National REO Brokers Association Holds REO Education Conference

The ""National REO Brokers Association"":http://www.nrba.com (NRBA) held its 10th annual REO education conference this month to promote direct interaction between members and clients.

[IMAGE] _Pictured: NRBA member Charis Wayman (left, center) receives the NRBA Annual Directors Award from Congressman David Schweikert (left), NRBA VP Jack O'Leary (right, center), and NRBA President Michael Krein (right)._

The Nevada-based NRBA is a national organization of brokers, appraisers, and attorneys who specialize in all phases of default management and servicing of distressed real estate.

""Although greater use of technology - in particular, OMS [order management systems] and transaction management platforms - has enabled all of us in the in-

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dustry to create greater efficiencies, something has been lost along the way,"" said Michal Krein, NRBA president.

""There is no more personal contact and relationships nor a good understanding of each other's needs and goals. Something has been lost,"" Krein continued. ""We all need to remember that there really is a person on the other side of the computer screen and that they are people too.""

A record breaking number of clients attended the event, including the GSEs, several HUD M&M contractors, and most of the major REO outsourcers. In addition to the conference's traditional breakout sessions and original NRBA roundtables, several new events were held, including a ""team building event,"" which required clients and brokers to work together.

Training sessions included topics like social media, marketing, lead generation, community outreach, and RIO software training. Several clients hosted separate training sessions for NRBA members.

Congressman David Schweikert served as the conference guest speaker. Congressman Schweikert is on the House Financial Services Committee as well as two subcommittees on financial services.

In addition, the NRBA held a Make-A-Wish charity auction at the event with numerous items donated by the membership. Nearly $200,000 was raised for the foundation during the three-day conference.