The title was announced by the National Association of Mortgage Brokers at their annual conference, an announcement this week said.

The McLean, Va.-based group held the event in Indianapolis from June 19 to June 23.
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New MBA President
After seven years in his job, the president and chief executive officer of the Mortgage Bankers Association is leaving. Taking his place will be the former CEO of a net branch operation that collapsed early last year.

Groups Oppose Provisions of RESPA Reform
Trade groups representing mortgage bankers and title insurers warned lawmakers about some provisions in proposed reforms to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.

Analysis of Conforming Jumbo Pricing
Pricing on jumbo loans was slow to move lower following the passage of recent legislation designed to improve secondary market liquidity. But congressional testimony today indicated improvements have recently been noted.

Mortgage Bankers Highlight Broker Role
The Mortgage Bankers Association issued a new 33-page report suggesting that borrowers who use mortgage brokers do less research and comparison shopping, even though brokers don't necessarily look out for the customer's best interest. The paper recommended better yield-spread disclosures, more rigorous regulation and stronger oversight for brokers -- who have much less at stake in loan transactions.

Secondary Conference, Transactions
As mortgage bankers hold their annual secondary marketing conference, banking associations are strengthening secondary alliances and enhancing rural financing programs. A $14 billion servicing portfolio of government loans is on the market, as is a portfolio of loans backed by apartments, condominiums and land, and another closing of a smaller transaction helped the seller clear out an expiring warehouse line.

Lenders Call for Changes to New Appraisal Code
Mortgage bankers are concerned about the recent code that was established for appraisals on conforming loans and are calling for either elimination of the code or more industry input, further clarifications and other changes before it is implemented. Of concern is the additional cost to implement provisions of the code and the liability of lenders for activities outside their control.

Brokers May Fight New Appraisal Requirements
Mortgage brokers are threatening to file legal action in response to new appraisal guidelines on conforming mortgages.

Sector Shakeup Continues
As financial services firms continued to see their earnings pounded by mortgage related charges, National City Mortgage Co. named a new chief executive officer. Meanwhile, the merger of American Bankers Association and America's Community Bankers became effective Saturday.

Reverse Lending Outlook
SAN DIEGO -- The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association held its annual conference last week in sunny Southern California.