Training and talent development are key, says new Association of Independent Mortgage Experts
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All too often the public perception of independent mortgage professionals is inaccurate, but a new organization is working to rebrand the industry and dramatically grow its market.
Launched in February, the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts aims to double its members’ business within three years. The organization offers a variety of benefits, including training sessions, discounted lead generation through major industry partner companies and talent-development opportunities for loan originators and processors who support AIME members.
Anthony Casa, Garden State Home Loans president, said he founded AIME to provide “real tangible financial value” for mortgage experts who work for companies that don’t underwrite their own loans.
“There will be no confusion about the association’s agenda, in terms of ‘is it pro-broker or pro-banker?’” said Casa, who also launched the Brokers Rallying Against Whole-Tail Lending (BRAWL) movement. “The purpose of AIME is to fight solely for independent mortgage professionals in as biased a way as possible…”
Last week, United Wholesale Mortgage President and Chief Executive Officer Mat Ishbia praised AIME as a positive force for the entire broker channel.
“They’re basically going to try to do anything to help the brokers really succeed in our marketplace,” Ishbia said in his monthly 3 Points video on industry developments. “The way we look at it, anything supporting mortgage brokers, we support. We want to support them.”
AIME will work to boost the wholesale channel beyond a 20% share of the mortgage market by 2020. Part of that strategy is consumer-focused. AIME plans to implement an aggressive campaign to rebrand mortgage brokers as “mortgage advisors” in the public eye. The campaign will target homebuyers, realtors, builders, financial advisors and real estate attorneys to advocate for independent mortgage experts.
AIME will also become a community platform, helping mortgage professionals share ideas, providing exclusive member benefits and lobbying for progressive legislative and social measures.
Several hundred supporters have already joined the organization.
Marc Summers, president of Advantage Mortgage Company of Michigan and AIME, said he hopes to change public perceptions.
“Independent mortgage experts are more than transactional middle-men that push money from Point A to Point B; they are true specialists in the mortgage field within their respective local communities,” he said. “Just like financial advisors are trusted resources for families’ finances and investments, independent mortgage experts are that go-to professional advisor for borrowers and real estate agents.”
AIME membership costs $79 annually. The first AIME Mortgage Expert Workshop will be held on April 11 in Irvine, Calif., offering a full day of panels and presentations.
AIME Fuse 2018, a national conference, is scheduled for Oct. 20 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The association is seeking sponsors and vendors for the October event, as well as members interested in joining the inaugural AIME community.
For more information, visit www.AIMEGroup.com.
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