Category Archives: Finance

Mary Shah Named Principal at Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc.

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) today announced the appointment of retirement plan consultant Mary Shah as its newest principal. Shah's promotion recognizes a track record of outstanding client service delivery and business development contributions since joining SBA.

"Mary has displayed both a mastery of servicing various types of clients with complex benefits needs and tremendous leadership skills within our organization - characteristics we seek in a principal at Strategic Benefits Advisors," said SBA Co-Founder and Principal Mindy Zatto. "We welcome her to the senior management team and know she will continue to play a key role in guiding our consultants' and clients' success."

Shah joined SBA as a benefits adviser in 2016, bringing with her more than 25 years of consulting experience at top-tier actuarial and employee benefits consulting firms. Shah's areas of expertise include actuarial valuations, financial forecasting, risk assessment and mitigation, benefits implementation support and mergers and acquisitions due diligence. She has earned the designations of Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and Enrolled Actuary.

"Strategic Benefits Advisors prides itself on staffing only experienced, service-oriented benefits professionals, which makes it a special honor to be recognized in this fashion," said Shah. "I look forward to helping shape the future of our growing firm while continuing to serve clients with creative and effective benefits consulting."

About Strategic Benefits Advisors:

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 500 to over 250,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of over 20 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry. For more information, visit http://www.sba-inc.com/.

Twitter: @StrategicBenefitsAdvisors #EmployeeBenefits

Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) today announced the appointment of retirement plan consultant Mary Shah as its newest principal. Shah's promotion recognizes a track record of outstanding client service delivery and business development contributions since joining SBA.

Related link: http://www.sba-inc.com/

After, Inc. to showcase its latest predictive analytics solutions at the Field Service Medical Conference on Feb. 25-27, 2019

NORWALK, Conn. /ScoopCloud/ -- After, Inc., the global leader Warranty Analytics Solutions since 2005, will be a major participant in the Field Service Medical Conference on February 25-27, 2019. The company announced today that it plans to introduce a powerful suite of optimization solutions at the conference, designed specifically for Medical Device & Medical Equipment manufacturers, to help reduce the costs and customer satisfaction impacts of unplanned service repairs.

"Given their size and scope, Field Services organizations are continually challenged to optimize their service network performance. Our new suite of solutions can help," says Nate Baldwin, CEO of After, Inc.

"After, Inc. specializes in warranty analytics - gathering, integrating and analyzing large structured and unstructured warranty data sets, and developing models to forecast parts failures and equipment breakdowns before they happen. Our solutions have saved our manufacturing clients millions in parts and labor costs, while dramatically improving customer satisfaction and loyalty. Our latest suite of optimization solutions for Field Service Medical organizations will be a game changer."

After, Inc. is one of the key sponsors of the Field Services Medical Conference, with senior leaders of business development and data analytics attending to showcase their new suite of services.

If you plan on attending the conference, please visit After, Inc. in Booth 15.

About After, Inc.:

After, Inc. (afterinc.com) is a global leader in the warranty services industry. Its predictive analytics, data-driven marketing strategies, reporting and program administration are second to none. After, Inc. partners with some of the world's top brands to help transform their warranty businesses, driving customer satisfaction post-purchase, higher product reliability, deeper brand equity and additional revenue / profit opportunities.

Headquartered in Norwalk, Conn. with offices in New York City, After, Inc. is part of the EPIC Holdings family of companies, which also includes EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants and PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services.

Learn more about After, Inc. at: http://afterinc.com/

Learn more about the event at: https://fieldservicemd.wbresearch.com/

After, Inc., the global leader Warranty Analytics Solutions since 2005, will be a major participant in the Field Service Medical Conference on February 25-27, 2019. The company announced today that it plans to introduce a powerful suite of optimization solutions at the conference, designed specifically for Medical Device & Medical Equipment manufacturers.

Related link: http://afterinc.com/

Bank of Southern California Announces Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018 Financial Results

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- SAN DIEGO, Calif., Feb. 11, 2019 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL) announced quarterly net income of $2.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $875 thousand in the third quarter of 2018 and $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, net income was $5.3 million compared to $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Results are net of non-recurring expenses of $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 and $2.1 million for year ended December 31, 2018; these non-recurring expenses are related to the acquisition of Americas United Bank (AUB) in July 2018, and costs associated with consolidating a branch office in December 2018.

Nathan Rogge, President and CEO, commented: "2018 was a record year for Bank of Southern California. In addition to reporting record growth and earnings, we successfully expanded our footprint into the Los Angeles market, continued to grow our client-base, added experienced banking professionals to our team, and completed an over-subscribed capital offering. We also received several distinctions and honors for our strong leadership, commitment to the business community, and dedication to our employees."

Total assets at December 31, 2018, were $768 million, up 60% from $479 million at December 31, 2017. Total loans increased to $635 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $607 million at September 30, 2018 and $399 million at December 31, 2017, an increase of $235 million year over year. Total deposits were $628 million at December 31, 2018, down from $632 million at September 30, 2018, but up $220 million or 54% from $407 million at December 30, 2017. The increase in total assets, loans and deposits is largely attributable to the acquisition of AUB, which added approximately $190 million in loans and $203 million in deposits on July 31, 2018.

Commenting on his prospects for 2019, Nathan Rogge said, "As we start the new year, we are keenly focused on continuing to position Bank of Southern California as a new banking option in the Los Angeles and Orange County markets, achieving our growth and revenue targets, and continue to develop best-in-class employees. We have already made progress on executing several key initiatives related to growing our presence in Southern California, implementing strategies to support our customer experience, and enhancing our employee training and engagement programs.

"The bank continues to be well-capitalized and is well-positioned for further growth and expansion as we move forward to becoming Southern California's Premier Community Business Bank," concluded Rogge.

Additional Financial Highlights
* Net interest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, increased 19% to $8.0 million, from $6.7 million in the prior quarter, resulting from a 10% increase in average earning assets, an improved asset mix reflected in the increase in the average loan to deposit ratio during the quarter from 95% to 100%, and an increase in fair value accretion compared to the prior quarter of $297 thousand. Net interest margin of 4.59% includes 22 basis points of fair valuation accretion, an increase from 6 basis points in the prior quarter. This increase in fair value accretion was partially due to full implementation of "Day 2" fair value accounting and partially due to faster than expected loan payoffs in the purchased portfolio. Fair value accretion on a normalized basis is expected 12 to 15 basis points of net interest margin.
* In addition to approximately $149 thousand in merger related expenses incurred during the fourth quarter of 2018, the Bank consolidated its branch office in Palm Desert and accrued $348 thousand in remaining lease costs during the fourth quarter of 2018.
* Nonperforming assets were 0.45% of total assets at December 31, 2018, compared to 0.51% in the prior quarter. The allowance for loan losses (ALLL) was 0.69% of total loans at December 31, 2018, up from 0.65% in the prior quarter; however, when including $2.6 million in loan fair value credit marks (LFVCM), the ALLL and LFVCM represent 1.10% of total loans, up from 0.97% at December 31, 2017.
* The Bank continues to be "well-capitalized". After raising $26 million in capital earlier in 2018 and completing the merger July 31, 2018, the Bank reported total risk-based capital of 14.4% as of December 31, 2018, up from 13.5% at December 31, 2017.

[Quarterly Financial Highlights Table Follows]

For more details about our quarterly results, please visit the "About Us" / "Financials" page of our website and follow the link labeled:

Quarterly Results and Trends

About Bank of Southern California
A growing community bank established in 2001, Bank of Southern California, N.A., with headquarters in San Diego, CA, is locally owned and managed, and offers a range of financial products and services to individuals, professionals, and small-to-mid sized businesses. The Bank's solution-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients. The Bank currently operates ten branches in San Diego County, Los Angeles County, and the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, and production offices in Orange County and West Los Angeles. For more information, please visit https://www.banksocal.com/ or call (858) 847-4780.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain comments or information that constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and Bank of Southern California intends for such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of that Act.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may." Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management's views as of any subsequent date. Future events are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this news release. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the ability of the Bank to successfully execute its business plan; changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; changes in demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and non-traditional competitors; changes in banking legislation or regulation; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies and assessments; the impact of technological advances; the outcomes of contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; and changes in the national and local economy.

Bank of Southern California undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact: Tony DiVita
Bank of Southern California
(858) 847-4783
tdivita@banksocal.com

###

Bank of Southern California Quarterly Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
		Quarterly					Annual
($$ in thousands except per share data)		2018	2018	2018	2018	2017
		4th Qtr	3rd Qtr	2nd Qtr	1st Qtr	4th Qtr	2018	2017
EARNINGS
Net interest income	$	8,031	6,736	5,282	4,851	4,711	24,900	17,752
Provision for loan losses	$	450	450	400	300	0	1,600	271
NonInterest income	$	526	577	602	1,098	799	2,803	2,209
NonInterest expense	$	5,279	5,587	3,652	4,053	3,245	18,571	12,722
Income tax expense	$	823	401	526	524	1,132	2,274	3,004
Net income	$	2,005	875	1,306	1,072	1,134	5,258	3,965

Basic earnings per share	$	0.24	0.11	0.19	0.20	0.22	0.74	0.76
Average shares outstanding		8,402,251	7,689,827	6,991,327	5,281,297	5,221,606	7,091,176	5,189,799
Ending shares outstanding		8,408,022	8,398,092	6,998,750	6,953,720	5,223,627	8,408,022	5,223,627

PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets		1.07%	0.52%	1.00%	0.90%	0.95%	0.87%	0.89%
Return on average common equity		7.91%	3.77%	6.85%	8.53%	9.08%	6.57%	8.36%
Yield on loans		5.63%	5.30%	5.38%	5.13%	4.94%	5.39%	5.04%
Yield on earning assets		5.40%	4.87%	4.78%	4.78%	4.62%	5.01%	4.59%
Cost of deposits		0.84%	0.72%	0.62%	0.53%	0.47%	0.70%	0.39%
Net interest margin		4.59%	4.23%	4.22%	4.27%	4.17%	4.36%	4.22%
Efficiency ratio		61.70%	76.40%	62.06%	68.13%	58.87%	67.04%	63.73%

CAPITAL
Tangible equity to tangible assets		11.01%	11.14%	14.54%	14.14%	10.10%	11.01%	10.10%
Book value (BV) per common share	$	12.06	11.77	11.00	10.79	9.51	12.06	9.51
Tangible BV per common share	$	9.81	9.49	10.81	10.59	9.25	9.81	9.25

ASSET QUALITY
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries)	$	(0)	(29)	341	(9)	210	303	115
Allowance for loan losses (ALLL)	$	4,373	3,922	3,443	3,385	3,076	4,373	3,076
ALLL to total loans		0.69%	0.65%	0.83%	0.83%	0.77%	0.69%	0.77%
Loan fair value credit marks (LFVCM)	$	2,594	2,834	681	759	779	2,594	779
ALLL and LFVCM to total loans		1.10%	1.11%	0.99%	1.01%	0.97%	1.10%	0.97%
Nonperforming loans	$	3,461	3,733	2,747	1,272	1,362	3,461	1,362
Other real estate owned	$	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Nonperforming assets to total assets		0.45%	0.51%	0.53%	0.24%	0.28%	0.45%	0.28%

END OF PERIOD BALANCES
Total loans	$	634,651	606,753	414,925	409,196	399,402	634,651	399,402
Total assets	$	767,948	734,923	521,437	522,118	479,512	767,948	479,512
Deposits	$	627,816	632,803	442,046	444,300	407,485	627,816	407,485
Loans to deposits		101.09%	95.88%	93.86%	92.10%	98.02%	101.09%	98.02%
Shareholders' equity	$	101,360	98,865	77,006	75,016	49,698	101,360	49,698
Full-time equivalent employees		94	94	65	73	76	94	76

AVERAGE BALANCES (QTRLY) \| \| (YTD)
Total loans	$	627,544	540,165	407,779	403,693	394,864	495,252	360,628
Earning assets	$	694,190	632,508	501,776	460,636	447,834	571,450	420,548
Total assets (net of AFS valuation)	$	741,463	670,942	525,934	484,628	471,271	604,727	444,262
Deposits	$	626,433	569,424	446,815	425,641	419,101	517,546	395,071
Shareholders' equity	$	100,500	92,091	76,440	50,983	49,548	80,078	47,421

###

Tickers: OTC Pink:BCAL / OTC:BCAL / OTCMKTS: BCAL / OP: BCAL

Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL) announced quarterly net income of $2.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $875 thousand in the third quarter of 2018 and $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, net income was $5.3 million compared to $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Related link: https://www.banksocal.com/

American Financial Network Deploys CompenSafe to Provide Real-Time Reporting of Loan Originator Compensation

MACON, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- LBA Ware(TM), provider of the leading automated incentive compensation and sales performance management platform for mortgage lenders, announced today that American Financial Network, Inc. (AFN), a mortgage lender with more than 125 branches nationwide, has adopted CompenSafe(TM) to manage loan originator (LO) compensation plans with greater efficiency and transparency.

Before implementing CompenSafe, AFN's staff accountant manually calculated and tracked commissions using a spreadsheet. LOs did not see their commissions until they received their semi-monthly payroll checks. Now, CompenSafe provides LOs and their managers with real-time commission information as soon as loans are funded.

Moreover, by automating the compensation process, CompenSafe has reduced AFN accountants' administrative workload, enabling AFN to move from semi-monthly to weekly payment of LO commissions without any increase in payroll staff.

"CompenSafe gives LOs a real-time view into their compensation and enables us to pay out commissions on a weekly basis, inspiring confidence in the financial wellbeing of our company," said AFN President John Sherman. "What's more, by automating work that used to be done manually, CompenSafe saves our accounting staff time and decreases the frequency of compensation disputes and corrections."

"In a tough market, savvy lenders are looking for innovative ways to promote growth and maximize their production," said LBA Ware Founder and CEO Lori Brewer. "CompenSafe's unique value lies in its ability to eliminate back-office inefficiency while at the same time providing originators greater insight into their performance and earnings."

About American Financial Network, Inc.:

Established in 2001 by Jack and John Sherman, American Financial Network, Inc. (AFN) is a licensed mortgage lender (NMLS #237341) that is proud to have assisted hundreds of thousands of customers in financing their American dream of homeownership over the last 17 years. AFN is based in Brea, California, is licensed in 48 states plus D.C., and remains on an impressive growth trajectory. AFN is an approved Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac seller/servicer, and an approved issuer for Ginnie Mae. A direct lender with in-house underwriting, AFN offers a full line of mortgage products including: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, 203(k) rehab loans and more.

About LBA Ware:

Founded in 2008, LBA Ware's mission is to inspire opportunity by delivering solutions that are essential to the way mortgage companies operate. We are a trusted partner and play a key role in our clients' success by enabling them to motivate, incentivize and better leverage the human potential within their organizations. Our applications automate traditionally manual business processes for which an existing software solution does not exist, empowering lenders to create an integrated software environment that maximizes their productivity and operational efficiency. For more information about LBA Ware and our software solutions, visit https://lbaware.com.

Twitter: @LBAWare @AFNcorp #mortgagebanking #digitalmortgage #CompenSafe

LBA Ware(TM), provider of the leading automated incentive compensation and sales performance management platform for mortgage lenders, announced today that American Financial Network, Inc. (AFN), a mortgage lender with more than 125 branches nationwide, has adopted CompenSafe(TM) to manage loan originator (LO) compensation plans with greater efficiency and transparency.

Related link: https://lbaware.com/

IDS Caps Off a Successful 2018 with New Mortgage Doc Prep System Functionality, LOS Integrations, and Individual Honors

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah /ScoopCloud/ -- Mortgage document preparation vendor International Document Services, Inc. (IDS), announced it completed 139 updates to its flagship mortgage document preparation platform idsDoc in 2018. These updates were made in response to regulatory, client and investor directives. They also included the addition of new digital mortgage functionality and loan origination system (LOS) integrations.

As a result of these efforts, several IDS employees were honored by national industry trade publications for their contributions to both IDS and the mortgage industry.

"2018 marked a significant year of growth and development for IDS and the idsDoc platform, and as we move into 2019, IDS is on track to continue that trend, with several major system updates in the works," said IDS Vice President and General Manager Mark Mackey. "With nearly 60 percent of our employees working in New Product Development, Software Development and Customer Service, our top priority is to provide our clients with the tools they need to succeed in today's market, and having the industry recognize our talented group of employees for those efforts was truly an honor."

IDS kicked off its major system updates in 2018 by announcing the addition of hybrid eClosing capabilities in idsDoc. The new functionality was designed in response to "real-world" investor acceptance of digitally executed mortgage transactions and allows borrowers to electronically sign and execute the majority of closing documents.

Next, IDS announced the addition of an integrated XML file creation and submission system specifically for the Uniform Closing Dataset (UCD) to help clients avoid critical and fatal errors in the GSEs' delivery systems. IDS also made significant changes to idsDoc in advance of the October 2018 implementation deadline for TRID 2.0. Changes to the system included Loan Estimate (LE) Estimated Cost Expiration date inputs, the availability of Alternative LE/Closing Disclosure (CD) forms for simultaneous subordinate financing, disclosure of seller paid fees and principal reductions, data entry for the Summary of Transactions and Liabilities and Payoffs, and updates to the rounding and truncation of percentages. There were also TRID 2.0-related updates made to the LE/CD and Totals pages and the 1003 and Construction Lending sections in idsDoc.

In addition, IDS rolled out a brand new interface with MortgageFlex Systems in October 2018 that operates on the MISMO Version 3.3 data standard, ensuring joint IDS-MortgageFlex customers are able to fully comply with a host of regulatory requirements that operate off the MISMO Version 3.3 standard, including the UCD and TRID 2.0.

These efforts earned several IDS employees industry recognition in 2018. IDS In-House Counsel and Compliance Officer Vince Wilson was named to HousingWire Magazine's 2018 HW Rising Stars list, and Implementation Expert Tobias Griffith was also recognized by the publication as a 2018 Insiders Award honoree. Additionally, Beckie Santos, IDS's New Product Development Manager, was named to Mortgage Professional America's 2018 Elite Women in Mortgage list as well as HousingWire's 2018 Women of Influence list.

Continuing to strive for internal excellence, IDS announced in November the promotion of two employees to provide additional support in mission-critical areas of the organization. Former Manager of Implementation Clint Salisbury moved to the Sales and Marketing team, and Travis Carroll, who previously worked on the Integrations team, moved into Salisbury's role as head of the Implementation department.

"By building on the achievements and strategic personnel decisions we made in 2018, 2019 promises to bring even more exciting changes for IDS and its customers, and we look forward to continuing to help our clients meet the challenges of today while planning for the demands of tomorrow," Mackey said.

About IDS, Inc.:
IDS, a Reynolds and Reynolds company, was founded in 1986 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is a nationwide provider of mortgage documents and compliance. IDS services include eSignatures, closing documents, initial disclosures, document fulfillment and integration with leading loan origination systems and eClosing platforms. The IDS flagship doc prep solution, idsDoc, is recognized in the industry for its ability to be customized to meet specific lender needs, particularly in regards to major industry compliance changes. Learn more at: https://info.idsdoc.com/.

Mortgage document preparation vendor International Document Services, Inc. (IDS), announced it completed 139 updates to its flagship mortgage document preparation platform idsDoc in 2018. These updates were made in response to regulatory, client and investor directives. They also included the addition of new digital mortgage functionality and loan origination system (LOS) integrations.

Related link: https://info.idsdoc.com/

American Society of Appraisers (ASA) partners with Anow to give real property appraisers a competitive edge

RED DEER, Alberta /ScoopCloud/ -- Anow, creator of the leading software for real estate appraisal offices, today announced a partnership with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) that gives members a significant discount off Anow's core appraisal office management platform and early access to the tech firm's cutting-edge products currently in development.

"ASA and Anow are working together to help real property appraisers modernize time-consuming tasks," said ASA International President Robert Morrison. "Anow makes it simple for independent appraisers to get better organized, measurably more productive and more in tune with their businesses - and through our affiliation, appraisers can have a say in the future of industry technology as well."

"Anow's appraisal office management platform automates scheduling, updates, invoicing and payroll so appraisers can dedicate their time to what they do best: real property appraisals," said Marty Haldane, founder and CEO of Anow. "We exist to make life easier for appraisers, and we're thrilled to partner with the ASA to bring members into our beta program so they can be among the first to benefit from our next exciting innovations in appraisal technology."

As part of the ASA's affinity program, members now have access to the following Anow benefits:
* 20 percent off a 12-month Anow subscription
* An invitation to participate in Anow's closed beta programs
* Priority consideration of member suggestions by Anow's development team.

Anow and the ASA are co-hosting a virtual lunch and learn on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 12 p.m. ET that will include a demo Anow and review of affinity program benefits. To register, visit http://resources.anow.com/webinar-asa-february26/.

ABOUT ANOW:

Anow is an appraisal management software developer that simplifies the way real estate appraisers manage their businesses. Launched in 2011 by multi-generational appraisal professional Marty Haldane, Anow streamlines a wide range of everyday appraisal processes while offering unmatched business insights to help appraisers compete in today's digital environment.

Powerful order tracking, job assignment, collaboration, and scheduling tools allow appraisers and administrative staff to save time, assign appraisals more easily and deliver exceptional service to clients and mortgage lenders from any web-enabled device. Advanced reporting enables business owners to manage fee competition and turn times with ease. Anow is headquartered in Red Deer, Alberta. For more information, visit https://anow.com/.

ABOUT AMERICAN SOCIETY OF APPRAISERS (ASA)

ASA is an international organization of appraisal professionals and others dedicated to the education, development and growth of the appraisal profession. ASA is the oldest and only major organization representing all disciplines of appraisal specialists, originating in 1936 and incorporating in 1952. ASA's headquarters is in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area. Visit the ASA Web site at http://www.appraisers.org/.

Twitter: @AppraisersNow @ASAappraisers #appraisaltech

Anow, creator of the leading software for real estate appraisal offices, today announced a partnership with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) that gives members a significant discount off Anow's core appraisal office management platform and early access to the tech firm's cutting-edge products currently in development.

Related link: https://anow.com/

Bank of Southern California N.A. Names Scott Yates Regional Managing Director

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, has expanded its business development team with the appointment of Scott Yates as Group Managing Director of Branch Sales and Deposit Origination. He will be responsible for leading the branch banking group in their efforts to grow the bank's core deposits, deepening existing client relationships and originating new client relationships.

Mr. Yates brings more than 14 years of industry experience specializing in commercial banking, treasury management, and sales management. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, Regional Banking Manager for Silvergate Bank. Active in the community, he serves as an Advisory Board Member for the San Diego Financial Literacy Center. Mr. Yates holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona.

"Scott is a strong addition to the Branch Banking team and brings extensive sales management and commercial banking expertise along with a strong reputation and history of performance," said Gaylin Anderson, Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer.

"His experience and strategic vision will be instrumental in further developing the team and growing our market presence in Southern California," concluded Anderson.

About Bank of Southern California

A growing community bank, established in 2001, Bank of Southern California, N.A., with headquarters in San Diego, Calif., is locally owned and managed, and offers a range of financial products to individuals, professionals and small-to-medium sized businesses. The Bank's solution-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients.

The Bank currently operates ten branches in San Diego County, Los Angeles County, and the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, as well as a production offices in Orange County and West Los Angeles.

For more information, please visit https://www.banksocal.com or call (858) 847-4780.

Tickers: OTC Pink:BCAL / OTC:BCAL / OTCMKTS: BCAL / OP: BCAL

Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, has expanded its business development team with the appointment of Scott Yates as Group Managing Director of Branch Sales and Deposit Origination. He will be responsible for leading the branch banking group in their efforts to grow the bank's core deposits, deepening existing client relationships and originating new client relationships.

Related link: https://www.banksocal.com/

ARMCO Named a ‘Top 100 Mortgage Employer’ by National Mortgage Professional Magazine for Third Consecutive Year

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Risk Management (ARMCO), the leading provider of enterprise financial risk management solutions, announced that it was named among National Mortgage Professional (NMP) magazine's annual Top 100 Mortgage Employers list for 2019. This is the third consecutive year the company has been recognized with this distinction.

"ARMCO is about people, not just products," said Phil McCall, President of ARMCO. "Our people are knowledgeable and experienced, but above all else, they're passionate about helping others. We attract high quality employees because we are dedicated to treating our people well."

NMP selects companies for this award based on reader polls rating their employers in the following areas: compensation, speed, marketing support, technology, corporate culture, long-term strategy, day-to-day management, internal communications, training resources, industry participation and innovation. NMP weighs each factor differently, based on what is deemed to be more important to their readers. NMP also factors in industry reputation to create a list of the Top Mortgage Employers.

NMP is one of the mortgage industry's leading go-to sources for extensive news coverage for mortgages, origination, compliance, secondary marketing, servicing, settlement, technology, trending, and more.

About ARMCO:

Over half of the top 20 mortgage lenders in the U.S. choose ARMCO as their provider of risk management software. ARMCO's product line includes loan quality enterprise software, services, data and analytics. Its flagship product, ACES Audit Technology(tm), has set the bar for user definability in its category. It is used at virtually every point in the mortgage lifecycle, as well as for a wide range of risk-prone business operations outside traditional mortgage origination and servicing. ARMCO's consultative approach to customer relationships leverages 25 years of mortgage risk intel, assuring that its clients are using the most effective risk mitigation strategies, and are using the fastest, most reliable, most efficient means for preventing risk-related loss. ARMCO distributes the ARMCO Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report, a free quarterly analysis of industry-wide mortgage loan quality.

For more information, visit http://www.armco.us/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Risk Management (ARMCO), the leading provider of enterprise financial risk management solutions, announced that it was named among National Mortgage Professional (NMP) magazine's annual Top 100 Mortgage Employers list for 2019. This is the third consecutive year the company has been recognized with this distinction.

Related link: http://www.armco.us/

EPIC Adds Scott Davis as President of National Specialty Practice Group in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, today announced the addition of insurance industry veteran Scott Davis as President of EPIC's National Specialty Practice Group. Davis joins EPIC effective February 5, 2019 and will be based in the firm's Nashville office.

Davis brings to EPIC more than 30 years of large account risk management, strategic operations, business development, and executive leadership experience. Prior to joining EPIC, Davis served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Beecher Carlson, one of the fastest growing brokerages in the large account space.

Over the past 15 years Davis has specialized in the creation and delivery of innovative solutions developed to reduce a large account buyer's total cost of risk (TCOR) with tremendous success. Specifically, Davis has focused on four industry segments; Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail and Manufacturing.

Davis will have responsibility for further developing EPIC's large accounts strategy and for further growing the resources and capabilities of EPIC's Specialty Practices.

Said John Hahn, CEO of EPIC Holdings, "Scott is a real pro who has driven growth, created success, and delivered strong value in every position he has held across his long career. He is exactly the kind of free thinking strategist and strong leader we value. EPIC is not about building a 'copycat' business model and Scott will help to further drive creativity, innovation and excellence for the benefit of our large account clients and the EPIC team members who serve them."

Davis attended Indiana State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Safety Management and Environmental Safety.

Scott Davis can be reached by email at scott.davis@epicbrokers.com or by phone at (615) 948-2920.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.
EPIC now has more than 1,800 team members operating from 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $575 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed and sponsored by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, today announced the addition of insurance industry veteran Scott Davis as President of EPIC's National Specialty Practice Group. Davis joins EPIC effective February 5, 2019 and will be based in the firm's Nashville office.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

EPIC Holdings Inc. Closes Acquisition of Integro USA

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Holdings, Inc. today announced the closing of EPIC's acquisition of Integro Holdings Inc. (substantially all of the U.S. operations of Integro Group Holdings). Please see our press release issued on December 17, 2018 that follows for more details and comments on the transaction.

EPIC HOLDINGS TO ACQUIRE INTEGRO USA

SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2018 -- EPIC Holdings, Inc. today announced an agreement to acquire Integro Holdings Inc., which houses substantially all of the U.S. operations of Integro Group Holdings, LP.

Founded in 2005, Integro has built a highly successful specialty insurance brokerage and consulting business in the U.S. with revenue in excess of $150 million. Financial terms of the proposed transaction have not been disclosed.

Integro USA brings to EPIC expertise that is well aligned with EPIC's diverse insurance distribution platform.

Areas of emphasis include:

Entertainment & Sports: focus in music & events; theatre & venues; film, TV & media; sports associations & amateur sports; and racing & motor sport.

Specialty: leading provider of insurance brokerage services to Professional Services Firms (accountants, lawyers, hedge funds, asset managers, architects & engineers) and Transportation & Logistics businesses.

Risk Management/Complex Accounts: deep technical services for the Fortune 500 and complex risk accounts.

Middle Market Accounts: property/casualty, employee benefits, and private client services for small to medium sized companies and individuals

Employee Benefits Consulting: expertise for mid to large employer groups as well as unique services for the private equity sector.

Integro USA is led by Marc Kunney, President of North America Operations. The acquisition will add over 400 team members working across 22 US locations.

Kunney commented on the transaction, "Joining forces with EPIC allows us to continue offering our clients the highest level of service and expertise, while providing depth and scale to further invest in our combined capabilities."

Pete Garvey, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants CEO and a founder and former CEO of Integro Ltd., noted, "I know firsthand what a high quality group Integro is. We can't be more delighted to have their U.S. team join forces with EPIC."

Steve Denton, President of EPIC Holdings Inc. added, "EPIC and Integro USA fit together perfectly with common themes including a passion for client service and delivering specialty capabilities supported by actionable analytics."

The transaction is expected to close in January 2019.

The financial advisor for EPIC was Rob Giammarco at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and their legal advisor was Chris Machera at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP. The financial advisor for Integro was Stuart Britton at Evercore and their legal advisor was Paul Kukish at Latham & Watkins, LLP.

About EPIC

EPIC Holdings, Inc. is the corporate parent overseeing investments across the entire EPIC platform. EPIC currently has nearly 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S. and annual revenues over $440 million.

EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

Backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit: https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

About Integro USA

Launched in 2005, Integro is among the nation's largest and most respected insurance brokerage and risk management firm. Clients credit Integro's superior technical abilities and creative, collaborative work style for securing superior program results and pricing. The firm's acknowledged capabilities in brokerage, risk analytics and claims are rewriting industry standards for service and quality. The firm's U.S. headquarter office is located at 1 State Street Plaza, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004. 1-877-688-8701.

For additional information, please visit: https://www.integrogroup.com/.

EPIC Holdings, Inc. ('EPIC') today announced the closing of EPIC's acquisition of Integro Holdings Inc. (substantially all of the U.S. operations of Integro Group Holdings). Please see our press release issued on December 17, 2018 that follows for more details and comments on the transaction.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

SafeChain Collaborates with Accuity to Secure Real Estate Wire Transfers

EVANSTON, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- SafeChain, the industry leader in wire fraud prevention software and blockchain implementation for land title, announced today that it has integrated bank data from Accuity, the leading provider of financial crime compliance, payments and Know Your Customer (KYC) solutions, to enhance the security of real estate transactions. SafeChain's wire fraud prevention platform, SafeWire(TM), now incorporates information from the Accuity Bankers Almanac Routing and Transit Number (RTN) File, to give users greater confidence that funds are being wired to the correct account.

"As wire fraud schemes increase in both number and complexity, it is critical for title companies to authenticate and verify every aspect of the wire transaction to ensure consumers' funds are protected throughout," said SafeChain CEO and Co-founder Tony Franco. "The integration between SafeWire and Accuity, the Official Registrar of ABA Routing Numbers, provides additional peace of mind to all parties in a real estate transaction by ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of routing information and adding an additional safeguard against wire fraud."

Now, when wire instructions are sent to SafeWire, users can leverage the Accuity payments data to verify that all necessary routing information for the transaction is present and correct. In addition to SafeWire's current ABA and intermediary verification checks, the Accuity integration will make it easier for the consumer when an intermediary institution is needed to complete a wire transfer. Rather than relying on the consumer to gather the intermediary's routing information, Accuity will now collect and verify the information automatically and report it to the title company via SafeWire.

"Wire fraud in real estate transactions is one of the fastest growing cybercrimes in the United States, and the closing process, in particular, requires closer scrutiny of transactions," said Sarkis Akmakjian, Senior Director of Product Management at Accuity. "Bankers Almanac Routing and Transit Number File significantly reduces operational risk by ensuring the integrity of the payment origination data. We are pleased that SafeChain is working with us to optimize and reinforce the safety of its payments processes."

About Accuity:

Accuity offers a suite of innovative solutions for payments and compliance professionals, from comprehensive data and software that manage risk and compliance, to flexible tools that optimize payments pathways. With deep expertise and industry-leading data-enabled solutions from the Fircosoft, Bankers Almanac and NRS brands, our portfolio delivers protection for individual and organizational reputations.

Part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries, Accuity has been delivering solutions to banks and businesses worldwide for 180 years. For more information visit: https://accuity.com.

About SafeChain:

SafeChain makes real estate transactions safer and modernizes operations for both the public and private sectors of the land title industry. Built by real estate title experts in collaboration with banking technologists, SafeChain tackles the inefficiencies of the home buying and selling process from the inside-out to help title companies, mortgage bankers, realtors and local governments decrease costs and deliver a better experience for customers. Leveraging the most advanced technologies, including blockchain, SafeChain increases the speed and security of real estate closings to deliver faster transactions and better consumer confidence. For more information visit: https://www.safechain.io.

SafeChain, the industry leader in wire fraud prevention software and blockchain implementation for land title, announced today that it has integrated bank data from Accuity, the leading provider of financial crime compliance, payments and Know Your Customer (KYC) solutions, to enhance the security of real estate transactions.

Related link: https://www.safechain.io/

LBA Ware Adds Real-Time Mortgage Compensation Push Notifications to SimpleNexus Mobile Originator App

MACON, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- LBA Ware(TM), provider of the leading automated compensation and sales performance management platform for mortgage lenders, today announced that it has completed a partial integration of its compensation platform CompenSafe(TM) with SimpleNexus's enterprise digital mortgage solution. As a result, LOs will be able to receive real-time push notifications on calculated loan commissions directly through the SimpleNexus app.

"LOs are increasingly using our mobile platform to manage their day-to-day tasks and adding real-time compensation notifications enables SimpleNexus to become a one-stop-shop for LOs, operationally speaking," said Matt Hansen, CEO at SimpleNexus. "LBA Ware has built the industry's best compensation platform, and we are eager to give our users a taste of what CompenSafe can provide through these push notifications."

SimpleNexus provides LOs with a single, mobile-driven platform to connect with borrowers and Realtor partners and access the ancillary systems and tools they use on a regular basis. The addition of compensation notifications through the integration with LBA Ware adds to the suite of milestone alerts and other push notifications already available through the app and gives LOs a more complete picture of their individual level of production in real time.

"Performance and productivity go hand in hand, and for LOs, having commission notification in real time can be a powerful motivator to increase applications and ultimately close more loans," said Lori Brewer, founder and CEO of LBA Ware. "SimpleNexus has quite literally put the LO's office in the palm of his or her hand, and the addition of compensation push notifications from LBA Ware takes that one step further by providing a valuable connection to their compensation."

To help SimpleNexus users learn more about these push notifications, LBA Ware will be a sponsoring partner and attendee at the 2019 SimpleNexus User Group event scheduled for February 10-12 at The Cliff Lodge in Snowbird, Utah.

About SimpleNexus:

SimpleNexus, LLC is a digital mortgage solution provider, enabling lenders to originate and process loans from anywhere. The platform connects loan officers to their borrowers and realtors to easily communicate and exchange data in a single location throughout the entire loan life cycle. Loan officers can manage their loan pipeline, order credit, run pricing and send pre-approvals - all on the go. Loan officers can easily share the app with borrowers and realtors, giving them the modern mortgage tools they want and need.

SimpleNexus serves more than 200 enterprise mortgage companies and more than 20,000 loan officers nationwide. To learn more, visit https://simplenexus.com/sn/.

About LBA Ware:

Founded in 2008, LBA Ware's mission is to inspire opportunity by delivering solutions that are essential to the way mortgage companies operate. We are a trusted partner and play a key role in our clients' success by enabling them to motivate, incentivize and better leverage the human potential within their organizations. Our applications automate traditionally manual business processes for which an existing software solution does not exist, empowering lenders to create an integrated software environment that maximizes their productivity and operational efficiency. For more information about LBA Ware and our software solutions, visit https://lbaware.com.

Twitter: @LBAWare @simplenexus #SNUG19

LBA Ware(TM), provider of the leading automated compensation and sales performance management platform for mortgage lenders, today announced that it has completed a partial integration of its compensation platform CompenSafe(TM) with SimpleNexus's enterprise digital mortgage solution. As a result, LOs will be able to receive real-time push notifications on calculated loan commissions directly through the SimpleNexus app.

Related link: https://lbaware.com/

Restaurant Results and Outlook Survey: Over 700 Independent Operators Share Their 2018 Results and Plans for 2019

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- RestaurantOwner.com has released the report of their 2019 Independent Restaurant Outlook Survey. This is the third consecutive Outlook Report which summarizes input gathered from over 700 independent restaurant owners and operators regarding their 2018 financial performance, as well as their optimism about 2019.

A copy of the report is available at: https://www.restaurantowner.com/IROS2019

Survey Results:
2018 was another profitable year for most independent restaurants. 81% of the 707 responding owners or operators reported a net income greater than 1% of sales in 2018, of which, 30% reported a net income greater than 10%. Of those that were not profitable, approximately 10% broke even, while 9% reported a net loss greater than 1% of sales.

Profitability continued to rise as many independent restaurants performed better in 2018 than the previous year. 64% of respondents reported that their net income in 2018 outpaced their 2017 performance. 17% reported no change and 22% reported a lower net income in 2018 compared to the previous year, indicating a continued upward trend in independent restaurant performance.

Optimism prevailed for a third year in a row. 62% of respondents indicated they are more optimistic about 2019 than they were about 2018. This trend continues from last year where 64% of respondents felt more optimistic about 2018 compared to 2017.

Most operators attributed their optimism for 2019 to improved business practices or systems (73%), and a quality guest experience (53%). Staffing challenges (53%) and unfavorable labor costs (52%) were the most cited causes for lacking optimism.

Again, the results of the survey confirm a strong and continuing interest of independent restaurant owners and operators to improve and grow their business. Many operators (84%) intend to pursue four or more goals in 2019. Over 60% of respondents reported they intend to focus on improving overall profitability, business practices, or their guest experience.

About RestaurantOwner.com:
Since 1998, RestaurantOwner.com has provided training and resources to independent restaurant owners and managers who want to improve their leadership and business management skills to create a higher quality guest experience, greater employee engagement and better financial results.

More information: https://www.restaurantowner.com/.

RestaurantOwner.com has released the report of their 2019 Independent Restaurant Outlook Survey. This is the third consecutive Outlook Report which summarizes input gathered from over 700 independent restaurant owners and operators regarding their 2018 financial performance, as well as their optimism about 2019.

Related link: https://www.restaurantowner.com/

FormFree President Faith Schwartz to Kick Off NEXT Mortgage Conference with Address on Succeeding in a Transitional Mortgage Market

ATHENS, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- FormFree(R) today announced that Acting President Faith Schwartz will kick off the upcoming NEXT mortgage technology summit for women, which will take place February 7-8, 2019, at Hotel ZaZa in Dallas, Texas. Schwartz's address, "Winning in a Transitional Market," will take place on Thursday, February 7, from 8:20-8:50 a.m. CT on the event's main stage.

Schwartz will draw on insights from more than 30 years in housing to examine how mortgage bankers can embrace digital transformation, develop an understanding of housing finance policy and share knowledge with one another to better position themselves for success in a market characterized by stiff competition and compressed margins.

"I'm honored to have this opportunity to address leaders, peers and colleagues who are all motivated to influence the next phase of our dramatically evolving housing finance industry," said Schwartz. "I hope to give the audience at NEXT actionable steps and strategic direction to keep them ahead of what's to come."

Conference attendees can see a demo of FormFree's market-leading AccountChek(R) asset verification service at the FormFree meeting suite, conveniently located adjacent to the NEXT's networking hub, during any of the conference's scheduled networking breaks.

About FormFree(R):

FormFree is a fintech company whose market-leading AccountChek(R) Asset Reports are used by lenders nationwide to verify borrower assets, employment and income in minutes. To date, more than 1,000 U.S. lenders have ordered over 1.25 million AccountChek Asset Reports, delighting their customers with a paperless experience and reducing origination timelines by up to 20 days. FormFree offers automated analysis and standardized delivery to lenders and their investors using a secure ReIssueKey(TM). A HousingWire TECH100(TM) company for four consecutive years, FormFree is based in Athens, Georgia.

For more information, visit https://www.formfree.com or follow FormFree on LinkedIn.

Twitter: @NEXTMtgEvents @faithschwartz1 @realformfree #NEXTFeb19 #digitalmortgage #AccountChek

FormFree(R) today announced that Acting President Faith Schwartz will kick off the upcoming NEXT mortgage technology summit for women, which will take place February 7-8, 2019, at Hotel ZaZa in Dallas, Texas. Schwartz's address, "Winning in a Transitional Market," will take place on Thursday, February 7, from 8:20-8:50 a.m. CT on the event's main stage.

Related link: https://www.formfree.com/

National Mortgage Professional Magazine Designates OpenClose a Top Mortgage Employer for the Third Consecutive Year

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- OpenClose(R), an industry-leading multi-channel loan origination system (LOS) and digital mortgage fintech provider, announced that it was selected as a 2019 Top Mortgage Employer by National Mortgage Professional (NMP) magazine for the third straight year.

"We are elated to have been chosen again by National Mortgage Professional magazine as one of the country's leading companies to work for and we thank them for the recognition," said JP Kelly, president of OpenClose. "Words cannot express how appreciative OpenClose's management team is for the immense dedication and passion that our employees bring to the table every day."

NMP arrives at the annual winners by polling its readers about their employers based on the following criteria: corporate culture; compensation; day-to-day management; internal communications; marketing; training; resources; long-term strategy; ingenuity; speed; technology; reputation; and industry participation.

The magazine is one of the mortgage industry's leading go-to sources for extensive news coverage for mortgage lending, compliance, secondary marketing, servicing, settlement, technology and more.

Kelly adds, "OpenClose has launched multiple technology innovations over the last year and has grown significantly, in part, due to these new solutions. We have added new team members in every area of the enterprise to drive innovation and execute our mission to provide the very best service and lower the mortgage manufacturing cost for our customers. We have been fortunate to attract top-tier industry talent and winning this award is a reflection of our tremendous team and culture."

About OpenClose:
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, OpenClose(R) is a leading enterprise-class, multi-channel loan origination system (LOS), POS digital mortgage and fintech provider that cost effectively delivers its digital platform on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) basis. The company provides a variety of innovative, 100 percent web-based solutions for lenders, banks, credit unions, and conduit aggregators. OpenClose's core solution, LenderAssist(TM), is comprehensive loan origination software that is completely engineered by OpenClose using the same code base from the ground up. The company offers a RESTful API suite that standardizes system-to-system integrations, making them easier to develop, quicker to implement and more cost effective. OpenClose provides lending organizations with full control of their data and creates a truly seamless workflow for complete automation and compliance adherence. For more information, visit https://www.openclose.com/ or call (561) 655-6418.

About NMP:
National Mortgage Professional Magazine (NMP) has become "The Source for Top Originators" - that connects the mortgage professional community under various media formats. Our exceptional team of industry-seasoned monthly contributors combined with our knowledgeable editorial staff, all with meaningful expertise in their respectful disciplines, provide the most up-to-date news, insight and advice for today's mortgage professional. We are committed to ensuring that today's industry is equipped with the most comprehensive understanding of mortgage news available through our many resources, including, but not limited to, articles in the print edition of National Mortgage Professional Magazine and 38 state-specific e-editions, the NMP Daily and NMP Ticker email newsletters, the exclusive daily news stories and postings on our website https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com, and our regular series.

The publication also owns and operates the Mortgage News Network (MNN), a video news source that provides mortgage firms with a resource for news and information as well as a platform for telling their story and sharing their views directly, and in person. https://mortgagenewsnetwork.com/.

OpenClose(R), an industry-leading multi-channel loan origination system (LOS) and digital mortgage fintech provider, announced that it was selected as a 2019 Top Mortgage Employer by National Mortgage Professional (NMP) magazine for the third straight year.

Related link: https://www.openclose.com/

Nevada Now E-recording Statewide with Simplifile

CARSON City, Nev. /ScoopCloud/ -- Simplifile, a leading provider of real estate document collaboration and recording technologies for lenders, settlement agents and counties, today announced that Mineral County, Nev., has adopted its e-recording service.

With this addition, Nevada has become the ninth state in the Simplifile network to implement e-recording statewide.

"Simplifile welcomes Nevada to the growing roster of states that have embraced e-recording throughout all of their recording jurisdictions," said Simplifile President Paul Clifford. "While e-recording is available in most major metropolitan areas, jurisdictions of all sizes can benefit tremendously from the efficiency and cost-savings e-recording provides. We commend Nevada's commitment to improving document recording services through technology and hope this can serve as an example to jurisdictions throughout the nation."

In 2007, Carson City County became the first Nevada county to join Simplifile's e-recording network. With the addition of Mineral County, all 17 Nevada counties now e-record with Simplifile.

Using Simplifile's e-recording platform, recording offices throughout the state are able to electronically receive, stamp, record and return documents within minutes, which reduces documentation and processing errors. Settlement agents can also submit recording fees and other recording-related expenses directly through the Simplifile system, thus eliminating check-writing expenses.

More than 1,887 jurisdictions nationwide e-record with Simplifile, making it the largest e-recording network in the U.S. Nevada joins Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts and Oregon in offering e-recording statewide through Simplifile.

For more information about e-recording in Nevada, call 800.460.5657 or visit https://simplifile.com. For a current list of all jurisdictions within the Simplifile e-recording network, visit https://simplifile.com/e-recording/e-recording-counties.

About Simplifile:
Simplifile, the nation's largest e-recording network, was founded in 2000 to connect settlement agents and county recorders via its e-recording service. Today Simplifile has broadened its services to include collaboration tools and post-closing visibility for mortgage lenders and settlement agents working together on real estate documents. Through Simplifile, users can securely record, share and track documents, data and fees with ease.

To learn more, visit https://simplifile.com or call 800.460.5657.

Simplifile, a leading provider of real estate document collaboration and recording technologies for lenders, settlement agents and counties, today announced that Mineral County, Nev., has adopted its e-recording service.

Related link: https://simplifile.com/

Bank of Southern California NA Appoints John E. Chung as Group Managing Director

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, has announced the appointment of John Chung as Group Managing Director of Business Banking. He will be responsible for leading the team's impact of meeting the banking needs of small to medium sized businesses throughout Southern California.

Mr. Chung is an accomplished and effective team leader with more than 17 years of commercial banking experience. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President, National Sales Director for Crossroads Small Business Solutions. Prior, he maintained leadership positions with Banc of California and City National Bank. Mr. Chung holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University.

"John is a deeply rooted and experienced banker with a long history of developing and leading successful banking teams," said Tony DiVita, Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer. "The addition of John to our business banking group further complements our experienced and growing team as we continue to expand our presence in Southern California," concluded DiVita.

About Bank of Southern California:

A growing community bank, established in 2001, Bank of Southern California, N.A., with headquarters in San Diego, Calif., is locally owned and managed, and offers a range of financial products to individuals, professionals and small-to-medium sized businesses. The Bank's solution-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients.

The Bank currently operates ten branches in San Diego County, Los Angeles County, the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, as well as production offices in Orange County and West Los Angeles.

For more information, please visit https://www.banksocal.com or call (858) 847-4780.

Tickers: OTC Pink:BCAL / OTC:BCAL / OTCMKTS: BCAL / OP: BCAL

Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, has announced the appointment of John Chung as Group Managing Director of Business Banking. He will be responsible for leading the team's impact of meeting the banking needs of small to medium sized businesses throughout Southern California.

Related link: https://www.banksocal.com/

Advanced Mediation Solutions and Princeton Financial Group Announce Partnership for High Net Worth Divorces

HADDONFIELD, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- Advanced Mediation Solutions and Princeton Financial Group are pleased to announce that they have teamed up to handle divorces for high net worth couples in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Divorce mediation has become an increasingly popular alternative for couples who want to dissolve their marriage. Mediation is appealing for divorcing couples because it allows them to complete the process in far less time, and for a fraction of the cost of traditional litigation. In recent years, a growing number of high net worth couples have opted for mediation as well, because it provides confidentiality and gives them more flexibility to be creative during the process.

In response to the rising demand for mediation among couples with significant and unique assets, Advanced Mediation Solutions and Princeton Financial Group have joined forces to provide a "one-stop" solution and help ensure a smooth and seamless divorce process for couples in this category.

"We saw that there was a real need to help high net worth couples who want to take advantage of mediation, but who may have been apprehensive about how they could resolve more complex issues with this process," says Roseann Vanella, founder of Advanced Mediation Solutions. "So, it made sense for us to partner with Princeton Financial Group to fill this need."

Princeton Financial Group has extensive experience working with business owners in a variety of industries. They know the importance of understanding each unique business, its structure and how internal and external factors will impact that business. They use a team approach, leveraging the experience and talents of their own team as well as their extensive professional network, to understand how the details can affect the bigger picture. The firm is also recognized for its extensive experience with multi-unit franchisee operations.

Jim Colitsas, a partner at Princeton Financial Group, specializes in support and alimony, and he has done a lot of work with attorneys and the court system. Jim brings a very realistic perspective that comes from countless hours working on these types of cases.

"I'm excited to be able to bring my expertise to help these couples stay out of the courtroom," Colitsas says. "I've seen the devastation that can happen when couples have to go through costly and protracted litigation, and I'm pleased to be able to help provide an alternative that can save them time, money, and lower the emotional stress that comes with getting a divorce."

How Does High Net Worth Divorce Mediation Work?

Mediation is a voluntary process that is facilitated by a neutral, third-party mediator with the goal of resolving the underlying issues (in a divorce) through a cooperative rather than combative approach. Sessions can be conducted in-person or remotely, depending on the needs and schedules of the participants.

In addition to the time and cost savings, many high net worth couples prefer divorce mediation because it gives them more control over the process, and it allows them to develop customized solutions that are more suitable to their unique circumstances. Business owners and professionals are visionaries, and mediation appeals to their creative nature.

Through mediation, participants have the opportunity to cooperate on a joint effort to forge a peaceable and workable agreement that both sides will be happy with. Participants can still hire attorneys at any time during the process and/or to have the agreement reviewed (by their attorneys) before it is finalized.

The partnership between Advanced Mediation Solutions and Princeton Financial Group provides divorcing couples with the experience and expertise needed to tackle some of the most complicated issues that may come up during a high net worth divorce.

These may include:
* Business Valuations;
* Analysis of Complicated Business Arrangements (e.g., stock options, deferred compensation, partnership buyout agreements);
* Valuations for Real Estate Holdings;
* Valuations for Complicated Investments (e.g., stocks, bonds, trusts, international investments);
* Valuations for Unique Assets (e.g., art collections, jewelry, classic automobiles);
* Complex Tax Implications of the Divorce.

AMS and PFG have already worked together for several years, and they have always had a shared philosophy of leveraging experts to help achieve the best possible outcome for their clients. They have access to a wide network of other professionals whom they work closely with and can bring in to help when needed. Participants are also free to bring in their own outside professionals to help with the process.

"Mediation is definitely now viewed by high net worth couples as a realistic approach to divorce, and we have seen numerous high-profile couples utilize this process. In fact, Jeff Bezos and his wife decided to settle their divorce amicably and announce it jointly on Twitter, and we wouldn't be surprised if they are mediating."

"We are excited about our joint partnership, because it puts us at the forefront of this movement."

For more information about Advanced Mediation Solutions, go to https://advancedmediationsolutions.net/

For more information about Princeton Financial Group, go to https://www.tcacpa.com/

Advanced Mediation Solutions and Princeton Financial Group are pleased to announce that they have teamed up to handle divorces for high net worth couples in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Divorce mediation has become an increasingly popular alternative for couples who want to dissolve their marriage.

Related link: https://advancedmediationsolutions.net/

NotaryCam Helps East Texas Title Complete Its First Remote Online Closing

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- NotaryCam(R), the pioneering and market leader in remote online notarization and mortgage eClosing solutions, today announced that East Texas Title has executed its first remote online closing (ROC(TM)) in Texas since the state's remote online notarization law went into effect. The transaction, which was executed using NotaryCam's eClose360(R) eClosing platform, was performed on behalf of a couple currently located in Colorado and selling their property in Longview, Texas.

"We started conducting remote online closings on the seller's side first because that was something we could do immediately without having to wait for the lenders to be ready," said Celia Flowers, owner of East Texas Title. "What was really important to us was to stop mail outs because when you're mailing documents to people, they can get lost. They might not sign in all the right places and then send back incorrectly executed documents, which really holds up the transaction. With remote online notarizations and closings, it's instant, and the documents are signed correctly."

In addition to the sellers, a NotaryCam-trained Texas Signing Agent, the closer from East Texas Title, another representative from East Texas Title and NotaryCam's Director of Notary Operations Henry Smith were also present for the transaction via the platform's live video feed. In accordance with Texas law, all documents were signed and notarized and made accessible to East Texas Title immediately, with the full transaction taking less than one hour.

"Historically, we would have had to ship the documents to sellers in Denver and then wait for them to return the documents before we could complete the closing. By closing remotely with NotaryCam, we were able to complete the seller's side of the process the same day," Flowers added. "The sellers thought it was great because they didn't have to find a notary and could do it all online. The husband had some health issues so it was nice that he was able to be comfortable at home. The wife came in just as we were starting because she didn't have to leave work to go find a notary. For them, the convenience factor was a huge plus."

"The business case for remote online notarizations and closings is as clear today as it was back in 2012 when NotaryCam was founded. Home buyers and sellers are no longer constrained by geography, and the mortgage closing process must follow suit," said NotaryCam Founder Rick Triola. "Without the remote option, this couple was facing hundreds of dollars in extra expenses, not to mention extreme inconvenience, simply to complete the sale of their home. Having completed more than 130,000 remote online notarizations, we speak from experience when we say, 'There is a better way.'"

In July 2018, Texas became the third state to allow its notaries to perform remote online notarizations (RONs) nationwide, which is a critical component to the full ROC transaction. Today, Virginia, Montana, Texas, Nevada, Vermont, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee and Ohio have all passed some form of RON legislation.

"Remote online closings simply are not possible without remote online notarization, and we applaud these states in their foresight to allow their notaries to conduct these transactions not just within their individual jurisdictions, but worldwide," Triola added. "Given the size of the Texas real estate market, the state's adoption of remote online closings could prove to be a catalyst for more widespread adoption throughout the country."

About NotaryCam:

After pioneering the world's first remote online notarization (RON), career real estate executive Rick Triola founded NotaryCam in 2012, and shortly thereafter, the company completed the first mortgage remote online closing (ROC) in 2014. Today, NotaryCam is the leader in online notarization and mortgage eClosing solutions, having notarized documents worldwide for hundreds of thousands of customers in all 50 states. The company's patented eClose360(R) platform delivers the "perfect" online mortgage closing in every jurisdiction with a flexible workflow for document recording and unparalleled identity verification, security and customer convenience. NotaryCam also proudly maintains an industry-leading 99.8 percent customer satisfaction rating.

Visit https://www.notarycam.com for additional information or to get a document notarized today.

Twitter: @NotaryCam #enotary #remoteonlineclosing

NotaryCam(R), the pioneering and market leader in remote online notarization and mortgage eClosing solutions, today announced that East Texas Title has executed its first remote online closing (ROC(TM)) in Texas since the state's remote online notarization law went into effect. The transaction, which was executed using NotaryCam's eClose360(R) eClosing platform, was performed on behalf of a couple currently located in Colorado and selling their property in Longview, Texas.

Related link: https://www.notarycam.com/

One of the Largest Independent Title Companies in Texas Expands Use of SafeWire to All 25 Offices

COLUMBUS, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- SafeChain, the industry leader in wire fraud prevention software and blockchain implementation for land title, announced today that Providence Title, one of the largest independent title companies in Texas, has expanded its deployment of SafeWire(TM) to include all 25 offices throughout the state. Moving forward, Providence Title's network of agents will use SafeWire to verify the identities of transaction participants, authenticate bank account ownership as well as securely store and transmit wiring instructions.

"Trust is paramount to the real estate transaction, and with wire fraud continuing to threaten our industry, we needed to do everything in our power to help our customers' ensure their transactions are secure," said Dan Foster, CEO of Providence Title. "Combatting wire fraud has been a major initiative for us, and SafeChain was the best partner we could have chosen to help us achieve our goals. Every title company needs to move to a platform like this."

SafeWire ensures the integrity and security of real estate wire transactions. The platform leverages bank-level authentication and blockchain technology to prevent unauthorized parties from taking part in the transaction, tampering with transaction information or intercepting wire funds.

While business email compromise (BEC) schemes - the most common method of committing wire fraud - are on the rise across all industries, the real estate sector has been a particular area of focus for fraudsters. According to FBI data, from June 2016 to May 2018 real estate BEC schemes resulted in more than $1.6 billion in losses in the U.S. As government agencies consider regulatory changes to address the growing problem, such as requiring payee matching for all wire transactions, title companies have turned to platforms like SafeWire, which already includes payee matching, for a more immediate solution.

"Wire fraud isn't going away, and if the real estate industry continues to rely on antiquated technology and processes, the easier it becomes for fraudsters to hijack these transactions," said Tony Franco, CEO and co-founder of SafeChain. "SafeChain firmly believes in the power of technology and education to address this issue, and we're increasingly seeing title agents buy in to this shared vision, with companies like Providence Title paving the way for their peers."

About SafeChain:

SafeChain makes real estate transactions safer and modernizes operations for both the public and private sectors of the land title industry. Built by real estate title experts in collaboration with banking technologists, SafeChain tackles the inefficiencies of the home buying and selling process from the inside-out to help title companies, mortgage bankers, realtors and local governments decrease costs and deliver a better experience for customers. Leveraging the most advanced technologies, including blockchain, SafeChain increases the speed and security of real estate closings to deliver faster transactions and better consumer confidence.

For more information visit: https://www.safechain.io.

SafeChain, the industry leader in wire fraud prevention software and blockchain implementation for land title, announced today that Providence Title, one of the largest independent title companies in Texas, has expanded its deployment of SafeWire(TM) to include all 25 offices throughout the state. Moving forward, Providence Title's network of agents will use SafeWire to verify the identities of transaction participants, authenticate bank account ownership as well as securely store and transmit wiring instructions.

Related link: https://www.safechain.io/

Cloudvirga’s Kyle Kamrooz named top mortgage professional under 40 for second consecutive year

IRVINE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Cloudvirga(TM), a leading provider of digital mortgage software, today announced that company Co-founder Kyle Kamrooz has been named to National Mortgage Professional (NMP) magazine's list of the 40 most influential mortgage professionals under 40 for the second year in a row.

"Our company's mission is to bring digital mortgage technology to this industry that lowers costs and makes homeownership more affordable," said Kamrooz. "To be recognized again for work that is so personally rewarding is an unexpected honor."

Kamrooz co-founded Cloudvirga in 2016 out of a desire to bring modern lending to an industry that has struggled to digitize and reduce costs-to-produce. Today, Cloudvirga's award-winning digital mortgage platforms enable some of the country's largest mortgage lenders to optimize the consumer experience and produce loans more efficiently.

Each year since 2010, NMP has recognized housing finance's top professionals under the age of 40 based on a combination of career achievements and peer voting. Kamrooz first appeared on NMP's 40 Under 40 list in December 2017.

Kamrooz was also recently named 2018's 'Innovator of the Year' by the Orange County Business Journal. He is a 2017 recipient of HousingWire's Vanguard Award, which recognizes the contributions of the mortgage industry's most influential leaders.

About Cloudvirga(TM):

Cloudvirga's digital mortgage point-of-sale (POS) software, powered by the intelligent Mortgage Platform(r), uniquely combines a world-class borrower experience with a truly automated lender workflow that radically cuts overall loan costs, increases transparency and reduces the time to close a loan. Led by top fintech veterans with a track record of building successful mortgage technologies, Cloudvirga's customer base includes nine of the top 40 non-bank mortgage originators. To date, Cloudvirga has raised over $77 million from some of the country's top lenders and private-equity firms.

For more information, visit https://www.cloudvirga.com or follow Cloudvirga on LinkedIn.

Twitter: @Cloudvirga @NMPMag #digitalmortgage #40under40

Cloudvirga(TM), a leading provider of digital mortgage software, today announced that company Co-founder Kyle Kamrooz has been named to National Mortgage Professional (NMP) magazine's list of the 40 most influential mortgage professionals under 40 for the second year in a row.

Related link: https://www.cloudvirga.com/

EPIC’s Jim Williford and Wilson Long to Present on Insurance Coverage Gaps at 2019 International Roofing Expo

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Director of Construction Risk Services Jim Williford and Principal Wilson Long will present at International Roofing Expo on Monday, Feb. 11 at 7:45 a.m. at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.

The International Roofing Expo is the biggest, most influential trade event for the roofing construction and maintenance industry that provides total coverage of the innovative equipment, suppliers, resources, information and technologies that are shaping the future of the industry.

Few insurers focus on providing insurance to the roofing industry and some take standard policies and remove coverage by applying exclusions and limitations. In their presentation, "Roofing Industry's Common Insurance Coverage Gaps for YOU and YOUR Subcontractor," Williford and Long will highlight some common coverage gaps roofers may find in their insurance policies and how using a subcontractor may increase your risk.

Click here to see the full agenda: https://explore.theroofingexpo.com/Attendee/conference/sessions

About Jim Williford, director of construction risk services, EPIC:

Jim Williford has developed a broad professional background in commercial insurance, surety and construction risk management with more than 25 years of experience both as an underwriter and as a risk advisor. He uses his experience, knowledge and expertise to help clients identify, assess and manage risk within their organizations. Whether the risk is contractual, financial, operational, physical, or strategic, Williford embeds himself and his team as deeply within the client's risk function as his clients will allow. He is adept at working with large and complex programs, including joint ventures, and is particularly accomplished in designing, placing and managing group captive programs, single parent captive programs, OCIPs, CCIPs, Builder's Risk, Professional Liability, Environmental Liability and Subcontractor Default programs on both an annual practice and project specific basis.

Although he is experienced in designing, arranging and managing insurance and surety programs for contractors consistently listed in the annual ENR Top 400 Contractors and Top 600 Specialty Contractors ranking, he spends much of his time focusing on specialty contractors specifically operating within the roofing and industrial construction space. Williford is a graduate from The University of Alabama and he holds numerous industry designations including the Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS), Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), and he is also a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).

About Wilson Long, principal, EPIC:

Wilson Long brings his risk management expertise to specialty contractors and energy companies throughout the United States. He endeavors to understand the key business issues his clients face and writes a quarterly newsletter, "Long's EPIC Construction Perspective," addressing concerns construction and energy executive's face in today's complicated business environment. Additionally, he is a regular speaker at safety conferences and host webinars on risk management topics. Over the past 15 years, Long has won numerous risk management awards including, but not limited to: #1 Insurance & Risk Management graduate at The University of Mississippi and three Top Consultant awards. He holds a number of industry designations including the Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS) and also the Associate in Risk Management (ARM).

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $400 million, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit: https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Director of Construction Risk Services Jim Williford and Principal Wilson Long will present at International Roofing Expo on Monday, Feb. 11 at 7:45 a.m. at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

EPIC to Sponsor Generations Family Business Conference in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today it will sponsor the Generations Family Business Conference on Feb. 11-12 at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, Calif.

The unique nature and challenges inherent in running a family business often require specialized business acumen. The Capital Region Family Business Center's 2019 Generations Conference is designed specifically with the unique needs and dynamics of family businesses in mind.

Going on its third year, the EPIC-sponsored event will feature an impressive roster of local, regional and national keynote and breakout speakers who will share personal stories and experiences regarding the issues and trials that are unique to family businesses.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and network with other family businesses in the region, attend interactive breakout sessions that dive deeper into many of the 'hot button' topics for family businesses, including succession, wealth preservation, family dynamics and much more.

Click here to see the full agenda: https://capfamilybus.org/upcoming-events/generations-annual-conference/schedule/

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $400 million, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today it will sponsor the Generations Family Business Conference on Feb. 11-12, 2019 at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, Calif.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Matic Helps Servicers Shave Nearly 6-percent Off Homeowners’ Monthly Mortgage Costs in 2018

COLUMBUS, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- Matic, the digital homeowners insurance marketplace built for mortgage servicers and lenders, reduced homeowners' monthly mortgage costs an average of 5.5 percent in 2018 by delivering average per-household homeowners insurance savings of $517. The announcement comes on the heels of a year marked by rapid growth for Matic, which helped homeowners identify $124 million in savings over the course of quoting homeowners insurance for over $180 billion worth of residential real estate.

Matic works with mortgage servicers to uncover opportunities to upgrade consumers to better coverage or lower premiums from more than a dozen top-rated insurance carriers. The company also works with mortgage lenders to simplify homeowners insurance for consumers in the process of buying a home.

"Matic's ability to automatically identify mortgage holders eligible for reduced homeowners insurance premiums has been an exceptional value add for mortgage servicers, who have struggled with the twin imperatives of delivering customer service excellence and growing revenue in a thin-margin business," said Matic Founder and CEO Ben Madick. "In 2018, we've lowered annual HOI premiums an average of $517 per household, empowering servicers to build positive customer relationships while compliantly generating commission income."

Over the course of the year, Matic onboarded several new mortgage servicer and lender customers, including RoundPoint Mortgage Servicing Corporation); announced a new integration with mortgage technology platform Mortgage Hippo; and expanded its marketplace of top-rated insurance carriers.

Matic and its leadership team received numerous accolades for technological innovation in 2018. Madick was named to National Mortgage Professional magazine's list of the 40 most influential mortgage professionals under 40 as well as Mortgage Professional America's Hot 100 list of industry visionaries. HousingWire recognized the company as a top mortgage technology innovator with its HW TECH100(TM) award and honored company co-founder Aaron Schiff with its HW Rising Star(TM) award.

Matic added more than 41 employees in 2018 and continues to build an award-winning workplace culture that maintains an average Net Promoter Score of 82. The firm was recognized by Columbus Business First as one of Central Ohio's Best Places to Work following its April move to Miranova Corporate Tower in the heart of downtown Columbus. In May, Matic received the 2018 Spark Award for entrepreneurship from the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio.

About Matic:

Matic is a technology-driven insurance agency focused on helping lenders and loan officers better integrate homeowner's insurance into the lending process. By using loan application information and first-of-its-kind technology, Matic provides homebuyers multiple policy options within seconds, helping loan officers close their loans faster. Matic delivers the most trusted, affordable insurance policies available thanks to its partnerships with a diverse network of insurance carriers. Today's borrowers expect a digital home-buying experience, and Matic gives them the digital insurance experience to match.

For more information, visit https://matic.com/ or follow Matic on LinkedIn.

Twitter: @maticinsurance #homeownersinsurance #HOI #digitalmortgage #homeownership #mortgageservicing

Matic, the digital homeowners insurance marketplace built for mortgage servicers and lenders, reduced homeowners' monthly mortgage costs an average of 5.5 percent in 2018 by delivering average per-household homeowners insurance savings of $517. The announcement comes on the heels of a year marked by rapid growth for Matic, which helped homeowners identify $124 million in savings over the course of quoting homeowners insurance for over $180 billion worth of residential real estate.

Related link: https://maticinsurance.com/

Digital mortgage provider Cloudvirga closes 2018 with customers producing nearly $200B in loan volume, secures $50m in capital

IRVINE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Cloudvirga(TM), a leading provider of digital mortgage software, closed the books on 2018 with a 54 percent year-over-year increase in mortgage loan volume processed through its intelligent Mortgage Platform(TM). The strong 2018 results topped a long list of achievements.

"Our continued rapid growth amidst a challenging mortgage climate is a testament to how urgently the industry needs a solution like Cloudvirga that truly drives down the cost of origination," said CEO Michael Schreck. "We're proud to have welcomed more of the nation's top lenders while simultaneously introducing never-before-seen digital mortgage capabilities and a mobile-first platform."

Cloudvirga's POS products, already the most robust in the market, advanced significantly in 2018 with the addition of features designed to improve lender speed, compliance and productivity. In March, Cloudvirga announced major advances to its Enterprise POS and launched a new Mobile POS. A month later, the company introduced the industry's first single-click submission of loan data to both GSEs' automated underwriting systems. Cloudvirga will continue to evolve its product suite with support from a $50M Series C that brings its total funding raised to $77M.

Cloudvirga's customer base produces nearly $200 billion in loans annually and represents eight of the country's top 20 mortgage originators. Over the course of the year, Cloudvirga announced deployments with American Financial Network, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Finance of America Mortgage and Thrive Mortgage, among others. The Cloudvirga product suite continues to lead the industry and service both bank and non-bank lenders.

Cloudvirga continues to establish itself as an employer of choice in Orange County, California, with expanded benefits and a planned new corporate office in University of California, Irvine's Research Park.

Notable additions to the Cloudvirga team in the last 12 months include:
* Chief Revenue Officer Dan Sogorka, formerly a business line president for Fidelity National Financial (NYSE: FNF) and Black Knight (NYSE: BKI)
* Chief Product Officer Tim Von Kaenel, formerly chief product officer at loanDepot, the nation's fifth-largest retail lender
* Chief Customer Success Officer Jesse Decker, formerly VP of client services for mortgage fintech Roostify
* EVP of Technology James Vinci, formerly CTO at Equator, an affiliate of real estate and mortgage technology firm Altisource (NASDAQ: ASPS)
* SVP of Marketing Kelly Kucera, formerly head of commercial and marketing for Arcules, a Canon Group company (NASDAQ: CAJ)
* VP of Talent Ashley Lundquist, formerly an executive for Houzz and Drip

Cloudvirga garnered significant national and global recognition as a leader in fintech and mortgage innovation. The company was a recipient of the Benzinga FinTech Award, HousingWire's TECH100(TM) and Red Herring's Top 100 North America.

Schreck and company Co-founder Kyle Kamrooz were recognized for their contributions to the local business community. Kamrooz was named Orange County's 2018 'Innovator of the Year' and accepted an invitation to join the Forbes Finance Council. Schreck, Kamrooz and SVP of Product Management Josephine Yen were each recipients of multiple awards recognizing their individual achievements in mortgage innovation.

Cloudvirga showed its continuing support of the Southern California community with contributions to California Fire Foundation and Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation, both organizations offering relief to those affected by wildfires in the region, as well as Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Cloudvirga also helped raise more than $50,000 for the Golden State Impact Project, a nonprofit that aids wounded veterans and families affected by cancer.

About Cloudvirga(TM):

Cloudvirga's digital mortgage point-of-sale (POS) software, powered by the intelligent Mortgage Platform(R), uniquely combines a world-class borrower experience with a truly automated lender workflow that radically cuts overall loan costs, increases transparency and reduces the time to close a loan. Led by top fintech veterans with a track record of building successful mortgage technologies, Cloudvirga's customer base includes eight of the top 20 mortgage originators in the United States. To date, Cloudvirga has raised over $77 million from some of the country's top lenders and private-equity firms.

For more information, visit https://www.cloudvirga.com or follow Cloudvirga on LinkedIn.

Twitter: @Cloudvirga #digitalmortgage

Cloudvirga(TM), a leading provider of digital mortgage software, closed the books on 2018 with a 54 percent year-over-year increase in mortgage loan volume processed through its intelligent Mortgage Platform(TM). The strong 2018 results topped a long list of achievements.

Related link: https://www.cloudvirga.com/

Bon Voyage! 5 Tips for Cruisers Purchasing Vacation Travel Insurance in 2019

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Wave Season, the time of year when the majority of cruise vacations are booked, is upon us and with it the need for cruisers to consider travel insurance, according to TravelInsurance.com. While most cruises go off without a hitch, Mother Nature can throw a variety of unexpected hiccups into a cruise vacation. This can include hurricanes or other storms, missing the ship due to travel mishaps either at home or at your destination city, or succumbing to an illness or injury on board.

"Cruise vacations continue to be one of the most popular travel options - every trip detail is taken care of by the cruise company, from food and lodging to entertainment and excursions at exotic ports of call," said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com. "However, with everything dependent on the ship sailing, an unexpected storm or mechanical breakdown can quickly ruin a vacation. A quality travel insurance plan can help protect against a financial loss when unexpected events happen. If you are considering booking a cruise, consider purchasing travel insurance as well for extra peace of mind."

Here are some key tips for cruisers to keep in mind when purchasing travel insurance for their next cruise:

1. Find the best options through an aggregator site. By taking advantage of captive customers in the booking process, cruise lines may only offer limited insurance options at the time of purchase. The options may include only "one-size-fits-all" plans that offer few benefits or key exclusions. These plans may also only offer travel vouchers for future cruises in the event of certain types of cancellations. And most importantly, many standard travel insurance plans offered by the cruise lines will not cover any travel costs to and from the ship's departure ports and may not provide coverage for any travel booked outside of the cruise company's in-house reservations. Smart cruisers can find a wide range of more cost-effective options on comparison sites like TravelInsurance.com.

2. Consider cruise-specific coverage. Cruise ships run on tight schedules, and they will not cover any missed departures, despite the fact that the leading causes of missing a cruise ship include delayed flights or adverse weather conditions. Missed Connection coverage can reimburse the traveler for a set dollar amount to re-book travel to catch up with their cruise at the next port. Missed Port of Call coverage pays a benefit if the cruise ship misses a scheduled port of call on the itinerary due to adverse weather, natural disaster or mechanical breakdown. Or look for a plan with Cruise Disablement coverage, which pays a benefit if you are confined on board the ship for more than five hours without power, food, water or restroom facilities.

Learn more about Missed Connection Coverage: https://www.travelinsurance.com/missed-connection-coverage/

3. Read the fine print on medical and evacuation coverage. Although cruise ships provide medical facilities, some ships may not be equipped to treat serious injuries or illnesses. For extreme medical emergencies, travel insurance plans with emergency evacuation coverage can cover the costs of transportation to evacuate a passenger to the closest adequate medical facility. Also, if during a cruise a passenger has to seek medical attention off the ship, travel medical coverage can reimburse the costs of those medical expenses.

4. Save money with group travel insurance. When ten or more people are traveling on the same itinerary or together as a group, group travel insurance can be an affordable and easy way to purchase coverage for each group member. Group leaders can offer the same coverage to each individual traveling, regardless of the traveler's age. This can be cost effective for "silver" cruise groups, since the cost of the insurance varies only by the costs of the trip insured and not the traveler's age. Group leaders can also purchase and manage the individual policies on behalf of the travelers, making for a more efficient, hassle-free process.

5. Purchase travel insurance early. It is important to purchase your travel insurance within 7-21 days of your first payment toward the trip. This is especially critical for those looking for a plan that takes pre-existing conditions into consideration or for those looking to upgrade to a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) plan as the availability of these benefits is tied to purchasing the insurance within that time-sensitive window. And always remember to purchase early during the Atlantic Hurricane Season (June through November), since once a storm is named, it is too late to purchase a plan that would cover you for that storm.

For more information, or to search for a travel insurance plan, visit https://www.travelinsurance.com/.

About TravelInsurance.com:
TravelInsurance.com helps simplify the complicated world of travel insurance by providing consumers with the easiest way to compare and buy trip insurance coverage online. A member company of the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, owned and operated by DigiVentures Holdings, LLC, a licensed agency that works with some of the largest travel insurers in the industry. Purchases can be made directly through the website, with policies sent via email within minutes.

Learn more at https://www.travelinsurance.com/.

'Wave Season,' the time of year when the majority of cruise vacations are booked, is upon us and with it the need for cruisers to consider travel insurance, according to TravelInsurance.com. While most cruises go off without a hitch, Mother Nature can throw a variety of unexpected hiccups into a cruise vacation. This can include hurricanes or other storms, missing the ship due to travel mishaps either at home or at your destination city, or succumbing to an illness or injury on board.

Related link: https://www.travelinsurance.com/

Mark Maher and David Nielsen Assume Leadership Roles at JenCap Holdings LLC

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- JenCap Holdings LLC (JCH), a specialty insurance business, announced that Mark P. Maher has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and that David Nielsen had recently joined the firm as Corporate Chief Financial Officer.

In his new role, Maher will work with the JenCap management team in developing strategic plans, managing carrier and key broker relationships, and will work with divisional business leaders to achieve an effective cross sale protocol while maintaining a high service level throughout the organization.

Most recently Maher was President of JenCap's NIF Group, a managing general agency, program manager and wholesale insurance brokerage based in New York with offices in the Northeast and West. He has been with NIF for 30 years.

Dave Nielsen has joined JCH as Corporate Chief Financial Officer and brings the firm a unique mix of operating and financial experience, operational and financial integration knowledge, and significant private equity experience.

Nielsen has spent his entire 30+ year career in the Financial Services Industry, serving as a Chief Operating Officer in Wells Fargo's wholesale business, and more recently, as Chief Financial Officer of CommunityOne Bancorp. Dave graduated with a BS in Accounting from the University of Virginia and an MBA in Finance from Darden.

John F. Jennings, President and Chief Executive Officer of JCH commented, "I am excited to have both Mark and Dave on the senior JenCap team. They bring added strength, expertise and leadership capabilities that will be essential as we continue to transform and grow our company."

About JenCap Holdings, LLC:

JenCap Holdings is a premier national specialty insurance distribution platform that includes program management businesses, managing general agencies, specialty program underwriters and transactional wholesale brokers. JenCap Holdings has assembled a management team with the sector insight and experience to drive organic growth and strategic acquisitions leveraging technology and advanced data analytics. JenCap Holdings is headquartered in New York.

For more information on JenCap, visit: http://jencapholdings.com/

JenCap Holdings LLC (JCH), a specialty insurance business, announced that Mark P. Maher has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and that David Nielsen had recently joined the firm as Corporate Chief Financial Officer.

Related link: http://www.jencapholdings.com/

Business Association of Real Estate Appraisers (BAREA) partners with Anow to empower appraisal firms in Canada with transformative tech

RED DEER, Alberta /ScoopCloud/ -- Anow, the appraisal firm management software developer that simplifies the way real estate appraisers manage their businesses, today announced a partnership that makes its powerful appraisal technology platform available to members of the Business Association of Real Estate Appraisers (BAREA).

"BAREA empowers appraisal companies by giving them access to beneficial professional partnerships and better business tools," said BAREA spokesperson Natalie McDonagh. "Equipping BAREA members with access to Anow's digital appraisal management platform will strengthen their competitiveness by reducing the time and cost of producing an appraisal while facilitating the delivery of top-tier service to customers and mortgage lenders."

According to McDonagh, as more appraisals are administered by appraisal management companies (AMCs), the profit margins of appraisal firms are being compressed to critical levels. However, Anow's technology holds the potential to help reverse that trend by giving independent appraisal firms access to process efficiency tools that will enable them to take on more business while reducing their workload.

"Immediate business efficiencies are possible with BAREA members using the same collaborative software platform," said McDonagh. "The ability to share best practices and benchmarking data gives our members a tremendous advantage. There's never been an appraisal partnership like this."

"Anow is the first company to deliver an enterprise software platform that gives appraisers a single point of access to manage orders and fees from various sources and collaborate with appraisal teams, AMCs and lenders," said Anow President and Founder Marty Haldane. "We are excited to provide BAREA's member network with an indispensable, modern appraisal tool that's accessible from any web-enabled device with almost no setup required."

For more information about Anow's appraisal management software, contact sales@anow.com or call 800-403-7121.

ABOUT ANOW:

Anow is an appraisal management software developer that simplifies the way real estate appraisers manage their businesses. Launched in 2011 by multi-generational appraisal professional Marty Haldane, Anow streamlines a wide range of everyday appraisal processes while offering unmatched business insights to help appraisers compete in today's digital environment. Powerful order tracking, job assignment, collaboration, and scheduling tools allow appraisers and administrative staff to save time, assign appraisals more easily and deliver exceptional service to clients and mortgage lenders from any web-enabled device. Advanced reporting enables business owners to manage fee competition and turn times with ease. Anow is headquartered in Red Deer, Alberta.

For more information, visit https://anow.com/.

ABOUT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS (BAREA):

BAREA is a trade association of Canadian real estate appraisal professionals that aims to empower appraisal firm members by promoting their professional value, preserving and promoting their businesses, creating purchasing power opportunities and provide professional development opportunities. BAREA strives to be the most trusted group of professional residential real estate appraisal firms in Canada.

For more information, visit https://www.barea.ca.

Twitter: @AppraisersNow #appraisaltech #BAREA

Anow, the appraisal firm management software developer that simplifies the way real estate appraisers manage their businesses, today announced a partnership that makes its powerful appraisal technology platform available to members of the Business Association of Real Estate Appraisers (BAREA).

Related link: https://anow.com/

FormFree Builds on Its Success in 2018 with Addition of New Products and Industry Partnerships, Including Freddie Mac

ATHENS, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- After a banner 2018 that included new partnerships, a product launch and several industry accolades, automated verification provider FormFree(R) anticipates continued growth and innovation in 2019 thanks in part to an expanded focus on serving the needs of independent mortgage brokers.

"The wholesale channel is making a comeback, and FormFree will be there to support independent mortgage brokers with our three-in-one Passport Report that analyzes income, asset and employment data to make borrower qualification easier, more efficient and more accurate," said FormFree Founder and CEO Brent Chandler.

FormFree announced in September the launch of its new platform, NextGen, which increases the accuracy and simplicity with which lenders determine their borrowers' ability to pay loans. With features such as a fully customizable API-enabled environment, advanced income and employment analytics and PDF bank statements, FormFree delivered a tailored experience for the entire wholesale channel.

Early last year, FormFree announced that Asset Reports generated by its AccountChek(R) automated asset verification service meet all underwriting guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This landmark achievement ushered in a faster, easier way for VA borrowers to obtain a mortgage and continues to allow VA lenders and their investors to enjoy the benefits of automated asset verification with confidence.

Last year also brought the announcement that FormFree has been named a designated third-party service provider for automated income and asset verification as part of Freddie Mac's Loan Advisor platform. FormFree's partnership with Freddie Mac exponentially increased the number of borrowers able to reap the benefits of a faster, easier mortgage experience while also providing Freddie Mac-approved seller/servicers with highly valuable rep and warrant relief.

Additional partnerships announced during 2018 include BeSmartee, Black Knight Loan Sphere Exchange Digital, LendingQB and LoanBeam.

Founder and CEO Brent Chandler was named to Mortgage Professional America's Hot 100 list. Louann Bernstone, head of risk and compliance, received HousingWire's 2018 HW Insiders Award(TM). Acting President Faith Schwartz was named to National Mortgage Professional's inaugural list of Mortgage Banking's Most Powerful Women and received HousingWire's 2018 HW Vanguard Award(TM).

About FormFree(R):

FormFree is a fintech company whose market-leading AccountChek(R) Asset Reports are used by lenders nationwide to verify borrower assets, employment and income in minutes. To date, more than 1,000 U.S. lenders have ordered over 1.25 million AccountChek Asset Reports, delighting their customers with a paperless experience and reducing origination timelines by up to 20 days. FormFree offers automated analysis and standardized delivery to lenders and their investors using a secure ReIssueKey(TM). A HousingWire TECH100(TM) company for four consecutive years, FormFree is based in Athens, Georgia.

For more information, visit https://www.formfree.com or follow FormFree on LinkedIn.

After a banner 2018 that included new partnerships, a product launch and several industry accolades, automated verification provider FormFree(R) anticipates continued growth and innovation in 2019 thanks in part to an expanded focus on serving the needs of independent mortgage brokers.

Related link: https://www.formfree.com/

Transformational Mortgage Solutions Appoints Michael Barrett as Mortgage Executive Consultant

AUSTIN, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Leading mortgage industry management consulting firm Austin, Texas-based Transformational Mortgage Solutions (TMS), today announced that it has brought on Michael Barrett as mortgage executive consultant. In this role, Barrett will apply his more than 17-years of mortgage business and product development expertise to helping TMS clients improve process efficiencies, execute digital mortgage transformation strategies and expand profit margins.

"As the name Transformational Mortgage Solutions suggests, our mission is to transform the legacy processes and ways of thinking that are holding lenders back," said TMS Founder and Chief Transformational Officer David Lykken. "Michael's keen eye for process evaluation and business development strategy make him especially well-suited for a role at TMS. We look forward to working with him."

Before entering the field of mortgage management consulting, Barrett was senior vice president, retail direct platform at top-10 lender AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC., where he built out their consumer direct lending channel in the Orange County, California market. He also served as vice president, business development at Guaranteed Rate and director of product strategy at Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS). Barrett has earned Mortgage Bankers Association designations as an Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) and a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB).

"In this tight market, many lenders need to evaluate their business model and back office processes with fresh eyes in order to make the kinds of informed and effective decisions that will keep their business viable," said Barrett. "I'm excited to join the stellar team at TMS, and contribute to their reputation as a firm that can cinch the belt on any lending operation by coaching for intentional, disciplined performance."

About Transformational Mortgage Solutions:

Transformational Mortgage Solutions (TMS) is a management consulting firm providing a full range of advisory services to owners and executives of companies in the mortgage lending business. Our clients include banks, credit unions, and independent mortgage lenders, as well as companies providing financing / solutions / services to mortgage lenders. We are able to help companies regardless of size. We provide three main advisory services: consulting, coaching and communications.

Also, as a public service, TMS is dedicated to informing and educating industry professionals through the weekly "Lykken on Lending" podcast as well as providing speakers at conferences and other industry events and consumers through "Today's Mortgage Minute" and through appearances on national television networks such as the FOX Business Network.

More information: https://transformationalmortgagesolutions.com/.

Twitter: @DavidLykken #mortgagebanking #digitalmortgage

Leading mortgage industry management consulting firm Austin, Texas-based Transformational Mortgage Solutions (TMS), today announced that it has brought on Michael Barrett as mortgage executive consultant. In this role, Barrett will apply his more than 17-years of mortgage business and product development expertise to helping TMS clients improve process efficiencies, execute digital mortgage transformation strategies and expand profit margins.

LenderCity Chooses FinKube’s ELSA AI-Powered Virtual Assistant

DALLAS, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- FinKube, a company that provides AI-powered Platform-as-a-Service solutions for a range of industries, announced today that St. Louis-based LenderCity has successfully deployed ELSA, FinKube's Electronic Loan Services Assistant. The mortgage industry's first chatbot is already interacting with prospective borrowers on the LenderCity website.

"Consumers want immediate answers to their home finance questions and ELSA is smart enough to provide the information they need and gather the information we need to prequalify the borrower," said Gregg Harris, principal at LenderCity. "We know we need to respond very quickly to borrower requests for information, but we also want to capture as much information from them as we can, without taking up the loan officer's time. FinKube's ELSA is the answer."

ELSA is the industry's first intelligent assistant and uses AI and machine learning to enhance the origination process from origination to close. Her AI is powerful enough to gather borrower information, render decisions, automate time-consuming tasks and help lenders produce fully compliant mortgage loans in as few as 20 days, though she is well versed in any form of consumer lending.

"American home buyers still want to visit with a live loan officer before signing on a new mortgage, but it's not efficient to spend the loan officer's time in conference with borrowers who do not qualify," said Jorge Sauri, founder and CEO of FinKube. "At the same time, those borrowers who do qualify expect to have their questions answered immediately. They don't want to wait for a call back. They want to feel like they are in control. Most chatbot technology cannot offer that, but ELSA does."

With ELSA, LenderCity is able to hyper personalize the home finance transaction at every stage.

Studies have shown that this
* Reduces customer acquisition costs by 50-80%
* Increases engagement and conversion by 500%
* Reduces customer service costs by 50-80%
* Increases loan retention by a factor of 6.

As an A.I.-powered virtual assistant, ELSA works 24/7/365 pre-qualifying leads, communicating with customers and synchronizing outreach across chat, text, voice, email, and mobile wallet. In addition, FinKube can deploy ELSA ten times faster than generic chatbots that can't speak mortgage out of the box.

Learn more about ELSA at: https://finkube.com/product/elsa-mortgage-software/

About LenderCity:
LenderCity is a consumer direct lender partnered with over 30 lenders to find the lowest rates. It is our mission to change the way consumers shop and apply for a loan. Our entire process can be done online and is safe, secure, and efficient. Close in under 30 days and at the best rate available. Learn more at: https://www.lendercity.com/.

About FinKube:
FinKube with ELSA (E-Loan Support Assistance) is a human in the loop automation (IA) cloud lending platform that makes offering the digital mortgage experience easy. Adaptive technology with the only AI-powered cognitive, industry-specific chatbot all built on a private cloud infrastructure gives lenders affordable access to industry-leading tools that allow them to compete with the nation's largest lenders.

ELSA learns and adjusts to any origination model, chats with consumers to gather information and provide services, and provides lenders with the industry's most flexible solution to meet their own lending needs. In short, FinKube offers Adaptive technology with the Cognitive functionality required to take lenders Digital.

For more information, visit the company's website at: https://finkube.com/.

FinKube, a company that provides AI-powered Platform-as-a-Service solutions for a range of industries, announced today that St. Louis-based LenderCity has successfully deployed ELSA, FinKube's Electronic Loan Services Assistant. The mortgage industry's first chatbot is already interacting with prospective borrowers on the LenderCity website.

Related link: https://finkube.com/

Simplifile Adds 46 Midwest, West Jurisdictions to E-recording Network

PROVO, Utah /ScoopCloud/ -- Simplifile, a leading provider of real estate document collaboration and recording technologies for lenders, settlement agents and counties, today announced that 46 additional recording jurisdictions located in 13 states throughout the Midwest and Western U.S. have joined Simplifile's e-recording network.

"E-recording continues to gain traction for the efficiencies, cost savings and convenience it delivers to recording jurisdictions nationwide, and to this day, it is one of the most widely-adopted digital processes in the real estate supply chain," said Simplifile President Paul Clifford.

"Last year, Simplifile achieved a significant milestone, having deployed our E-recording platform in 50 percent of all U.S. recording jurisdictions, and in 2019, we look forward to helping the remaining 50 percent realize the tremendous benefits e-recording provides."

The newest additions to Simplifile's e-recording network are:

Carroll County, Ill.
Henry County, Ill.
Morgan County, Ill.
Moultrie County, Ill.
Gibson County, Ind.
Sullivan County, Ind.
Neosho County, Kan.
Reno County, Kan.
Presque Isle County, Mich.
Carter County, Mo.
Pemiscot County, Mo.
Dawson County, Mont.
Sioux County, Neb.
Adams County, N.D.
Barnes County, N.D.
Bowman County, N.D.
Divide County, N.D.
Eddy County, N.D.
Emmons County, N.D.
Foster County, N.D.
Griggs County, N.D.
Kidder County, N.D.
LaMoure County, N.D.
Logan County, N.D.
McIntosh County, N.D.
McKenzie County, N.D.
Mercer County, N.D.
Pierce County, N.D.
Rolette County, N.D.
Sanborn County, N.D.
Sargent County, N.D.
Sioux County, N.D.
Slope County, N.D.
Traill County, N.D.
Walsh County, N.D.
Wells County, N.D.
Monroe County, Ohio
Muskingum County, Ohio
Seneca County, Ohio
Brown County, S.D.
Meade County, S.D.
Skagit County, Wash.
Pepin County, Wis.
Price County, Wis.
Albany County, Wyo.
Natrona County, Wyo.

Covering more than 80 percent of the U.S. population, Simplifile's e-recording network is the largest in the nation. Using the Simplifile platform, counties and other recording jurisdictions can reduce document processing times by securely reviewing, stamping, recording and returning documents electronically. To date, 1,874 jurisdictions have joined Simplifile's e-recording network.

For a current list of all jurisdictions in Simplifile's e-recording network, visit https://simplifile.com/services/e-recording/e-recording-counties/.

About Simplifile:

Simplifile, the nation's largest e-recording network, was founded in 2000 to connect settlement agents and county recorders via its e-recording service. Today Simplifile has broadened its services to include collaboration tools and post-closing visibility for mortgage lenders and settlement agents working together on real estate documents. Through Simplifile, users can securely record, share and track documents, data and fees with ease.

To learn more, visit https://simplifile.com or call 800.460.5657.

Simplifile, a leading provider of real estate document collaboration and recording technologies for lenders, settlement agents and counties, today announced that 46 additional recording jurisdictions located in 13 states throughout the Midwest and Western U.S. have joined Simplifile's e-recording network.

Related link: https://simplifile.com/

Report from EraNova Institute: Making Buildings Smart for a Green Future

MOUNTAIN LAKES, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- Today the EraNova Institute announces a special report, "In the Cloud, Our Buildings and We Can Fly - Toward a Smart, Green Life." Dick Samson, Director of EraNova and author of the report, says "Buildings need to get smart if society is to get green."

He adds, "But most buildings are too dumb to even start getting smart. They're not even online." His report documents the reason and describes the solution.

"Most buildings aren't yet online because they're bogged down by paper," he explains. "Their critical systems, from electricity and plumbing to heating and air conditioning, still run manually for the most part - by reference to blueprints, diagrams, construction records, maintenance notes, and other industrial-age documents."

Paper persists because "It's a pain to put it all online. There's just too much of it."

Fortunately, new services simplify the process. They enable organizations to bring their buildings' paper documents online quickly and then manage digitally forever after.

The report presents information from a leader in this new industry, California startup SmartCSM ( https://smartcsm.com/ ). "The majority of the world's buildings are managed from documents that are inaccurate, incomplete, disorganized, illegible, or entirely missing," says Craig Caryl, the company's CEO. "These legacy buildings are too backward to get smart except in bits and pieces."

Operating in the cloud, thanks to services like SmartCSM's, changes all that. It offers broad opportunities for saving time and money while reducing accidents and waste.

"For example," says Daniel Scalisi, SmartCSM's Chief Operating Officer, "technicians fix problems faster when they have immediate access to critical data. Productivity increases of 30 percent are common."

Also, "Managing buildings in the cloud is the first step toward the Internet of Things with artificial intelligence, our next electronic revolution," Caryl adds.

Over time, smart buildings could evolve into genius buildings, fostering profound changes in society, according to the report.

For example, future structures could -

* change from bare-bones enclosures to sensitive instruments of human enhancement, increasing our health, happiness, and productivity, and
* share functions with mobile "people-containers" ranging from self-driving cars to self-guided air and space vehicles.

Early adopters include United Airlines, Toyota, Salvation Army, University of Miami, and the City of Manhattan Beach, California.

In addition to SmartCSM, the report references three other startups in the budding industry: Site1001, Akitabox, and PlanGrid. Many additional suppliers, including giants like IBM and Microsoft, may enter the field between now and 2030, according to the report.

The report is available here: https://medium.com/eranova-institute/in-the-cloud-our-buildings-and-we-can-fly-toward-a-smart-green-life-27e4f64146b7

About EraNova Institute:

EraNova is a small think tank with a big mission: helping selected changemakers implement their solutions faster, ushering in the advanced, sustainable future we all want. Information: https://medium.com/eranova-institute

The EraNova Institute today announced a special report, "In the Cloud, Our Buildings and We Can Fly - Toward a Smart, Green Life." Dick Samson, Director of EraNova and author of the report, says "Buildings need to get smart if society is to get green."

Related link: https://medium.com/eranova-institute

EPIC Insurance Brokers adds Brandon Rich in Houston Texas

HOUSTON, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants announced today that Brandon Rich has joined the firm's Property & Casualty practice as a Client Advocate, reporting to EPIC Managing Principal and Director of the Southwest Region, KJ Wagner.

Brandon, based in Houston, will be responsible for new business development and the design, placement and management of property/casualty insurance programs, providing risk management strategies and solutions for mid-market and large clients.

Brandon joins EPIC from Upstream Brokers (an Acrisure Partner Company), where he served as a Vice President. Prior to that, he spent most of his career with Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. With a strong risk management background, Brandon brings nearly 10 years of industry experience to the EPIC team.

"We are thrilled to continue the growth of our Property & Casualty team in the Southwest region with Brandon's addition," said KJ Wagner. "He brings a strong risk management background that adds tremendous value to our clients and our organization as a whole. Brandon will be a terrific addition to EPIC."

Brandon Rich can be reached at brandon.rich@epicbrokers.com or 281-734-7886.

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S., providing Property & Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $400 million, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants ('EPIC')announced today that Brandon Rich has joined the firm's Property & Casualty practice as a Client Advocate, reporting to EPIC Managing Principal and Director of the Southwest Region, KJ Wagner.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Strategic Benefits Advisors Promotes Three Consultants to Director Level

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors (SBA) today announced the advancement of retirement plan consultants Kim Shumate, David Runsick and Harry Souder to the role of director. Shumate, Runsick and Souder were promoted in recognition of their sustained contributions to SBA, including their proven success leading complex projects to high-value outcomes and fostering strong client relationships.

Kim Shumate
Shumate joined SBA as a senior benefits consultant in 2011, bringing with her over 28 years' experience as a retirement plan consultant. Since joining SBA, she has spearheaded numerous key projects, including the recent transitions of a Fortune 500 plan sponsor's defined contribution (DC), defined benefit (DB), health and welfare and non-qualified plans to new outsourcing providers.

David Runsick, Q.P.A.
Runsick joined SBA in 2005 as a senior benefits consultant. He possesses over 20 years of benefits industry experience specializing in DC plans. David is expert in many areas including complex error correction and compliance issues.

Harry Souder
Souder has been a benefits consultant at SBA since 2003. A nearly 30-year practitioner of actuarial and outsourcing consulting, he has extensive experience working with both DB and DC plans of all sizes. Harry is exceptional at large-scale data projects and complex benefit calculations.

"Strategic Benefits Advisors works hard to cultivate a team of deeply knowledgeable and effective leaders in employee benefits consulting," said SBA Co-Founder and Principal Mindy Zatto. "We are pleased to elevate Kim, David and Harry to the director level and look forward to their continued contributions to the success of SBA and our clients."

About Strategic Benefits Advisors:
Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 500 to over 250,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition.

With an average of over 20 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry.

For more information, visit http://www.sba-inc.com/.

Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors (SBA) today announced the advancement of retirement plan consultants Kim Shumate, David Runsick and Harry Souder to the role of director. Shumate, Runsick and Souder were promoted in recognition of their sustained contributions to SBA, including their proven success leading complex projects to high-value outcomes and fostering strong client relationships.

Related link: http://www.sba-inc.com/