Tag Archives: HELOC market

Lake Michigan Credit Union selects FirstClose Equity Order Management for automated home equity settlement workflows

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 20, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) has implemented FirstClose’s Equity Order Management to automate settlement workflows for its home equity lending operations.

Image caption: FirstClose, Inc.

With the implementation of FirstClose Equity Order Management, LMCU will be able to generate and track settlement orders directly within its loan origination system, apply business rules for vendor selection and ensure that completed reports and documents flow seamlessly back into the loan record. By reducing manual touchpoints and eliminating redundant data entry, the integration will deliver faster turnaround times, fewer handoffs, improved lien reporting accuracy and greater efficiency for staff and members alike.

“Home equity is an important way we support our members’ financial needs, and implementing FirstClose Equity Order Management allows us to make that process faster, easier and more reliable,” said Eric Schlagheck, vice president of mortgage processing and home equity lending at Lake Michigan Credit Union. “By streamlining the behind-the-scenes work, we’re able to focus more on delivering the level of service our members expect and deserve.”

“LMCU’s implementation of FirstClose Equity Order Management shows how technology can enhance the member experience by making the home equity process faster and more consistent,” said Tedd Smith, CEO of FirstClose. “We’re proud to support LMCU’s commitment to service by delivering automation and integrated workflows that remove friction for both staff and members.”

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., LMCU is the largest credit union in the state and one of the largest in the nation, serving more than 600,000 members. The credit union continues to invest in technology that simplifies lending processes and improves member experiences across its financial services portfolio.

FirstClose Equity Order Management is part of the company’s broader platform designed to help lenders reduce costs, improve consistency and accelerate home equity closings.

About FirstClose

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose, Inc. provides fintech solutions to HELOC and mortgage lenders nationwide. The company’s mission is to increase profitability and reduce costs for mortgage lenders. FirstClose makes this possible through offering systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist their borrowers more effectively, reduce closing costs, and ultimately shorten closing times. For more information, visit firstclose.com.

NEWS SOURCE: FirstClose

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (FirstClose), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/lake-michigan-credit-union-selects-firstclose-equity-order-management-for-automated-home-equity-settlement-workflows/

Home equity fintech FirstClose promotes Andria Lightfoot to vice president of client success

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 8, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today the promotion of Andria Lightfoot to vice president of client success.

In her new role, Lightfoot will join the sales and revenue organization and be responsible for implementation and customer success strategy. She will oversee account management and introduce project management practices to shorten delivery timelines and improve client value. She is building a dedicated team and creating a new relationship manager role focused on long-term partnerships to expand the company’s customer success resources. During the transition, she will continue to guide the support team to ensure continuity.

Image caption: Home equity fintech FirstClose promotes Andria Lightfoot.

“Andria has a proven track record of delivering results for lenders while leading with empathy and vision,” said Tedd Smith, co-founder and chief executive officer of FirstClose. “Her expanded role ensures we continue to elevate the client experience while strengthening the connection between customer success and revenue growth in the home equity space.”

Lightfoot, a 2022 HousingWire Woman of Influence, is recognized across the mortgage industry for her leadership in technology adoption and customer success. She has built her career on helping lenders achieve measurable results by bridging complex mortgage technology with practical client outcomes that improve efficiency, compliance and borrower experience.

“To me, customer success at FirstClose isn’t just about support,” Lightfoot said. “It’s about standing beside our lenders, helping them get up to speed quickly and creating the kind of lasting relationships that make a difference.”

Lightfoot brings more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry and technology to the role. She previously served as chief customer officer at SimpleNexus, where she grew the company’s eClosing product from four to 54 active clients in eight months and helped launch Nexus Bilingual to better assist borrowers with limited English proficiency. Earlier, as chief operating officer at George Mason Mortgage, she received the Ellie Mae Hall of Fame Award for Digital Mortgage Excellence for leading a digital point-of-sale implementation that cut loan turn times and increased application pull-through. She has also guided nearly 100 lender implementations through her consulting work and modernized identity and access management systems for one of the nation’s largest school districts, serving more than 180,000 students and 40,000 employees.

Lightfoot has been recognized as one of National Mortgage Professional’s 40 Under 40 and is an active speaker and contributor to industry events and publications, including Forbes. She has served on advisory boards for the Mortgage Bankers Association, ICE and Women of ALICE, a nonprofit that mentors women in banking. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human system development from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in information technology from Georgetown University, along with certifications in SAFe, PMP, Scrum Master and ITIL.

About FirstClose

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose, Inc. provides fintech solutions to HELOC and mortgage lenders nationwide. The company’s mission is to increase profitability and reduce cost for mortgage lenders. FirstClose makes this possible through offering systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist the lender’s borrowers more effectively, reduce closing costs, and ultimately shorten closing times. For more information, visit firstclose.com.

NEWS SOURCE: FirstClose

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/home-equity-fintech-firstclose-promotes-andria-lightfoot-to-vice-president-of-client-success/

South Bay Credit Union announces limited time offer on their HELOC (home equity line of credit) Loan Product

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- South Bay Credit Union - Member-owned not-for-profit financial cooperative, today announced the launch of a limited time offer on their Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) program to homeowners in the South Bay Los Angeles Area.

Homeowners can borrow up to $500,000! (or 80% of appraised value, less 1st Trust Deed, owner-occupied). Borrow what you need when you need it, and as you repay your principle that money becomes available to borrow over and over again. The interest on a HELOC may even be tax deductible (check with your tax advisor for details).

"The goal with our HELOC program is to help our members access funds through equity available in their property," says David Ellings, CLO. "With mortgage rates steadily increasing, and it is becoming more difficult for homeowners to refinance due to outcomes from the Pandemic and other life circumstances, a HELOC could really help our members pay off high-rate interest credit cards or other loans, buy a car, take a well needed vacation, or just gain peace of mind with funds available for a rainy day."

This limited time offer is available from April 1 through July 31, 2021 and includes:
* NO interest for 6 months
* Low Rates
* One-time fee of $300
* NO annual maintenance fee
* 10-year interest-only payments (draw period)
* Terms up to 25 years

To learn more visit: https://www.southbaycu.com/heloc/.

About South Bay Credit Union:

Established in 1953, South Bay Credit Union is a member-owned not-for-profit financial cooperative proudly serving anyone who lives, regularly works, attends school or worships in the area known as South Bay in Los Angeles County, California. Their mission is to uplift communities by empowering their members to live better and do better. Members own the Credit Union, not shareholders. That means, all the profits that they bring in go right back out to their members in the form of dividends, rebates and lowered interest rates. And they do it with a warm smile and a happy heart.

VIDEO "Do you know what a HELOC is" - https://youtu.be/L0XUzB-c5Jk

MEDIA CONTACT:
David Ellings, CLO
South Bay Credit Union - NMLS # 449361
P: 424-327-9790
E: dellings@southbaycu.com

South Bay Credit Union - Member-owned not-for-profit financial cooperative, today announced the launch of a limited time offer on their Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) program to homeowners in the South Bay Los Angeles Area.

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