The MBA National Advocacy Conference took place on April 18th and 19th inWashingtonDC. With over 400 participants from all of theUnited States, the State of Arizona was better represented this year than any other year AMLA has participated.
The overall focus of the conference was to restore certainty to the Real Estate Finance Industry. Specifically, with implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and the Consumer Protection Act, residential lending has been inhibited for residential, multifamily and commercial real estate.
Day number one was packed full of excellent information and dynamic speakers. Our National MBA Representatives led us through the National Advocacy issues and discussed with us the MBA’s position on each issue. Topics included the following:
- Qualified Mortgage/Ability to Repay Regulation
- QM Legislation
- QRM
- Repurchases
- GSE Reform
- FHA Strength and Viability
- Guarantee Fees
- Tax Reform
Day number two was spent on Capitol Hill Lobbying for the above issues. As a group, we met with Rep. Ben Quayle, Rep. Jeff Flake’s Office, Rep. David Schweikert, Rep. Trent Frank’s Office and Rep. Paul Gosar’s Office, Rep. Ed Pastor’s Office and Sen. John Kyl’s Office. All of the congressmen were very eager to hear our message and discuss the challenges that plague our industry and the ultimate effect on the consumer.
Our involvement at the Grassroots level is more important than ever. We, as an organization need to understand the issues, the impact of the issues and get in front of our law makers to ensure they understand the impact that these issues will have on the consumer.
Jeannine Bielesch, U.S. Bank Home Mortgage
AMLA Vice President of Advocacy
