The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and Operation HOPE, a nonprofit private banker for the working poor, the underserved and struggling middle class, announced June 27 that they have entered into a strategic alliance designed to foster open communication and mutual understanding of issues related to sustainable residential mortgage lending. The announcement was made at MBA’s Strategic Markets and Diversity Summit in Washington, D.C., where HOPE’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Hope Bryant delivered special remarks.
“This strategic partnership with the Mortgage Bankers Association enhances the reach, capability and credibility of our national plan to become the nation's first private banker to the poor and struggling middle class. Together, we can help more renters become homeowners and struggling homeowners keep their homes during this economic recovery,” Bryant said.
Under the terms of the agreement, MBA will provide HOPE opportunities to engage with MBA members through a variety of means, including by providing speaking opportunities at MBA events. MBA will facilitate synergies between HOPE and EverFi, an MBA partner that provides online financial literacy training to both adults and students, and will also provide support to Operation HOPE’s Project 5117.
The mission of Operation HOPE’s Project 5117 is to strengthen the economy by focusing on empowering those who earn less than $50,000 a year. It is a mission that is supported by a broad range of services, from homeownership counseling to credit card debt management.
In turn, the two groups will seek opportunities to advance their mutual interest in promoting sustainable homeownership, providing literature and information on HOPE’s projects at MBA conferences and events and providing links to MBA’s Home Loan Learning Center from the Operation HOPE website.
“Operation HOPE is a leading name in economic empowerment and financial literacy among the working poor, the underserved and the struggling middle class,” said MBA’s President and Chief Executive Officer David Stevens. “MBA and its members are excited to work with HOPE to promote responsible, sustainable homeownership to communities across the country.”