Optimal Blue to host 2027 Summit February 1-3 in Scottsdale

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 25, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today announced it will host its 2027 Optimal Blue Summit February 1-3 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. The annual event convenes Optimal Blue clients, integration partners and capital markets leaders from across the mortgage industry for three days of insight, collaboration and forward-looking strategy.
Dark Matter Technologies enables secure AI agents inside the Empower LOS for regulated lending

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 25, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced the launch of a new capability on the Dark Matter Developer Platform, enabling lenders to use AI agents securely within the regulated mortgage environment.
Friday Harbor introduces dynamic pre-underwriting to help LOs structure deals that qualify and close

SEATTLE, Wash., Feb. 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Friday Harbor, an AI pre-underwriting platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, today announced the launch of Income and Asset Sandbox, a new set of capabilities that allows lending teams to structure income and asset decisions in real time without committing changes prematurely or stepping outside program guidelines. The capabilities are designed to help loan officers structure deals that qualify and close earlier in the origination process.
Industry-first AI/ML-powered forecasting tool headlines extensive lineup of mortgage capital markets innovations unveiled at 2026 Optimal Blue Summit

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today announced Virtual Economist, the first on-demand forecasting tool for mortgage capital markets leaders powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), as the centerpiece of nine platform advancements unveiled at the company’s 2026 Summit. Together, the innovations further unify the capital markets profitability experience by connecting forecasting, pricing, hedging, competitive benchmarking and workflow execution within a single, end-to-end platform.
Vertyx and Great Lakes Credit Union launch CUSO to support modernized mortgage servicing for credit unions

BANNOCKBURN, Ill., and NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Vertyx, a provider of intelligent mortgage servicing technology built for enhanced portfolio performance, today announced it has partnered with Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU), through its CUSO holding company GLCU Holdings LLC, to launch Vertyx CUSO LLC, a newly formed credit union service organization (CUSO) dedicated to transforming mortgage servicing with a member-first philosophy and shared, credit union focused technology.
Dovenmuehle’s 2025 SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports underscore high data security standards and robust internal controls

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., Feb. 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc., a leading mortgage subservicing company, today announced it has successfully completed its 2025 Service Organization Control (SOC) 1® Type 2 and SOC 2® Type 2 audits. The independent examinations, conducted by public accounting and business advisory firm Plante Moran, PLLC, confirm that Dovenmuehle’s internal controls, operational processes and information security practices meet stringent standards for financial reporting integrity and the safeguarding of client data.
FirstClose and TruStage form partnership to accelerate dynamic credit union lending documentation

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, today announced a strategic partnership with TruStage to embed TruStage’s dynamic document engine within the FirstClose platform.
ACES Q3 2025 Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report shows concentrated rise in critical defects as income and compliance findings increase

DENVER, Colo., Feb. 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced the release of its quarterly ACES Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report covering Q3 2025. The report analyzes post-closing quality control data derived from the ACES Quality Management & Control® software.
OCCU selects Floify to support scalable, member-centric lending

BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 17, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Floify, the mortgage industry’s leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that OCCU has selected Floify to support its next phase of member-centric lending and long-term growth. OCCU is a member-owned, not-for-profit credit union based in Eugene, Oregon, with more than 284,000 members.
Vertyx to showcase intelligent loan servicing technology at MBA Servicing Solutions Conference & Expo

NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Vertyx, a provider of intelligent mortgage servicing technology built for enhanced portfolio performance, today announced that company Co-Founders Ayo Opeyemi and Moyin Opeyemi will participate in a live demo session during the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Servicing Solutions Conference & Expo, which runs from Feb. 16-19.
Optimal Blue report: Sub-6% rates spark refinance surge early in 2026

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today released its January 2026 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing a strong start to the year as falling rates drove a sharp increase in refinance activity. Total rate-lock volume rose 16% month over month (MoM) and finished January 36% higher year over year (YoY), led by a surge in rate-and-term refinances, which climbed 50% from December and more than 400% compared with January 2025.
The Mortgage Collaborative and Mortgage Bankers Association announce partnership agreement

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Feb. 9, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the national association representing the real estate finance industry, announced today that they have entered into a strategic partnership to expand advocacy, education and engagement opportunities for their members.
The Big Picture webcast to cover policy, compliance, lender strategy and digital transformation in February

CLEVELAND, Ohio, Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Top mortgage industry webcast The Big Picture, broadcast live every Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, announced its February lineup of guests, representing a broad swath of expertise from across the mortgage industry. Co-hosted by mortgage business consultant and executive coach Rich Swerbinsky and capital markets authority Rob Chrisman, author of the widely read Chrisman Commentary newsletter, the webcast delivers timely, thought-provoking conversations with mortgage professionals, innovators and thought leaders.
Elevate, Dark Matter Technologies’ servicing platform, gains momentum with new signings and technology enhancements

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 2, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced continued client momentum that includes a multi-year renewal with Arbor Bank and a new client signing with Covey Financial, as well as tighter integration of its Elevate℠ Loan Servicing Solution (Elevate) and the Empower® loan origination system (LOS).
Mortgage Collaborative releases Pulse of the Network survey results and analysis

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Jan. 30, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s leading independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, today released results from the latest Pulse of the Network survey, along with an analysis examining how mortgage lenders are prioritizing technology, operational efficiency, and growth strategies amid continued market pressure.
Class Valuation names Chris Flynn as Chief Operating Officer

TROY, Mich., Jan. 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Chris Flynn has been appointed chief operating officer. Flynn joined Class Valuation in April 2025 as chief data officer and has since played a central role in advancing the company’s strategic, operational and product initiatives.
DocMagic executives elected to vice chair MISMO Communities of Practice

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 27, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — DocMagic, Inc., today announced that two of its executives have been elected to help lead Community of Practice (CoP) workgroups within the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO) for the 2026-2027 term. Chief eServices Executive Brian D. Pannell will serve as vice chair of MISMO’s Digital Interoperability CoP, and Director of Integration and Technical Services David Garrett will serve as vice chair of the eMortgage CoP.
Vertyx Expands Mortgage Servicing Platform with Portfolio Retention and Engagement Measurement Tools for Servicers and Investors

NEW YORK, N.Y., Jan. 27, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Vertyx, a provider of intelligent mortgage servicing technology built for enhanced portfolio performance, today announced the release of Borrower Relationship Management, a new capability within its end-to-end mortgage servicing platform designed to help servicers and investors identify retention and recapture opportunities earlier, deliver timely outreach through borrower channels and measure engagement.
Down Payment Resource finds 2,619 homebuyer assistance programs nationwide in Q4 of 2025

ATLANTA, Ga., Jan. 26, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry authority on homeownership program data and solutions, today released its Q4 2025 Homeownership Program Index (HPI) report, identifying 2,619 programs. While the total count is five programs fewer than the prior quarter, it marked a 6% increase from a year earlier, rising from 2,466 programs in Q4 2024. The year-over-year (YoY) growth reflects continued expansion and refinement of program options amid persistent housing affordability challenges across much of the country.
Informative Research delivers significant platform innovations and enhanced integrations in 2025

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., Jan. 26, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that its work in 2025 has introduced significant platform enhancements and expanded its integration ecosystem across credit and verification services. The company introduced new credit and verification capabilities, added multiple data and payroll partners, and enhanced automation through its unified platform.
Class Valuation Appoints Tanya Wright as EVP of TPO and Distributed Retail

TROY, Mich., Jan. 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Tanya Wright has joined the company as Executive Vice President of Third-Party Origination (TPO) and Distributed Retail. Wright will serve on Class Valuation’s Operations Leadership Team and oversee strategy, operations and client success for the company’s broker and distributed retail channels.
Moody’s Investors Service affirms Dovenmuehle’s overall rating as ‘above average’ residential mortgage loan servicer

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., Jan. 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc. (Dovenmuehle), a leading residential mortgage subservicer, announced today that Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) has affirmed its servicer quality (SQ) assessment as a servicer of prime residential mortgage loans at SQ2-. Moody’s assessment highlights Dovenmuehle’s strong performance and disciplined execution across key areas of mortgage servicing.
FirstClose Caps Transformational 2025 With Faster Closings, Platform Expansion and Strong Market Momentum

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, today announced 2025 results showing faster closings and measurable efficiency gains as lenders used its technology to meet rising home equity demand in a high-interest-rate environment. The company reduced closing timelines, expanded key integrations and strengthened its operating foundation to support scalable growth in 2026.
ACES Quality Management Grows Audit Volume and Market Share, Advances AI Innovation and Industry Leadership in 2025

DENVER, Colo., Jan. 13, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, continued to support its customers through a challenging mortgage market in 2025 by sustaining audit scale, advancing AI-driven quality control innovation and delivering trusted regulatory and defect trend insight.
Optimal Blue report: December lock volume closes 2025 on a firm footing

PLANO, Texas, Jan. 13, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today released its December 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing that mortgage rate-lock activity ended the year on a firm footing, bucking typical holiday-driven seasonality. Total lock volume rose 2% month over month (MoM) from November and finished 30% higher year over year (YoY), driven primarily by rate-and-term refinances, which climbed 13% from November and more than 170% compared with December 2024.
Friday Harbor adds Fannie Mae’s Income Calculator to its AI Originator Assistant

SEATTLE, Wash., Jan. 6, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Friday Harbor, an AI-powered platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, today announced the integration of its AI Originator Assistant with Fannie Mae’s Income Calculator. The new connection enables lenders to instantly calculate qualifying income for borrowers with self-employment or rental income and gain enforcement relief from representations and warranties on the income calculation for conventional loans.
Dovenmuehle receives ISO/IEC 27001 certification, reinforcing commitment to data security and operational excellence

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., Jan. 6, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc. (DMI), a leading mortgage subservicing company, announced today that it has received the ISO/IEC 27001 certification from NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR), an NSF company. ISO/IEC 27001 defines global benchmarks for information security management systems (ISMS).
The Big Picture opens 2026 with conversations on compliance, leadership and new paths to homeownership

CLEVELAND, Ohio, Jan. 6, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Top mortgage industry webcast The Big Picture, broadcast live every Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, announced a January slate of guests offering timely perspectives on how to navigate the regulatory landscape ahead, scale mortgage production while developing the next generation of originators, execute with discipline in volatile markets and expand access to homeownership in new ways.
Ascribe Appoints Craig Bennett as Chief Executive Officer

CHICAGO, Ill., Jan. 5, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Ascribe, a leading provider of real estate valuation and inspection services, has appointed Craig Bennett as chief executive officer to lead the company in its next phase of growth.Bennett brings nearly 15 years of senior-level experience in financial services to his post which includes 5 years at StoicLane, Ascribe’s parent company.
The Mortgage Collaborative Appoints Rich Swerbinsky as Strategic Advisor to CEO & President; Names Heidi Belnay Senior Advisor for Business Development

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Jan. 5, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s only independent, wholly-owned mortgage lending cooperative, today announced the appointment of Rich Swerbinsky as Strategic Advisor to the CEO & President and Heidi Belnay as Senior Advisor for Business Development. These strategic additions to the leadership team position TMC for accelerated growth and continued industry impact in 2026 and beyond. [UPDATED]
TMC to host inaugural ACT Technology Summit focused on mortgage technology and AI

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Dec. 22, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s leading independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, today announced it will host the inaugural ACT Technology Summit, short for Accelerator and Collaborative Transformation, a two-day standalone mortgage technology competition and showcase Aug. 12-13 at The Highlands Hotel in Dallas.
LenderLogix expands LiteSpeed POS with native eSignature for borrowers and loan teams

BUFFALO, N.Y., Dec. 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — LenderLogix, a leading provider of mortgage point-of-sale and automation software for banks, credit unions, independent mortgage banks, and brokers, today announced LiteSpeed eSign, a fully native eSignature experience built into the LiteSpeed point of sale (POS) platform. Serving both sides of the mortgage process, LiteSpeed eSign enables lenders to tag and request documents for electronic signatures directly in Encompass without the need to switch platforms.
TMC launches new individual subscription membership option

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Dec. 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s leading independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, today announced the launch of an individual subscription membership option that expands access to its network for mortgage professionals seeking connection, insight and peer engagement outside a traditional lender membership.
ACES Quality Management Announces General Availability of ACES DATABRIDGE for Enterprise Data Portability

DENVER, Colo., Dec. 10, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ACES Quality Management#xae; (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced the general availability of its latest innovation, ACES DATABRIDGE, which makes ACES customer data fully portable.
FirstClose Integrates Stewart Home Equity Solutions into OMS to Streamline Lender Workflows

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 10, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today a new partnership with Stewart Lender Services, a division of Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE: STC), that enhances FirstClose’s Order Management System (OMS) with expanded home equity fulfillment capabilities.