Secured Signing API Integration Marks Major Advancement in Digital Property Transaction Standards
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 30, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Secured Signing, a global leader in Digital Signature and Remote Online Notarization (RON) technology, recently sat down with industry innovators Tall Poppy Real Estate to discuss the successful, large-scale integration of the Secured Signing API into their core proprietary platform. By embedding high-security digital signatures directly into its internal workflows, Tall Poppy is effectively redefining the benchmarks for transparency, efficiency, and trust within the international real estate market.
iEmergent releases 2025 HMDA insights: volume rebounds, but the mortgage market grows more concentrated
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, has released its analysis of 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data in Mortgage MarketSmart. Presented by iEmergent CEO Laird Nossuli, the findings point to a market that is regaining momentum after a prolonged downturn.
U.S. homebuyer assistance programs increase in Q1 2026 as identified by housing industry authority Down Payment Resource
ATLANTA, Ga., April 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry authority on homeownership program data and solutions, today released its Q1 2026 Homeownership Program Index (HPI) report, identifying 2,679 programs nationwide. This represents a 2% increase from the previous quarter (2,619 programs), reflecting continued expansion of resources designed to improve affordability and access to homeownership.
Class Valuation launches CVUE to shift appraisal repurchase risk from lenders and reduce underwriting workload
TROY, Mich., April 28, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), today announced the official launch of Class Valuation Underwriting Engine (CVUE), an underwriting and appraisal assurance program designed to reduce lender risk, lower operational costs and accelerate loan closings.
IRS FIRE Retirement Leaves 2027 Correction Questions Open as Filers Prepare for IRIS-Only Season
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, April 28, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — BoomTax reports that, as the IRS targets retirement of the Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) system at the end of 2026 and continues developing a process for corrections to original FIRE submissions, payroll, accounting, and enterprise filing teams face an unresolved 2027 transition question.
The Smartest Move of 2026: Switching to a Feature-Rich, Affordable e-Signature and Online Notary System
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — A widespread shift in business technology is driving organizations across legal, financial services, staffing, governments, life science, and corporate sectors to rethink how they manage data, workflows, and document execution, says Secured Signing. As companies migrate from legacy systems, integrated all-in-one e-Signature and online notary solutions are emerging as a critical component of modern operations.
TMC to host act Tech Summit, an affordable, high-value event for evaluating mortgage technology
SAN DIEGO, Calif., April 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, will host its act Tech Summit on Aug. 12-13, bringing together mortgage industry leaders, technology providers and decision-makers for an affordable, high-value opportunity to evaluate technology partners and solutions in a single setting. The event will be held at The Highland Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton in Dallas, Texas.
TMC to host act Tech Summit, an affordable, high-value event for evaluating mortgage technology
SAN DIEGO, Calif., April 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, will host its act Tech Summit on Aug. 12-13, bringing together mortgage industry leaders, technology providers and decision-makers for an affordable, high-value opportunity to evaluate technology partners and solutions in a single setting. The event will be held at The Highland Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton in Dallas, Texas.
Secured Signing Reports 45% Month-on-Month Growth in Notary Adoption of Deepfake Detection Feature
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Secured Signing, a global leader in Digital Signing and Remote Online Notarization (RON), announced a 45% month-on-month increase in adoption of Realify, its AI-powered deepfake detection feature, among independent and in-house notaries. The surge reflects growing awareness among legal and notarial professionals of the escalating threat posed by AI-generated synthetic media in video-based identity verification and online meetings.
HostPapa Completes Acquisition of Tailor Made Servers
DALLAS, Texas and BURLINGTON, Ontario, Canada, April 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — HostPapa, Inc., a leading global web hosting and cloud service provider, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Tailor Made Servers (“TMS”), a Dallas, Texas-based dedicated server hosting provider that has been serving businesses and resellers since 2003.
Dark Matter Technologies names Vikas Rao CEO to lead next chapter of growth
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced the appointment of Vikas Rao as chief executive officer. Rao, who has served as chief technology officer since 2025, succeeds Sean Dugan and will lead the company’s next phase with a focus on translating its technology leadership into stronger growth.
Class Valuation expands New York presence with acquisition of Lauritano Appraisal Services
TROY, Mich., April 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that it has acquired Lauritano Appraisal Services (LAS), a highly respected New York-based residential appraisal firm with more than 30 years of experience delivering high-quality valuation services.
Optimal Blue report: Purchase demand lifts mortgage lock activity as rates rise
PLANO, Texas, April 14, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today released its March 2026 Market Advantage mortgage data report, reflecting resilient mortgage activity as purchase demand strengthened despite higher rates. Total rate-lock volume rose 13% month over month (MoM) and 26% year over year (YoY). Purchase activity led the month, with purchase lock volume up 38% from February and 20% from March 2025. Cash-out refinance volume increased 9% MoM and 21% YoY, while rate-and-term refinance volume declined 34% from February but remained more than 66% higher YoY.
The Mortgage Collaborative expands national conference presence, invites lenders to connect during spring events
SAN DIEGO, Calif., April 9, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, will engage with members and industry partners across a series of key mortgage conferences and events nationwide throughout the second quarter.
Vice Capital Markets Announces Support for New Fannie Mae Specified-Cash Payup Commitment Grids
NOVI, Mich., April 9, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Vice Capital Markets, a leading mortgage hedge advisory firm for independent lenders, banks and credit unions, announced today that it now supports new 30-year fixed-rate specified-cash payup commitment grids from Fannie Mae, which became effective April 9, 2026.
Click n’ Close names Delores Lopez as chief operating officer
ADDISON, Texas, April 6, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Click n’ Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced the appointment of Delores Lopez as chief operating officer, effective April 6. In this role, Lopez will lead operations, drive scalable growth initiatives and implement operational strategy across the organization, reporting to Ian Kimball, president.
Vice Capital Markets Now Supports New Freddie Mac Cash-Specified Payup Types for 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgages
NOVI, Mich., April 6, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Vice Capital Markets, a leading mortgage hedge advisory firm for independent lenders, banks and credit unions, announced today that two new Freddie Mac Cash-Specified Payup Types (CSPTs) for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are now available through Vice Capital for both mandatory and best-efforts executions. The new payup types became effective in production on April 6, 2026.
Kitsap Credit Union selects FirstClose’s home equity lending platform
AUSTIN, Texas, April 2, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that Kitsap Credit Union has selected FirstClose to support its home equity lending operations with a bundled, end-to-end digital tool.
Argyle’s Thomas Rasmuson named 2026 HousingWire Rising Star
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., April 1, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Argyle, the leading provider of direct-source income, employment and asset verifications, today announced that its Director of Sales Thomas Rasmuson has been named a 2026 Rising Star by HousingWire. The annual HousingWire Rising Stars award recognizes standout professionals under 40 who are making a significant impact on the housing industry through leadership, innovation and measurable business results.
Class Valuation’s Amanda Standley named to HousingWire’s Rising Stars list
TROY, Mich., April 1, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), today announced that Amanda Standley, vice president of business development for Bluebird Valuation, a Class Valuation company, has been named a 2026 HousingWire Rising Star. The HousingWire Rising Stars award recognizes emerging leaders under 40 in mortgage and real estate who are leading change and making a meaningful impact on their organizations. This year, 75 young professionals were named to the list.
Floify’s Sydney Barber honored with HousingWire’s Rising Stars award
BOULDER, Colo., April 1, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Floify, the mortgage industry’s leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Sydney Barber, 33, head of product, has been named a 2026 HousingWire Rising Star. Barber joins 74 other young professionals on this year’s list.
Dark Matter Technologies introduces Ask Aiva, an AI assistant embedded in the Empower LOS
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 1, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced Ask Aiva®, a conversational AI assistant natively embedded within the Empower® loan origination system (LOS) that allows lenders to query their origination environment in plain language, receive instant answers to see how those answers were derived.
Friday Harbor integrates with Calyx Path Platform to bring AI pre-underwriting directly into the flow of the loan
SEATTLE, Wash., April 1, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Friday Harbor today announced a new integration with the Calyx Path Platform that brings AI-powered pre-underwriting directly into the flow of the loan. Instead of waiting until underwriting to uncover issues, lenders can now review borrower documents, surface potential problems and resolve them earlier while maintaining consistent, reliable loan data throughout the lifecycle.
‘Money Buddies’ Debuts First Two Episodes on April 1 in Celebration of Financial Literacy Awareness Month
ATLANTA, Ga., March 31, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — This Financial Literacy Awareness Month, kids and families are invited to meet the Money Buddies, a lovable and irreverent cast of puppet characters on a mission to make learning about money fun, memorable, and easy to understand. Created and powered by Alliance Group, Money Buddies officially debuts the first two episodes of its seven-episode educational series on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Argyle announces integration with Vesta to embed direct-source verifications within the loan origination system
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., March 30, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Argyle, a leading provider of direct-source, consumer-permissioned income, employment and asset verifications, today announced a new integration with Vesta, an AI-native loan origination system (LOS) and agent platform built to automate and accelerate mortgage operations.
The Mortgage Collaborative to send advocacy committee to Washington for policy meetings
SAN DIEGO, Calif., March 27, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, will send its Advocacy Committee to Washington, D.C. on April 16 to meet with federal policymakers and housing agencies to discuss mortgage lending, regulatory reform and housing affordability.
Friday Harbor partners with Waterstone Mortgage to expand underwriting capacity
SEATTLE, Wash., March 25, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Friday Harbor, an AI-powered platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, today announced that Waterstone Mortgage has implemented its AI pre-underwriting platform to strengthen file quality and expand underwriting capacity across the lender’s nationwide retail operation.
Dark Matter Technologies integrates Snapdocs with its Empower LOS to power seamless digital closings
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 24, 2026 (SEND3PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced a new integration between its Empower® loan origination system (LOS) and Snapdocs, the mortgage industry’s leading digital closing platform. Through the seamless, two-way integration, closing teams can generate orders, track transaction progress with real-time status updates and automate key closing and funding workflows, all without leaving their system of record.
Vertyx Introduces Homeowner Navigator, Delivering Personalized Intelligent Insights and Omnichannel Engagement for Modern Homeownership
NEW YORK, N.Y., March 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Vertyx, a provider of intelligent mortgage servicing technology built for enhanced portfolio performance, today announced Homeowner Navigator, a platform providing AI-driven homeowner insights and omnichannel engagement with borrowers. The platform is designed to help mortgage servicers maintain visibility into borrower needs after closing, when opportunities to support retention, recapture and broader relationship growth are often harder to identify.
DocMagic’s Lori Johnson honored with National Mortgage Professional’s 2026 Women of Inspiration award
TORRANCE, Calif., March 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — DocMagic, Inc. announced today that Chief Operating Officer Lori Johnson has been named a 2026 National Mortgage Professional (NMP) Women of Inspiration award winner. The awards program recognizes women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, made significant contributions to the mortgage industry and inspired others through mentorship and advocacy.
Argyle’s Shelby Bohannon recognized as one of NMP’s 2026 Women of Inspiration
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., March 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Argyle, the leading provider of direct-source income, employment and asset verifications, today announced that Shelby Bohannon, Vice President of Customer Success, has been named a 2026 Woman of Inspiration by National Mortgage Professional (NMP). The annual recognition celebrates influential women in mortgage lending who are driving meaningful progress across the industry.
Texas Bankers Association Partners with Ascribe to Offer Texas Banks Competitive, Reliable Valuation Services
AUSTIN, Texas, March 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Texas Bankers Association (TBA), the nation’s largest state-based banking trade organization, today announced its endorsement of Ascribe, a leading national provider of valuation, evaluation, property inspection, and REO (real estate owned) services. Approved by the TBA Services Company, Inc. (TBASCO) Board of Directors, the endorsement gives Texas banks access to high-quality valuation services, competitive pricing, and fully insured support for both commercial and residential properties.
MarketWise Advisors study finds mortgage lenders increase efficiency by over $1,000 per loan with Optimal Blue
PLANO, Texas, March 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today announced key results of an independent analysis by consulting advisory firm MarketWise Advisors LLC quantifying the operational and financial efficiencies of its end-to-end capital markets platform and the significant value it generates per loan. The study found that mortgage lenders using Optimal Blue technology are more efficient and competitive. Optimal Blue mortgage lenders report an average net financial benefit of $1,006 per loan, reflecting measurable gains in execution quality, error reduction, automation and operational efficiency
ACES Quality Management to present at CU:REALM Live 2026 conference in Atlanta
DENVER, Colo., March 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced that Brock Miller, CMQ/OE, senior director of business development, and Sharon Reichhardt, EVP of operations, will attend and participate in CU:REALM Live 2026, March 30-31 in Atlanta.
Argyle launches unified 3-in-1 Verification Suite for mortgage lenders
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., March 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Argyle today announced the launch of its 3-in-1 Verification Suite, a unified verification product that brings verification of income (VOI), verification of employment (VOE) and verification of assets (VOA) together in a single, consumer-permissioned workflow. The consolidated Verification Suite enables mortgage lenders to manage multiple verification types through one interface, reducing the operational complexity of working across multiple vendors, integrations and contracts.