Finance
Class Valuation appoints Chris Flynn as chief data officer to accelerate innovation and data strategy
TROY, Mich. — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Chris Flynn has joined its leadership team as chief data officer effective April 1. In his new role, Flynn will lead Class Valuation’s enterprise data strategy, overseeing the development of scalable analytics, AI capabilities and automation to improve valuation accuracy, speed and transparency….
Tidewater Mortgage Services Replaces Legacy POS with LiteSpeed from LenderLogix
BUFFALO, N.Y. — LenderLogix, a leading provider of mortgage point-of-sale and automation software for banks, credit unions, independent mortgage banks, and brokers, today announced Tidewater Mortgage Services (Tidewater), a retail mortgage lending company, has replaced its legacy point-of-sale (POS) technology with LiteSpeed, thus expanding its partnership with the company. In addition to Fee Chaser™, Tidewater will now use LiteSpeed as the point-of-sale to automate mortgage processes and provide borrowers with a digital-first experience….
The future of builder-affiliated lending: Jet’s Kelley Hailstone talks strategy on The Big Picture
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Top mortgage industry webcast The Big Picture, broadcast live every Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, this week features Kelley Hailstone, president of Jet Home Loans. Hailstone will join co-hosts Rich Swerbinsky, mortgage business consultant and executive coach, and Rob Chrisman, editor-in-chief of the widely followed Chrisman Commentary newsletter, to discuss how homebuilder-aligned lending models can help lenders scale smartly, differentiate in today’s market and better serve new homebuyers….
Veteran Financial Educator Reveals Revolutionary Approach to Teaching Children About Wealth and Impact in Groundbreaking New Book
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Financial expert Walter Clarke’s groundbreaking work in “401Kid: A Guide to Teaching You and Your Children How to Master Money” (ISBN: 978-1964377643 [ebook]; 978-1964377605 [paperback]; 978-1964377599 [hardcover]; Legacy Launch Pad Publishing) emphasizes the profound impact of early financial education and the consequences of neglecting it. He has identified a critical gap-virtually no one is actively addressing this need….
Click n’ Close Expands Correspondent Lending Sales Team with Mortgage Industry Veteran Kim Schenck
ADDISON, Texas — 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….
Class Valuation expands private lending capabilities with acquisition of Appraisal Nation
TROY, Mich. — Class Valuation, a leading national real estate appraisal management company (AMC), today announced the strategic acquisition of Appraisal Nation, a Cary, North Carolina-based AMC specializing in comprehensive valuation solutions for the private lending market….
Cooler Interest Rates Heat Up Refinances and Spark Early Signs of Purchase Demand
PLANO, Texas — 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….
The Mortgage Collaborative President and CEO Jodi Hall to spotlight new leadership priorities and 2025 industry insights on The Big Picture
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Top mortgage industry webcast The Big Picture, broadcast live every Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, this week features Jodi Hall, president and CEO of The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC). Hall will join co-hosts Rich Swerbinsky, mortgage business consultant and executive coach, and Rob Chrisman, editor-in-chief of the widely followed Chrisman Commentary newsletter….
The Mortgage Collaborative Welcomes New Lender Members and Preferred Partners to Its Expanding Network
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network serving the mortgage industry, proudly announces the addition of several new lender members and preferred partners to its growing community. These organizations join TMC’s network of industry leaders committed to collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence….
Scrubblade Joins Walmart: 17-Year Entrepreneurial Journey Hits the Fast Lane
TEMECULA, Calif. — Scrubblade, a leader in advanced windshield wiper technology, announced a nationwide partnership with Walmart, bringing their highly anticipated Black Edition silicone wiper blades to shelves across the U.S. This monumental milestone reflects the culmination of a 17-year journey marked by persistence, ingenuity, and grit, driven by founder Billy Westbrook’s vision to revolutionize driver safety….