Broeksmit: ‘We Have a Seat at the Table’ on Important Issues
(Bob Broeksmit, by Anneliese Mahoney)
SAN DIEGO–Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, took the stage at the Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo Feb. 9 to discuss MBA’s advocacy priorities and wins over the past year.
Broeksmit recalled last year’s CREF conference, in the early days of the second Trump Administration. “One of our biggest strengths is building relationships with people who matter,” Broeksmit said. “We’d already begun working with the new administration before Inauguration Day. We’ve only deepened our collaboration since then.”
Broeksmit cited efforts such as the CEO Exchange hosted by MBA in January, which brought together leaders from the commercial, multifamily and single-family residential sectors to Washington to speak directly with key federal government officials.
“You’ll be pleased to know that they share our vision of a stronger economy driven by your businesses,” he said.
These types of events are consistent with MBA’s efforts, he said, noting that the association works to make members’ priorities clear in each meeting.
Broeksmit listed a number of wins for members over the past year, including the tax and spending act (generally known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) passed over the summer. MBA worked to prevent the elimination of critical tax provisions, such as the 199(a) deduction and 1031 like-kind exchanges, among others.
And, MBA helped secure beneficial changes in the bill, Broeksmit said, pointing as an example to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. The 9% LIHTC allocations have been permanently raised by 12%, while the bond financing threshold has been cut in half.
Broeksmit also highlighted MBA’s advocacy against the briefly added “revenge tax” that would have raised taxes on foreign investors from countries with unfair trade policies. “Sure enough, commercial dealmaking instantly fell because of this threat,” Broeksmit recalled. “We told the White House and Congress about the damage enactment would cause. They heard us, and within a matter of days, the revenge tax was gone from the House and Senate bills.”
“When I look back at the tax law overall, I can safely say that we fought hard and we won big,” Broeksmit said.
Looking past Congress, he also pointed to the FHA reduction of the multifamily mortgage insurance premium.
“This administration has also been listening to common sense on everything from the radon rule to tenant protections at the GSEs to 1071 small business loan reporting that would have affected lenders across all capital sources,” Broeksmit said. “The difference with the last administration is night and day, and across the board, we’ve seen a profound shift in the government’s attitude toward regulation and enforcement.”
“Ultimately, they want to work with you to strengthen America. This attitude is truly a breath of fresh air,” he continued. “It’s especially heartening to hear senior officials talk about getting banks back into the lending market. They recognize that heavy-handed regulations have created roadblocks.”
Broeksmit listed as an upcoming issue the continuing conversations around Basel III and bank capital requirements–he noted that the new Basel III proposal is expected to come out in March, but he’s optimistic MBA’s input will be reflected.
There are also ongoing concerns over insurance costs. Broeksmit said that, among other steps, MBA is pushing to reauthorize the federal backstop for terrorism risk insurance coverage. Congress is working on a bipartisan proposal that extends the program through 2035, and Broeksmit expects that will likely reach the House floor in the next few months.
“As the debate continues, you can be confident that we have a seat at the table, and we are using it to make sure your voice is heard and your needs are met,” Broeksmit said. “That’s what we did throughout 2025–and that’s what we’ll do all of this year, too.”
