Finance
Optimal Blue report: Purchase market remains resilient as pull-through rates weaken
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today released its May 2026 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which found that mortgage activity continued to cool as higher rates weighed on both purchase and refinance demand. Total rate-lock volume declined 9% month over month (MoM) but remained 7% higher year over year (YoY). Purchase activity continued to dominate production, accounting for just over 81% of total lock volume, while refinance share fell to 19%, its lowest level since June 2025….
Class Valuation and Makena partner to help appraisers prepare for UAD 3.6
TROY, Mich. and NAPLES, Fla. — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company, today announced a partnership with Makena, a next-generation property data platform designed to help enterprises collect accurate, structured and actionable property data at scale. Through the partnership, Class Valuation appraisers will gain access to InstaPlan(r), Makena’s mobile data collection and floor plan application, as they prepare for the wide-scale UAD 3.6 mandate on November 2, 2026….
Informative Research SVP of Marketing Craig Leabig named a 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that Craig Leabig, Senior Vice President of Marketing, has been named a 2026 Marketing Leader by HousingWire. The award recognizes influential marketing executives who have transformed brands and driven measurable business results across the housing economy….
Floify’s Courtney Dodd named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader
BOULDER, Colo. — Floify, the mortgage industry’s leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Courtney Dodd, head of marketing, has been named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader by HousingWire. The HW Marketing Leaders award recognizes the people behind the strategies, campaigns and brand decisions shaping housing finance. Dodd is one of 70 honorees named to the 2026 class….
Holly Shipley, head of marketing at Class Valuation, makes the 2026 HW Marketing Leader list
TROY, Mich. — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Holly Shipley, head of marketing, has been named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader by HousingWire. The HW Marketing Leaders award recognizes the people behind the strategies, campaigns and brand decisions shaping housing finance. Shipley is one of 70 honorees named to the 2026 class….
FirstClose VP of marketing David Bolin named 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader
AUSTIN, Texas — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that David Bolin, vice president of marketing, has been named a 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader, recognizing his strategic vision, measurable business impact and ability to translate complex lending technology into compelling market narratives….
Service 1st names Joy Ziminskas national sales director for the southeast region
HAMMONTON, N.J. — Service First Information Solutions, LLC (Service 1st), a leading provider of credit reporting and verification solutions for the mortgage industry, announced today the addition of Joy Ziminskas as national sales director for the Southeast region to lead revenue growth and expand relationships with lenders, banks and financial institutions across Texas, Florida and surrounding markets….
The Mortgage Collaborative partners with TheZebra.com to deliver a seamless home insurance shopping experience for borrowers
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, announced a strategic partnership with TheZebra.com, the easiest way to compare and buy insurance, that will give TMC’s lender members a direct way to connect borrowers with home insurance options at the point of mortgage origination….
Floify’s Courtney Dodd named 2026 Women of Mortgage Tech award winner
BOULDER, Colo. — Floify, the mortgage industry’s leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that its Head of Marketing Courtney Dodd has been named a Women of Mortgage Tech award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine. The Women of Tech award recognizes individuals who are shaping the future of technology through innovation, leadership and community impact….
Dark Matter Technologies’ Leslie Cheshier named Women of Mortgage Tech award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced that Leslie Cheshier, its chief client officer, has been named a 2026 Women of Mortgage Tech award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine. The award recognizes individuals who are shaping the future of mortgage technology through innovation, leadership and meaningful industry impact….