Speakers include industry expert Barry Habib and motivational speaker Eric Thomas
The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts – a new organization that aims to double the sector’s business within three years – will offer its inaugural workshop in California next month.
The workshop – open to AIME members only – will be held on April 11 at Hotel Irvine in Irvine, Calif. Mortgage industry expert Barry Habib and nationally renowned motivational speaker Eric Thomas will deliver the keynote sessions.
Additionally, a series of speakers and panel discussions will focus on broker-centric topics, featuring Nima Ghamsari, CEO and founder of Blend, Mat Ishbia, president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, Phil Shoemaker, COO of Caliber Home Loans, Brian Vieaux, SVP of TPO at Flagstar Bank, with discussions moderated by Clayton Collins, CEO of Housing Wire, and Laura Brandao, COO of American Financial Resources Wholesale.
"We're excited to kick off this series of value-adding workshops for AIME members to gain exclusive insight, tips and best practices focused on growing their business," said Anthony Casa, AIME founder and chairman. "AIME has caught on like wildfire in its first four weeks and has seen more than 6,000 members sign up to date."
Launched in February, AIME hopes to propel the wholesale channel beyond a 20% share of the mortgage market by 2020. Part of that strategy is consumer-focused. AIME is working on 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 “effectively tell the story of why independent mortgage experts are the best choice for getting a mortgage.”
“There will be no confusion about the association’s agenda, in terms of ‘is it pro-broker or pro-banker?’” said Casa. “The purpose of AIME is to fight solely for independent mortgage professionals in as biased a way as possible…”
In addition, AIME will become a community platform, helping mortgage professionals share ideas, providing exclusive member benefits and lobbying for progressive legislative and social measures.
AIME membership costs $79 annually. The Irvine workshop is $50 per member and includes breakfast and lunch.
