The national association that represents the real estate finance industry. The Mortgage Bankers Association, headquartered in Washington is frequently referred to as the MBA. The MBA works to help their members conduct business of single and multifamily mortgage finance by promoting fair and ethical lending practices, fostering professional excellence through educational programs and publications, providing news and information, and holding conferences.

|||A mortgage banker is an institution or individual who closes and funds mortgage loans in their own name. This is opposed to a mortgage broker who facilitates a mortgage transaction between a mortgage banker and a borrower for a fee. The MBA represents mortgage bankers. The National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) represents mortgage brokers.