Texas Business
FirstClose’s Andria Lightfoot named 2026 Women of Tech Award Winner by Mortgage Women Magazine
AUSTIN, Texas — FirstClose, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that Andria Lightfoot, vice president of client success, has been named a 2026 Mortgage Women Magazine (MWM) Women of Tech Award winner, recognizing her leadership, innovation and impact advancing mortgage technology and supporting women in the industry….
Click n’ Close expands Whole Loan Trading division with engagement of Christy Soukhamneut and Launch Point Advisory Group
ADDISON, Texas — Click n’ Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, announced strategic engagement of Christy Soukhamneut and Launch Point Advisory Group to support the expansion of its Whole Loan Trading division. The move is part of a broader initiative to grow Click n’ Close’s secondary market presence and offer whole loan trading opportunities across its government and specialty loan programs….
Watkins Insurance Group Expands Private Client Practice with Addition of Industry Veteran Patrick McFadden
AUSTIN, Texas — Watkins Insurance Group, a leading independent insurance agency in Texas, has announced the addition of Patrick McFadden as a Private Client Insurance Advisor. McFadden brings 30 years of insurance experience and holds the LUTC and FSCP professional designations. His hire reflects the agency’s continued commitment to serving the Austin metro market and specifically the growing segment of individuals and families whose lifestyles and assets require a more tailored approach to coverage strategy and personal service….
Optimal Blue report: Purchase demand holds firm as April lock activity cools
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today released its April 2026 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which found that mortgage lock activity pulled back after a strong first quarter. Total rate-lock volume declined 9% month over month (MoM) but remained 11% higher year over year (YoY). Purchase lock volume declined just under 2% from March but increased more than 9% from April 2025, continuing to lead production as refinance activity cooled….
FirstClose introduces SmartDocs disclosure automation through its point-of-sale platform
AUSTIN, Texas — FirstClose, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, today announced SmartDocs, a new disclosure intelligence capability available through its XpressEquity point-of-sale platform. SmartDocs functions as the intelligence layer that determines when disclosure obligations begin and initiates the appropriate workflow based on lender-configured rules, helping standardize timing and delivery across programs and jurisdictions….
Click n’ Close names Amy Azorandia chief compliance officer
ADDISON, Texas — Click n’ Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced the appointment of Amy Azorandia as chief compliance officer. In this role, Azorandia will lead the company’s compliance strategy, governance framework and risk management infrastructure as Click n’ Close continues to scale its national platform and expand its lending programs….
ViewTech to Exhibit Advanced Articulating Video Borescope Inspection Solutions at Offshore Technology Conference
HOUSTON, Texas — After last exhibiting in 2016, ViewTech Borescopes will return to the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) to showcase its latest remote visual inspection technologies from May 4-7 at NRG Park. Highlighting solutions designed to support safer, more efficient inspections in offshore and subsea environments, they will join industry leaders from around the world as they explore innovations shaping the future of energy….
IRS FIRE Retirement Leaves 2027 Correction Questions Open as Filers Prepare for IRIS-Only Season, says BoomTax
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — BoomTax reports that, as the IRS targets retirement of the Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) system at the end of 2026 and continues developing a process for corrections to original FIRE submissions, payroll, accounting, and enterprise filing teams face an unresolved 2027 transition question….
HostPapa Completes Acquisition of Tailor Made Servers
DALLAS, Texas and BURLINGTON, Ontario — HostPapa, Inc., a leading global web hosting and cloud service provider, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Tailor Made Servers (“TMS”), a Dallas, Texas-based dedicated server hosting provider that has been serving businesses and resellers since 2003….
Optimal Blue report: Purchase demand lifts mortgage lock activity as rates rise
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today released its March 2026 Market Advantage mortgage data report, reflecting resilient mortgage activity as purchase demand strengthened despite higher rates. Total rate-lock volume rose 13% month over month (MoM) and 26% year over year (YoY). Purchase activity led the month, with purchase lock volume up 38% from February and 20% from March 2025. Cash-out refinance volume increased 9% MoM and 21% YoY, while rate-and-term refinance volume declined 34% from February but remained more than 66% higher YoY….