And yet Sweeney is praised not just for her institutional knowledge but for her abilities to assess the industry and fire up a crowd. Since she took the helm of the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts three years ago, she has focused the membership on its mission as a group supporting independent mortgage brokers after a previous era fraught with divisiveness and controversy. A one-stop portal for members has been established, along with a series of new benefits. Renewed focus in service of the group’s mission aims to further unite membership, which has doubled in number.
Sweeney fires up the troops
During the FUSE conference, her powers to motivate were on full display. “We are not fighting to be average,” she reminded AIME members. “I’ve heard a lot of people say over the last six months, nine months, even 12 months: ‘We’re just trying to get to the other side without shutting down.’ That’s not good enough,” she said. “We are better than just getting to the other side. We’re better than average. We always have been, and now we have an opportunity to prove it. We can control certain things; we can’t control other things. That’s where adaptability comes into play.”
Notwithstanding the headlines on industry news or anecdotal evidence from those in the trenches, business is still being conducted: “There’s still 20,000 contracts being written every single day,” she reminded the gathering. “Those aren’t going to retail originators; those aren’t going to call centers. Those are going to mortgage brokers, and we’re going to continue to grow. So control what you can, navigate through what you can, and build. We aren’t here to make it to the other side – we’re here to take over on the other side.”
She reminded the troops that their mere survival is proof that they as independent brokers are the best option for consumers.
“Brokers aren’t back,” she said. “We’re better. Brokers were back 10 years ago; brokers were certainly back five years ago. We’re not back – we’re better than ever, and that matters.”
Source: mpamag.com