Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
National MS Society and Mendoza Family Celebrate $325,000 Fundraising Milestone
NEW YORK, Feb. 10 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society issued the following news:
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National MS Society and Mendoza Family Celebrate $325,000 Fundraising Milestone
Over 2,150 donors rally behind Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and brother Alberto in honor of their mother, Elsa
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The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Mendoza family celebrate a remarkable milestone: the Mendoza Brothers' Fight Against MS has raised over $325,000 from more than 2,150 donors spanning rival fanbases, international borders, and generations united in the fight against MS.
When 2025 Heisman
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Feb. 10 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society issued the following news:
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National MS Society and Mendoza Family Celebrate $325,000 Fundraising Milestone
Over 2,150 donors rally behind Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and brother Alberto in honor of their mother, Elsa
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The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Mendoza family celebrate a remarkable milestone: the Mendoza Brothers' Fight Against MS has raised over $325,000 from more than 2,150 donors spanning rival fanbases, international borders, and generations united in the fight against MS.
When 2025 HeismanTrophy winner Fernando Mendoza and his brother Alberto launched the fundraiser to honor their mother, Elsa, who lives with multiple sclerosis, they set an initial goal of $20,000.What began as the "Mendoza Burrito" campaign at La Burrita in Berkeley came with Fernando to Indiana, where BuffaLouie's and Gable's Bagels partnered with the brothers on specialty menu items with proceeds going directly to the National MS Society. The two Bloomington restaurants have raised nearly $12,500 through their menu items alone. The local grassroots effort has grown into a national movement supporting MS research, programs, and services.
A Community United
The fundraiser has inspired extraordinary generosity. Jim and Cindy Barkley contributed $28,000 to help reach the $100,000 goal. Cindy, an Indiana University cheerleader in the 1970s, was diagnosed with MS in 1998. John and Vanessa Froman contributed $25,000. The Heisman Trust donated $10,000 in honor of Fernando's win, while artist Donald Robertson contributed $10,000 following Fernando's NFL Draft announcement. An anonymous donor gave $15,000, reflecting the quiet generosity sustaining this campaign.
During a live appearance on The Pat McAFee Show, Fernando made a basketball shot, securing a $50,000 donation from the show and pushing the fundraiser past $325,000.
"This fundraiser has never been about me or my achievements on the field. It's always been about my mom and the millions of families living with MS," said Fernando Mendoza. "My brother Alberto and I started this because we watched our mom, Elsa, face this disease with incredible strength and positivity. Seeing people from all over the world come together shows that when you lead with authenticity and love, communities respond. Alberto and I aren't done. This fight continues."
Stories Behind the Donations
Donor comments reveal deeply personal connections: "I'm an IU grad and my mom has fought MS for 40 years. God bless your mom and God bless what you are doing to fight MS!"
"MS inflicted and caused the death of my mother and 3 Aunts; now my daughter has been diagnosed with it. Thank you, Fernando, and Alberto, for your steadfast work and love devoted to bringing this disease to the forefront."
"As a mom with MS, what matters most to me is the world my 4-year-old is growing up in. Fernando and his mom are using this moment to rewrite what's possible for all of us. One where we don't just live with MS, we END it."
Even rival fans joined: "A Purdue fan but we should all stand together for this amazing cause." Another wrote: "From an Iowa Hawkeye fan. Just as Nile Kinnick said, some things are bigger than football."
The Impact
"Fernando and Alberto Mendoza have shown us what's possible when athletes use their platforms with authenticity and purpose," said Dr. Tim Coetzee, President and CEO of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "What moves us most isn't just the $325,000 raised. It's the stories behind those donations. The Mendoza brothers built a movement making families affected by MS feel seen, supported, and less alone. We're honored to stand alongside them in this fight."
As Fernando prepares for the 2026 NFL Draft and Alberto continues his college career at Georgia Tech, the brothers and the Society remain committed to the fight against MS. The funds raised support critical MS research, programs, and services. Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. live with this unpredictable disease, and while progress has been made, there's still much more to do.
Support the Mendoza Brothers' Fight Against MS
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About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalmssociety.org, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/news/breaking-news-5
[Category: Health Care]
MBA Releases 2025 Year-End Commercial/Multifamily Servicer Rankings
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 [Category: Financial Services] (TNSrep) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association posted the following news release on Feb. 9, 2026:
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MBA Releases 2025 Year-End Commercial/Multifamily Servicer Rankings
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its year-end ranking of commercial and multifamily mortgage servicers' volumes as of December 31, 2025, at its 2026 Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo.
At the top of the list of firms is Trimont, with $680 billion in master and primary servicing, followed by PNC Real Estate/Midland Loan Services ($568 billion),
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 [Category: Financial Services] (TNSrep) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association posted the following news release on Feb. 9, 2026:
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MBA Releases 2025 Year-End Commercial/Multifamily Servicer Rankings
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its year-end ranking of commercial and multifamily mortgage servicers' volumes as of December 31, 2025, at its 2026 Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo.
At the top of the list of firms is Trimont, with $680 billion in master and primary servicing, followed by PNC Real Estate/Midland Loan Services ($568 billion),KeyBank National Association ($468 billion), CBRE Loan Services ($458 billion), and Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC ($436 billion).
Among servicers with retained or purchased servicing of U.S. mortgaged, income-producing properties, Trimont, PNC/Midland and KeyBank are the largest primary and master servicers for CMBS, CDO or other ABS loans; Trimont is the largest for credit company, pension funds, REITs, and investment fund loans; Walker & Dunlop, LLC, Berkadia and CBRE Loan Services are the largest for Fannie Mae loans; KeyBank, PNC/Midland, and Trimont are the largest for Freddie Mac loans; Lument Real Estate Capital Holdings, LLC, Greystone, Berkadia and Walker & Dunlop are the largest for FHA and Ginnie Mae loans; JLL, NorthMarq, Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital LLC, and CBRE Loan Services for life insurance company loans; and Trimont for loans held in warehouse. KeyBank and CWCapital Asset Management LLC are the largest named special servicers.
Berkadia, SitusAMC, and CBRE are the top fee-for-service primary and master servicers of U.S. mortgaged, income-producing properties; Citco Loan Services, JPMorgan Chase & Co, and Trimont rank as the top master and primary servicers of other types of commercial real estate related assets located in the United States; and SitusAMC, CBRE and Mount Street are the top primary and master servicers of non-U.S. CRE-related assets.
A primary servicer is generally responsible for collecting loan payments from borrowers, performing property inspections and other property-related activities. A master servicer is typically responsible for collecting cash and data from primary servicers and then providing that cash and data, through trustees, to investors. Unless otherwise noted, MBA tabulations that combine different roles do not double-count loans for which a single servicer performs multiple roles. The tabulations can and do double-count across servicers' loans for which multiple servicers each fulfill a role.
Specific breakouts in the MBA survey include:
* Total Primary and Master Servicing;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Loans Held in Own Portfolio, Total;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Primary & Master, Total
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Primary & Master, CMBS, CDO or other ABS loans;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Primary & Master, Commercial Bank and Savings Institution Loans;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Primary & Master, Credit Company, Pension Funds, REITs, and Investment Funds Loans;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Primary & Master, Fannie Mae;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Primary & Master, Freddie Mac;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Primary & Master, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Ginnie Mae;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Primary & Master, Life Insurance Companies;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Primary & Master, Loans Held in Warehouse;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Primary & Master, Other Loans;
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Retained or Purchased Servicing, Named Special; Total
* U.S. Mortgaged, Income-Producing Properties, Other Fee-For-Service, Primary and Master; Total
* U.S. Other CRE-Related Assets, Primary and Master; Total
* Non-U.S. Total, Primary and Master, Total
The report includes a ranking of more than 80 master and primary servicers. Download the full report at: www.mba.org/news-and-research/research-and-economics/commercial-multifamily-research/commercial-multifamily-mortgage-servicing.
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Original text here: https://www.mba.org/news-and-research/newsroom/news/2026/02/09/mba-releases-2025-year-end-commercial-multifamily-servicer-rankings
ICI Welcomes Passage of Bipartisan FSOC Reform Bill
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Investment Company Institute issued the following statement on Feb. 9, 2026:
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ICI Welcomes Passage of Bipartisan FSOC Reform Bill
The Investment Company Institute released the following statement today after the US House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3682, the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) Improvement Act of 2025. Representatives Bill Foster (IL-11) and Bill Huizenga (MI-04) sponsored the bill.
"Passage of the FSOC Improvement Act by the House is a win for investors. This bill enhances the position of
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Investment Company Institute issued the following statement on Feb. 9, 2026:
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ICI Welcomes Passage of Bipartisan FSOC Reform Bill
The Investment Company Institute released the following statement today after the US House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3682, the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) Improvement Act of 2025. Representatives Bill Foster (IL-11) and Bill Huizenga (MI-04) sponsored the bill.
"Passage of the FSOC Improvement Act by the House is a win for investors. This bill enhances the position ofthe primary regulators, creates due process for affected firms, and leaves the blunt instrument of designation as a last resort. This is a bipartisan, balanced approach, and ICI thanks Representatives Foster and Huizenga for sponsoring the bill. We urge swift passage of this legislation by the Senate," said ICI President and CEO Eric Pan.
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Background
* ICI recently joined a letter from a coalition of business associations calling on the House of Representatives to pass the FSOC Improvement Act.
* The FSOC Improvement Act brings greater predictability and transparency to how FSOC considers designating nonbank financial companies as Systemically Important Financial Institutions (SIFIs).
* The bill ensures that, prior to voting on a proposed SIFI designation, FSOC determines whether the potential threat posed by a nonbank financial company could be mitigated through other means, including a different action by the company's primary regulator or action by the company itself.
* The legislation passed the House Financial Services Committee in a 47-4 vote on September 16, 2025.
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Original text here: https://www.ici.org/news-release/ici-welcomes-passage-of-bipartisan-fsoc-reform-bill
CompTIA and SGInnovate Partner to Bridge AI and Cybersecurity Talent Gap in Singapore
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, Feb. 10 -- CompTIA posted the following news release on Feb. 9, 2026:
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CompTIA and SGInnovate partner to bridge AI and cybersecurity talent gap in Singapore
CompTIA and SGInnovate today announced a strategic partnership to strengthen Singapore's deep tech talent pipeline through a series of learning and upskilling initiatives. This collaboration includes a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly upskill the local deep tech talent community, the rollout of an intensive CyberReady+ Bootcamp, and the launch of CompTIA's first-of-its-kind SecAI+ certification.
Strengthening
... Show Full Article
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, Feb. 10 -- CompTIA posted the following news release on Feb. 9, 2026:
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CompTIA and SGInnovate partner to bridge AI and cybersecurity talent gap in Singapore
CompTIA and SGInnovate today announced a strategic partnership to strengthen Singapore's deep tech talent pipeline through a series of learning and upskilling initiatives. This collaboration includes a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly upskill the local deep tech talent community, the rollout of an intensive CyberReady+ Bootcamp, and the launch of CompTIA's first-of-its-kind SecAI+ certification.
Strengtheningthe National Innovation Economy
CompTIA - a global leading provider of vendor-neutral technological certifications and SGInnovate - a government-backed deep tech ecosystem builder and investor, formalised a partnership to equip Singapore's deep tech talent community with industry-relevant skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and other emerging technologies.
Under the MOU, CompTIA will provide its suite of globally recognised certifications and learning solutions to equip individuals with in-demand technology skills, while SGInnovate will leverage its extensive ecosystem to connect individuals with upskilling initiatives, as well as career opportunities in high-growth startups and local enterprises.
Through this partnership, both organisations aim to leverage each other's strengths to help local talent navigate advances in the rapidly evolving technological landscape, and strengthen overall workforce competitiveness.
"As AI-powered cyber-attacks increase, and AI and cybersecurity become increasingly critical to Singapore's innovation economy, developing talent in these areas is a national priority," said Juliana Lim, Executive Director - People, SGInnovate. "Our collaboration with CompTIA allows us to upskill individuals through a blend of preparatory workshops and formal certifications. By bridging the gap between training and employment, we ensure Singapore's workforce remains future-ready and directly connected to meaningful opportunities across the deep tech ecosystem."
Launch of CyberReady+ Bootcamp Series
To address the immediate demand for cybersecurity professionals in Singapore, CompTIA and SGInnovate also announced the launch of a new CyberReady+ Bootcamp, which offers a progressive, three-stage pathway for mid-career professionals, fresh graduates, and individuals looking to pivot into the sector:
* Foundation: Essential networking concepts, security controls, and network defence principles.
* Intermediate: Analyst workflows including threat intelligence, vulnerability triage, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) fundamentals.
* Advanced: The intersection of AI and cybersecurity, focusing on threat hunting, safe automation (SOAR), and securing AI-integrated systems.
The bootcamp is structured as three consecutive workshops designed for participants with non-technical to basic cybersecurity knowledge, to build interest and practical capabilities ahead of formal certifications and ensure participants are industry-ready upon completion.
First-of-its-kind SecAI+ Certification Track
As AI integration becomes standard across industries, CompTIA is launching SecAI+ - its first global certification focused on securing, governing, and responsibly integrating AI into cybersecurity operations. The track empowers learners to defend AI systems against emerging threats, meet global compliance standards, and safely automate and innovate within cybersecurity operations.
The launch of SecAI+ responds directly to a widening talent gap identified through SGInnovate's Deep Tech Central (DTC) insights. AI and cybersecurity job openings on the platform grew by 44% from 2024 to 2025, reflecting strong demand for cybersecurity professionals with AI capabilities. While applications for these roles surged by 65% over the same period, only one in five applicants met the required skills criteria, highlighting a mismatch between demand and job-ready talent.
Recognising this gap, SGInnovate has partnered strategically with CompTIA to anchor the SecAI+ certification within Singapore's deep tech ecosystem. Applications for this certification will be hosted on Learn@Deep Tech Central, centralising the learning journey for the local deep tech community, and ensuring that as individuals gain new competencies and certifications, they remain directly connected to SGInnovate's broader network of deep tech jobs, internships, industry events and continuous upskilling pathways.
A Unified Path to Employment
By hosting these initiatives on the Deep Tech Central platform, SGInnovate and CompTIA are streamlining the transition from learning to employment. The platform serves as the primary connector for individuals at all career stages looking to access opportunities in the emerging tech space, as well as startups or local enterprises looking for specialised talent.
"Classroom learning, on-the-job training and professional certifications are the foundations of a highly skilled technology workforce," said Peter Schalkwijk, Vice President, APAC, CompTIA. "Together with SGInnovate, we share a commitment to help people acquire the technology skills that drive innovation and growth throughout Singapore."
Interested participants may register their interest for the CyberReady+ Bootcamp and SecAI+ certification at https://sginnovate.com/courses.
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About CompTIA
CompTIA, Inc. is dedicated to unlocking potential for students, career changers, and professionals pursuing technology careers. Through education, training, certifications, and research, it promotes industry growth, builds a skilled workforce, and ensures technology's benefits are accessible to everyone.
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Original text here: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/about-us/news/press-releases/CompTIA-and-SGInnovate-partner-to-bridge-AI-and-cybersecurity-talent-gap-in-Singapore/
[Category: Computer Technology]
American Fintech Council Encourages Federal Reserve to Use Payment Account Prototype to Reduce Access Frictions and Advance Innovation
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- The American Fintech Council, an organization that says it promotes a transparent, inclusive, and customer-centric financial system, issued the following news release:
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American Fintech Council (AFC) Encourages Federal Reserve to Use Payment Account Prototype to Reduce Access Frictions and Advance Innovation
In response to Request For Information (RFI), AFC letter calls for payments-only design, robust safeguards, and optionality needed to encourage responsible innovation
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The American Fintech Council (AFC), the largest industry association representing both responsible
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- The American Fintech Council, an organization that says it promotes a transparent, inclusive, and customer-centric financial system, issued the following news release:
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American Fintech Council (AFC) Encourages Federal Reserve to Use Payment Account Prototype to Reduce Access Frictions and Advance Innovation
In response to Request For Information (RFI), AFC letter calls for payments-only design, robust safeguards, and optionality needed to encourage responsible innovation
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The American Fintech Council (AFC), the largest industry association representing both responsiblefintech companies and innovative banks, submitted a comment letter to the Federal Reserve in response to its Request for Information on the proposed Reserve Bank Payment Account prototype. The letter outlines AFC's support for a narrowly tailored, payments-only account structure that reduces structural barriers to payment system access while preserving longstanding prudential and systemic safeguards.
"Access to core payment infrastructure should reflect how the modern financial system actually works," said Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council. "A well-designed Payment Account can expand competition and responsible innovation in payments without introducing new risk or undermining the Federal Reserve's longstanding prudential safeguards."
In the letter, AFC explains that there is a need for the Federal Reserve to address frictions in Master Account access by enabling optionality through the pursuit of its special purpose Reserve Bank account prototype, while ensuring that eligible institutions operate in a safe and sound manner. AFC argues that a narrowly scoped Payment Account can address these challenges and help encourage innovation in the payments space.
"Regulatory clarity and proportionality are essential as payments business models continue to evolve," said Ian P. Moloney, Chief Policy Officer at the American Fintech Council. "As the payments system has evolved significantly over the past two decades, it has become increasingly clear that there is a need to reconsider how eligible institutions are able to access the payments system. AFC recognizes the importance of ensuring Fed Master Account access that remains commensurate with the activities and risk profiles of account holders by offering the special purpose Reserve Bank account prototype discussed in the RFI."
The letter also discusses the importance of ensuring that the Federal Reserve preserves optionality in full or limited Master Account access for eligible institutions based on their business activities. Specifically, AFC urges the Federal Reserve to preserve flexibility so legally eligible institutions are not locked into a single access option as their business models, technologies, or customer needs evolve over time.
A standards-based organization, the American Fintech Council (AFC) is the largest and most diverse trade association representing financial technology (fintech) companies and innovative banks. On behalf of over 150 member companies and partners, AFC promotes a transparent, inclusive, and customer-centric financial system by supporting responsible innovation in financial services and encouraging sound public policy. AFC members foster competition in consumer finance and pioneer products to better serve underserved consumer segments and geographies.
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Original text here: https://www.fintechcouncil.org/press-releases/american-fintech-council-afc-encourages-federal-reserve-to-use-payment-account-prototype-to-reduce-access-frictions-and-advance-innovation
[Category: Financial Services]
American Council of Life Insurers: House Passes Reforms to Financial Stability Oversight Council
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 [Category: Insurance] -- The American Council of Life Insurers issued the following news release on Feb. 9, 2026:
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House Passes Reforms to Financial Stability Oversight Council
American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Executive Vice President & Chief Advocacy Officer Jill Kozeny made the following comment on the Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today:
"Clear rules and a consistent process matter, especially when decisions affect families, workers, and the broader economy. The FSOC Improvement Act brings
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 [Category: Insurance] -- The American Council of Life Insurers issued the following news release on Feb. 9, 2026:
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House Passes Reforms to Financial Stability Oversight Council
American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Executive Vice President & Chief Advocacy Officer Jill Kozeny made the following comment on the Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today:
"Clear rules and a consistent process matter, especially when decisions affect families, workers, and the broader economy. The FSOC Improvement Act bringsmuch-needed transparency and predictability to the financial oversight process."
The bill text is available here (https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20260209/HR%203682.pdf).
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The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is the leading trade association driving public policy and advocacy on behalf of the life insurance industry. 90 million American families rely on the life insurance industry for financial protection and retirement security. ACLI's member companies are dedicated to protecting consumers' financial wellbeing through life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, and dental, vision and other supplemental benefits. ACLI's 275 member companies represent 94 percent of industry assets in the United States.
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Original text here: https://www.acli.com/posting/nr26-007
Prepared Remarks of MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, at the 2026 MBA Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Mortgage Bankers Association posted the following remarks on Feb. 9, 2026:
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Prepared Remarks of MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, at the 2026 MBA Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo
SAN DIEGO (February 9, 2026) - MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, delivered the following remarks today at MBA's 2026 Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo.
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[Please note: These are prepared remarks. Broeksmit may add to or subtract from these remarks during the course of his presentation. Portions of
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Mortgage Bankers Association posted the following remarks on Feb. 9, 2026:
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Prepared Remarks of MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, at the 2026 MBA Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo
SAN DIEGO (February 9, 2026) - MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, delivered the following remarks today at MBA's 2026 Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo.
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[Please note: These are prepared remarks. Broeksmit may add to or subtract from these remarks during the course of his presentation. Portions ofthe text may be omitted during the speech.]
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Good morning!
Thank you all for being here, and on behalf of the entire MBA team, thank you for your partnership.
It's a privilege to represent the companies that anchor our communities and lift up our country.
Our goal, every year, is to help you contribute even more to our economy.
But this past year was especially important.
The start of a new presidential administration is always a bit hectic. But we've never seen anything like we saw in 2025.
That's where I want to begin this morning - by looking at how much has changed. Most of all, I want to look at how MBA has navigated that change and steered a course to help you succeed.
Think back, if you can, to where things stood when we gathered last February. We were barely two weeks into the new administration. Everyone was talking about DOGE - remember that? No one had any idea what was going to happen or how it would affect your businesses and customers. But at the MBA, we knew what we had to do. So we implemented a comprehensive plan to get results.
One of our biggest strengths is building relationships with people who matter. We'd already been working with the President's team before Inauguration Day. We've only deepened our collaboration since then. That was on full display at our CEO Exchange in Washington last month.
We brought leaders from the commercial, multifamily, and residential sectors to D.C.
to speak directly with top officials. That includes NEC Director Kevin Hassett, FDIC Chairman Travis Hill, FHFA Director Bill Pulte, and FHA Commissioner Frank Cassidy.
Those are only a few of the senior policymakers we spoke with that day. We had serious and solution-focused discussions with all of them. You'll be pleased to know that they share our vision of a stronger economy, driven by your businesses. I'm confident you'll hear that alignment from Commissioner Cassidy later this morning.
The CEO Exchange is just the latest example of our influence at the highest levels of our nation's capital. In the past few months, we've had at least a dozen meetings with senior policymakers, from the Comptroller of the Currency to the Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve.
In each meeting, we made your priorities perfectly clear - and we offered to partner with them to promote sound policy. It certainly helps that the Trump administration is hiring people who know the industry and how the economy works. They have expertise because they have experience. We don't have to explain twice why some proposals are bad and others good. They get it. And they get the indispensable role that you play in the economy. Frankly, the last few months have been a whirlwind.
But the same could be said of the last year as a whole, and I don't want to lose sight of how we delivered for you from the early days of the administration. The tax reform law is a great example. It seems like it happened an eternity ago. But only seven months have passed since the President signed it. When he did, he gave you the relief and certainty you need to thrive for decades to come. The MBA helped make it happen.
I can't overstate how big a win the tax law was. This time last year, it was an open question
if a bill would even be able to pass. For that matter, there was little to no sense of what would be in it. Things still weren't clear by the middle of spring. You may recall that the entire tax code was up for revision - every, single part.
Things like 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges, business interest deductibility, the deduction for passthroughs, carried interest, and capital gains were all on the table. Nothing was safe. We had our work cut out for us.
So the MBA swung into action. We went directly to key leaders in the House and Senate. We've known them for years. We explained exactly what you need and how it would help the entire country. Lo and behold, our strategy worked.
The final law was a big win for two reasons. First, we prevented the elimination of critical tax provisions. Look at the 199(a) deduction. Instead of it shrinking, or disappearing altogether, you now have permanent relief.
What about 1031 like-kind exchanges? No change whatsoever.
Ditto the treatment of carried interest and a capital gains differential compared to ordinary income - they both stayed the same.
That's because our message to Congress was: Do no harm. Clearly, that message got through. But we didn't just stop harmful tax changes. We also secured new and better policies, which is the second reason the tax law is such a big win.
A good example is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. The 9% LIHTC allocations have been permanently raised by 12%, while the bond financing threshold has been cut in half. This change will be especially good for underserved parts of the housing market. We also successfully pushed for another round of opportunity zones, so we'll get even more investment in our communities.
These victories will pay dividends for generations to come. The list of wins in the tax law goes on.
But I want to focus on one part of the story that really shows our influence in action. Shortly before the bill passed, a so-called "revenge tax" was suddenly added. Basically, the U.S. was going to raise taxes on investors from foreign countries that have unfair trade policies. But that would have been a major hit to investment coming from overseas, and sure enough, commercial dealmaking instantly fell because of the threat.
The MBA saw all of this - and we immediately rallied to prevent this outcome. We told the White House and Congress about the damage enactment would cause. They heard us, and within a matter of days, the revenge tax was gone from the House and Senate bills. We came through when it really mattered.
And when I look back at the tax law overall, I can safely say that we fought hard - and we won big.
Tax reform is just one of many areas where we've made progress on your behalf. At FHA, the multifamily MIP stands out. When FHA said it was ditching the old green reduction, we said hold on - why not reduce costs for everyone? FHA responded by doing exactly that, with a 25 basis-point MIP for multifamily loans. That's real relief for multifamily lenders, tenants, and borrowers.
This administration has also been listening to common sense on everything from the radon rule to tenant protections at the GSEs to 1071 small business loan reporting that would have affected lenders across capital sources. The difference with the last administration is night and day, and across the board, we've seen a profound shift in the government's attitude toward regulation and enforcement. Agencies are no longer fixated on process. They're no longer making mountains out of molehills. Instead, they're focused on the big picture, which is making sure that business gets done right. Ultimately, they want to work with you to strengthen America. This attitude is truly a breath of fresh air.
It's especially heartening to hear senior officials talk about getting banks back into the lending market. They recognize that heavy-handed regulations have created roadblocks. They want to break down those barriers, so you can do what you do best. And here at the MBA, we will keep doing what do we do best.
We'll shine a light on the rules and mandates that need to be revisited. We'll offer practical solutions to the problems you face. A case in point is Basel III and bank capital requirements. We've already been working with the White House and the regulators - including OCC Comptroller Gould, FDIC Chairman Hill, Fed Vice Chair Bowman, and others -- to get this regulatory framework right.
For instance, we're encouraging them to better tailor capital requirements to risks - and give capital relief to safer loans. We're also urging them to completely ditch harmful ideas, like a proposal to impose cross-default in capital rules. That idea is completely unworkable. It will only push banks out of the commercial market, so it needs to go - end of story.
Thankfully, policymakers are very receptive to what we're saying. The new Basel III proposal should come out in March. I expect it will reflect our input. Even so, we'll keep looking at every detail to ensure that it truly works for you. Basel III is too important to get wrong. The MBA will do everything in our power to get it right.
We're also focused on insurance costs. We know they're weighing on you and your borrowers. We know the ups and downs of the past few years have been tough to deal with. We're working with you and your teams to help navigate these challenges - and we're already taking steps to reauthorize the federal backstop for terrorism risk insurance coverage. Congress is moving a bipartisan proposal that extends the program through 2035. It passed overwhelmingly in committee and will likely reach the House floor in the coming months.
As the debate continues, you can be confident that we have a seat at the table, and we are using it to make sure your voice is heard and your needs are met. That's what we did throughout 2025 - and that's what we'll do all of this year, too. We can all be proud of what we achieved together, and as we prepare for the hard work ahead, I want to personally thank you for being part of the MBA family. We couldn't do this without you. And America as a whole wouldn't be the same without you. You contribute so much to our nation's growth and success. Together, we'll continue to chart a new era of opportunity.
With that, I'll turn things over to our next speaker, Christine Chandler. You all know her, and we're fortunate to have her as our chair at a time like this. She knows how to tell your story to our nation's leaders, and when there's a make-or-break meeting in D.C., she shows up in person because she lives next door in Maryland. Christine has played a big part in our victories over the past few months. But even better, she has an inspiring vision for our shared future.
Please join me in welcoming MBA's chair and a CREF favorite - Christine Chandler!
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Original text here: https://www.mba.org/news-and-research/newsroom/news/2026/02/09/prepared-remarks-of-mba-president-and-ceo-bob-broeksmit--cmb--at-the-2026-mba-commercial-multifamily-finance-convention-and-expo
