In this Issue 

January 2023 Edition

     
 

Presidents Message

Legislative Update

State News & Events

Annual Golf Outing

Peer Chat

Online Event Calendar


Chapter News & Events

Milwaukee Chapter News + Events 

Madison Chapter News + Events

MBA Updates

Upcoming Educational Webinars

Other News

 
 



Happy New Year!

The 9th Annual Best in Business Awards are here! The WMBA is inviting you to attend on April 6th at the Madison Concourse. Registration and Sponsorship opportunities are open, so please consider signing up today! Check out the 9th Annual Best in Business Wesbsite for more information. 

Additionally, nominations for the 9th Annual Best in Business Awards are open. Know of anyone who has gone above and beyond this year? Nominate them using the Nominations Survey! We have a great variety of awards to be given out this year so please consider taking a few minutes to nominate your peers. 

The 5th Annual Mortgage Bootcamp is in full swing! So far, we have hosted 2 of our virtual sessions and I can say that they have been extremely useful to our attendees. Registration is still available! If you or anyone you know is interested in joining, our sessions have been recorded and anyone can join and catch up! See the event information below or click here for the Mortgage Bootcamp website. 

Please continue to check your email for updates regarding your membership renewal. For those who have not yet renewed, a dues renewal reminder will be sent shortly. Thank you again to everyone who has renewed their membership for another year with WMBA. The continued support of our members is what makes our organization so great. Our administrators are busily working behind the scenes to process payments and update your organization’s member listings in the database. Questions about the renewal process, including dues and database info, can be directed to our association administrators at wmba@morgandata.com.
 
We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Golf Outing!
 
Thank you,

Chad Laipple

 


Chad Laipple
WMBA President 2022-2023
Regional Manager
U.S. Bank Home Mortgage
chad.laipple@usbank.com | (608) 827-3243
 


WMBA 9th Annual Best in Business Awards Ceremony

We’re honored to celebrate our members at the 9th Annual Best in Business Awards! The finalists have been recognized by their peers for their contributions to our organization + the industry. They are knowledgeable and hardworking. They are producers and go-getters with amazing service skills. They are shining examples of greatness.

A cocktail reception will be held to honor these finalists, followed by a plated dinner and an awards program to announce the winners. Mortgage Bootcamp graduates will also be recognized at this event. 

Join us to celebrate the great things our industry does every day!

Awards will be given out in the following categories:

  • Mortgage Banker of the Year (Madison, Milwaukee, and other markets)
  • ​Best Industry Service Provider
  • Rising Star
  • Best in Servicing
  • Best in Leadership
  • Best in Processing/Loan Support (Madison, Milwaukee, and other markets)
  • Best in Underwriting
  • Best Loan Originator (Madison, Milwaukee, and other markets)
  • Community Involvement Award

Event Information

The Best in Business Awards will be taking place on April 6th at the Madison Concourse. The agenda for that day is below.
 
12:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m. Bootcamp Session 5 &6
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. Reception
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony
 

Registration

Registration is now available for the Best in Business Awards!

WMBA members and guests will have the option of registering for a table of 8 or individually. 

Interested in attending? Use the button below to complete your registration.





Sponsorship opportunities are also available! Please look below for more information.

Event Location

The Best in Business Awards dinner will be held at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison.
Lake Monona | Madison Concourse

Madison Concourse Hotel
1 W Dayton St
Madison, WI 53703
414-276-1234
Conference Center Website 

Sponsorship

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 8th Annual Best in Business Awards Ceremony. This year, the WMBA is offering one sponsor option:

Event Sponsor- $350
  • Logo on email blasts to entire membership and event web site
  • Verbal recognition from the event’s emcee
  • Logo placement on scrolling slides during reception
  • Logo placement on event signage
  • Logo placement on event program
  • Bring your company banner to display for all attendees
  • Display table by registration for your company pamphlets and handouts for attendee browsing
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, click below.



 
WMBA 5th Annual Mortgage Bootcamp



Registration for the 2022-2023 Mortgage Bootcamp is open! Who should attend? Bootcamp is designed for anyone who works in the mortgage industry. Our seasoned presenters will walk you through the mortgage loan cycle from start to finish to provide each participant with advanced knowledge of each step of the mortgage process. Test your knowledge today!


WMBA 2022 - 2023 Boot Camp Agenda 
 
Session #1
Virtual

Wednesday, December 7, 2022
10:00am - 11:30am
 
Topic: Taking the Application

Regulations, documentation needs, setting expectations
and how to effectively interview a borrower
 
Presenter: Chris Boland – VP Loan Operations, Nicolet National Bank
 
Session #2
Virtual

Wednesday,
January 11, 2023

10:00am - 11:30am
 
 
Topic: Processing for Success

Develop great relationships and close more loans
Review best practices for communication both internally and externally through
the loan process and review the typical personality type differences between
operations and sales
 
Presenter: TBD
Session #3
Virtual

Wednesday, February 15, 2023
10:00am - 11:30am

 
Topic: Understanding Secondary Market

High level overview of understanding the "big picture" - who are the players in the industry,
how do they relate to one another, what does it mean for me and my borrower?
 
Presenter: Robert Selingo - Senior VP of Secondary Marketing, Waterstone Mortgage
Session #4
Virtual

Wednesday,
March 15, 2023

10:00am - 11:30am

 
Topic: Underwriting Section 1 & 2

Who are the people behind the curtain?
Third party involvement, appraisal, and title review
Getting the coverage you need to get the approval you want
Coverage options and how mortgage insurance works
Explore the claims process and some delinquency scenarios where MI made the difference
 
Presenter: TBD
 
Sessions #5&6
Combined in-person session

Thursday,
April 6 , 2023

12:00pm - 4:00pm
Topic: Mortgage Lending Compliance

An overview of the top mortgage regulations you need to know as a mortgage lender
Regulator impact on lending environment

Who are the people behind the approval curtain?
A review of how an underwriter looks at a loan and what factors are included
4 Cs of credit, income quality


Topic: Business Development Planning

Best Practices to Grow Your Business
How to plan your sales activities for the next year
Walk away motivated with solid tips and ideas to use right away
 
Presenters: Heidi Wier, Michel Kopplin, and TBD




 


Legislative Update - Buddy Julius

State news...


Senate GOP leadership releases flat tax proposal.

The legislation would shift the tax rate to 3.25% for all filers by 2026. The state’s current income tax rates range from 3.54% to 7.65%, depending upon marital status and income.

Gov. Tony Evers has said he opposes moving to a flat tax and suggested this week he could veto the entire budget if it's included.


GOP reintroduces personal property tax elimination legislation.

The bill, though, doesn't yet address concerns Evers raised in his veto message that the language the Legislature approved in June 2021 could have unintended consequences, including for utility taxes.

GOP state Rep. Dan Knodl, a lead author along with state Sen. Duey Stroebel said the new bill will go through the committee process and he is open to amendments to address any remaining concerns, including those the guv raised about utility taxes. He noted Evers and some Democratic lawmakers have indicated their desire to eliminate the tax. After Evers vetoed the bill in 2021, Democrats introduced their own version of the legislation, though it didn't go anywhere.


TikTok ban goes into effect.

As he signaled last week, Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order banning TikTok from state devices.  The ban also includes WeChat. The Governor said he consulted with the FBI and emergency management officials. He cited potential risks to privacy, safety and security. Evers’ order applies to most state agencies, with some exceptions like criminal investigators who may be using the app to track certain people.


Senate Majority Leader forecasts votes on Evers cabinet appointees but has doubts about DNR Board members.

In an inteview this week, Sen. Devin LeMahieu predicted his caucus would likely confirm many of Evers cabinet secretaries.  The Senate hard largely declined to confirm gubernatorial appointees during Evers' first term, leading to 185 unconfirmed appointees.  Wisconsin law allows appointees to serve pending confirmation, however.

LeMahieu also cast doubt on recent appointees to the Dept. of Natural Resources Board, hinting that the Senate may reject those appointments.  IF that occurs, the members must stop serving immediately.  This happened only once during Evers' first term when Senate Republicans rejected Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Brad Pfaff.  Pfaff subsequently won a State Senate seat from his home area of LaCrosse.


Legislative lifts conversion therapy ban.

The Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules voted 6-4 on party lines to suspend a rule banning “conversion therapy,” which was passed in 2020 by the state board that oversees licensed therapists, counselors and social workers. The board’s policy added conversion therapy to the list of unprofessional conduct for those professions.

Conversion therapy is “any form of intervention, such as individual or group, behavioral, cognitive or milieu/environmental operations, that attempts to change an individual’s sexual orientation or sexual behaviors,” according to the American Medical Association.


Cigarette sales drop by half since 2001.

Last year, 193 million packs were legally sold in Wisconsin, compared to 420 million in 2001.  The Wisconsin Policy Forum report noted some of the largest drops in sales came after the state raised the cigarette tax and the smoking ban went into effect in July 2010.

The tax was raised from 59 cents to 77 cents per pack in 2002 before going to $1.77 in 2008 and $2.52 in 2009. The federal tax went from 34 cents per pack to 39 cents in 2002 and to $1.01 in 2009.


Evers appoints James Bond to lead Department of Veterans Affairs.

Bond, who joined DVA in 2010, served as administrator of the Divisions of Veterans Benefits and Veteran Services until he was appointed deputy secretary of the agency in 2019. He will replace outgoing secretary Mary Kolar, who announced her retirement late last month.

Bond is a former marine and is believed to be the first openly gay state cabinet secretary.


Evers appoints former State Sen. Jon Erpenbach to chair Parole Commission.

The Parole Commission became an issue for Evers last year after former Chair John Tate II originally agreed to parole a man who had stabbed to death his estranged wife in front of his children 25 years earlier.  The family of Johanna Balsewicz urged Evers to reverse the move.

The guv then called on Tate to change course. Tate eventually did, finding the family hadn't been given adequate opportunity to respond to the planned release.  Tate resigned in June after pressure from Evers.


Campaigns & elections...


Protasiewicz raises record amount for a Supreme Court candidate.

Milwaukee County Family Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz raised $924,449 in 2022, topping the record set by former Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson in the year before her successful reelection bid in 2009 where she raised $823,104.

Candidates have until January 17th to file their 2022 reports.  Protasiewicz faces Dane County Judge Everett Mitchel, former Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly and Waukesha County Judge Jennifer Dorow.


Covid-19 news...


Latest numbers.

The 7-day average for daily cases decreased to 686 per day from 786 a week ago.  The 7-day average for daily confirmed Covid-19 deaths decreased to 6 per day from 7 per day a week ago.  This is the highest level since March 2022.

The WI Hospital Association reports 566 people hospitalized with Covid-19, down from 611 a week ago.  Of those, 84 are in ICUs, steady from 84 a week ago.


Have a great weekend,

Ryan, Buddy & Cynthia
The Firm Consulting



 Statewide Peer Chat

 

A new feature on the member website page is a discussion forum where you can add your comments to a posted topic or suggest another topic. There are currently three topics posted including: 

- eClosings - Remote Online Notarization
- Closings at your bank or company
- How are you effectively managing your remote staff?
 

You can find the Peer Chat at: https://wmba.wildapricot.org/MemberChat/


Online Event Calendar

Check out the new Online Event Calendar on the WMBA website that will include Statewide events, Board Meetings, Chapter Events and Educational Events. If you have an event to add, use the Suggest Event feature to give us the details to add to the calendar.

The calendar can be found at: http://wimba.org/Events
 





Milwaukee Chapter Events

Join us on Thursday, February 9th as the Milwaukee Chapter of the WMBA and the Women's Council of Realtors host this valuable learning opportunity!

Dave Molenda of Positive Polarity will be running a session on 10 Tips for Better Communication. 
 

Speaker Bio:

#1 Amazon best-selling author, Dave Molenda, works in

 tandem with CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, and sales teams to help them develop meaningful relationships with customers, motivate employees, and nail sales quotas. His behavior-based training workshops, regular onsite coaching and strategy sessions, and event keynote presentations are effective, engaging, and entertaining.

After almost 30 years of running his own company and growing it to $10 million in annual sales, Dave realized his passion was helping companies thrive by overcoming their natural tendencies to retreat, not talk about the hard stuff, and spin their wheels on the wrong things.

Dave’s customized programing includes stress assessments, job benchmarking, emotional quotient training, sales skills indexing, and predictive analytics in hiring. Through behavior analysis programs, DISC assessments, and one-on-one skill-building consultations, Dave’s approach has been instrumental in increasing customer retention rates, pumping up employee energy and engagement, and inspiring and strengthening leadership teams.

Dave is a sought-after speaker. Some of his training topics include:

- 10 Tips to Better Communicate

- Learn to Listen, Listen to Learn

- How Important is a Personality Profile Anyway?

- How to Add One More Hour to Your Day Without Staying Later

- 4 C's of Leadership

- How Employee Engagement Drives Growth

Reach out today to pick his brain on how to elevate your sales process, keep customers delighted, hit sales more targets, and generate more revenue. All while having a good time!

Registration:

Registration is $15 for anyone and includes the session and some light snacks. Deadline is February 1st. 

Agenda:

Time

Function

(registration, reception, lunch, program, etc.)

Room/Location

1 PM

Set Up

     

1:45 PM 

Registration

    

2:00 

Event Begins

     

4:00 - 4:30 

Event Ends

   

     


Parking Instructions: 

When you arrive, please plan on parking closer to the BBB side (South) and enter in through the BBB entrance. Do NOT Park in the credit union spots. 

Visit the Milwaukee Chapter Webpage for new events + chapter updates.




Madison Chapter Events

Join the Madison Chapter of the WMBA, RASCW, and the Women's Council of Realtors as we host an informational session on February 16th at the TDS Conference Center in Madison. 

You will obtain bulletproof answers on how to thrive today by leveraging social media, value proposition, and mindset. You'll also learn how to generate more leads, and increase your productivity/profit in this coming year. 
 

Speaker Info:

Glenn Bill is an Amazon #1 International bestselling author who has been a business owner since he was 23 yrs. old and is recognized as one of the Top 10 sales people in the nation. He has also coached a high school football team to 11 state Championships. For the past ten years, Glenn has been giving keynote addresses to clients (MetLife, Wells Fargo, Chase, CENTURY 21, and National/State Associations) and creating High Performance as it relates to sales, leadership, sales management, customer service and disruption (change). His message is uncanned and real and will speak to every attendee in the room regardless of their background or position.

Location Info:

City Center West/TDS Conference Center
525 Junction Rd, Madison, WI

Registration Info:

Early-Bird Registration is available! Be sure to register before February 6th to lock-in your rate. Your registration includes the learning session, networking, and a happy hour with cash bar and light appetizers. 



 

Agenda:

Time

Function

Room/Location

1:00 – 1:30  

REGISTRATION

 

1:30 – 2:45

PRESENTATION

     

3:00 – 5:00

NETWORKING -  light appetizers at World of Beer, 8225 Greenway Blvd Ste. 140, Middleton, WI 53562

 

Visit the Madison Chapter Webpage for new events + chapter updates.


MBA Update

MBA Statement on FHFA’s Enhancements to the GSEs’ Radon Standards for Multifamily Properties

MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, released the following statement regarding the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) announcement of its enhancements to Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s (the GSEs) radon standards for multifamily properties:

“MBA and its members fully support safe and healthy multifamily housing and appreciate FHFA’s willingness to work closely with scientists and industry stakeholders during this process. We hope that these new radon testing standards strike the appropriate balance of ensuring tenant safety without leading to significant delays and added costs to multifamily projects.

“We ask FHFA to remain flexible on the six-month implementation date if it becomes apparent that the new standards will impact the current lending pipeline.

“Industry participants, FHFA, the GSEs, and HUD – which has its own testing protocol – should continue to collect data on radon and strongly consider adjustments to these standards, if necessary, to ensure they align with tenant risk. 

“MBA will continue to work with FHFA, the GSEs, and HUD to increase safe and affordable multifamily housing in communities across the country.” 


For more information, please contact Adam DeSanctis at 202-557-2727


MBA Statement on FHFA Updates to the GSEs’ Pricing Framework

Bob Broeksmit, CMB, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), issued the following statement regarding today’s Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announcement of updates to Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s pricing framework: 

“FHFA’s holistic review of the GSEs’ up-front pricing framework has led to extensive reworking of the grids, and it will take some time to assess the full impact on borrowers and the market. 

“Our initial review indicates that the new framework results in a modest net increase in overall pricing, which is a concern given ongoing affordability challenges and the higher interest rate environment.

“With the peak homebuying season coinciding with these changes, FHFA should consider additional program changes to improve affordability, including raising the area median income threshold for the GSEs’ low down payment products. This move would expand eligibility for borrowers who can meet the monthly obligation of a mortgage payment but do not have significant savings to make a large down payment.

“We also urge FHFA to be flexible with its May 1, 2023, implementation date should the industry need more time to integrate these updates and the recalibration of the upfront fee matrix into mortgage pricing. 

“MBA will continue to work with FHFA, the GSEs, and the Biden administration and advocate for policies and actions that expand homeownership opportunities for all qualified borrowers.” 


For more information, please contact Adam DeSanctis at 202-557-2727


MBA Statement on FHFA’s Announcement to Lower the Fee for Commingled Securities

Bob Broeksmit, CMB, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), issued the following statement regarding today’s Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announcement reducing the fee for commingled securities from 50 basis points to 9.375 basis points:

“FHFA’s move to lower the fee significantly for commingled securities is a sound decision and should remove much of the friction observed in the UMBS market since the fee was implemented last summer. The UMBS is intended to increase liquidity in the market, but the high fee was having the opposite effect.  

“While MBA continues to believe that there should not be any fee for commingled securities, we appreciate FHFA’s receptiveness to industry feedback and its willingness to make an adjustment that better reflects any perceived risk.

“We remain focused on ensuring a well-functioning UMBS market and will continue to work with FHFA, the GSEs, and industry stakeholders on this issue.”

For more information, please contact Adam DeSanctis at 202-557-2727

December New Home Purchase Mortgage Applications Decreased 25.2 Percent

 

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for December 2022 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased 25.2 percent compared from a year ago. Compared to November 2022, applications decreased by 5 percent. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.

“December new home purchase activity – both for applications and estimated sales – ran more than 20 percent behind last year's pace,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “The decline in activity was in line with single-family housing starts that were 32 percent lower than a year ago. Higher mortgage rates and a weakening economy held back buyers at the end of last year.”

Added Kan, “This week’s builder sentiment index from the NAHB reflected an improving outlook and increased buyer traffic, as mortgage rates have backed off from recent highs. The housing market is still in need of more starter and entry-level homes, especially when current demographic trends point to the potential for more younger households to enter homeownership in the near future. New construction of these units will help these buyers entering the housing market.”

MBA estimates new single-family home sales, which has consistently been a leading indicator of the U.S. Census Bureau’s New Residential Sales report, is that new single-family home sales were running at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 641,000 units in December 2022, based on data from the BAS. The new home sales estimate is derived using mortgage application information from the BAS, as well as assumptions regarding market coverage and other factors. 

The seasonally adjusted estimate for December is a decrease of 2.9 percent from the November pace of 660,000 units. On an unadjusted basis, MBA estimates that there were 45,000 new home sales in December 2022, a decrease of 8.2 percent from 49,000 new home sales in November. 

By product type, conventional loans composed 69.1 percent of loan applications, FHA loans composed 20.0 percent, RHS/USDA loans composed 0.3 percent and VA loans composed 10.5 percent. The average loan size of new homes increased from $392,465 in November to $399,555 in December.

MBA’s Builder Application Survey tracks application volume from mortgage subsidiaries of home builders across the country.  Utilizing this data, as well as data from other sources, MBA is able to provide an early estimate of new home sales volumes at the national, state, and metro level. This data also provides information regarding the types of loans used by new home buyers. Official new home sales estimates are conducted by the Census Bureau on a monthly basis. In that data, new home sales are recorded at contract signing, which is typically coincident with the mortgage application.  

For additional information on MBA’s Builder Application Survey, please click here

 

 

 


For more information, please contact Falen Taylor at 202-557-2771


Upcoming Educational Webinars


Click here to view the calendar to register for upcoming webinars
 


Other News...

The New American Homebuyer

Even with the massive gains of the last year, mortgage industry experts say that any plateau for the residential real estate market is nowhere in sight.

Due to a persistent short supply of homes, low interest rates, and readily available credit, single-family homes are commanding multiple offers replete with various sweeteners, such as inspection waivers, offers to cover any appraisal shortfall, etc.

However, homeowners who get too greedy and list their homes at too high a price can still run up against issues of appraisals coming in too low and buyers recognizing the house is overpriced to start with. That’s according to Brian Koss, EVP, Mortgage Network.

Housing affordability declined in May (the latest figures available as of this writing) compared to a year ago, according to National Association of Realtors (NAR) Housing Affordability Index. Median family incomes rose modestly by 1.2%, while the monthly mortgage payment increased 20%. The effective 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 3.01% this May compared to 3.29% one year ago, but the median existing home sales price rose 24.4% year over year.

Compared to the prior month, affordability also worsened as the monthly mortgage payment rose by 1.7% while the median family income declined by 1%.

With all these factors in play, what does the face of the modern American homebuyer look like in 2021? MReport spoke to the experts for insights into the qualities, priorities, and needs of those on the road to the American Dream.

The State of the Market

The adage about the critical importance of location still applies to this current market, said Yvette Clermont, Branch Manager, Inlanta Mortgage. Where homes are available, buyers want to be in good school districts, near shopping, and so forth.

“It’s a little bit of getting whatever you can get your hands on right now,” Clermont said.

Read More...

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