Ed Smith, Jr. is the founder and broker of Ed Smith, Jr. & Associates. He has 26 years experience in the industry as a loan officer and wholesale account executive for a major lender. Ed founded Plaza Financial Group in June 1993. His full service brokerage firm has earned the reputation in the San Diego County marketplace as the “go to” brokerage firm for honest, straightforward mortgage education, consulting and sustainable mortgage solutions.

Ed has held multiple positions within the California Association of Mortgage Brokers (CAMB) and is past president of the San Diego chapter. For the last 3 years he served as Chairman of Government Affairs and Industry Relations. He is a CAMB instructor, National Freddie Mac Credit Smart instructor and certified expert witness in California. Ed frequently serves as the local, state and national media spokesperson for the mortgage brokerage trade association and often testifies and advocates on behalf of the industry before Congress the California State Legislature, Community Groups and Trade Associations.

Ed, better known as Smitty, brings an unparalleled enthusiasm and passion to the mortgage industry and is committed to balancing the need for consumer education and protection, while relentlessly advocating for the right of the mortgage professional to remain the number one provider of financing the American Dream of home ownership.

Smitty has had the privilege to be named the associations coveted honor of, “CAMB Broker of the Year”, and has been presented both a Joint California State Senate Resolution and a California Assembly Resolution for his tireless dedication to the industry and consumer protection advocacy efforts in California.

Ed Smith, Jr. has been given the enormous honor of being elected to lead the California Association of Mortgage Brokers as President for the 2009-2010 term.

Dale has been originating and closing both residential and commercial loans since 1986 with Principal Mortgage Corp, which changed its name to Custom Lending Group, Inc. in 1999. Custom Lending is a small loan brokering company operating out of Napa, CA. He became the president of the corporation in 1991 and sole owner in 1992. He continues to originate mortgage loans and has built a strong following of devoted, loyal clients and is happy to call many of them good friends.

Dale has been a member of NAMB/CAMB since 1991. He has been the president of North Bay Chapter an unprecedented 6 different times over the years, receiving chapter of the year honors twice. He has also served on the CAMB state board, numerous committees, a broker of the year nominee several times and was elected to the executive board in 2007, serving as Vice President of Finance for 07/08. He is currently Vice President of CAMB in charge of membership. His goals are and continue to be increasing the level of integrity, expertise and professionalism within our industry.

He is also active in his community, Napa CA and is a devoted, long time Kiwanian.

Biography not available at this time.

Ed Craine is the chief executive officer of award-winning Smith-Craine Real Estate Financing, a San Francisco mortgage company. During his 25 years in business, Ed has helped several thousand people finance their homes and investment properties. Ed is frequently quoted in the media and has written books and articles on real estate lending and investing as well as on business networking. He is also a speaker and instructor on these topics and has appeared before industry groups including BNI, Lorman Seminars, The Learning Annex, The Learning Exchange, Crittenden Conferences, and various events for the California Association of Mortgage Brokers (CAMB). Ed is an active member of the CAMB where he currently serves as vice president of public relations and membership for the state Board of Directors. He has also served as president of his local CAMB chapter.

Fred Arnold is an industry leader and seasoned veteran in the areas of mortgage lending and public speaking. Fred is the President of American Family Funding and has been a Mortgage Broker since 1994. After graduating from Cal State Northridge in 1991, Fred began his career at First Nationwide Bank. In 1994, Fred ventured into the brokerage side of origination and was inspired to start his own brokerage firm, California First Financial Mortgage which is now American Family Funding.

As a result of his dedication and commitment to his clients, Fred’s business is 100% referral based. Fred began being requested to speak on Creating Clients for Life and the subjects of Marketing, Branding, Leadership and Sales Cultures. His belief is that if you help enough people get what they want out of life, then you will always achieve your goals and dreams in your life. 

Fred has also been asked to speak on the economy and the state of the housing market and has been a guest on local television. He hosts a local radio show, “The Santa Clarita Business Hour” each Monday on AM 1220 KHTS. Fred was recognized as one of the Top 40 Business People under 40 in Southern California by, The San Fernando Business Journal.

Fred served on the Board of Directors for Matadors Community Credit Union as both a volunteer and Director for just over nine years. Fred is the President-Elect for the California Association of Mortgage Brokers and is heavily involved with the National MS Society. He resides in Southern California with his wife Kristin and their four children, Alex, Katie, Jack and Amy.