White also discusses other critical issues, including LO comp, and previews the upcoming national conference
As the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) prepares for its NAMB National event next weekend in Las Vegas, there is no shortage of major issues for the organization to deal with.
Kimber White (pictured top), the new president of NAMB, spoke with Mortgage Professional America to discuss some of those issues leading up to the event, which begins Friday, Oct. 17 at Caesars Palace.
One of the first issues he discussed is a new education and mentorship platform called Elevate, which the organization will be rolling out. He said improved training is desperately needed in the industry. He said that while a lot of existing training is good, some of it can be pricey. For NAMB members, their new program will be free.
“There are a lot of coaches and coaching and training, and they cost a lot of money,” White said. “What we’re going to do this year is to offer programs so that we are the go-to person if you need just a course. If you need to be mentored on a certain topic. That's what this mentoring program is going to be. And it's not going to cost you anything if you're a NAMB member. That, to me, is a huge factor.
“I think it is cost-prohibitive when someone's talking about thousands of dollars a month. Some people don't have the money to invest in that business after coming out of last year. They were flush with cash through COVID. But it's been a different world the past two years.”
He said that because so many originators started during the pandemic, when it was easy to get loans, many of them were not educated properly. Now, that lack of education is catching up with them.
“I think, in my opinion, we have probably the least educated originators in the industry,” White said. “Those of us who have been around a long time, even us, we think we know, but we weren't willing to pivot or to learn. And most people who got into the industry from 2017 to 2021 didn't have to know anything. Just sit under the apple tree, and you don't have to shake the tree. Just wait for the wind to blow right, and that's how they did it. Now you're finding more and more are struggling.”
LO Comp reform
Another issue that continues to hang in the balance is potential reform to loan originator compensation (LO comp). It is one of the issues that likely won’t be settled until the current government shutdown is completed, but it is one that NAMB has its eye on.
“There are conversations to get rid of it, but I don't think that's happening anymore,” White said. “Our concern was if you got rid of it, you go back to Dodd Frank, we don't want to do that. They didn't mean to include the broker, and that was a correction that needed to be done. That was a mistake that can be corrected that's never been corrected. I really want to see what their ideas are, and then we can go in.”
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— Mortgage Professional America Magazine (@MPAMagazineUS) October 2, 2025
White is hoping this is another issue where the industry can get together, just like they did on the newly passed trigger lead ban bill.
“I want to make sure that we're getting other industry, trade groups, and organizations involved,” he said. “So we come with a collaborative effort. One thing I'll say is that the trigger leads did very well. We all came together collaboratively and got a bill passed. And I think if LO comp is going to be done, this is what we have to do.”
Giving back
More than 2,000 mortgage professionals will descend on Las Vegas starting October 17 for the four-day NAMB National event. White is excited to see the industry come together to network and improve.
“I'm excited about NAMB national,” he said. “It’s the largest mortgage trade show that we have. We have over 125 vendors and have registered over 2000 people. We have breakouts, education, and keynote speakers. We believe in giving back, making sure that our vendors and our industry partners have people in front of them. We also want to give something back to the loan originator.”
He said the event is a great opportunity not only to educate brokers but also to help them grow and scale their business for more success heading into 2026.
“We offer tools that you can have that when you leave there, you're going to take away information that's going to help you and educate you in your business,” White said. “Initiatives so that you can brand and take away something that is going to help you with your business, grow your business and educate you. And you're going to be able to network.”
White said events like NAMB national are also great opportunities for brokers to give back to associations. Whether it is national or local organizations, brokers who are connected and help grow these associations will make the mortgage industry stronger. And it will help with the ultimate goal: getting as many people into their own home as possible.
“You may not have time to do lobbying, to do advocacy, to do all of these things, but the very least you can do is be a member of your association,” White said. “For NAMB, it's about truly helping a homeowner get into a home and helping the industry to be passionate and caring. We’re making sure that we're helping every loan originator, mortgage broker, and shop that wants to stay in this business. That's why I'm still here and doing what I'm doing.”
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