What is on the AMBA Calendar

Nine membership meetings a year, September through May, in Anchorage and on video. Plus premier events, committee meetings that are open, and whatever else the board schedules.

Members attend virtually at no charge. In-person meetings and every other AMBA event are discounted for members. Guests are welcome and pay a non-member rate.

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Meeting Information

VA Loans: The Myths, the Tricks, and the Files That Actually Close

November 18, 2026
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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AHBA Conference Room
301 Arctic Slope Ave, Suite 102
Anchorage, AK 99518
Venue website
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Alaska has a higher share of veterans in its adult population than any other state, and most offices still hand every VA file to the one person who "does VA." Teresa Thomas of Global Credit Union Home Loans is one of those people. On November 18 she is sharing her experience with the industry.

VA is the loan product with the widest gap between what people believe about it and how it actually works. Sellers still think a VA offer is a weak offer. Loan officers still quote a maximum loan amount that stopped existing in 2020. Buyers still assume they get one use and then it is gone.

Teresa is walking through the myths one at a time and then getting to the part that matters more: the operational detail that decides whether a VA file closes on time or sits in your pipeline. Entitlement and restoration, including second-tier. The funding fee and who is exempt from it. Minimum property requirements, and the difference between an MPR and an inspection, which is where most Alaska deals get into trouble. Condo approval. Wells, septic, and heating systems. The IRRRL, and when it is worth the conversation.

The Alaska version of this is its own problem. JBER, Fort Wainwright, and Eielson move people on their own schedule, the VA-approved condo list in Anchorage is shorter than people expect, and an appraiser who has never seen a property off the road system will write something a VA underwriter has questions about.

Who should come:

Loan officers, processors, underwriters, and closers who touch VA occasionally and would rather close it confidently. Realtor partners are welcome as guests to learn the ins and outs of the VA mortgage process.

Luncheon Schedule:

Doors Open at 11:30 AM
Food Served at 11:45 AM
Meeting Starts at 12:00 PM
Meeting Ends at 1:00 PM

Reminder!!!

All member companies and employees have been added and have an account created. Login using your company email and, if this is your first time logging in, select the "Forgot Password" option to update your password. If there are any issues with logging in, please contact us at [email protected] or Benjamin Reynolds at [email protected].

This Month's Meeting Sponsor:

Learn more about Catering Sponsorship and Venue Sponsorship by clicking on the appropriate link. Contact us at [email protected] for more information or sign up using the associated registration.

Tickets

$25.00 Member Ticket

$45.00 Non-Member/Guest Ticket
$42.50 Earlybird rate before November 11

$250.00 AMBA Luncheon Catering Sponsor

$250.00 AMBA Luncheon Host Sponsor

$0.00 Virtual Ticket (Member)

Quiet stretch?

General membership meetings run September through May. June, July, and August are usually clear unless the President calls something, so an empty summer calendar is the calendar working correctly.

Recaps of past meetings, and anything that happens between them, land in the Monday briefing.

Want to hear someone speak?

The Board programs all nine meetings. If there is a topic you want covered or a person you want in front of the room, that is the committee to tell.

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