Membership in NAMB will benefit you in so many ways. NAMB will keep you educated, trained and well-informed on everything happening in the mortgage broker industry. It might just be the best business decision you make all year!

NAMB members can take advantage of two memberships for the price of one! NAMB currently maintains 50 separate state affiliates and has more than 20,000 individual members, providing you with additional products, services and networking opportunities.

Here's how at a glance:

Legislative Advocacy protects our industry

Education Program takes you to the next level in your career

Industry Information keeps you informed

Industry Public Relations conveys value to consumers

Valuable Member Discounts save you money

Conventions and Meetings establishing and strengthen the broker community

Certification sets you apart from the competition

Broker Referral Program directs consumers to NAMB Brokers

More on each topic:

1) Legislative Advocacy - Protecting our industry!

NAMB represents the mortgage broker industry on Capitol Hill by promoting legislation, negotiating with regulatory agencies, and working in partnership with other associations to achieve our public policy goals. A string of major legislative victories by NAMB have earned the respect of HUD, industry representatives and consumer groups. NAMB continues to make our presence felt at the negotiating table as we press for fundamental mortgage reform within the Congress.

The association's extensive grassroots member network is NAMB's crown jewel and the envy of the mortgage finance industry. It allows us to strike quickly when major legislative or regulatory issues threaten our members' livelihoods. With our sizeable membership, we are often called upon to provide guidance as new laws and regulations take shape. Our growing numbers and grassroots activism have attracted broad support from leaders in our nation's Capitol and translate into more clout both within the industry and among regulators and elected officials.

2) Education Program - Taking you to the next level in your career!

The goal of the NAMB Education Committee is to provide reasonably priced and convenient educational opportunities across the nation. As a member of NAMB, you receive even greater savings every time you enroll! Educational courses are held at national and affiliated state association events across the country, providing you with many opportunities to expand your knowledge. From introductory courses to those courses that examine key mortgage industry issues, we offer a training course for everyone.

The faculty are well-respected industry leaders. Additionally, many have received certifications or advanced degrees in their respective fields. This allows NAMB to provide you with a quality educational experience every time.

With more and more states looking to continuing education as a chief requirement of state licensure, industry education is more important than ever before. Participation in educational courses not only allows you to expand your business, but it provides much-needed business insurance.

NAMB maintains State Partner agreements with many of its state affiliates. Check to see if your state is a State Partner. This affords members even more flexibility as they strive to continue their mortgage industry education.

3) Industry Information - Keeping you informed!

As a NAMB member, you receive News from NAMB every week by e-mail, in addition to the monthly edition of National Mortgage Broker magazine. All members receive legislative and regulatory updates as well as regular industry updates via our all-member e-mail network.

You'll also receive a complimentary subscription to our official monthly publication - National Mortgage Broker Magazine - which offers all NAMB members comprehensive coverage of industry trends, people and events. This is a must-read publication for the serious mortgage professional.

NAMB's overall public relations effort to educate consumers about the value of the broker-customer relationship and to support the greater membership takes many different forms. NAMB's full-time staff of communications professionals has made certain that our pro-broker message is featured in national publications, network television news shows and radio broadcasts across the country.

We provide specially-designed consumer education brochures that members can offer customers to give them even more guidance and piece of mind during the home buying process. NAMB members are also exclusively given special ad slicks for promoting their business, providing them with marketing tools not otherwise available.

Consumers also have access to certain areas of the NAMB website that showcase the value-added services mortgage brokers have to offer. By visiting our website, your clients will learn that NAMB members are well-educated, well-respected leaders in their field who are committed to their profession and to their customers' satisfaction. Our website also features important industry information for NAMB members, press releases for the media and consumer information for aspiring homebuyers. Members also have exclusive access to our Members Only section that provides additional regulatory and legislative updates, increased coverage of the entire mortgage industry, special offers and more!

Members have the opportunity to receive handsome discounts on a variety of goods and services through NAMB's Strategic Alliance Program. Overnight shipping and long-distance services are just the start of our ever-expanding member discount programs. NAMB membership saves you and your company money!

Each year, NAMB hosts some of the most informative and well-attended meetings in the industry. NAMB's annual convention offers unique opportunities to develop professional skills, discover the latest technology, network with peers, and meet with the largest gathering of lenders and other suppliers in the industry.

NAMB also features an annual legislative and regulatory conference in Washington DC , and hosts events addressing commercial brokering, association leadership and other educational forums. As a member, you will be able to take advantage of all that NAMB meetings have to offer you, at greatly reduced rates!

7) Certification - Setting you apart from the competition!

The association's certification program presents you with a golden opportunity to advance your career. With two levels of certification available, NAMB gives you another tool to differentiate yourself from other mortgage professionals, increase your business opportunities, maintain your skills and industry knowledge, and boost your bottom line. Whether you are a seasoned mortgage broker or someone relatively new to the business, certification is a worthwhile investment.

CRMS, the entry-level certification, gives you a leg up on your competition. It shows that you have mastered the core skills and knowledge that allow your business to grow. Recertification is also a valuable part of this program.

The Certified Mortgage Consultant (CMC) is the highest level of certification available. It carries with it the prestige that is deserving of all mortgage professionals who obtain it. While the requirements for this program are more extensive than those of the CRMS, the rewards are also impressive. The CMC demonstrates a sincere dedication to the industry. And with its recertification requirement, the designation also represents the individual's willingness to remain ahead of the curve as the industry around us changes.

One of the most important resources an association can provide is business support for its core membership. The NAMB does just that by providing member brokers with an opportunity to build their business as a direct result of our Broker Referral Program. NAMB members also invest in their communities as a direct result of our partnership with Habitat For Humanity and The House That Congress Built. These programs portray NAMB members as a group of business professionals that truly care about the communities they serve. In addition, consumers and members benefit from two key initiatives: the NAMB Code of Ethics and Best Business Practices guidelines. All members must agree to adhere to these guidelines.

For even more detail, go to www.namb.org !