Texas Business
Denise Donoghue, a.k.a. ‘The Mortgage Nerd,’ is Benchmark Mortgage’s 2025 Blue Jacket Winner
DALLAS, Texas — Benchmark Mortgage, a full-service mortgage lender and broker based in Dallas, has named Denise Donoghue, also known as “The Mortgage Nerd,” as its 2025 Blue Jacket winner. The prestigious award is given annually by Benchmark Mortgage, a community of expert mortgage consultants in more than 80 branches nationwide, to members who embody the company’s core values and demonstrate excellence in business execution….
Click n’ Close offers free USDA lock extensions, accepts new locks during government shutdown
ADDISON, Texas — Click n’ Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced a two-part initiative to support lenders during the federal government shutdown: free lock extensions for USDA loans already in its wholesale pipeline and acceptance of new USDA locks, which will be eligible for the same free extensions through Dec. 31,…
FirstClose and Lateral Investment Management announce additional equity funding to support continued growth
AUSTIN, Texas — FirstClose™, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, today announced the completion of an additional round of equity funding, which was led by existing investor Lateral Investment Management, based in San Mateo, California….
Optimal Blue continues to debut new innovations across complete capital markets platform ahead of MBA Annual Convention and Expo
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today announced the launch of a new data solution to deliver increased market transparency, as well as three major platform enhancements focused on pricing accuracy, trade execution and counterparty management. Released ahead of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Annual Convention and Expo, and as the company prepares for its 2026 Optimal Blue Summit, these innovations reinforce Optimal Blue’s commitment to delivering solutions that position lenders to drive operational excellence and boost competitive performance….
Optimal Blue report: Rate rally drives 28% surge in September lock volumes
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today released its September 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which showed a sharp increase in rate-lock activity as mortgage rates fell throughout the month to their lowest levels in nearly a year. Total lock volume rose 28% month over month (MoM), led by a surge in refinance lending as borrowers seized on the opportunity to lower monthly payments. Purchases also climbed 6% MoM, outperforming typical seasonal trends as improved affordability brought more buyers into the market….
NotaryCam’s eClose 360 platform supports MISMO’s SMART Doc v3 standard for electronic HELOCs
HOUSTON, Texas — 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 that its eClose360® platform is fully compatible with the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization’s (MISMO) newly published SMART Doc® V3 standard for electronic home equity lines of credit (eHELOCs)….
Click n’ Close names mortgage industry veteran Ian Kimball as president
ADDISON, Texas — Click n’ Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced the appointment of Ian Kimball as president. In this role, Kimball will oversee strategic growth initiatives, operational execution and market expansion, reporting to founder and CEO Jeff Bode….
FirstClose integrates with Optimal Blue to accelerate home equity closings
AUSTIN, Texas — FirstClose™, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, today announced a certified integration with Optimal Blue that connects FirstClose’s point-of-sale (POS) platform to Optimal Blue’s product, pricing and eligibility (PPE) engine. The integration builds on FirstClose’s ability to reduce home equity closing times from 45 days to 10 or fewer….
Velocity Credit Union Unveils Bold New Brand Identity and Launches Innovative Rewards Checking Account
AUSTIN, Texas — Velocity Credit Union, a trusted financial partner for over 75 years, today announced the launch of its refreshed brand, including a new logo, a modernized website, and updated branch locations. The updated look and feel reflects Velocity’s ongoing commitment to innovation, accessibility, and delivering an exceptional, member-first experience both in person and online….
FirstClose Strengthens Sales Team with Industry Veterans to Support Growth in Home Equity Lending
AUSTIN, Texas — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced the expansion of its sales organization with the addition of four accomplished industry sales professionals. These new team members bring deep industry experience and proven track records that will support the company’s continued growth in home equity lending….