MBA Cuts 20 Staffers

The Mortgage Bankers Association on Monday laid off about 16% of its workforce — about 20 full-timers — including four of its vice presidents.A spokeswoman for the trade group said the layoffs "were across the board" affecting all of its departments, including communications, government, marketing and research. Since last year MBA has lost about 30% of its staff. After the cutbacks the organization will employ about 110. Recently, mortgage technology vendors said MBA would eliminate its annual technology trade show to save money, but the spokeswoman shot down such talk in part. Sources say it is unlikely the MBA will hold a standalone technology show and may fold it into other shows or hold smaller regional conferences. MBA's membership ranks have been hurt by the worst housing downturn since the Great Depression, resulting in hundreds of non-banks and depositories closing their doors over the past 18 months.