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28 NAMFS PREPARES FOR ITS LEADERSHIP SUMMIT As the premier association representing the mortgage field services industry, e National Association of Mortgage Field Services, (NAMFS), recognizes the significance of connecting with association members and industry leaders' in-person. Each year, NAMFS hosts two national events providing its members with an opportunity to discuss effective solutions to the issues affecting the industry. NAMFS' Leadership Summit and Open Forum, held in March, and the Annual Conference of Mortgage Field Services, in September, facilitate conversation among association members, loan servicers, technology providers and representatives from investor/ insurers. THE VALUE OF CONNECTING FACE-TO-FACE NAMFS' board of directors is elected by association members at the Annual Conference of Mortgage Field Services and is comprised of national and regional field services providers. For more than 7 years NAMFS has conducted its Leadership Summit to workshop and review strategic initiatives for the year ahead. Members of the mortgage servicing industry, including loan servicers, technology providers and investor/insurers are invited to participate and add their perspective to the discussion. e Leadership Summit is a full day of discourse about programs that educate, empower and advocate for association member companies and the industry as a whole. Additionally, topics slated for the NAMFS Open Forum - attended by approximately 100 association members from national and regional companies - will be workshopped at the Leadership Summit. Some of the programs created as a result of these in- person meetings include industry solutions such as Alliance, a web-based solution for addressing code violations and NAMFS Academy, an industry training and certification program. THE GROWTH OF INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGY At last year's Leadership Summit, NAMFS formally responded to the industry's increased need for technology that addresses regulatory guidelines, compliance requirements and maintaining operational efficiency by establishing the Technology Committee. Field services providers have seen a rapid growth in technologies that offer industry-specific work flow systems. As part of a mortgage servicing working group focused on creating a standardized background check for field services providers, NAMFS leadership played a key role by providing business requirements. Additionally, the Association analyzed the impact of background checks on its members whose business operations differ in size, services offered and regional requirements. is working group included loan servicers and investor/insurers to address compliance requirements of background checks for third party vendors. e result was the creation of an industry standard background check that addresses the concerns of association members and the requirements of regulators. Internally, NAMFS established the Compliance Review Committee to create an opportunity for individuals to request a review of the result of their background checks. SUPPLYING ANSWERS TO COMPLEX ISSUES While targeted technology can offer solutions, at issue is the industry's need to evaluate, and then meet, complex compliance requirements. NAMFS leadership established the Industry Solutions Committee to stay on top of changes affecting field services providers' daily operational procedures. Recent regulatory actions, audits and advisories demand a collective and focused attention on compliance. e Compliance Review board, along with NAMFS Government Committee, will continue to present comments to investor/ insurers on proposed guidelines and follow up by providing its members with reports that summarize how compliance and regulatory changes impact the management of field services work. NAMFS Leadership and member companies will again meet in-person on March 9th, as NAMFS President, Adam Miles, is set to moderate the Leadership Summit in Dallas, Texas. Participants of the Leadership Summit include NAMFS board of directors, technology providers and representatives from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and HUD. On the agenda is a discussion of the most pressing topics affecting the mortgage field services industry. ese topics include, but are not limited to, the most recent HUD mortgagee letter, GSE conveyance pricing and guidelines, changes in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac inspection forms, requirements related to validating work performed by third party providers, scope of work and shortened turnaround times for field services work. At this year's event NAMFS leadership will define new initiatives that help association members navigate complex legislative and regulatory changes and strengthen their business operations. Member benefits like the NAMFS business webinar series will take a deep dive into new property securing options and changes to securing requirements in municipalities across the country. Updates to educational modules in NAMFS Academy, and the selection of breakout sessions for this year's Annual Conference of Mortgage Field Services will be discussed. UNITING THE INDUSTRY e Leadership Summit and the Open Forum are key to building the strategic programs that advocate and support growth in the field services industry. NAMFS is grateful to the national and regional field services companies and the leaders in the mortgage servicing and related industries who take the time to contribute to the success of these in- person meetings. SPONSORED STORY