April 27, 2020

Strengthen Your Skill Set — Almost Anywhere

Insights
Work and Life

Many mortgage professionals are now working from home and looking for ways to stay current. Take the opportunity to hone your professional skills with Arch MI’s free training courses, accessible via your computer or mobile phone. While present conditions are driving widespread interest in topics like how to use video conferencing apps, it’s also a good time to focus on perennial challenges like new business development, using Encompass® and delivering a top-notch presentation.



This period of uncertainty offers an excellent opportunity to brush up on your professional skills — or learn new ones — to improve your work performance and be ready to advance your career.

With almost everyone spending more time at home, Arch MI has seen a surge of interest in our complimentary professional training courses, which can be accessed from almost anywhere using a computer, smartphone or other mobile device.

Getting Ready for a Changed Marketplace

Earlier this month, Arch MI set records with its newest live webinar on connecting with buyers via video apps like Zoom and FaceTime®. In fact, Arch MI reached capacity with that course and plans to add additional sessions of “How to Set Up and Conduct Virtual Meetings with Your Borrowers,” and develop other educational programs with similar themes.

The rising demand for these webinars is interesting because the subject matter reflects how quickly today’s originators must adapt to big changes in the mortgage marketplace. It’s something Arch MI recognized when we launched our training department in 1999. Over the years, we’ve focused on providing up-to-date, highly relevant education programs to support professionals who are eager to keep their knowledge current and learn new skills.

Real-Life Scenarios and Materials

Our experienced trainers are knowledgeable about the current mortgage market and design courses to address the latest industry trends and technology. We incorporate real-life situations, realistic scenarios and state-of-the-art LOS and origination tools with the actual GSE documents that are typically part of a mortgage professional’s workday.

Arch MI offers free webinars each month. Our most popular subjects include appraisals, mortgage fraud and income analysis (with four courses ranging from introductory to highly advanced). Choose your preferred session at archmi.com/webinars.

You should also check out our On-Demand Videos, which cover a range of topics relevant to your business. Build your presentation skills with our unique Presenters Advantage videos, which offer step-by-step instructions on how to organize and deliver an engaging, professional presentation. By training now, you’ll be ready to connect with customers in person when the time is appropriate.

Arch MI’s more specialized learning subjects include Ellie Mae’s Encompass®, reviewing updates on the latest enhancements and insider tips for using the LOS’s latest features.

Homebuyer Education

Arch MI also offers borrower-focused resources, including our comprehensive Roadmap to Homeownership toolkit to help lenders reach out to first-time buyers. Everything needed to organize and present a first-time homebuyer seminar is included — and the materials are easy to share with prospective borrowers by computer or phone by using Zoom or another low-cost or free video service. You can even co-brand our worksheets and PowerPoint® with your own institution’s name and logo.

If you have customers whose loans require pre-purchase homebuyer education, our website features two options. Borrowers with loans insured by Arch MI can complete complimentary BALANCE training for Freddie Mac Home Possible® mortgages, while HomeReady® borrowers can access a course created by Framework®, Fannie Mae’s approved education provider.

To get started, register for one of our upcoming webinars or find additional content at our Training Resources page.

About the Author

Rada-Blaine

Blaine Rada

Senior National Trainer and Instructional Designer

Blaine Rada develops and conducts versatile Arch MI training sessions that teach key industry skills. Previously, he developed and managed a multi-format program of webinars and live training acclaimed throughout the industry at CMG Mortgage Insurance Company. He holds a Certificate in Distance Education from Indiana University and is a member of the National Speakers Association. He has earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, a recognition held by fewer than 15% of professional speakers worldwide.