This will be a year like none before for the real estate finance industry and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). January 2009 brings a new president, a new administration and a new Congress to Washington. Fresh ideas will be discussed and old ideas will be debated with different outcomes. Many old relationships and alliances have disappeared, and new ones must be formed. At the same time, we are all anticipating continued challenges for the economy as a whole and for the real estate finance industry in particular, which is experiencing once-in-a-generation upheaval. In addition, evolving public perceptions about lenders, mortgages and homeownership will guide policymakers and impact our industry.
