In This Issue
2019-2020 Board of Directors
Executive Committee 
PRESIDENT
Michael Azzarello, CMB  
PRESIDENT-ELECT 
Sherry Gallitz 
VICE PRESIDENT
Michelle Knoebel, CMB
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Doug Leever 
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT & Local Chapter Rep 
Yvette Clermont, CMB, AMP 
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Matthew Goldman, CLO, CRO
Directors
Jaime Fiore
Sandy Garcia
Robert Villalon
Brittany Johnson
Ken Monduori
Jim Shaler
Richard Peek 
Associate Director
Dawn Henshaw
 
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Margie Fletcher (elected 2005)
Georges Lussier (elected 2010)
 
Local Chapter Presidents
MBA OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Sherry Wenrich
 
GULF COAST MBA
Yvette Clermont, AMP, CMB
 
MBA OF JACKSONVILLE
Holly L. Yelton
 
MBA OF THE PALM BEACHES
Dan E. Doherty
 
MBA OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Katerina Gonzalez Rodriguez
 
MBA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Don Schnell 
 
MBA OF TALLAHASSEE
Caitlin Yancey Moore
 
MBA OF TAMPA BAY
Gina Dionisio
2019/2020 Committees
Communications
Annual Convention 
Eastern Secondary Market Conference
Education 
Future Leaders
Legislative
Membership
Future Leaders
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 review the program information under the link below.

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 [email protected]
or call (202) 557-2933 if you need any assistance with the app. 
NEW - MBAF Education - Sales Webinars and Other New Opportunities 
The year we started an educational webinar series that will take place every quarter, for now. The first series was held on November 7th, 2019. We placed the webinar recordings on our website.

Upcoming Webinars-TODAY
presented by Carl White, Founder / Chief Strategist of The Mortgage Marketing Animals and also the host of the #1 Podcast for loan officers in America.
 
For Loan Officers
Tuesday 2/18 at 10 am
How To Close Even More Loans Without Breaking A Sweat!

For Branch Managers
Tuesday 2/18 at 2 pm
7 Rules You Must Follow To Be a Wildly Successful Branch Manager
Welcome to Winter 2020

We hope you enjoy hearing these updates from your association.
Presidents Message
by Michael Azzarello, CMB
President, MBA of Florida
 
As we move quickly through my term as MBAF President, I continue to be impressed with some really dedicated people volunteering their time and talent for our association, our members and the benefit of mortgage lenders doing business in Florida.  I owe a big THANK YOU to our Executive Team, Directors, Chapter Presidents and Committee Members who have been working closely on a number of MBAF goals this year. I also want to thank our Executive Director, Brenda Thomas since we would not be able to make any of this happen without her leadership!  
 
Below are a few highlights of the major initiatives going on this year at the MBA of Florida.  We hope you can participate and take advantage of these personal and business development opportunities!
 
Eastern Secondary Conference and Annual Convention
Our two committees have worked hard to get you top notch speakers for another great Eastern Secondary Conference and Annual Convention, which again are being held back to back with separate events for each and three crossovers sessions in between. The event will be held June 17 - 19 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando. The draft of the program, the attendee, exhibit and sponsorship forms are online and registration is open. You can also log-in yourself and  Register Online Here or fill out the forms and email, fax or mail them in. The early registration deadline is March 13th. It is very important to make your room reservations now
 
Educational Opportunities
Our education Committee has sponsored four sales training webinars over the past two quarters. Participation has been excellent and I know everyone walked away better prepared to increase their production! The plan is to provide continuing education for Loan Originators and Sales Manager so please take advantage of these educational opportunities. So far we have been able to obtain the support from nationally recognized sales trainers who have donated their time to keep these webinars complimentary. In addition to our new Sales Training Webinars, we have also been expanding the resources available under the Education tab on our Website-Click Here to Access.  Check it out and take advantage of those opportunities available to our members!
 
Membership
It's a new calendar year and half way through the MBA of Florida's fiscal year. That means you can join the MBA of Florida today and your dues will be paid through June 2021. We need members and participation and I encourage you to join or speak with those decision makers at your firm who can start the process. Potential Members - Click Here to Access Membership Information
 
If you have not yet paid your dues you can go online and pay Click Here to Log-in and Pay Your Membership Dues 
 
Spring is in the air if you live or do business in Florida.  Let's enjoy the moderate temps and low humidity while we work together for a fabulous 2020!
 
Take care and I hope to see you at one of our events.
Chapter Calendars Online-Click Here
 
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 Tampa Bay provided some highlights for us. What a great group of volunteers!
Local Chapter News
MBA Tampa Bay, by Gina Dionisio
Chapter President 
The MBA of Tampa Bay held a holiday celebration the night of December 3rd at Bar Louie at the International Mall in Tampa. We had 45 people attend this event. Each member received a goodie bag filled with products, discounts or gift cards to vendors at the mall. It was a great way to kick off the holiday season. 
January 14
David Bennett "Tampa Bay Market Update"
David Bennett, CAE, RCE, CMLX1 Pinellas Realtor Origination gave a presentation on the Tampa Bay real estate marketing for 2020 and the next five-year growth plan. He spoke to 45 people about the growth of the Tampa Bay Area real estate market. He spoke about how the area is marketing itself to outside business to relocate to this area to bring more jobs than in turn more housing needs. He also touched about the need for affordable housing.

February 11
Steve Richman - "How Big is Your "But"
"How Big is Your "But" by
Steve Richman, Genworth Mortgage Insurance National spoke about ways to over come excuses to do more business in 2020. Steve is always a great draw and educational speaker. This will be a new presentation for the Tampa Bay MBA. 
March 9 th - is the Richard M. Phillips Golf Tournament
We are taking registrations for the golf tournament. It is being held at the Carrollwood Country Club. Click Here to Register

Legislative Report, by Sherry Gallitz Legislative Chair
The Florida State Legislature is in session, which began January 14th and concludes March 13th. Once again our Executive Committee, Officers and Chapter Presidents traveled to the Capitol in Tallahassee on February 3rd & 4th to venture into our legislative arena and to make our voices be heard. Eric Prutsman, our Legislative Representative scheduled meetings with numerous State Representatives and State Senators, including Senator Aaron Bean, House Representative Lawrence McClure, John Cortes, David Smith and Adam Hattersley. 
 
Michael Azzarello, CMB MBAF President, and Doug Leaver, Secretary/Treasurer, both represented and supported Eric Prutsman on the floor with Michael testifying in support of SB 306 by Senator Mayfield, which would statutorily prevent the sweeping of the Sadowski funds. We also attended a House Insurance & Banking Committee meeting to watch the Legislature in action.
 
As in past trips to Tallahassee, the time spent with our elected state representatives and senators was productive and reinforced our message that the MBA of Florida is a valuable resource on mortgage banking issues.
 
Currently, all Legislative Bills that are important to the mortgage Industry are updated are followed on the MBA of Florida website via the following link:
 

Sign Up Link
Do you know anyone that would benefit in receiving MBA of Florida's communications on our events and industry news? Please forward this link so they can sign up!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW TO ATTEND! EVEN BETTER REGISTER TODAY!


Registration - Exhibits - Sponsorship Form PDF links below:
All Information Below Online Too-Click Here

2020 Secondary and Convention Registration Form
(Register by 3/13/2020 to save $75, then by 4/15/2020 to save $150 of the normal fees)

Exhibitor Informational Packet

2020 Exhibitor Registration Form

2020 Sponsorship Form
Draft Schedule - Committees have worked hard on the program and are almost complete! Look for some additional speaker announcements coming soon..

Wednesday June 17, 2020
 
SECONDARY CONFERENCE BEGINS
 
10 AM - Exhibitor Registration and Set Up
10 AM-6 PM-Registration Open  
9 AM - 1 PM NETWORKING APPOINTMENT TIMES
1 - 2:30 PM-Secondary Session
Disrupt or be Disrupted : The monumental mortgage disruption is here. Strap on your safety harness and prepare to hear from industry thought leaders regarding the movement from documents to data, and the enhanced value propositions as our industry moves from paper to digital. You'll learn how your processes can be streamlined and cost savings gained in the modern 20s. Topics that will spin your imagination from serial to parallel and back again include transactions that lead to enhanced relationships with investors, trading partners, vendors and consumers. Will your organization be the consolidator or the consolidated? Change is the only constant and we are now at the tip of the spear for mortgage nirvana. Help your borrowers drop a secure hash value and secure a mortgage - boom!
Speakers being finalized.
Moderator: James Deitch, CPA, CMB
2:30 - 3 PM - NETWORKING APPOINTMENT TIMES  
3 - 4 PM -Secondary Session
Non-QM - Past, Present and Future State: A panel of experts will discuss non-agency lending and what to expect today and tomorrow. What is available for borrowers who don't meet agency and prime jumbo guidelines? How about those self-employed borrowers and Appendix Q?  The panel discussion will include non-agency product guidelines, documentation requirements, underwriting (delegated or non-delegated), pricing and investor delivery (best efforts, mandatory, bulk), compliance, post-closing due diligence, non-agency securities and ratings, servicing and loan performance.
Julia Curran , SitusAMC
Kevin Stein , Senior Managing Director (or Mark Neely), EJF Capital LLC
Speakers being finalized.
Moderator: Rudy Orman, CMB
4 - 4:30 PM - NETWORKING APPOINTMENT TIMES  
4:30 - 5:30 PM Secondary Session
CAPITAL MARKETS (Hedging) EXECUTIVE PANEL
Chris Bennett , Principal, Vice Capital Markets
Phil Rasori, Chief Operating Officer, MCT
Tom Millon , CFA, CMB, CEO, Computershare Loan Services - North America    
Moderator: Rob Chrisman
5:30-6:30 PM Opening Reception with Exhibits 
 
Thursday June 18, 2020
SECONDARY CONFERENCE
 
7 AM - 6 PM Registration Open
7:30 - 9 AM Breakfast with Exhibitors
8 - 9 AM NETWORKING APPOINTMENT TIMES and Exhibits
9-10 AM Secondary Session
Current State Mortgage Originations and Housing Trends  by Ed Pinto, Codirector, AEI Center on Housing Markets and Finance; Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
Moderator: Nitin Dave, Southern Trust
10 - 10:30 AM   NETWORKING APPOINTMENT TIMES and Exhibits
10:30-11:30 AM Secondary Session
Rob Chrisman, Author, Daily Mortgage News and Commentary
Update on the state of the current mortgage industry and capital markets news
11:30 AM - 1 PM-LUNCH WITH EXHIBITORS
Speaker: Dan Grattan, Associate Vice President, Legislative and Political Affairs, MBA, Washington, DC
Moderator: Michael Azzarello, CMB
CROSSOVER SESSIONS RELEVANT TO BOTH S
ECONDARY AND CONVENTION AUDIENCE
1 - 2 PM A SPECIAL EXTRAORDINARY CONVERSATION SESSION
Dave Stevens, CMB, CEO, Mountain Lake Consulting, Inc.
Additional speaker TBD
2 - 3 PM Economic Update
Doug Duncan , Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Fannie Mae
3-3:30 PM NETWORKING APPOINTMENT TIMES and Exhibits
3:30 - 4:30 PM Agency Updates - Dan Rogers, III, Director, Atlanta FHA Homeownership Center
Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae/VA TBD
Moderator: Matthew Goldman, CLO, CRO
 
ANNUAL CONVENTION PROGRAMS BEGIN
 
4:30 - 5:30 PM Annual Business Meeting - No speaker-just association business/elections
5:30 -7 PM Reception with Exhibits
 
Friday June 19, 2020
 
ANNUAL CONVENTION PROGRAMS
 
7:30 - 9 AM - Breakfast with Exhibitors
8 - 9 AM Incoming Local Chapter Presidents Breakfast Meet and Greet with Orientation
7:30 - 9 AM - CMB Breakfast
9 - 10 AM - Convention Session
The Essential Need for Diversity of the Next Generation of Mortgage Bankers
Speakers: Tony Thompson, CMB, Founder and CEO, The National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America
Eddie Perez, CMB, President, Equity Prime Mortgage LLC
Danny Garcia-Velez, Senior Marketing Program Manager, Channel Strategies & Digital Marketing,
Mortgage
Peter Nordon, CEO, HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc.
Moderator: Christie Buff, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation
10 - 11 AM - Convention Session
Executive Panel - Addressing Challenges and Opportunities
Rick Floyd, Partner, Executive Vice President, HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc.
Laura Escobar, President, Eagle Home Mortgage
Eddie Perez, CMB, President, Equity Prime Mortgage LLC
Moderator: Candice Racine , Essent Guaranty, Inc.
11-11:30 AM-Refreshment Break with Exhibitors (Closing after this break)

Friday June 19, 2020 - Continued
 
11:30 AM- 12:30 PM - Convention Session
Top Producing Loan Origination Panel
Javier Daire, Production Manager, President's Cabinet Member, Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. - PRMG
Patrick Storch, Regional Manager, Producing Branch Manager Loan Originator, The Mortgage Firm
Caitlin Moore, Mortgage Account Executive, Capital City Bank
Yvette Clermont, CMB, Branch Manager, Mortgage Consultant, Inlanta Mortgage
Moderator: Matthew Goldman, CLO, CRO
12:30 - 2 PM Installation Luncheon and Brown L Whatley Award Presentation- NEW MPAC Drawings take place
2:15-3:45 PM - Final Convention Session
Florida Real Estate Edition! Realtor / Builder Panel
Bill Garrison , Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Florida Builders Association
Joe Manausa, Joe Manausa Real Estate
Patty Ketcham, President, Ketcham Realty Group
Jorge Guerra , RESF
More speakers being confirmed.
Moderator: Katerina Gonzalez-Rodriguez
NEW! 4-5:30 PM-Incoming 2020-2021 BOD Meeting (NO Early AM meeting on Saturday)
HOTEL RESERVATION LINK BELOW:
$185 Single/Double Occupancy ($15 resort fee, discounted from $30)
Thank You Members! (as of 2/11/2020) (If you are not listed please contact us @[email protected]
We value and appreciate your continued support. 


Financial Institution Members
Academy Mortgage Corporation
American Bancshares Mortgage LLC
AmeriHome Mortgage Company LLC
Ameris Bank
Assurance Financial Group, LLC
Better Mortgage Corporation
*Branch Banking and Trust
Caliber Home Loans
Capital City Bank
Centennial Bank
CenterState Bank Mortgage
Deephaven Mortgage
Drummond Community Bank
Embrace Home Loans
Farm Credit of NW FL
Finance of America Reverse LLC
First Commerce Credit Union
First Community Mortgage
First Federal Bank
First Home Bank
Florida Capital Bank N.A.
Home Point Financial Dues
*HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc.
*iberiabank
Inlanta Mortgage
K Hovnanian
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Paramount Residential Mortgage
Planet Home Lending
Quicken Loans
Regions Bank
SunTrust Mortgage
SWBC Mortgage Corporation
*Symmetry Lending
Synovus
*The Mortgage Firm
Union Home Mortgage
United States Automobile Association
VyStar Credit Union
Associate Members
*Arch MI
Black, Mann & Graham, LLP
Capital Markets Cooperative
CATIC
Ditio Appraisals
Essent
*Genworth Mortgage Insurance
MERSCORP
*Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp.
Mortgage Information Services
*National MI
Optimal Blue
Radian
Seeman Holtz Property and Casualty
Shapiro & Fishman, LLP
Tampa Bay Community Development
Teraverde Financial
The Compliance Group
The StoneHill Group
Top of Mind-Surefire
Western Technologies Group


Individual Members
Timothy Allen, CMB
Michael Azzarello, CMB
Scott Colclough
Gina Dionisio
Jim Flood
Michelle L Glass, Esq.
Matthew Goldman, CLO, CRO
Brittany Johnson
Michelle Knoebel, CMB
Doug Leever
Colleen Regan
Katerina Rodriguez
Alan Verch, CMB
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. 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. More than 89% of CMB designees hold the title of vice president or higher, reflecting the level of leadership and commitment designees maintain. To learn more about the CMB designation go to https://www.mba.org/conferences-and-education/mba-education/certificates-and-designations/certified-mortgage-banker 
 
The purpose of the Certified Mortgage Bankers Society of Florida is: To create awareness of the CMB designation and promote membership in the CMB Society. To encourage qualified individuals to pursue the CMB designation. To provide more opportunities for prospective CMBs to learn how to become 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 encourage and enhance our networking relationships. And to act, when needed, to influence positive change.
 
The Certified Mortgage Bankers Society of Florida holds regular meetings during the Eastern Secondary Conference and Annual Convention of the MBA of Florida. 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, which entitle them to vote, hold office, proctor examinations and perform other duties as appropriate. B) CMB candidates and prospective candidates are encouraged to attend meetings and activities without the privileges of full membership.
 
The next CMB Society of Florida breakfast will be held on Friday, June 19th, from 7:30 AM till 9 AM during the MBAF State Convention in the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, FL. Each year at this breakfast, we have a Nationally recognized leader in the mortgage banking industry that holds the CMB designation present on the value of earning their CMB and an additional topic of his or her choice. This is a terrific meeting for candidates to learn about the steps to take to earn the CMB designation. During this meeting, the CMB's in attendance elect a Chairperson and a Secretary for the coming year. If you are a CMB and are interested in being Chairman or Secretary for our society, or learning more about these positions, please email me at [email protected]
 
About the Certified Mortgage Bankers Society of Florida group on LinkedIn. If you are a CMB who lives or works in Florida or a professional involved in the mortgage banking industry who lives, or works, in Florida and  wants to learn more about the CMB designation or find a mentor/sponsor to assist you on your CMB journey, please join the CMB Society of Florida on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4390575/  
On this LinkedIn group, members are encouraged to post questions for CMBs, news about our industry, news about your company, news about what you are doing, or reach out to find a CMB sponsor.
 
CMB Oral Exams during the Eastern Secondary Conference on the morning of Wednesday, June 17th.  If you, or anyone you know, will be completing the CMB written exam before June 10th and desire to earn the CMB designation before MBA's National Convention, we have good news for you! If we have CMB candidates, who have passed all six sections of their written exams, we have plenty of CMBs willing to participate in CMB Oral Panels. If this description fits you, or somebody you are sponsoring for their CMB, please confirm your eligibility, or expected eligibility with Amber Lawrence at the [email protected] and then email me at [email protected] so I can notify the CMB panelists and confirm all with the MBA.
 
We publish CMBprofiles on the MBA of Florida website. If you are a CMB, you can have your CMB Profile listed on the MBA of Florida Certified Mortgage Banker Profile page https://www.mbaf.org/cmb/florida-cmb-profiles/
 
I hope to see you at the 17th Annual Eastern Secondary Conference and 67th Annual Convention June 17-18-19, 2020. Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you on your journey to earning your Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation!
 
Tim Allen, CMB®, SVP, Lender & Servicer Solutions at Home Captain & 2019-2020 Chairman for the CMB Society of Florida
Direct: 239-571-5440 Email: [email protected]  I'm on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/timdallenfl
CMB Society of Florida
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/
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