Industry Remembers Leah Marchbanks, Long-Time Idaho Mortgage Lenders Association Advocate
(Leah Marchbanks, fourth from left, poses for a picture with industry advocates and Sen. Mike Crapo, center, courtesy of IMLA)
Leah Marchbanks passed away July 26 at the age of 66.
Marchbanks was a long-time member of the mortgage lending field and retired in 2024. For more than three decades, Marchbanks was also a dedicated industry advocate via her work with the Idaho Mortgage Lenders Association, the Pacific Northwest Mortgage Lenders Conference and the Mortgage Bankers Association. She served as president of IMLA in 1995-1996 and 2013-2016, among numerous other leadership roles.
“Leah was never the shy one in a room and made friends anywhere she went. It felt like she knew everyone as she traveled to MBA conferences and our Regional PNMLC conferences. She welcomed and encouraged those in our industry to participate with Idaho Mortgage Lenders Association and MBA,” recalled Lindsay Craven, current IMLA president and director of sales at Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp. “Many of our current board members received that personal invite from Leah and sit on the board today because of her. She spent 30-plus years chairing or co-chairing PNMLC–which is held every three years in Idaho. This is a true act of love and commitment, as a volunteer, taking years to plan.”
“I believe her true passion, from an industry standpoint, was for [the National Advocacy Conference] and advocacy. She felt that this was the Kool Aid-that got those in our industry involved most consistently,” Craven continued. “Knowing and seeing how advocacy can shape the future in our industry, and that those from a small state like Idaho can make a difference. As a board we plan to move forward and honor Leah’s vision and love of advocacy. We will miss her deeply and are working as a group to continue Leah’s legacy, a way to carry her with us at IMLA for decades to come.”
Susan Semba, who prior to retirement was with the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, worked with Marchbanks for years. Semba remembers meeting Marchbanks four decades ago, via the National Association of Professional Mortgage Women. They both eventually became involved in the state and national mortgage banking groups, among other industry participation.
“Through the years, besides chairing the Pacific Northwest Mortgage Lenders Conference, leading the IMBA (now known as the Idaho Mortgage Lenders Association), and having two children, Leah was a busy loan originator. She served at times as manager, and always as an advocate for homeownership,” Semba remembers. “She especially liked working with first-time homebuyers. I was working at Idaho Housing and Finance overseeing the state’s first-time homeownership program and she had me on speed-dial. Her enthusiasm enhanced our program with her dedication to lower income buyers, and helped make IHFA’s program better and easier to use. Now that, in itself, is a great feat!”
“I know Leah would want to thank MBA for all the support they have given IMLA and the PNMLC. We had past chairs enjoy our conferences multiple times, enhancing our conference and making Idaho’s event very memorable. Leah was instrumental in getting them and other dedicated MBA members throughout the U.S. to attend a small conference in Idaho. She was a rock star! We will miss her,” continued Semba.
“I was so sorry to hear of the untimely passing of Leah Marchbanks. From the time I began my work at the national MBA in 2010, Leah was a true help and resource for me, particularly with respect to my participation at the Pacific Northwest Mortgage Lenders Conference–and her level of effort and engagement regarding MBA’s annual National Policy (now Advocacy) Conference,” said MBA Senior Vice President for Legislative and Political Affairs Bill Killmer.
“Her leadership literally helped shape the way MBA interacted with the Idaho congressional delegation–particularly with respect to our work with former U.S. Senate Banking Committee (and current Senate Finance Committee) Chairman Mike Crapo,” Killmer noted. “My condolences and best wishes go out to Leah’s relatives, friends and extended Idaho Mortgage Lenders Association family. I count myself fortunate to have had the chance to work with–and be influenced by–her.”
“It is devastating to hear of Leah’s passing. I could never thank her enough for all the sage advice she has shared over the years in helping me learn and grow,” said MBA Vice President of State Government Affairs and Industry Relations William Kooper. “She was generous and brilliant in equal measure and a tireless volunteer in serving the community of state and local associations that are the backbone of our industry. MBA staff, and me especially, have been so lucky to have had a role model like Leah in guiding us.”
Marchbanks married Rich Marchbanks in 1982. Her son, Cody, lives in Washington with his wife, Nicole, and their two children Gavin and Karlee. Her daughter, Samantha, lives in Florida with her husband, Kris.
A celebration of Leah’s life will be announced. For more information, please click here.
