Education

The Education Committee is primarily responsible for the administration of the Virginia Mortgage Bankers Association School of Mortgage Banking, a comprehensive course of study which exposes particiapnts to all facets of the residential mortgage banking industry while also providing them the opportunity to get to know many of their colleagues. The School is accredited by the Mortgage Bankers Association of America as well as by the VMBA to recognize and promote professionalism in our industry.

Study through the School is divided into three levels. Each course in each level is composed of eight hours of classsroom instruction led by an expert in the respective area.

The Level One courses cover the following:

• Basics of Mortgage Banking 
• Regulatory Compliance
• Originations/Sales Techniques
• Mortgage Loan Processing

The Level Two courses teach the necessary fundamentals of:

• Underwiting
• Closing/Shipping/Warehousing
• Quality Control

The Level Three courses provide instruction in:

• Appraisals
• Secondary Marketing
• Loan Administration

Upon completion of all classes, the successful student receives a diploma and lapel pin as a graduate of the School. Graduation is worth 3 CMB points in the national MBA's Certified Mortgage Banker program. Certified faculty Members of the Virginia SOMB are also eligible to receive CMB points.

The courses are offered through the local chapters across the state for the convenience of the participants. We encourage and eagerly anticipate your participation.

Residential

The Residential Committee is a liaison committee between the mortgage bankers in Virginia and government agencies such as FHA, VA and VHDA. The mission of the Residential Committee is to make the relationship between the mortgage banking community and the government agencies harmonious and educational. As issues arise, we have seen success as the government agencies contact the Residential Committee for advice and to determine workable solutions.

The government agencies also rely on the Residential Committee to distribute information to members of the Virginia Mortgage Bankers Association and to promote the educational forums that keep members abreast of industry changes. From educational seminars to ongoing focus groups with the governemnt agencies, the Residential Committee strives to provide a better working environment for the mortgage banking industry.

Ethics

The Ethics Committee is comprised of a State Association appointee, the local chapter presidents, and (where applicable) local chapter Ethics and Grievance Committee members. Its mission is to educate the membership in those areas that promote professionalism, competition and value to our customers. Issues are generated at both a state and local level and passed to the committee for action. Research and discussions are held by the State Association committee and the finding or action delegated to the local chapter president or ethics chairman for action.

In those few instances where more serious action is warranted, the State Association's Board of Directors is involved in the decision making process. It has been helpful to use the various mortgage companies' general counsel in gleaning information and facilitating the process when sensitive issues arise. Their knowledge of both the compliance issues and their authority in their own companies ahs been invaluable in addressing certain activities. They are also usually the very individuals most keenly aware of the tremendous liability in not conducting business properly.

Membership Services

The Member Services Committee was formed to meet the needs of potential and existing members of the VMBA. It solicits increased membership, reviews all membership applications, updates and verifies membership records, works with the local chapters in dealing with membership issues and assists members and potential members with any membership questions they may have.

The Committee is responsible for the annual Membership Directory, instituted in 1995 and now in its fourth printing. Any updates or additions to the directory should be directed to Mike Reitelbach via e-mail at, or write the headquarters at .