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.

Ed Smith, Jr. is a certified mortgage planner and broker of record for Ed Smith Jr & Associates. After 10 years in the industry as a loan officer and wholesale account executive for a major subprime lender, Ed founded Plaza Financial Group in June 1993. Plaza Financial Group, now Ed Smith Jr & Associates, 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. Most recently, Ed served on the 2007-2008 Executive Board of Directors as the Vice President of Government Affairs and Industry Relations.

In July 2008, Ed was elected as the 2008-2020 President-Elect and continues to serve in his role as CAMB Government Affairs Committee Chair.

He is a CAMB instructor and a certified Freddie Mac Credit Smart instructor. Ed frequently serves as the local, state and national media spokesperson for the mortgage brokerage trade association and often testifies on behalf of the industry before Congress and the California State Legislature.

Ed’s most humbling and cherished moment during his service in CAMB came in 2007 when he was elected by his peers to the prestigious position of Broker of the Year for the California Association of Mortgage Brokers (CAMB). Ed has again been nominated for the Broker of the Year distinction for 2008.

In addition to his service in CAMB, Ed also serves as a member of the Government Affairs Committee for the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB).

Mr. Smith, better known as Smitty, brings an unparalleled enthusiasm and passion to the mortgage industry. He is strongly committed to balancing the need for consumer education and protection, while relentlessly advocating for the right of the mortgage broker to remain the number one provider of the American dream of home ownership.

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.

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.