Tag: Texas Business
NotaryCam helps major credit card issuers fight fraud and reduce time to resolution with RON-based identity verification
HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 26, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- NotaryCam®, a Stewart-owned company and a pioneering provider of remote online notarization (RON) and identity verification/authentication technology for real estate and legal transactions, today announced the continued expansion of its fraud prevention use cases within the credit card industry.
NotaryCam Certified to Provide Remote Online Notarization Services in Vermont
HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 19, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- NotaryCam®, a Stewart-owned company and leading remote online notarization (RON) provider for real estate and legal transactions, its certification to perform RON services in the state of Vermont. This development follows Vermont's enactment of legislation supporting remote notarizations, allowing notaries with a Special Endorsement to perform digital notarizations in the state.
Optimal Blue to Host Its 2026 Summit February 23-25 in Scottsdale
PLANO, Texas, Aug. 18, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced it will host its 2026 Optimal Blue Summit from February 23-25 at the Talking Stick Resort and Conference Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Building on the success of its inaugural event, the 2026 Summit will bring together the company's clients and integration partners, along with thought leaders and experts from across the mortgage industry, for three days of insights, connection and strategy.
Refinances tick up and non-QM hits record high as purchase activity falls nearly 5% in July
PLANO, Texas, Aug. 12, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its July 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which found a 3% month-over-month (MoM) drop in overall rate lock volume, led by a nearly 5% drop in purchase activity as affordability remained strained. Mortgage rates rose MoM across all loan types.
Optimal Blue’s New Brand Reflects Its Modern Technology and Proven Expertise and Leadership
PLANO, Texas, Aug. 11, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today launched a new brand that emphasizes the company's market leadership in delivering modern innovation backed by decades of proven, trusted performance. "Optimal Blue is operating in an era defined by accuracy, scale, speed and artificial intelligence - and our new brand embodies that," said Joe Tyrrell, CEO of Optimal Blue.
Velocity Credit Union Breaks Ground on New Southwest Austin Branch
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 7, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Velocity Credit Union is proud to announce the official groundbreaking of its newest branch, located at the southeast corner of Davis Lane and Brodie Lane in Southwest Austin. This expansion reflects the credit union's continued commitment to serving its growing membership and delivering convenient, modern financial services to communities across Central Texas.
Shaun Simms of FirstClose named 2025 HousingWire Insider
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- FirstClose™, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that Shaun Simms, Director of the Project Management Office (PMO), has been selected by HousingWire magazine for its annual Insiders awards program.
Optimal Blue Fully Automates Best Efforts Locking Directly with Investors
PLANO, Texas, July 30, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced a new capability in its industry-leading product, pricing and eligibility (PPE) engine that fully automates the process for a lock desk user to execute best efforts locks directly with participating investors via API. By eliminating the last remaining manual step in the locking life cycle, Optimal Blue is delivering innovations and enhancements that will help significantly increase a lender's efficiency and profitability.
Click n’ Close Honored as Top USDA Wholesale Mortgage Lender Award for Second Consecutive Year
ADDISON, Texas, July 9, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced it has been honored for the second year in a row as a 2025 Top Wholesale Lender Champion by the United States Department of Agriculture. This recognition underscores Click n' Close's continued commitment to fostering homeownership and supporting community development through innovative lending programs.
Refis, Product Shifts and Strong Agency Participation Define June Market Advantage Report
PLANO, Texas, July 8, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its June 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report showing total lock volume rose 1.95% month-over-month (MoM), driven by increased refinance activity. Refinance share climbed from 16% to 18% of all locks as rate-and-term refinances jumped 17.4% MoM and 18.4% year-over-year (YoY). Cash-out refinances rose 8.1% from May and nearly 28% YoY. Meanwhile, purchase activity held relatively steady - a better-than-expected result for June, when the spring homebuying season typically tapers off.
FirstClose’s SVP of HR Katie Smith named 2025 HousingWire Woman of Influence
AUSTIN, Texas, July 3, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- FirstClose™, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced its Senior Vice President of Human Resources Katie Smith has been named a 2025 HousingWire Woman of Influence. The national award recognizes her exceptional leadership, commitment to company culture and impact on the fintech and mortgage lending industry.
Magan’s HandShield™ Helps Protect Your Skin from Harmful Effects of LED Nail Gel Curing Lamps
DALLAS, Texas, June 17, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- While emerging scientific evidence highlights the heightened cancer risk from exposure to LED nail gel curing lamps, what has been missing is a convenient and effective product to give you greater peace of mind during your mani and pedi. Introducing Magan's HandShield™: a patented*, natural mineral-based spray uniquely designed to help protect skin from the harmful radiation damage caused by LED nail gel curing lamps.
Autocraft Bodywerks’ New 23,000 sq. ft. Bee Cave | 71 West Location Is Officially Open for Business!
AUSTIN, Texas, June 12, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Autocraft Bodywerks is proud to announce the opening of its fourth state-of-the-art collision repair center, located on State Highway 71 in Spicewood, Texas. This new 23,000-square-foot facility has achieved I-CAR Gold Class status and is proudly sponsored by BMW of South Austin and Audi of South Austin, as it works toward becoming the only BMW and Audi-certified collision repair center in the area. The company's expanded footprint, led by Manager Robbie Mulderrig will better serve customers in West Austin, Westlake, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Spicewood, and the surrounding communities.
Zeteo Biomedical Secures Global Patents for Nasal and Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Device Innovations
CEDAR PARK, Texas, June 11, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Zeteo Biomedical, a privately held biomedical device company, today announced the issuance of new patents in the United States and European Union for its advanced drug delivery technologies. The patents, titled "Cartridge Devices for Administration of a Medicament" (U.S. Patent No. 12329949) and "Hand-Operated Devices for Administration of a Medicament" (EU Patent No. 3946526), further strengthen Zeteo's ZTech™ delivery platform portfolio for the administration of drugs and biologics via nasal, ophthalmic, and sublingual routes.
RSI & Associates, Inc. Announces Limited Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Business Valuations
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, June 10, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- RSI & Associates, Inc., a leading provider of business valuation, feasibility studies and consulting services, today announced a policy of limited and careful application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the preparation and analysis of business valuations. This decision is driven by the firm's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, reliability, and ethical conduct in its valuation practice, particularly in light of current legal, regulatory, and ethical uncertainties surrounding the use of AI in financial analysis.
Optimal Blue Releases May Data Findings, Announces Expansion of Monthly Report for More Comprehensive Lender Profitability Insights
PLANO, Texas, June 10, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released the May 2025 edition of its now-expanded Market Advantage mortgage data report, which features newly added borrower profile and capital market datasets for a more comprehensive picture of early-stage mortgage activity and loan profitability. The enhancements come at a critical time for mortgage lenders navigating heightened interest rates, tighter margins, increased volatility and deepening affordability challenges.
Optimal Blue Launches New Lead Generation Tool for Originators
PLANO, Texas, June 9, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced a new product that helps originators efficiently track and identify refinance opportunities so they can reengage borrowers with eligible refinance options at the right time. Available to Optimal Blue PPE users, Capture for Originators dramatically reduces the manual effort loan officers currently spend evaluating refinance potential by automatically analyzing entire portfolios each month and putting recapture opportunities directly into originators' hands.
CaptainU Relaunches as Stack Athlete, Enhancing the College Sports Recruiting Journey for Athletes
PLANO, Texas, June 3, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- CaptainU, one of the leading online collegiate sports recruiting platforms, announced its relaunch as Stack Athlete on May 20, 2025. This change reflects Stack Athlete's ongoing commitment to empowering high school athletes, parents, and college coaches with the best tools to navigate the recruiting journey, now with an even stronger connection to the Stack Sports family.
Click n’ Close Appoints Mortgage Wholesale Veteran Tony Catanese as Regional Sales Manager to Lead East Coast Expansion
ADDISON, Texas, May 30, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender and innovator in third-party origination (TPO), announced Thursday that Tony Catanese has joined the company as regional sales manager. In this role, Catanese will lead the company's wholesale and non-delegated expansion across the East Coast, focusing on building and developing a high-performing sales team.
ProNotary Expands Remote Online Notarization Services to Five New States
DALLAS, Texas, Sept. 21, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- ProNotary today announced the expansion of its Remote Online Notarization (RON) platform into five new states: Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. This milestone allows ProNotary to offer its streamlined, secure digital notarization services to more professionals across the country.
Optimal Blue Releases Executive-Level AI Insights Tool, Ask Obi, to Clients
PLANO, Texas, May 19, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced that Ask Obi, an AI-powered assistant designed to help mortgage lending executives extract real-time insights from across Optimal Blue's capital markets platform, is now generally available to all PPE clients. Introduced at the company's inaugural user conference in February and refined through beta testing with select clients, Ask Obi provides executives with fast answers to complex profitability questions at no additional cost.
Lock Volume Rises 3.2% in April, Driven by Uptick in FHA Loans, Despite Economic Volatility
PLANO, Texas, May 13, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its April 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report showing total loan lock volume rose 3.2% month-over-month (MoM) as the spring homebuying season progressed, with purchase locks up 7.5% despite ongoing economic pressures.
Optimal Blue Brings AI-Powered Originator Assistant to Market, Helping Originators Present Best Possible Loan Options to Borrowers
PLANO, Texas, May 1, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced the general availability of Originator Assistant, a powerful addition to the Optimal Blue PPE. Leveraging generative AI, Originator Assistant eliminates human bias in the loan structuring process and helps originators identify all options for a borrower, providing more ways to help consumers realize the American dream of homeownership.
Tune into Timeless Elegance: The Retro Radio Collection by Vooglam
Vooglam -
AUSTIN, Texas, April 30, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Vooglam invites you to dial back to a golden era of charm and sophistication with the Retro Eyewear Collection. Evoking the spirit of classic airwaves and vintage soundscapes, this collection harmonizes the timeless beauty of the past with today's contemporary flair. Designed for those who believe that true style never goes out of fashion, these frames are a perfect tribute to an era when every detail mattered.
NYT Bestselling Relationship Experts Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt Immortalized in New Documentary Film ‘The Heart of Dialogue’
DALLAS, Texas, April 24, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- A new 70-minute documentary and AI interactive experience from Emmy®-nominated filmmakers Chris Brickler and Michael Romero titled "The Heart of Dialogue" is giving future generations the ability to interact directly with the wisdom of legendary relationship experts Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., and Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D.
Elite 11 Partners with The GLD Shop to Showcase the Nation’s Top High School Quarterbacks with Exclusive Championship Chains
DALLAS, Texas, April 22, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Elite 11, a Stack Sports company, stands as the leading platform for spotlighting the nation's top high school quarterbacks, are excited to announce a new partnership with The GLD Shop, the globally recognized jewelry brand celebrated for honoring winners from all walks of life - whether athletes, artists, or everyday heroes.
Mission Alive to Transform Rural and Small Town Communities
DALLAS, Texas, April 17, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Mission Alive is delighted to announce the receipt of a grant in support of our new Rural and Small Town Initiative (RSTI) as part of a collaboration with Pepperdine University's Empower and Equip program. This project, funded by a $7,500,000 grant to Pepperdine University from Lilly Endowment Inc. aims to encourage and support rural and small town churches, their leaders, and their communities.
Click n’ Close Expands Correspondent Lending Sales Team with Mortgage Industry Veteran Kim Schenck
ADDISON, Texas, April 9, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Click n' Close (CNC), a multi-state mortgage lender, announced today that Kim Schenck has joined its Correspondent Lending Sales team as Correspondent Manager. In her new role, Schenck will lead the expansion of the company's proprietary down payment assistance (DPA) program, which plays a key role in helping more borrowers achieve homeownership.
Cooler Interest Rates Heat Up Refinances and Spark Early Signs of Purchase Demand
PLANO, Texas, April 8, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its March 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing a 24% surge in rate lock volume as early spring buyers returned to the market and homeowners jumped at the chance to refinance into lower rates. While still down 2% on a year-over-year (YoY) basis, purchase volumes were up 21% month-over-month (MoM). Rate-and-term and cash-out refinances jumped 52% and 20% MoM, respectively, together representing 25% of all lock activity.
Iowa Soccer Taps Stack Tourney to Power Its Events and Expand its Partnership with Stack Sports
PLANO, Texas, April 2, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Stack Tourney, a Stack Sports Company, is excited to announce that Iowa Soccer Association has expanded its partnership with Stack Sports by adopting the Stack Tourney platform to streamline and enhance tournament management for its festival/cup events. Iowa Soccer will leverage Stack Tourney to support tournaments such as the League America Festival, which has recently opened registration and takes place May 2-4.
Optimal Blue’s Shawn Chandwani Named to HousingWire’s 2025 Rising Star List
PLANO, Texas, April 1, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced that Senior Software Engineering Manager Shawn Chandwani, 34, has been named among HousingWire's Rising Stars. The annual list celebrates young professionals who shoulder significant leadership responsibilities and contribute to the broader industry and business landscape, establishing themselves as influential figures and leaders for tomorrow.
Janet Pitney of Click n’ Close Honored with 2025 HousingWire Rising Stars Award
ADDISON, Texas, April 1, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Click n' Close (CNC), a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced that Project Manager Janet Pitney has been honored with a place among the 2025 HousingWire Rising Stars. The award honors young real estate and mortgage professionals making impressive career moves while driving growth for their companies and the industry. Pitney is recognized for her outstanding leadership and innovation in technology and operations.
Optimal Blue Establishes Alliance with Cotality to Expand the Reach of Its Mortgage Origination and Pricing Data
PLANO, Texas, March 27, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced a strategic alliance with Cotality™ (formerly CoreLogic®) that expands access to its mortgage origination and pricing data. Through this collaboration, Cotality will offer Optimal Blue's data to a broader audience, including hedge funds, capital markets participants, and investment firms seeking insights into the mortgage markets.
Stack Sports and Future Stars Series Extend Strategic Partnership into Year Two
DALLAS, Texas, March 26, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- As the New Year kicks off, Stack Sports and the Future Stars Series (FSS) are proud to announce the continuation of their strategic partnership for a second year. This collaboration remains focused on revolutionizing youth sports, particularly baseball, while also setting the stage to expand into additional sports in the future. With the success of year one, both organizations are more committed than ever to providing athletes, families, and coaches with unparalleled tools and experiences.
40% Jump in Rate-and-Term Refis Drives Overall Lock Growth as Purchase Activity Stalls
PLANO, Texas, March 11, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its February 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing a 7% month-over-month increase in mortgage lock volume driven primarily by a surge in refinance activity. Rate-and-term refinances saw the biggest jump, rising nearly 40% as homeowners seized the opportunity to lower their monthly payments. Cash-out refinances also edged higher, while purchase lock activity remained subdued for the second consecutive month.