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Joe West
The hard working Director of Bank Operations
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Michelle's Snickerdoodles
An honorable mention from the recipe contest, Snickerdoodles by Michelle Maynard
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The Winners Received Their Prize!!
Jeanne Love and J.D. Bristor received their $25 Chili's gift cards for co-winning the recipe contest
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Volume 1 - Issue 6
Wednesday, January 4, 2006
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
From AMS Founder, Scott Powers
AMS Founder Scott Powers
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I know that 2006 has just begun, but let’s imagine that it is now Dec. 31st, 2006. Already, you ask? Yes. Now is the time to think about what kind of year you want 2006 to be.
How many people used your services? How many would do business with you again? Did you really deliver value? Did you really provide added value?
Your life is like a canvas. You are the painter. You can make the most beautiful picture you want. The question is do you believe?
I have shared with you in the past that your income is in direct relationship to you becoming before you can have.
All successful salespeople take inventory of the coming year. If your goal is to make more money and you already have a plan, maybe you just need to do more of the plan. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
What is your plan for:
- Direct Marketing (direct mail, radio, tv)
- Alliance Building (Realtors, financial planners, CPA’s)
- Recruiting (Loan Officers)
- Retention (Keeping your top producers)
- Ongoing education (AMSU)
- Customer Service (Adding value to your service)
- Keep in touch with previous customers (email, newsletter)
How about your personal goals?
- What are you going to do with all the money you make now that you are a top producer?
- Do you include your family in your goals? (new house, pool)
- Health and fitness goals.
- Vacation, don’t forget to take time off to unwind. Now is the time to start planning.
- Spend quality time with the family.
In other words, make sure your family enjoys your success as well.
Let me share this poem on success by Napoleon Hill with you.
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win, but you think you can’t
It is almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will –
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high, to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!
I wish each and every one of you an incredibly successful 2006!!
In the words of my good friend Zig Ziglar, I will see you at the top.
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Joe West
Director of Mortgage Bank Operations
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Joe West, Wheelin' and Dealin'
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Joe West and his wife Rebecca
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Joe West grew up in Tucson and started his mortgage career after attending the University of Arizona. He started as a Loan Officer with AMS in 2003 and has been on the fast track ever since. He was named "Rookie of the Year" in 2003 and closed a total of 250 loans totaling $37,000,000 for which he was named a "Founder's Circle Award Winner" in 2004. He was promoted to "Director of Retail Operations" and then to "Director of Bank Operations" in 2004. Joe just finished a record month for December and is expecting many more in the upcoming year.
In the rare moments when Joe isn't working he's all family man. He likes to spend time with his wife, Rebecca and 4 kids: Aaron, Sam, Elizabeth and Abigail. He also coaches Little League and loves to watch the Washington Redskins and the UofA Wildcats.
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Michelle's Snickerdoodles
Submitted By Michelle Maynard
Special Projects Manager
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup butter, softened (I use Country Crock)
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg (I use Egg Beaters)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (I use double strength extract)
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a medium mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1 cup sugar, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
2. In a small mixing bowl combine the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in the sugar-cinnamon mixture to coat. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 10 to 11 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool. Makes about 36 cookies.
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Joke Of The Week
A woman invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I don't know what to say," the little girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the mother said.
So, the little girl bowed her head and said, "Dear Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"
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Community Affairs Update
By Sheila Pearson
Community Awareness Coordinator
Happy Holidays and wishes for a great and prosperous New Year. Our community projects for both AMS and USPR have gone very well so far in 2005. We are getting great response from consumers who are starting to recognize our names! Before I give you our calendar of upcoming events, let me share with you the winners of our First Annual AMS/USPR Food Drive:
- Mary Parks, AMS Compliance
- Magda Provencia, AMS Corporate Human Resources
- Shondra Musgraves, New South Federal
The food drive was for The United Food Bank in Mesa. Thanks to all who donated and made this a huge success!
On December 2nd, we sponsored a booth at Mesa’s Merry Main Street event. This is a Christmas festival put on by the City of Mesa. Well over 40,000 people attended the event and saw our company’s names! On December 17th, we had a booth at the San Tan Freeway Opening Party, where over 15,000 people attended. Both events were a blast! We handed out lots of goodies for both the kids, and adults, and got consumer awareness for our companies.
The New Year brings many more exciting events that we will be participating in:
January
The Maricopa County Home Show
Jan.13, 14, and 15th
We have a booth for this 3-day show. This will be held at the State Fairgrounds, and over 110,000 people are expected to pass through over the weekend.
Run For London
Jan. 21st
This race is a benefit event for 7-year-old London Solomon of Queen Creek. She was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. We were invited to help host this event at the Turkey Trot 10K on Thanksgiving Day. It is a 2 Mile Walk/Run being held at Queen Creek High School.
Note: London Solomon past away on Dec. 21, 2005. Please come to the walk/run to honor her memory.
Special Olympics-FBR Open
Jan. 30th-Feb.5th
We are helping with volunteer hours for The Special Olympics Concession Tents. They are one of the charities that will benefit from this Golf Tournament. We have several opportunities throughout the coming year to help with The Special Olympics. There are competitions in March, and The Summer Games –HUGE EVENT-will be held in May at ASU.
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We are going to Adopt-A-Lake. Tempe Town Lake has sections that need to be adopted. We will be going there 4 times a year to do clean up on our section. We will have the opportunity to paint and decorate trash barrels that will be in our section and proudly display our company’s names and logos.
We are also going to Adopt-A-Highway. Our companies will have a sign on the highway that we adopt. Again, we have to do cleanup, but this is only twice a year.
In addition to these events, I am also representing both companies at all of the Chamber of Commerce meetings/events, and am involved with ABWA, American Business Women’s Association.
In order to make these community events a success, I must have volunteers to help! I will be passing around event sign-up sheets prior to each event and appreciate your participation in advance. Please plan to volunteer for at least one event in 2006! We are working hard on supporting our community and letting the valley know we are here. There are many more exciting things to come and I will keep everybody posted. Thank you for your continued support.
Partnering for Success
AMSU
Jan. 5th 2006 - Branch Orientation 9-12
Jan. 6th 2006 - Processing 101 9-12
Compliance 1-4
Jan. 9th 2006 - ILO Orientation 9-12
LO Training 1-5
Jan. 10th 2006 - Realtor/BM 9-11
LO Training 1-5
Jan. 11th 2006 - LO Training 1-5
Jan.12th 2006 - Branch Orientation 9-12
LO Training 1-5
Jan. 13th 2006 - Realtor/R 9-11
Jan.17th 2006 - AMS Express 9-12
Processing 102 1-5
Jan.18th 2006 - Compliance 9-12
Processing 102 1-5
Jan.19th 2006 - Branch Orientation 9-12
Processing 102 1-5
Jan.20th 2006 - Processing 101 9-12
Processing 102 1-5
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Reminders from Compliance;
Compliance has made a few changes to the loan log. We have eliminated a few unnecessary fields.
The loan log must be e-mailed or faxed directly to compliance by the 5th of the following month. If the log is not received by the 5th the branches will receive a $100 late fee.
The loan log MUST be completed in its entirety with no blanks accepted. A copy of the updated loan log was e-mailed to all the branches. If you do not have the December version of the loan log please contact compliance immediately.
Vicki Oania
Director of Compliance
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Troy's Tech Tips
By Troy Gunnell
Clean It Out
When is the last time you changed the air filter in your car? If it's been awhile I'm sure it's been even longer since you cleaned out the inside of your computer.
The inside of a computer contains at least a couple fans meant to keep all the components cool during operation. Well, just like an automobile air filter, overtime they get clogged up with dirt from the air. It becomes quite necessary to clean out those fans and other internal components for optimal efficiency.
To do so, start by disconnecting the power cord, and opening up your case. (Try not to touch any of the components so you don’t shock them with static electricity.) Next, get yourself a can of compressed air and start blasting those fans and all the crevices of your case. When you've gotten it back to its factory clean condition, simply close the case and reconnect the power cord and you're ready to go.
I recommend doing this at least once a month, especially if your computer is in a dusty environment.
Just Do I.T.
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Benefits - Eligibility Wait Time
Submitted by Magda Provencio
Benefits Coordinator
Eligibility wait time for medical insurance differs from the eligibility wait time for dental coverage. If you are a corporate executive, department head or a branch manager the wait period for the medical benefit is first of the month following thirty days from your date of hire. All other full time employees have an eligibility wait period of first of the month following ninety days from your date of hire. Our medical carrier is Great West Healthcare. Now the dental benefit wait period is first of the month following sixty days from your date of hire. Those eligible are full time corporate employees. If you work under a branch to be eligible for the dental insurance you must be full time, a branch manager, processor or loan officer. Our dental insurance carrier is Standard Insurance. The dental plan is voluntary and employee paid.
Please call Magda Provencio for further benefits information at 480 777-4125 or email at magdaprovencio@amsaz.com.
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Cyber Chat
By Steve Bradshaw
Even though we’ve all heard it so many times, let me add my Happy New Year!!
Technology wise, this really will be a happy new near for all AMS branches.
To start the year off everybody should have received and installed Point 5.2 already. If you haven’t, be sure to contact branch ops for your copy.
We now have the PDS server in place and ready, as promised, as of the 1st. We are completing some testing on it
this week, then we will start rolling it out to you. Thanks to all of you who have requested to be part of the initial roll out. It’s not too late, if you want to be hooked up to the new PDS server
sooner rather than later, please let your BDM know and we will make it happen. Remember, once you’re hooked up you can take full advantage of remote access to Point from anywhere
you have internet access, and our two stage data back up so you never have to worry about a hard drive crash again.
I mentioned previously that we are upgrading our Exchange server. That upgrade is slowly taking place now. You shouldn’t notice any lapse in service, but will notice a more stable and robust
Email system. Everybody can appreciate that, especially Dan, Jordan and Kerry, our Technical Support staff that has spent many hours happily providing friendly support to everybody that needs it.
We have many other value added applications and processes in store for you over the coming year, make sure to read AMS Insider every issue to see what’s coming up next.
Steve Bradshaw
Vice President
Information Technology
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To The Victor Goes The Spoils
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J.D. Bristor With His $25 Chili's Gift Card For Submitting His Oven Fried Chicken
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Jeanne Love With Her $25 Chili's Gift Card For Submitting Her Tira Misu
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It Could Happen To You
Submit your favorite original photo into our AMS Insider Photo Contest and you could win a prize too. Just email your photos to AmsInsider@amsaz.com and we will display some of them in our Jan. 31st, 2006 issue. The person who sends in the first place photo will receive a prize.
By submitting a photo you are giving AMS the right to display it in the AMS Insider. Photos must be original works of art, any copyrighted photos submitted will be disqualified.
Happy New Years From Branch Ops Processing!
We are so excited about the New Year. 2006 is going to be a phenomenal year for AMS.
We have been telling you a little bit about the restructure of our processing department. Well here it is in a nutshell. We now have a variety of services to accommodate the loan officer with little to no experience all the way to the loan officer that has 10 to 20 years and only wants to originate.
The services that we now offer are as follows:
- Package 1 will accommodate the clean file scenario. This is where everything is in order, all required documents and disclosures are in the file and the appraisal has been ordered.
- Package 2 is for the loan officer that needs assistance with choosing a program and training on how to read the guidelines as well as how to price the loan. We will actually set an appointment with a trainer for you to meet with them on the file and as they guide you down the right path you will also learn as you go.
- Package 3 is for the loan officer that chooses to originate and doesn't want to be bothered with any details of processing. They provide us with a point file, the scenario and all of the upfront disclosures. We will do the rest!
Please email Spencer DeLaRosa at spencerdelarosa@amsaz.com and request a copy of our brochure.
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Mortgage Rates and Activity? Holidays Hold Center Stage
Article obtained from www.mortgagenewsdaily.com
As the end of the year neared its end and with most people distracted by holiday and family events, mortgage activity was listless and rates were mixed for the week ended December 22 (Freddie Mac) and December 23 (Mortgage Bankers Association.)
Happily, for those still hoping to buy or refinance a house in early 2006, rates, while trending upward, are doing so very slowly and during this most recent week most rates were down a bit.
According to Freddie Mac's Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage during the week was 6.26 percent with 0.6 in fees and points. This rate was four basis points lower than that reported for the week ended December 15 although fees and points were up from 0.5.
The 15-year fixed rate mortgage also declined from 5.85 percent to 5.79 percent with fees and points rising from 0.5 to 0.6.
Adjustable rate mortgages, however, continued to close the gap with fixed rate products; only slightly more than a point now separates the 30-year from the 1-year ARM. The 5/1-year ARM was up five basis points to 5.82 percent with fees and points taking a big jump from 0.5 to 0.7. The 1-year ARM increased seven basis points to 5.22 percent. Fees and points were at 0.7 for this mortgage type as well, up from 0.6 the previous week.
The Mortgage Bankers Association likewise reported that 30 year fixed-rate mortgages were down, even if ever so slightly, for the week. The rate was 6.21 percent compared to 6.22 percent the previous week with points (including the origination fee) creeping down a tiny 0.01 to 1.18. The 15-year fixed mortgage was unchanged at 5.75 percent with points at 1.20 compared with 1.22 for the previous week.
The biggest change in MBA's survey, which includes only 80 percent loan-to-value mortgages, was the one-year ARM which decreased five basis points to 5.36 percent with points increasing from 0.95 to 0.98. Notably, the 1-year ARM, even with the reported drop, is only 85 basis points below MBA's reported 30 year fixed. Is it safe to assume that borrowers taking on the risk of a 1-year ARM at this point are stretching to the limit to qualify for the loan?
As stated above, mortgage activity was down due to the holidays. On an unadjusted basis applications were down 17.0 percent from the previous week. On an adjusted basis (with an additional factor thrown in to compensate for the holiday) the volume was down 6.8 percent from a week earlier. Applications were up 3.1 percent compared with the same week one year earlier.
Refinancing as a share of overall mortgage activity decreased to 40.2 percent from 41.7 percent the previous week and the adjustable-rate mortgage share also decreased to 32.5 percent of total applications from 32.6 percent the previous week.
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