• President's Message
 

A message from the President

I would like to encourage you to continue your participation and support of your trade association, the Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers. The Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association (WMBA) is the only statewide organization dedicated to representing the residential real estate finance industry. Whether in a difficult lending climate or in a perfect market, the WMBA is proud to serve you and works to help you better operate your business in a dynamically changing environment. Your membership in the WMBA carries many benefits and helps to keep you up to date on the current issues affecting your business.

Here are just a few of the benefits of WMBA Membership:

Government & Regulatory Oversight

Working in cooperation with our government relations consultants, the WMBA has achieved several legislative and regulatory victories that have improved the real estate finance industry in recent years, not only with pro-business legislation that we advocated and worked to support getting passed, but also our work to defeat the dozens of anti-business bills that are introduced each year.

The WMBA serves its membership by representing your legislative and regulatory interests before the Wisconsin Legislature, the Governor’s office, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and other local regulatory agencies. The WMBA also works closely with the Mortgage Bankers Association in Washington D.C. to provide support and expertise on federal issues impacting business in Wisconsin.

Our monthly newsletter, WMBA Brief, covers the latest residential real estate finance news, legislative and regulatory updates. 

Annual Conference and Best in Business Awards

The WMBA holds multiple events each year including our two flagship events. The Spring Real Estate Finance Conference  is a great place to network amongst members and prospective members and bring attendees up to speed on industry trends. In the Fall, we host our Annual Best in Business awards night. The night is wonderful way to recognize the efforts of our dedicated members.  Our conferences and events encourage the exchange of ideas and educate our members on the latest topics impacting our industry. 
 

Standing Committees

As a WMBA member, you are invited to help shape important issues affecting the real estate finance industry through participation in one or more of our standing policy committees:

  • Ethics and Bylaws
  • Communications, PR and Social Media
  • Legislative
  • Education
  • Best in Business
  • Membership
  • Single Family Residential
  • Servicing 
  • Real Estate Conference
  • Golf Event
  • Mortgage Boot Camp
  • Education Foundation

Some committees meet on an as needed basis and others have scheduled monthly meetings to discuss issues of concern, develop programs, networking opportunities and evaluate policies that directly impact your business and its success.

Regional Chapters

In addition to the state Board of Directors, the WMBA has two chapters with separate leadership that allow you to get involved and interact with the colleagues in your market. Our regional chapters are based in Madison, and  Milwaukee .

Membership

To better serve our state, the WMBA calls on not only bankers and mortgage bankers but originators, servicers and investors, as well as insurers, title companies, lawyers, closing agents, appraisers, technology vendors, state and national associations and other valued partners

This is a crucial time in our industry; we all have the opportunity to be involved in the crafting of the policies that will impact how we do our business for the coming years. The WMBA needs your continued support and participation in joining the WMBA in our mission to help our real estate finance industry build and sustain the communities in which we all live, work and play.


 

Carl Pietraszewski
WMBA President, 2023-2024