself?? My wife and I were once part of a Latin Dance team. I won a world champion street ball tourney in South Carolina in 2004. (Gus Macker). I am huge Lions and Michigan fan (GO BLUE!). MJ and Tom Brady are the GOATS. 


Any other comments or tidbits you would like to add about yourself or your involvement with the association? I am the VP of the West Chapter. J

Do you have news to report, an award or recognition to spotlight, job change, etc.? If so, send to joanne@mmla.net and we will try to include it in an upcoming newsletter.

The MMLA Future Leaders Classes started last week. Here is a pic from Course #2, led by Dan Sugg, CMB. Congrats to all our students!!!

MBA’s President & CEO Robert D. Broeksmit, CMB Releases Blog Post on FHFA’s DTI-based LLPA

Last week, in concert with MBA's National Advocacy Conference, MBA President and CEO Robert D. Broeksmit, CMB, published a blog post detailing MBA’s objections to the proposed FHFA DTI-based loan-level pricing adjustment. To view the complete blog post, visit To the Point with Bob

MBA’s Eye on Washington Report is a weekly summary from the nation’s capital on the top issues in policy and advocacy affecting the real estate finance industry. To watch this week’s video as well the videos from previous weeks, click HERE.

·       MBA Concludes Successful 2023 National Advocacy Conference

·       “Trigger Leads” Legislation Re-Introduced in U.S. House

·       Senators Reintroduce RON Legislation During MBA’s NAC

·       MBA Offers Improvements to HUD’s 203(k) Rehabilitation Program

·       Secretary Fudge Testifies Before House & Senate Appropriations Committees

·       Senate Banking Committee Holds Nominations Hearing

·       FHFA Proposes Fair Housing and Fair Lending Rule

·       FHA Releases Draft ML to Include ADU Rental Income in Borrower Underwriting

·       New Version of Homeownership for Dreamers Act Re-introduced in the House

·       FHFA Finalizes Amendments to Enterprise “Duty to Serve’ Rule

Read the full stories highlighted here

Laura Hopkins, VP of Member Relations at the MBA, writes, “if anyone whose company is not a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association can join now and extend membership through 2024 for the cost of 12 months, and that there is some research data included in membership. (Click on the link to email Laura or call her a 314-853-0121.)

Middle-income Homeowners Gained More Than $120,000 in Wealth Over the Past Decade From Home Appreciation, According to NAR (read more)


Housing and Rates Having Tough Time Finding Momentum Sandra L. Thompson, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has a simple message for mortgage lenders and the public: It’s not true.((read more)


FHFA Director Says It Ain't So The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on Wednesday said it is seeking comment on a proposed rule that would formalize many of the agency’s existing practices and programs regarding fair housing and fair lending oversight of its regulated entities.


Pending Home Sales Unexpectedly Declined in March

NMP Magazine - April 


Scotsman Guide Residential Magazine

Michigan Democrats: Utilities Must Use 100% Carbon Free Energy by 2035 READ MORE


Access to Credit May Tighten, but Michigan Banks Maintain ‘Strong’ Health READ MORE


Gov. Whitmer Statement on Strong Monthly Jobs Report


Gov. Whitmer Announces Launch of “State of Michigan Community EV Toolkit” to Support Local Governments in Preparing for an Electrified Mobility Future  

Announcement follows new report showing Michigan winning battery and clean energy race after landing 14 new projects totaling $20 billion of investment and 13,000 jobs since August 2022. The State of Michigan’s Community EV Toolkit can be accessed here.   

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Thank you to our 2023 Platinum Corporate Partners:

Click here to see a list of all Corporate Partners


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