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Dear Fellow Professional,

Believe it or not, we are only days away from the beginning of 2012. As MLO's and Residential Mortgage Licensees we have much to do prior to year end. We have to complete our license renewal for the state as well as report to the NMLS. We will also be making sure that we have met the educational requirements. And, on top of that, we need to find time to buy Christmas presents! In spite of all those tasks we have to complete prior to year end your association also has been very busy working on a completely new face to better support all our members. If you weren’t among the 300 attendees at the Fall Conference, let me tell you about “THE NEW DEAL.”

For the first time in the history of our association we requested and testified at a public hearing regarding rule changes that IDFPR was seeking to impose on MLO's and Licensees. Since this testimony we are pleased to report that IDFPR was willing to sit down and work with our association on all the issues we raised such as fees, office leasing rules for licensees and misdemeanors that could prevent obtaining or renewal of your license. We can report that our meeting was fruitful and we are waiting for IDFPR to follow thru based on our verbal agreements to stop or modify nearly every proposed change to Part 1050. We are hopeful that industry and regulators will continue effective communications that result in fair treatment to mortgage originators. Keeping licensees competitive will ultimately benefit the Illinois consumer.

We have several exciting events that we are scheduling for the coming year. We will be hosting a first ever Residential Mortgage Licensee Conference in early 2012. We are really looking "outside the box" including adding events that we will be co-producing with other industry partners. Also we are in planning stages to allow you to get certified for the USA Cares program at one of our breakfast meetings. With all the Veterans soon returning home from Iraq this program can open new doors for you to originate VA loans. Once certified, you can bring the program to your Realtors partners!

In case you haven’t heard, the MEF (Mortgage Education Foundation) does a awesome job with SB1167 counseling. The stand-alone MEF is a well respected HUD approved counseling agency with experienced staff that can quickly and professionally handle your counseling needs. If you need CEU’s for your educational requirements for 2011, MEF does that too. Please don’t use anyone else except the MEF otherwise you may be disappointed! Remember your Association Board is out there fighting every day for you and your business needs, so we need your support in return.

I am sure by now you have seen some portion of our new face at your IAMP. Our revamped newsletter is packed with all sorts of information that can help keep you informed. For those that attended our Fall Conference you witnessed and felt the positive energy that filled the exhibit hall. Even the CEU class that Pat Carmody gave was excellent. And, as usual, Pat took the material and made it interesting and fun.

If you’re not a member, this is the time to make your commitment to your career and industry! We’re doing our best to keep all MLO's and Residential Mortgage Licensees in business. With your IAMP membership we will be placing you in front row seats to all the happenings within our industry. Please call 630-916-7720 and find out how you can become a member today!

If you already are a member, congratulations on your wise choice to support your livelihood and your industry. Please remember you are the one person who makes a difference.

Sincerely,
Carol Gardner
President, Illinois Association of Mortgage Professionals