The CCMS Designation: Professional Achievement, Industry Knowledge and a Community That Gives Back

Earning the Commercial Certified Mortgage Servicer (CCMS) designation is a significant professional achievement for commercial/multifamily mortgage servicing professionals. The designation recognizes individuals who have developed a broad understanding of commercial/multifamily mortgage servicing and the larger industry in which servicers operate, demonstrated their knowledge and experience, and made a commitment to continued professional development.

But earning the designation is not the end of the journey. CCMS designees also become part of the CCMS Society, a professional community that provides opportunities to continue learning, build relationships with peers, support future CCMS candidates and give back through philanthropic initiatives.

MBA NewsLink sat down with several CCMS leaders, along with representatives from the Mortgage Bankers Association, to discuss what the designation represents, the experience of earning it and the role the CCMS Society plays after the designation is achieved.

MBA NewsLink: Who should consider pursuing the CCMS designation?

Allison Dunaway, chair of the CCMS Education Subcommittee: CCMS is designed for professionals working in commercial and multifamily mortgage servicing and for those whose roles closely intersect with the servicing function. What makes the designation valuable is that it requires you to understand much more than your own area of responsibility.

Servicing professionals need to understand how a loan was originated and underwritten, the real estate and capital markets in which the property operates, asset and portfolio management considerations, and the legal and regulatory requirements that affect the loan throughout its life cycle. Developing that broader perspective can help professionals better understand not only what they are doing, but why it matters and how their decisions affect the loan, the borrower, the investor and their organization.

MBA NewsLink: What does earning the CCMS designation represent?

Marcy Thomas, CCMS Society Chair: The CCMS designation is intended to recognize a high level of knowledge, experience and professional achievement within the commercial/multifamily servicing industry. Candidates are expected to demonstrate knowledge beyond their individual job function and understand the broader issues that affect commercial and multifamily loans throughout their life cycle.

That is part of what makes earning the designation a prestigious accomplishment. It requires candidates to build upon their servicing expertise while broadening their understanding of the industry. Earning the CCMS demonstrates that an individual has invested in developing that knowledge and can apply it when evaluating issues, making decisions and working with other professionals across the business.

MBA NewsLink: What value does having CCMS designees on staff provide to a company?

Gail Griffith, MBA Education: Commercial/multifamily servicing has become increasingly complex, and many issues do not fit neatly within one functional area. A servicing professional may need to understand underwriting assumptions, property performance, loan structure, capital markets, legal requirements or asset management considerations to fully evaluate an issue.

The CCMS program encourages professionals to look beyond their immediate responsibilities and understand those connections. For employers, having CCMS designees on staff means having professionals who have demonstrated a commitment to developing that broader industry knowledge. CCMS designees can also become valuable resources within their organizations, sharing knowledge, mentoring colleagues and contributing to the development of the next generation of servicing professionals.

MBA NewsLink: The CCMS designation is a significant undertaking. What advice would you give to someone who has begun the process?

Elizabeth Burnett, chair of the CCMS Philanthropic Subcommittee: Don’t hesitate to lean on your fellow CCMS candidates and the broader CCMS network when questions arise. Chances are, others in your class are wrestling with the same concepts, and the CCMS Society’s network is deep with professionals who are willing to share their knowledge and experience.

One of the things that makes the CCMS community so valuable is that its members have been exactly where today’s candidates are. They understand the work involved and genuinely want to help others succeed. Even when someone doesn’t have the answer themselves, they’ll often connect you with the right resource or expert. The result is a supportive, collaborative network that becomes one of the most meaningful benefits of earning the designation.

MBA NewsLink: What support does MBA provide to CCMS candidates throughout the process?

Gail Griffith: MBA provides education and resources to help candidates prepare, but an important part of the experience is also the involvement of current CCMS designees. These experienced servicing professionals serve as instructors, participate in exam preparation activities, share their expertise and help candidates broaden their understanding beyond their own areas of specialization.

The goal is not simply to prepare candidates to complete the requirements of the designation. It is to help them develop a stronger understanding of commercial/multifamily servicing and become more knowledgeable, well-rounded professionals.

MBA NewsLink: What is the CCMS community like while candidates are working toward the designation?

Allison Dunaway: The candidates show up to the exam preparation sessions with purpose and intent, ready to engage and participate in thoughtful discussion. The CCMS designees leading the preparation courses are genuinely invested in new candidates and their success and readily offer their time to assist others.

That willingness to help doesn’t disappear once you obtain the designation. I’ve had unfamiliar servicing issues arise and reached out to other CCMS designees for their perspective. There has always been someone willing to share experience, help work through the issue or connect me with someone who can. That spirit of continued learning and collaboration is an important part of the CCMS community.

MBA NewsLink: Once someone earns the designation, what is the CCMS Society and what role does it play?

Marcy Thomas: The CCMS Society is a network of senior level commercial/multifamily servicing professionals committed to continued professional development. The society provides a means to give back to the servicing industry, provides networking opportunities between members, and sponsors philanthropic initiatives with MBA’s Open Doors Foundation through its CCMS Cares program.

The society brings together professionals with expertise across many areas of servicing, from new business and loan boarding and closing to servicing operations, asset management, audit and other specialties. That range of experience creates opportunities for designees to continue learning from one another while also sharing what they have learned with others in the industry.

A core attribute of a CCMS designee is the willingness to help others learn and grow. The society gives designees opportunities to do that, not only within their own companies or for their clients, but for the broader commercial/multifamily servicing community.

MBA NewsLink: How can CCMS designees remain involved after earning the designation?

Elizabeth Burnett: Meaningful industry involvement can take many forms and extends well beyond attending conferences. CCMS designees have opportunities to participate throughout the year based on their interests, experience and availability.

Designees may participate in the CCMS Education or Philanthropic Subcommittees, contribute to CCMS Hot Topic calls by suggesting topics, hosting or moderating discussions, mentor CCMS candidates, assist with oral exams, review and update educational materials or serve as instructors for future CCMS classes. For designees employed by MBA members, they may also serve on MBA’s other committees or roundtables.

Newer designees can be particularly valuable because they have recently completed the program and can offer a fresh perspective on both the educational content and the candidate experience.

The society also provides opportunities for members to give back through philanthropic initiatives such as the CCMS Cares program.

MBA NewsLink: How does the CCMS Society fit within the broader MBA commercial/multifamily community?

Kelli Burke, MBA CREF representative: Some of the most valuable conversations at MBA happen through our CREF Councils and Committees, where members from across the industry come together to compare notes, tackle emerging issues and help shape the conversations MBA carries forward.

For society members, getting involved is another way to bring your expertise to the table, expand your network and stay closer to what is happening across commercial real estate finance. You’ll hear different perspectives, build relationships beyond your usual circles, and have opportunities to contribute to MBA policy, programming, and industry discussions.

Conclusion

Ultimately, earning the CCMS designation is both a recognition of what a servicing professional has accomplished and an opportunity to continue developing and giving back to the industry. The designation demonstrates knowledge, experience and commitment to the commercial/multifamily servicing profession and sets an individual apart from their peers. The CCMS Society builds on that achievement by creating opportunities for designees to continue learning, connect with peers, support future professionals and contribute to the industry.

For more information about the CCMS designation and society, please contact Gail Griffith at ggriffith@mba.org or click here.

Marcy Thomas is vice president, portfolio loan manager, asset management at Grandbridge Real Estate Capital; Allison Dunaway is closing and servicing manager, commercial mortgage investments at American Fidelity Assurance Co.; and Elizabeth Burnett is managing director, loan servicing at Slatt Capital. Gail Griffith is Associate Vice President of Commercial/Multifamily Education Content at the MBA. Kelli Burke is vice president, Commercial Real Estate Finance, Strategic Industry Engagement at the MBA.