Community banks represent approximately 20 percent of the mortgage market, and secondary market sales are a significant line of business for many community banks. While many community banks choose to hold most of their mortgage loans in portfolio, robust secondary market access remains critical for them to support mortgage lending demand
The current GSE secondary mortgage market structure has worked well for community banks by providing equitable access, not competing at the retail level, and permitting community banks to retain mortgage servicing rights on the loans they sell.
Housing finance reform must continue to address issues that undermine a level playing field by preventing smaller lenders from participating in the GSE secondary market due to unnecessary requirements that complicate and limit access while driving up costs.
Direct grassroots advocacy is essential to promoting federal policies that support community banking – and ultimately impact your role at the bank. Our Be Heard grassroots action center offers a variety of tools to help you amplify your voice with targeted outreach to federal policymakers.
Just like everything else, lobbying is a skill. This toolkit makes it easy to learn the best way to communicate with and engage policymakers in this virtual environment. No matter what role you have at the bank, YOU can support community banks and make an impact.
Every year, community bankers are invited to attend the complementary ICBA Capital Summit.