In this issue
2021: Envision Your Success
Detroit Athletic Club
September 21, 2021
There is still time to register for this great event!! The Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association (MMLA) is proud to host this mPower event! MBA Promoting Opportunities for Women to Extend their Reach! You are invited to the first-ever mPower event in Michigan! This will be a fantastic event with 200+ attendees expected! It will be a half-day with networking, lunch, nationally recognized motivational keynote speaker, followed by a dynamic industry leadership panel. We are also privileged to hold this event at the exclusive, members only Detroit Athletic Club (DAC) so make your plans now to attend and invite your team!
Click here for all the details and to register today!
Meet Our Corporate Partners and Advertisers
Click Here for Full Events Calendar
The MMLA depends on the generousity and support of its members. Please join us in THANKING these companies for their renewed committment to the MMLA as 2021 Platinum Corporate Partners!
Meet All of Our Corporate Partners
DID YOU KNOW??
MMLA members can connect with other members through the secured “Members Only” portal on the website. Just log-in here.
The Mortgage Lender - September / October 2021 (copy) 
President's Report
From the President's Desk
By: Deborah Herdman
2021 MMLA President
Huntington National Bank
Happy Fall (almost!) As we are moving into the 4th quarter of the year, I am reflecting on my year as president of the MMLA. All along this past year, the MMLA has been here to support the industry during these uncertain times. We have moved to in-person events with great success - as evidenced by the Annual Lending Conference in August! We have plenty of more events planed for the remainder of the year, including our President's Installation Banquet to be held Nov 2 at The Henry Ford - be sure to watch your email and social media for more info on this event! We also have some great local chapter holiday parties planned for December - so mark your calendars and party with the MMLA!
Year-end also is a time to review membership and renew for 2022. We have declared September/October as "MMLA Membership Drive" months. Please be sure to renew your memberhsip and corporate partnerships if you have a 2021 expiration date. Also - please refer at least 1 new individual member to join the MMLA. We are stronger in numbers - and want to keep our growth up through 2022. Thank you.
Legislative & MORBANPAC Committee News
By: Victoria DeLuce
2021 MMLA VP & Legislative Chair
Success Mortgage Partners, Inc.
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
The MMLA provides a medium for input to DIFS and the Corporations, Securities and Land Development Bureau on regulatory policies. The MMLA is a liaison with the Mortgage Bankers Association which works with Congress and Federal regulatory authorities to protect the vital interests of the mortgage industry. MMLA works with the lobbying firm, Karoub Associates, to be sure our needs and concerns are being heard by Michigan Legislators.
Michigan Issues and Resources:
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Summary from our Lobbying firm, Karoub Associates, for all current bills being monitored
Current MI Bill Search
Michigan Legislator Search
By: Denya Macaluso
Immed. Past President
2021 MORBANPAC Chair
MSU Federal Credit Union
Summer is over. Fall is welcoming us all in with shorter days, crisp mornings and football with real-life fans in the stands on the weekends!
For those of you that were able to attend the Annual MMLA Conference in Traverse City last month – it was great to reconnect and see so many familiar, smiling faces! Through the silent and live auctions and raffles, we were able to raise another almost $12,000! As of August 31, 2021, we have raised $22,130 or $12,870 shy of our $35,000 goal! Thank you ALL who have contributed, we see you and appreciate you! Click here to see the full list of 2021 contributors!
While summer may be in the rearview mirror, there are still over ninety days to give to our all-important political action committee: MORBANPAC! Please, help us get to the finish line! For only $250, you can be a member of The MAC: The Michigan Advocacy Club, which has quite a few cool perks: a snazzy pin, an invite to legislative day, express pass to the front of the line, monthly legislative calls and, of course, the satisfaction that your voice is being heard!
Please consider joining our cause this year! $250 not in the budget? No worries, we welcome any level of donation – even if it’s your time because you want to join this all-important committee. Remember, if each member donated just $25/year, we would smash our 2021 goal of $35,000. Please help MMLA reach this goal in 2021 - donate here, now: https://www.mmla.net/donations/morbanpac
Until next time, your 2021 MORBANPAC Committee members:
Denya Macaluso
Brent Green, CMB
Dan Grzywacz, CMB
Mike Fontana
Brian McCown, CMB
YOUR NAME HERE??
Education Committee News
By: Audrey Acquisti
MMLA Education Consultant
MSource Training & Consulting
Our Annual Compliance Conference is just around the corner. I hope you’ve marked your calendar for Wednesday, October 13th, Crystal Gardens Banquet Center in Howell, MI. Our Compliance Conference this year will NOT be held online, thank you very much! We’ve scheduled registration to begin at 11:00 with lunch from 11:30 – 12:30. The conference will end at approximately 4:00 p.m. We’re hopeful that an afternoon start time will accommodate our members outside of the Metropolitan Area.
During this era of COVID19, the threat of Ransomware and other Cybersecurity threats are at an all-time high. This issue is a top priority for industry regulators throughout the country. We are pleased to have Matt Rouanzion of SimpleNexus speak on this very important topic.
Advertising and social media are always important topics for our industry. I will be discussing the topic of how to ensure that your employees are posting legally and ethically on social media sites, industry Best Practices, and the impact of social media on state examinations.
Brian Nettleingham has agreed to speak to us about Vendor Management; what are the requirements we must all adhere to and the how, when, and where of Vendor Management.
And finally, we are pleased to have Senior Staff of DIFS attend our conference this year. There have been many changes that have taken place over the past 2-3 years at DIFS. Jim Westrin, Director, Marissa Hendee, Assistant Director, and Brenda Gardner, Manager, Office of Consumer Finance – Licensing will be speaking. In 2008, the Mortgage Industry Advisory Board (MIAB) was created. The objectives of this Board is to communicate to the Director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) issues of concern to the residential mortgage industry, review and make recommendations to the Director. Many of you may not even be aware that this Board has been in existence for the past 13 years. Jim Westrin will speak about this Board and the benefits both industry and our state regulators have seen over the years.
Hope to see you on October 13th! 
I
would be remiss not to mention that our own Melissa Kozicki will be hosting a series of Mortgage Math webinars over the next few months. Her first webinar is right around the corner on September 16th. Many of our members have been asking for MLO and staff training on topics such as Amortization, Interest, and Adjustable-Rate Mortgages. Melissa has graciously accepted the challenge! Don’t let your staff miss out on these webinars – professionalism comes with knowledge and knowledge is KING! Go to the MMLA events calendar for the full schdule of this series.
The MMLA has entered into an agreement with Mortgage-education.com to provide its members access to their full menu of courses at a 30% discount off of their standard rates. Whether you are preparing to renew your license or obtaining a new license, there are courses listed for every state. We hope you take advantage of this discount and use this member benefit as a resource for yourself and your company.
Contact Joanne Misuraca with any questions [email protected] or 586-226-2823 or click here for all the classes and details.
Membership Committee
By: Allison Johnston CMB
Chairperson
Success Mortgage Partners, Inc.
Happy Almost Fall~ The MMLA offers all the latest legislative information needed to effectively run your company. This year there are more changes to come with the Biden Administration. The MMLA offers exceptional education programs, networking options, and constant communication of what is going on in the industry. Whether you want to be become an individual member for $199.00 or a corporate partner, you can pick the best option for you and your company.
Watch your email and social media for a Fall Membership Drive info and renewal incentives!!
The membership committee is always looking for new talent to join our team. If you are interested in making a difference, while having fun, please reach out to Allison Johnston at [email protected].
GO TEAM MMLA!
Welcome these new 47 MMLA members through individual and corporate partners. Click here to see the list of new members since July 1, 2021President's Installation Banquet
President's Installation & Awards Banquet
Nicole Nahodil, CMB
2021 Banquet Chairperson
Save thie date and make your plans now to attend this important event where we honor our incoming and outgoing board members and give recognition to our Annual Award Winners. You will have time visit The Henry Ford to explore our collection of authentic artifacts and stories of America's ingenuity and innovation.
Tuesday November 2, 2021 is the date
The Henry Ford, Museum of American Innovation® is the place
Great sponsorship opportunities will be available and registration information. - Watch your email and social media for more details!
Mid Chapter News
Mid Chapter MMLA President's Corner
Tina Manshum
2021 Mid Chapter President
Michigan First Mortgage
There a many exciting events coming up here in the Mid-Chapter.
Sept 16th MMLA Mid Lunch and learn w/ Mary Townley. In addition to Mary speaking Loss mitigation and forbearance in Michigan. Denya is trying to secure an additional person to speak on this topic as well. Boxed lunches will be delivered to MSUFCU Bldg. 2 for those in attendance. Currently attendance is low 8 registered please sign up if you can we want to make this a successful event.
October 16th is Mixer with MMLA and WCR at Renos East. This is a free event this year, not again in the future, a nominal fee on $10-$20 should be charged. There has always been a fee in the past but WCR refused to charge. We will be selling 50/50 tickets 6 for $5 or an arm’s length for $20 proceeds for MORBANPAC. This event is from 4-7
December 9th Mid-Chapter Holiday Party. It is at a very lovely venue LaFille Gallery Watch for more sponsorship and registration info coming soon!!
Hope to see all of you at our coming events. Looking to a busy Fall schedule.
On Thursday evening, December 9th, the Mid chapter will be hosting a special holiday event at downtown Lansing’s La Fille Gallery. Cask and Company will be catering heavy appetizers and drinks. You will also have exclusive viewing access to owner/artist Tiffany’s accomplished works of art.
La Fille Gallery is owned by artist Tiffany Marie Klien. Her 10,000 square foot gallery (formerly the historic Mill Supply Building on Michigan Ave.) is filled with her unique niche décor including multi-medium relief sculpture, using mostly concrete and surface infusion techniques. She has been showcased across Michigan and Florida as well as overseas to France and Africa. She has twice placed in the top 100 at Art Prize and received Best in Show at the Lansing Home and Garden Show. The venue acts as a working studio, showroom and event space. Events are held on one of three floors, The Jazz Floor (with a 1920’s Speak Easy), The Gallery Floor (featuring her wall art and sculptures) and The Vault (where you step into a Monet painting and walk on 5-foot lily pads across a Koi pond). Check out the website at www.LaFilleGallery.com
We hope you can join us for what’s sure to be a visually exciting and memorable event. More details coming soon!!!
SE Chapter News
SE Chapter MMLA President's Corner
Steve Scheel, CPA
SE Chapter 2021 President
Croskey Lanni PC
Hello from the Southeast Michigan Chapter!
It was great to see many of you at the Annual Lending Conference in Traverse City in August and spend time on the golf course with the first timers and veterans of the event. We are all looking forward to the 2022 Lending Conference in Grand Rapids!
As we move forward toward the fall and winter of 2021, the SE Chapter is excited to host an in-person lunch and learn in late October/Early November. Keep your eyes open for more details and registration soon! Holiday Party. Communications should arrive in the next few weeks for the new events scheduled in November and December. Dave Sparling and his team is planning a great event at Detroit City Distillery on December 8th that we are all looking forward to!
The Southeast Chapter has welcomed some new volunteers to our meetings recently to help close out 2021 activities and hit the ground running into 2021. Thank you to Grant Spencer and Heidi Sottovia for joining our team! We are continuing to seek additional members to join the chapter for the balance of 2021 and looking forward to building the team toward 2021, so please reach out to Joanne, Brian McCown, or myself if you are interested and available to give a few hours of your time to support the MMLA and network in the Mortgage community.
Dave Sparling, Success Mortgage Partners
SE Chapter Holiday Party Chair
Save the Date! The MMLA SE Holiday Party will be December 8th and WE WANT YOU THERE! Booked in Downtown Detroit, this year’s party will be a great chance to reconnect with colleagues, celebrate with friends, and get in the holiday spirit!
SE Chapter Golf Committee
Nathan Motta, Chairman
Success Mortgage Partners
Another year, another successful SE MMLA Golf Outing!!! With over 130 golfers and 29 sponsors it was one of the biggest MMLA events ever! Thank you to all the volunteers and to Fox Hills for hosting us. It wouldn’t be a SE MMLA golf outing without the rain, but thankfully it didn’t come until the last hole this time! The winning team shot 15 under and we were also able to donate over $700 to MORBANPAC!!!
We look forward to next years event and we want to make it even bigger and better! If you have any suggestions, or if you would like to volunteer for the event, please reach out to [email protected]
See the SE Chapter Leadership Team and Chapter Partners
West Chapter News
West Chapter President's Corner
By: Lydia Vanderveen
2021 West Chapter President
Arch MI
Hello, I hope you all enjoyed the hot days of summer! Gotta love Michigan summers and the change of seasons. Now it’s time to start thinking of our fall and Holiday Events.
With that said, the MMLA West Chapter is planning a Breakfast event on Tuesday Oct. 19th at the Embassy Suites downtown Grand Rapids from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Come and get the inside scoop from our guest speakers and industry experts, Dale Zahn, CEO of WMLAR and Jodi Smith, President of GRAR who will be speaking on the many challenges in today’s market. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and connect with other mortgage professionals and realtors in your area! Cost is $30 per person Complimentary parking vouchers for parking in the Embassy Suites parking ramp are included! So, go to the MMLA website and register today and invite your realtor partners!!
$200 Sponsorships are Available for our Breakfast event - spotlight your company at this event. Sponsors include logo on website, opportunity to hand out materials, signage, and recognition at the event.
Also, don’t forget to mark your calendars and save the date for our annual Holiday/Christmas Party to be held on Thursday, December 2nd downtown Grand Rapids at the Embassy Suites Hotel. We have a few rooms blocked off for $169.00. Make your plans now for this ultimate holiday event, invite your co-workers, spouse/partner and hire a babysitter if needed and book your room before they’re all gone!
See the West Chapter Leadership Team and Chapter Partners
