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Founded by Seattle’s premier banking institutions in 1920, the Seattle Mortgage Bankers Association continues the tradition of bringing value to the lending community. Through participation in the SMBA, our volunteers and active members better serve our clients and our local community. SMBA provides a channel for information sharing, charitable giving, and scholarship funding.
The heart of the SMBA is our monthly meetings, which foster an informal network of leaders in the lending community. Distinguished speakers provide timely information that is carried back to our companies for greater loan generation and more efficient production. Speakers include high-level banking executives and expert panels, elected-officials, and prominent economics, media, and sports figures.
The SMBA keeps an eye on legislation affecting its members, and acts as educator and advocate along side our affiliate, the Washington Mortgage Lenders Association.
The SMBA serves an important role in funding low income housing efforts in our community. We maintain alliances with organizations such as the Washington Home Ownership Center, International District Housing Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, and El Centro de la Raza. In the 1990s the SMBA built a Habitat for Humanity house. In 2005 the SMBA awarded $10,000 in down payment assistance. Charitable giving also includes regular support of Northwest Harvest, Childrens Hospital, Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, Red Cross, Interagency Academy, and other organizations.
For decades, the SMBA has awarded scholarships to assist future lenders attain their education. We have contributed tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to universities in Washington and the Mortgage Bankers Association School of Mortgage Banking.
The SMBA has a lighter side, hosting a lively and well-attended golf tournament, festive holiday evening, and a fund-raising auction annually.
At age eighty-nine, the SMBA and its role in the Seattle community is more vital than ever. |
