Many of us have been openly critical of NAMB over the past few years, and I’ve certainly been one of them. I’m about to tell you something that you likely are unaware of:
NAMB is out there busting their rear ends to keep you in business.
Did you know that NAMB President Marc Savitt conducted a one-on-one meeting with New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo this past week? Neither did I until yesterday – and it was mere coincidence that I learned of his meeting.
Are you a NAMB Basher?
I guess you could call me a card carrying NAMB Basher. After all, I’ve said more negative things about NAMB publicly than I’ve said positive things. In the process, I’ve figured something out: I am not doing anyone any favors by complaining unless I’m willing to become part of the solution. You see, NAMB is a volunteer organization. For it to be successful, it requires the involvement and participation of its constituents. Here are a few quick and easy steps on how you can get involved – and become part of the solution.
1) Are you a Member of your Trade Association?
It amazes me how many NAMB Bashers are out there that aren’t even dues paying members. As far as I’m concerned, you’re part of the problem and you need to do either one of two things:
a) Join NAMB today or
b) Shut up until you’ve satisfied point a). In my mind, you have no right to criticize an organization’s shortcomings when the greater shortcoming lies within. And if you’re a NAMB member, maybe you can go that extra step further and find out if your supply chain are NAMB members: appraisers, title companies, credit companies, etc. For NAMB to succeed, it needs our funds and our participation.
NAMB Has A Communication Problem That’s About To Be Solved.
Put yourself in Marc Savitt’s shoes for a minute. You’re a mortgage professional out of Martinsburg, WV with a primary responsibility to run a mortgage business and provide for your family. Oh, and by the way, you’re also responsible for representing an industry that the mainstream media single-handedly blames for the economic crisis we’re experiencing right now. So you spend half your life in an airplane touring the country. You get beat up by regulators one day and your constituents the next. And each day, you’re asked to put that smile on your face and dodge bullets. Just think about the life of Marc Savitt right now. Would you want his job?
My answer: hell no. I feel sorry for the guy. And today I’m officially becoming part of the solution.
Mr. Savitt, what can I do to help you?
Marc, welcome to the wonderful world of “Web 2.0″. It’s intimidating at first, and it takes time to find your style. But you won’t find a better platform to drum up awareness and support for a common cause. I’m asking you to embrace this medium and make it a small part of your day.
Help Me Help You!
When I think about the life of Marc Savitt, I always come back to this classic 20-second clip from the movie Jerry Maguire. It really says it all. If you’re out there reading this, let’s send a welcome message to Marc Savitt. Let him know you read this article and you’re appreciative of what he’s doing for you.
Thank you, mark Savitt!
Bob,
Thanks for joining the conversation. Mark is an ambassador and passionate advocate for the interests of the average loan originator. We at Lenderama.com are proud of what NAMB and Marc are trying to accomplish for the industry.
We are happy to host this and other mortgage industry discussions–we are a part of the fight for the industry and the consumers we help!
Thanks again Mark, Bob, and everyone who has joined the conversation.
I've been a member of the National and Local Associations of REALTORs® for years and they are worth their weight in gold.
There is continuous lobbying and apprising of changes affecting our industry that no one person/entity/brokerage would ever be able to accomplish on their own.
Their Code of Ethics mandates minimum behavior from their membership that of course all do not aspire to, BUT… It certainly holds 'em accountable for their choices.
The education requirements, though never enough, ensure at least a modicum of intelligence within the industry.
And the advertising campaign undertaken to improve the image of an industry (that has been less than stellar for years) has most certainly improved the consumers understanding of what a REALTOR® does/is/should be…
We ARE fortunate to have a membership that we can be a part of…”safety in numbers”, “united we stand, divided we fall”, “the needs of the one often is outweighed by the needs of many”, etc, etc.
Thank you NAMB!
Marc Savitt I thank you for all the time you have given to saving the Mortgage Brokers across America! You have given time away from your business and your family and still get beat up by brokers that are not even a member of NAMB and legislators and the list could go on and on! Even with the passing of your own mother you were in Cuomo's office two days later! Your dedication is saving our industry and I thank you !
Mark Green thank you too for doing this blog!! AWESOME!!!
A big thank you to Mr. Savitt for all of his contributions to our industry. Please keep up the endless work at what is unfortunately, a mostly thankless, unrecognized job. Also a thank you to Mark Green, Bill Rice, and Mark Madsen for spreading the word on the topic and giving us the forums to contribute to. While I am already a member, I will admit to being a passive onlooker. That, I need to change and will try from here on out. While I'm sure it has been considered by better minds than mine, what can we do as an industry, similar to realtors, to basically make it mandatory for all practicing brokers to be a member? What we need to have a stronger voice, is obviously stronger membership numbers, which leads to more money to fight the good fight. I realize that the Realtors have a bargaining chip with access to MLS that forces people to join. Is there anything in our industry that we could organize, or only allow NAMB members access to, that would basically be an essential part of being a broker. Something that practicing brokers couldn't live with out? Thanks again to all that are still fighting for us.
Good job Mark and Marc, keep up the good fight.
Mark,
I am really impressed with your site and the article. You are a great writer. What you said is very true and coming from you means a lot to our association. Thanks.
Absolutely, I support you as well. Very tough job you have. You have a true love for the business and I appreciate your work. I will support you on this platform as well.
This article along with several posts that followed, pointed out an important point; to often we sit on the sidelines or in our office and cuss about the direction our industry is headed. We waste energy and lose sleep over our careers and livelyhoods or lack there of. We must redirect our energy, get in the game. Millions of future homeowners depend on what we can bring to the table. Join your local association that is what I'll be doing next week and see you in San Antonio, June 27th. Mark thanks for the rally cry and Marc thankyou for all your time and effort.
Mark – Thanks for pointing out what most of us obviously miss. It is easy to complain but unless you are willing to be part of the solution and support NAMB, you really don't have any right to complain. You are right…there are many dedicated individuals tirelessly trying to keep our industry together. And it is a big fight. There has been more change in the last 6 months than any of us have seen in the last 5 years.
Thanks to Marc Savitt and everyone that serves in a position in this fine organization
I just became an official card carrying member of NAMB today. For some reason I thought that my office handled that stuff. However, I was informed that membership is based on a per individual basis. So, while I was out talking trash about HR1728 on this blog and others, I wasn't even completing the basic steps of supporting my association. My bad, didn't mean to act like a hypocrite.
“b) Shut up until you’ve satisfied point a). In my mind, you have no right to criticize an organization’s shortcomings when the greater shortcoming lies within.”
I'm not so sure that mortgage brokers who aren't members don't have something to contribute; I think NAMB needs to earn their dollars and commitment. Moving forward from here, NAMB has an opportunity to galvanize the industry by turning our efforts towards customer representation rather than to try and stop the inevitable but stupid over-regulation coming from Capitol Hill and the White House.
Mortgage brokers aren't treated fairly, we say? Embrace our unique value proposition, which is that we are superior to bank sales representatives because we offer the only real shot a customer has at a fiduciary relationship. I think if we, as NAMB members, focus our efforts on customer advocacy, we'll win every time.
You noticed I said “we”. I, too was a NAMB-basher until…
I engaged Marc Savitt on a few sites and he was responsive. He, and Victoria Johnson, demonstrated the value proposition of NAMB to me. Today, I'm a CAMB (and NAMB) member in support of Marc and his efforts. His passion is hard to ignore and easy to catch.
I really don't want to see our efforts become “stand with us or you're against us” rather I want NAMB to lead the way out of this mess. As long as the customer is with us, who can be against us?
PS: To Marc Savitt- Thank you for your leadership during this difficult time, I have no doubt you got more than you bargained for when you stared “moving up the chairs” at NAMB. Your work has been exemplary and I misjudged your efforts. It is my pledge to you that the torch you lit will be carried by many when your work is finished this summer.
PPS: Those of you who don't know Victoria Johnson would do well to engage her. I've personally known her since 2004. She was instrumental in establishing my chapter (San Diego North) and repatriating so many members who “lost their way”. As next year's National Membership Chairperson, I expect you'll hear a lot of talk from her about bringing value to the membership.
Wanna meet Victoria? Come to Mortgage Revolution- she'll be speaking.
Good article.
I met Marc at a function a few months ago in WA state, when the bombshell of the HVCC lawusit suspension was dropped.
He has busted his hump to stop this, but folks, we gotta help NAMB do this. Send money, spend time calling your politicians, just do it.
Now, for a brief critisism of NAMB…THEY should sponsor a blog like this. Be more grassroots, bottom up.
Thanks for writing this.
Everyone in this industry has to stick together and support the industry both through their State and National Organizations. We all have a lot riding on the outcomes and the only way we're going to keep the iron-fist of excessive government regulation from changing our industry under the guise of consumer protection is to work together.
My first HVCC appraisal took 15 days to complete. Nice job there “protecting” consumers.
The most difficult part about holding a crappy job like this is that people find it hard to believe that you're sincerely trying to do your job. Just need to let people know that you're doing everything you can, and anyone else doing the same job would be in the same boat.
And posts like these, which highlight the difficulties and call for support, will definitely be a big help for both NAMB and Marc Savitt. I hope so, anyway.
“Now, for a brief criticism of NAMB…THEY should sponsor a blog like this.”
“They” will. Watch for some big things coming from the membership committee, this July. Victoria's cooking up some tremendous value additions for members
I first met Marc Savitt at a NAMB Leadership Conference in St Louis 7 or 8 years ago.As a member of the legislative class we were in, he was relating how he had been working with the WV legislature to deter the passage of bad legislation for the mortgage broker and the citizens of WV.
He has not let up in his efforts to fight bad state and national legislation ever since as Chair of Government Affairs and moving through the ranks of NAMB.
He has testified before many Congressional Committees,met with countless lawmakers,regulators and other state and national officials on behalf of the mortgage broker.
For these efforts our industry owes Marc Savitt our sincere thanks.
If you are in a room filled with darkness you have a choice:
1.You can curse the darkness……..and the room will still be dark!
2.You can light a candle…….and as others begin to light candles the room is soon filled with light!
Looks like Mark Green has fired up a big candle……well done Mark.
Sixty five years ago today 225 Rangers stormed the cliffs at Pointe Du Hoc in the D-Day Invasion.
The 90 Rangers that made it to the top and took out the big German guns lite a candle that changed the the course of history.
Mark…..I hope this blog can change the course of NAMB,GAMB and the mortgage industry.
Ronnie Rose
I have been a big NAMB Supporter for some time… I think a lot of us take them for granted. NAMB has fought back one proposed bill after another and preserved the opportunity for independent mortgage brokers. Things would be a lot tougher had NAMB not stepped up.
All mortgage originators are represented by NAMB whether they are paying dues or not. They need our help and our support. If you are not a paid member, you should become one if you care even a little bit about how regulatory agencies and legislators are making it difficult to originate loans as a broker.
Mark,
“You had me at hello”! I agree wholeheartedly that we all need to become a part of our own destiny. No more time to sit back and see where the chips may fall….thank you Marc Savitt for being our voice. Now it's time for all of us to speak up and do our part.
Great article that I hope generates and motivates more in the industry to get involved. NAMB (and specifically Marc Savitt) definitely deserve respect for their efforts. My suggestion to NAMB would be to make their internal goals, needs, and organizational shortcomings more apparent and public. Tell us what the organization needs as a whole, not just membership and money (although those are clearly important). Tell us where NAMB has PR, Advertising, Marketing, Membership, Secretarial, Fullfillment, Committee, Operational, Political, Structural, <insert anything else you can think of here>, etc needs that need to be filled.
Tell us where NAMB wants to be in 2,3,5 years. Ask members (and more importantly non-members) what value they want for their dues. The messaging can't always be “send money or die”, although I'll admit drama is sometimes more interesting and fun than more conservative messages.
Understanding all of the needs and goals of NAMB would give members who want to volunteer more options and opportunities to help. It would give possible volunteers out there who want to step up more ways to do so. “Become a member” and/or “send money” become never ending mantras that grow weary over time and lose their immediacy and shelf life if members aren't seeing tangible benefits and ROI.
Web 2.0 thinking and technologies can be a great way to re-invigorate an existing community and create the kind of flow of communication that is so important to an organization. I think if NAMB embraces this concept to solve their communication problems, they will see positive results. The only trick is they have to want to be more communicative. Hopefully, the lack of communication with members (and non-members) has been a technology and resource problem and not a philosophical problem.
And … the state associations that roll up to NAMB also have to get their act together. I've not only been a NAMB basher over communication issues, http://www.topofmind.com/blog/index.php/2009/04..., I've also bashed my state association, GAMB, http://www.topofmind.com/blog/index.php/2009/02..., for poor planning and execution on Lobby Day.
One point I disagree with and think is critical. I think it is folly for NAMB (and the states) to ignore the rumblings and grousings and bashings of “non-members”. Clearly, if a non-member cares enough to say something and express their discontent publicly, they can be won back to membership if their needs are met. NAMB (and the states) need to continue to LISTEN to the reasons why non-members stay non-members. Otherwise, how will they hope to significantly grow their membership. If someone cares enough to hate you, then they probably still love you (they just need to be reconciled). My feedback to NAMB is to embrace and include the bashers, understand their issues and feedback, and figure out if NAMB needs to change a little as well in order to achieve larger goals for the industry. Telling them to shutup may do just that, and you'll lose that potential member forever.
Listen to the discontent, understand it and learn from it, don't run from it.
“I think it is folly for NAMB (and the states) to ignore the rumblings and grousings and bashings of “non-members”. Clearly, if a non-member cares enough to say something and express their discontent publicly, they can be won back to membership if their needs are met.”
Amen, Sherwood. We have to start thinking that non-members are “customers” and demonstrate value. In the “brave new world”, it's not enough to say “you're with us you 'can't bitch'”. Each public critique of NAMB is a selling opportunity for a membership.
I am supremely confident in the value proposition of NAMB and more confident of the future benefits NAMB will offer the membership. We MUST stop saying “you have no right to criticize because you aren't a member” and lead by example
I'm with you guys in regards to accepting feedback from non-members.
Constructive feedback, *when coupled with suggested improvements* are INVALUABLE. Clearly, NAMB has been long suffering from a communications problem, and we're going to fix it together. This article is merely a foreshadowing of what's ahead.
I could understand a non-member's criticism from afar if they were willing to back it up with the necessary time and financial investment it'll take to fix the problem. After all, you know what they say about opinions, right
. But Sherwood, Brian, and all of us know that the many tend to leave these things up to the few.
The problem becomes… the few are getting fewer. Where do we make up for the difference? Certainly it's folly to leave it up to vendors. The difference must be made by street level brokers and originators that want to have a job 12 months from today. I'm sick and tired of everyone leaving it up to the likes of Marc Savitt, Ronnie Rose, JD Crowe, Bob Armbruster, etc to carry the industry on its back. They need your help.
If you're an originator reading this article and your broker isn't a NAMB member, don't just shrug your shoulders. Walk in their office and tell them you'd like to donate $100 of your next commission check toward your firm joining their chapter of NAMB. Challenge your counterparts to do the same thing. Maybe you could even volunteer for a committee on your local board?
The problems with NAMB aren't going to be solved by NAMB. If that were the case, we wouldn't be where we are today. The problems get solved by each of us looking inward and pulling our own weight.
I wish the message wasn't “join or die” guys, but unfortunately that's where we're at right now. HR 1728 is extremely threatening. It makes HVCC look like a tea party.
I dedicated one day of my life to write this article and make a few phone calls and it looks like we've generated a few new memberships/renewals. What happens if the other 85 people who commented on this thread did the same thing one day this week?
Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about. If you're in – share your successes here with another comment. Let's keep this discussion – and the action behind it – going strong.
Mark,
Thanks for the call. You are so right about engaging NAMB. There is much to be done and evidently much that is being done. I was fortunate to speak with Denise Leonard a few days ago. She is working diligently. she knows the players. Her call though is for brokers to engage representatives at the local level. Here is a link to the NAMB site about local advocacy. http://www.namb.org/namb/NAMB_Grassroots_Campai... . I also suggested that NAMB open up their $10 monthly contribution program to non members. Contacting the local reps about the truth of YSP, HVCC problems, and the exact consumer services that brokers provide will make a real difference.
I surely can sympathize with Marc & his efforts I was the Pres of the TN Association & the biggest complainers were the ones who wouldn't pony up for the dues!
I always wanted to be part of the solution & not the problem.
Great job Marc,keep up the good work!
Being a past prez of GAMB, I'm cogizant of the “numbers” that all politicos look for when paying attention to various issues, ,and that applies commensurately higher on the national scene; therefore NAMB is an absolute necessity if our business is to survive and flourish, especially in these trying times— now, more than ever, is the time for rallying around the flag, lest we'll be clobbered.
NAMB has done many positive things in the past, however, what pushed me to be a basher is their dogomatic and autocratic stance– such as ; accessing a $150 charge to struggling brokers while doing very little (and certainly not documented well) austerity programs of their own– that demand cost us many members– also, while states are hurting financially, y'all refused to bend/negoiate on your fees–I resented this “my way or highway stance”, and I understand that it has cost y'all several state assc's.
And Mark, are you truly a volunteer? do you not recieve any renumeration? If the answer is really yes and no, then I salute you and commend you (and Mark Green) for this call to action. As stated, whatever differences we've had in the past, now is time to come together for the sake of our liveihoods .
Jim Hope
“The difference must be made by street level brokers and originators that want to have a job 12 months from today”
I don't think NAMB is saving my job; I think I am saving my job. NAMB has done a nice job representing mortgage brokerages' interests on Capitol Hill but for NAMB to claim that I have my job because of NAMB is self-serving and untrue. If my job is to become extinct, because of regulatory or market forces, than no lobbying NAMB does is going to save it.
Not one mortgage brokerage was a recipient of TARP funds. The banks suffered from the systemic risk they created. As long as there are banks offering loans, mortgage brokers will have a job (we originate loans saving both banks and consumers money). Banks are, for the most part, horrible mortgage originators.
While some wholesale lenders shut off brokerages, others are cleaning up right now. Countrywide/BofA just found out that TPO loans performed better than the retail channel, last quarter. The pendulum will swing back and brokers will settle in to the original 50% market share we had prior to the “boom”.
I'll reiterate that the NAMB value proposition should be taken to the consumer rather than the government. When consumers see the value of a NAMB member, membership will skyrocket.
Thanks Mark. This is exactly what is needed. I am new to Blogging, but this seems to be the way to reach the masses. As for what NAMB does for us as brokers, I am very aware, having represented the State of Georgia for the last several years as a Delegate Council member. I am glad to see that this outlet can inform others. Every GAMB function we discuss how important it is to be a member of your State and National Association. Without NAMB, we would not have an industry. Hopefully this tool will keep you all informed as to what is going on in DC to save our careers. Now, I am off to a NAMB conference call as to the updates on the HVCC! Thanks again.
Just got off a NAMB conference call regarding our next steps in the HVCC. Look for a NAMB CALL TO ACTION later today. It will give detailed information and talking point on who to call and why. PLEASE make these calls EVERYDAY until they get the message. This is the first step in taking back our industry!
Marc Savitt is indeed showing courage under very tough conditions, and is already owed a great deal of gratitude for being willing to tirelessly fight the good fight on behalf of the industry. Let's not let him stand alone – but stand with him during these challenging days. There is an old poem about a person who hesitated to speak up when the problems belonged to “others”…but then found that no one was left to speak up when the issues finally landed on the head of that hesitator himself. These are days to stand up and be counted – so let's each do our part and make a difference.
Marc – on behalf of Mortgage Success Source, you have our support.
Sue Woodard, President of Content and Publishing
Mortgage Success Source
Great post Marc.
Marc Savitt has a very tough job this year. As mortgage brokers we need to support our local associations and our National association. As a board member of our local association I know how critical membership is. We need a grass roots force to help turn this around.
Savitt is the perfect man for the job. Green is correct-support your cause or quit bitching about what you're not doing in the first place
The regulators and legislators did not listen to any industry experts except, as usual, the banks. While HVCC shut down the small independent appraisal industry overnight there are indications that it will also be another nail in the coffin of the mortgage broker industry. As Mr. Savitt has said, “HVCC has nothing to do with consumer protection, it is all about market share.” This is the most negative legislation our industry has dealt with in the 37 years I have been making home loans. Any consumer protection group I can identify will also be getting the message on HVCC becuase when it comes to votes this debacle may get some attention.
NAMB NEEDS YOU MORE THAN EVERY. GET IN THE GAME
Right ON!!! I am a NAMB member and agree. Don't complain about a problem if you don't take action!! I have sent several e-mails to ABC News, Spoke with someone “live” in Andrew Cuomos office and also FNMA, and my state representatives….I will keep this up daily, because HVCC – HURTS the consumer and the housing industry. BIG BANKS win by charging the consumer more and having total control. EVERYONE needs to protest HVCC. If you have not experienced the problems yet….you will.. Sign the petition – Requesting Careful Reconsideration of HVCC…last I looked we had over 17,000 signatures.
Correction with apologies to GAMB. The Lobby Day I was referring to was hosted by the Georgia Mortgage Brokers Political Action Committee (GMBPAC). Linked article updated as well.
Woot! 100+ comments. Mortgage brokers, lenders, industry – NAMB – here is your army!
What a community. Thanks to all who are participating and raising the awareness on this important issue.
Marc Savitt, Denise Leonard and all of the staff at NAMB.
A big THANK YOU for all you do to protect my small mortgage broker business & The American Dream..
I applaud all your efforts and support you 100%
Now in the words of Bob Marley
““Get up, stand up, Stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight.”
JOIN & OR RENEW http://WWW.NAMB.ORG TODAY
http://www.namb.org/namb/How_to_Join.asp?SnID=3...
LISTEN TO THE FOLLOWING NAMB & MARC SAVITT – HVCC.
http://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/sites/d...
Take action against HVCC today.
Have you watched?
The following segment specifically Rep Don Manzullo questions to Director Lockhart (fast forward to 2:52:37) Director Lockhart body language and responses to the questions were baffling.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/financia...
I'm sorry its taken me so long to comment, but I've been traveling around the country trying to enlist support to defeat the HVCC. I want to express my appreciation to everyone for their kind words and most importantly for their support.
During the past 14 months, NAMB has met with the GSE's 3 times each. During the first meeting I asked Fannie why they signed on to Cuomo's agreement so quickly. They responded, “Because he has his foot in their throats.” NAMB has repeatedly asked the AG's office to release the results of his investigation, but they refuse to do it. Later next week, we will be formally asking the Dept of Justice to investigate the investigator!
I can't tell you how much it pleases me to see our industry coming together. Its been a tough 2 years for all of us. However, whatever issues we may face, we will defeat them- because we are united. Its also nice to see other professions looking to NAMB for leadership on the HVCC issue.
Let me be very clear, WE WILL DEFEAT HVCC! Cuomo may have had his foot in the GSE's throat, but NAMB has its foot, (fill in the blanks).
Currently, we have a giant call to action in progress. In order for the action to work, we need everyone to continue calling EVERYDAY!! Treat it as if your job depends on it, because it does.
We are already starting to see results. Cuomo's office has dedicated a special line just for the call to action. What he doesn't know is, I've got personal extensions, which I'm not afraid to use.
Fannie Mae has also responded to the call to action. They want everything in writing, no calls. To quote Barney Frank, ” and I want to eat whatever I want and not gain weight.” They can have it in writing, but the calls WILL continue. In fact, the call to action is growing. More and more groups want to participate. However, you all still need to call everyday!!
NAMB also met with FHFA 6 times. The latest was last week.
Finally, the big media push starts shortly. The consumer needs to know that Andrew Cuomo is responsible for the additional costs for purchasing or refinancing a house and the destruction of small business and the housing market.
Mr. Cuomo, if you're listening-there is still time to save your political career.
Thanks, Marc
“Mr. Cuomo, if you're listening-there is still time to save your political career.”
This is what I like about Marc Savitt. When his term is finished, he should write a book titled ” The Audacity of Common Sense”
“Finally, the big media push starts shortly. The consumer needs to know that Andrew Cuomo is responsible for the additional costs for purchasing or refinancing a house and the destruction of small business and the housing market.”
You're singing my tune now, Marc. Take this message to the public and watch Messrs Cuomo and Frank dance and double talk…again.