Texas Business
October Mortgage Lock Data Shows Resilience and Cracks in the Mortgage Market as Interest Rates Tick up 65 Basis Points
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today released its October 2024 Market Advantage mortgage data report, highlighting resilient purchase activity in the face of rising interest rates and affordability challenges. Despite a 65-basis-point (bps) increase in the Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices (OBMMI) 30-year conforming rate, purchase lock volume grew by 12% month over month (MoM), signaling strong demand among homebuyers….
Optimal Blue Promotes Industry Experts to New Executive Roles to Accelerate Innovation and Prioritize Partnerships
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today announced two key executive promotions that will position the company to deliver innovation faster across the company’s entire capital markets platform, and to further expand the company’s network of partners. Erin Wester has been promoted to chief product officer and Mike Vough has been promoted to head of corporate strategy….
Click n’ Close Introduces New Down Payment Assistance Options for Shared Appreciation Mortgage Program
ADDISON, Texas — Click n’ Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced two significant enhancements to its Shared Appreciation Mortgage (SAM) program. These updates will help make homeownership more accessible and financially advantageous for a broader range of buyers in today’s competitive housing market….
Autocraft Bodywerks Is Certified For Mercedes-Benz Collision Repair!
AUSTIN, Texas — Autocraft Bodywerks, now celebrating 40 years of excellence in automotive collision repair, located at 5411 Wasson Rd, Austin, Texas, has met all the program standards in the certification process for the Mercedes-Benz Elite Certified Collision Program, Autocraft Principal Chris Raeder announced today. Completion of the Mercedes-Benz certification program confirms Autocraft Bodywerks’ commitment to restoring Mercedes-Benz vehicles back to original factory specifications and showroom condition….
Rate-and-Term Refinance Locks Surge 700% Over Previous Year Following the FOMC’s September Interest Rate Reduction
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today released its September 2024 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which found a 50% month-over-month (MoM) increase in rate-and-term refinance activity as people who purchased homes in recent years jumped at the opportunity to lower their interest rates and mortgage payments. While the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) lowered its target federal funds rate by 50 bps on Sept. 18, the market had already priced in a portion of the rate reduction, leading to a full month of increased refinance activity in September….
Optimal Blue Expands Expertise, Market Leadership With Launch of Two In-House Podcasts
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue announced the release of two in-house podcasts that extend the reach of the company’s capital markets experience and expertise built over its decades as the technology leader in its space. The Optimal Insights podcast and video, which will be released weekly, will provide timely analyses of market factors impacting loan originators and capital markets professionals….
Eagle Ventures Partners with Keel Point to Combat Human Trafficking Through Technology Investments
DALLAS, Texas — Eagle Ventures, through its Eagle Freedom Fund, a leading impact investment vehicle focused on combating human trafficking, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Keel Point, a national private wealth management, family office services, and institutional asset management firm. Keel Point will serve as a Sub-Advisor to the Eagle Freedom Fund, bringing its financial expertise to amplify the Fund’s efforts to invest in innovative technologies designed to combat human trafficking globally….
Optimal Blue Rolls Out Innovations in New UI, Gen AI, Originator Capabilities and New No-Cost Solutions
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today announced its extensive plans for innovation across its complete capital markets technology ecosystem leading up to its Optimal Blue Summit, where innovations will be unveiled live. New capabilities will be introduced into the core platform beginning in mid-September and continuing through the Optimal Blue Summit, a national user conference being held in San Diego in February….
NotaryCam hires Sam McPherson as new Head of Customer Success
HOUSTON, Texas — NotaryCam®, a Stewart-owned company and a pioneering provider of remote online notarization technology for real estate and legal transactions, today announced the appointment of Sam McPherson as the new Head of Customer Success. In this role, McPherson will oversee customer relationships, focusing on delivering an exceptional client experience while driving retention and advocacy….
Rate-and-Term Refinances Surge 109% MoM in August as Mortgage Rates Decline
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today released its August 2024 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which reveals an overall 1% rise in rate lock volume despite the typical seasonal slowdown in purchase lending. Lock volume growth was driven by a surge in refinance activity as homeowners reacted to declining mortgage rates….