MBA Chief Sees Diversity of Viewpoints as Strength.(Mortgage Bankers of America)

When mortgage lenders gather for the MBA's annual national mortgage servicing conference in New Orleans, they may find they have plenty of things to argue about.

And that's just fine, according to MBA chairman John Courson.

Mr. Courson, president and CEO of Central Pacific Mortgage Co., Folsom, Calif., says that diversity is a strength for the MBA, even if it means the trade groups members approach issues with a variety of different opinions and interests.

"This diversity really creates an atmosphere where we have a debate," he told NMN during a recent interview here. "I say it's a strength. I hope we don't ever lose that."

At the end of the day, when the MBA manages to create a consensus from its various factions on an issue relating to public policy, that position carries weight with policymakers, because it represents the broadest possible cross-section of the mortgage industry.

He cited some of the MBA's recent lobbying successes as evidence that the group's diverse input contributes to its clout. A terrorism insurance bill has been signed into law, FHA downpayment reform has been enacted, proposed increases in the Ginnie Mae guarantee fee have been stopped and FHA multifamily loan limits have been indexed to increase with inflation.

This year, the MBA sees a different landscape emerging, according to Mr. Courson. It may be an environment that sees less friction between different segments of the mortgage industry.