Wisconsin Moves Forward to Address Foreclosures

On March 13, 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the University of Wisconsin Extension, and Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority will cosponsor a conference entitled, "Wisconsin Moves Forward to Address Foreclosures."

Participants can learn from experts who will share their leading ideas and best practices/models for addressing the issues and concerns surrounding Wisconsin's increasing number of foreclosures. This day long conference features: a regulatory update; a presentation on surging inequality and the rise in predatory lending; and three concurrent education training sessions that will delve extensively into loss mitigation, the foreclosure litigation process, and mortgage rescue fraud scams and schemes. Mr. Thomas James, Senior Assistant Attorney General of the State of Illinois, has been invited to provide the keynote address. The afternoon provides an opportunity to use your own expertise to engage the problem of foreclosures, as three task forces are helping to build an effective community response. Here, participants will have the opportunity to engage in this action-oriented process that will be facilitated through task forces made up of attendees. New participants are welcome to attend throughout the day and encouraged to join a task force, if you are interested. The three task forces are:

Options and Outreach Task Force – working together to provide appropriate, timely, quality information to Wisconsin consumers about their options when facing delinquency and the potential foreclosure of their home.

Stabilization & Maintenance Task Force – solutions for creating and implementing a solid, post-purchase program for Wisconsin homeowners that will help stabilize the homeowner's financial position and assist with the long-term maintenance of their home.

Financial Options & Strategies Task Force – exploring what additional short and long term financial options and strategies may be needed in Wisconsin to complement existing solutions to prevent foreclosure.

Conference participants will be comprised of: community development professionals, financial industry practitioners, bankers, attorneys, economists, housing experts, secondary market specialists, policymakers, researchers, academics, and representatives of government agencies and foundations. Licensed attorneys please note that we are applying for Continuing Legal Education credits for major portions of the conference agenda and you will be notified about the availability of CLE credit, if applicable.

Dress Code
Dress code is business attire.

Location
Country Springs Hotel
2810 Golf Road
P.O. Box 2269
Waukesha, Wisconsin 53817-2269
Phone: (262) 547-0201 or toll free: (800) 247-6640 Home Page: http://www.countryspringshotel.com/index.aspx offsite link

Attendees must make their own hotel reservations, the price of which is not included in the conference fee. There have been a number of rooms blocked for this event at a discount rate, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Please make your reservations promptly. To obtain these rates, hotel reservations must be made no later than Monday, March 3. Mention the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Foreclosure Conference.

Registration Fee
The registration fee for this event is $45.00 ($35.00 for nonprofit organizations), and includes continental breakfast, lunch and conference materials. Conference registration and payment deadline is Monday, March 10. Refunds are not available for this event.

Payment
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards are accepted.

Checks should be made out to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and mailed to:

Barbara Sims
Consumer & Community Affairs
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Wisconsin Foreclosure Conference
PO Box 834
Chicago, IL 60690-9975