With record warm weather this past weekend, we are reminded that the best part of our 2016 production has begun. Knowing that we will all be busy assisting customers with home purchases and refinances, I wanted to remind you all that the WMBA is also focused on this important part of our year.
 
Our WMBA Chapters are busy with some great upcoming events in the next few months. I urge you to take advantage of these opportunities to gain some knowledge and socialize with your industry colleagues. Your Chapter Boards work hard to deliver value added programs to assist our membership. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!!
 
Our WMBA Committees are hard at work completing important tasks for your association. If you aren't involved with a committee, we want you to know that your involvement is critical to the growth of your association and our industry. We have all said many times that the time you spend on committee work is paid back ten fold from the collaboration with industry professionals like yourself. Many of my industry friendships were born out of committee work over the years.
 
Don't forget to register for the 42nd Annual WMBA Real Estate Finance Conference April 14-15th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Milwaukee. The Conference Committee has put together a great program........it's not just a conference........it's a WMBA Experience!!
 
Lastly, thanks to all those folks who give so much time to make our association strong. The information found in this newsletter is the direct result of that hard work. We are lucky to work in this great industry. 

Legislative Update - George Klaetsch

State Senate Confirms Lon Roberts as Department of Financial Institutions Secretary

On February 12, the Wisconsin State Senate confirmed Lon Roberts of Wausau as the new Secretary of the Department of Financial Institutions.  The confirmation vote was a unanimous vote of 31-0 (with two members absent).  Governor Walker previously announced his appointment decision on January 21, but for the appointed to become official, required a majority vote by the State Senate.
 
Prior to his appointment, Roberts was a partner and shareholder at Ruder Ware law firm in Wausau, WI where he served as President and concentrated his practice in business and commercial law, primarily in the areas of corporate mergers and acquisitions, finance, lending, and private equity capital transactions.  According to Governor Walker’s release announcing the appointment, Roberts’ extensive community involvement includes his service as President of the Grand Theatre Foundation and past President of the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce.  In addition, he serves on the Wisconsin Law Foundation and has annually received the Best Lawyers in America recognition for Corporate Law and Mergers & Acquisitions Law since 2007.  Governor Walker appointed Roberts as Chair of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) in 2012 and committee member of the Judicial Selection Advisory Committee (JSAC) in 2011.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
 
Roberts, replaced Secretary Ray Allen who served at DFI for over 18 years, including four as Deputy Secretary and most recently as Secretary.  Jay Risch remains the DFI’s Deputy Secretary as well as Alex Ignatowski in his capacity as Assistant Deputy Secretary.
 

42nd Annual WMBA Real Estate Finance Conference

Join your colleagues in Milwaukee for the 42nd Annual WMBA Real Estate Finance Conference.Experience Milwaukee Thursday evening with a trolley ride from the Hyatt Regency to Lakefront Brewery for dinner, brewery tours and networking. Cap off the night with late night networking at VUE at the Hyatt with traditional Wisconsin cocktails.
 
On Friday, hear from MBA Chairman Bill Emerson (via Skype from Quicken Headquarters), MBA Chief Economist Michael Fratantoni and Dr. Mark Palim from Fannie Mae on the latest economic updates in the mortgage industry. Visit with exhibitors and network with colleagues. Green Bay Packer Legend Jerry Kramer will highlight lunch.

Click Here for More Information & Registration
 

Madison

2016 Madison Chapter: 13th Annual Bowling Benefit March 17, 2016 Village Lanes 305 Owen Rd. Monona, WI 53716

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Milwaukee

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Northeast

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Action Needed on HR 2121

On Wednesday, February 24, the House Financial Services Committee announced that it will be marking up HR 2121, the SAFE Transitional Licensing Act, on Wednesday, March 2nd.  This represents an important milestone for the bill MBA championed and got introduced last year.  The version of the bill that will be marked up next week will reflect improvements to the transitional licensing framework that MBA worked on closely with the Conference of State Bank Supervisors.  MBA will be issuing shortly a Call to Action through the Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA), asking MBA members to contact Members of Congress on the House Financial Services Committee to urge them to vote in favor of the bill.

Here's what you need to do to keep the momentum going:

1. Register for the Mortgage Action Alliance here. 
2. Send the MAA link to all of your employees/colleagues and urge them to register as well.  This will ensure you and your employees/colleagues will get notice of the Call to Action this week, and later on when the bill moves to the House floor.
3. Respond to the Call to Action by contacting your Member of Congress.  Or you can write your own letter now using the issue brief below to frame your arguments.
4. Register for MBA's National Advocacy Conference here.  Passage of HR 2121 by the full House of Representatives will be a focus of our Hill visits during the Conference (April 12-13).

For more information, you can view MBA's transitional licensing issue brief here, which you can use as you communicate with your legislators. 

MBA will continue to keep you updated with the latest updates from Capitol Hill.

Contact Pete Mills, Senior Vice President Residential Policy and Member Engagement for Mortgage Bankers Association at (202) 557-2878 or pmills@mba.org.
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2016 Residential Issue Priorities

On February 25, 2016, MBA released its 2016 Residential Issue Priorities, outlining our policy proposals to protect and enhance the ability of families to obtain affordable mortgage financing. We look forward to continue working with our members throughout the year to advocate for effective housing policy with one voice. 

If you have questions, reach out to Steve O'Connor, Senior Vice President Public Policy and Industry Relations for Mortgage Bankers Association at soconnor@mba.org. 
 

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