Finance News

Finance News – including banking, insurance, mortgage lenders, risk management, public companies, funding and investment services, and related financial news from the Send2Press Newswire service.


The Mortgage Collaborative and Mortgage Bankers Association announce partnership agreement

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Feb. 9, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the national association representing the real estate finance industry, announced today that they have entered into a strategic partnership to expand advocacy, education and engagement opportunities for their members.

iEmergent earns third HousingWire Tech100 recognition for mortgage forecasting and market intelligence

DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 4, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, has been named to HousingWire’s 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list, marking the third time the company has earned the industry’s top technology distinction. iEmergent was selected for its continued expansion of data-driven tools that help lenders identify where mortgage demand is emerging and how to act on it.

Argyle earns third HousingWire Tech100 recognition for income, employment and asset verification solutions

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Feb. 4, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Argyle, the leading provider of direct-source income, employment and asset verifications, has been named to HousingWire’s 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list, marking the third time the company has earned the industry’s top technology distinction. The recognition reflects Argyle’s continued product innovation and measurable impact across the mortgage industry.

Down Payment Resource makes HousingWire’s 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list for expanding access to homeownership

ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 4, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry’s leading technology for connecting homebuyers with down payment programs, has been named to HousingWire’s 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list. DPR first appeared on the HousingWire Tech100 list in 2017.

The Big Picture webcast to cover policy, compliance, lender strategy and digital transformation in February

CLEVELAND, Ohio, Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Top mortgage industry webcast The Big Picture, broadcast live every Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, announced its February lineup of guests, representing a broad swath of expertise from across the mortgage industry. Co-hosted by mortgage business consultant and executive coach Rich Swerbinsky and capital markets authority Rob Chrisman, author of the widely read Chrisman Commentary newsletter, the webcast delivers timely, thought-provoking conversations with mortgage professionals, innovators and thought leaders.

Dark Matter Technologies named to HousingWire’s 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list for AI-supported, scalable mortgage platforms

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 4, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced it has been named to HousingWire’s 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list, recognizing companies whose technology solutions are shaping the future of the mortgage industry. This marks the company’s third appearance on the Tech100 list.

Friday Harbor named to HousingWire’s 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list for advancing AI pre-underwriting

SEATTLE, Wash., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Friday Harbor has been named to HousingWire’s 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list, an award that recognizes the most innovative technology companies shaping the future of mortgage lending. Friday Harbor was selected for advancing the use of artificial intelligence to bring underwriting insight earlier in the loan lifecycle, helping lenders surface and resolve potential issues before files reach final underwriting. Friday Harbor’s approach has been adopted by approximately 25 lenders, including two of the top 10 independent mortgage banks.

Informative Research earns HousingWire Mortgage Tech100 recognition for simplifying credit and verification workflows

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that it has been honored on the annual HousingWire Mortgage Tech100 list. The award honors the technology providers driving meaningful change in the mortgage industry.

NotaryCam receives HousingWire Mortgage Tech100 award for 8th consecutive year

HOUSTON, Texas, Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — 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 it has been recognized among the 2026 HousingWire Mortgage Tech100. The award spotlights the fintech organizations impactfully innovating mortgage operations and processes.

Class Valuation named to HousingWire’s 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list for advancing appraisal technology and service innovation

TROY, Mich., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), has been named to HousingWire’s 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list, recognizing the most innovative and impactful technology organizations serving the mortgage industry. Class Valuation has earned multiple Tech100 honors over the years, reflecting its sustained leadership in appraisal modernization through advanced technology, scale and data-driven workflows.

FirstClose Named a 2026 HousingWire TECH100 Winner

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, has been named a 2026 HousingWire TECH100 winner. HousingWire selected FirstClose for its end-to-end lending platform that combines real-time property intelligence with automated workflows to help lenders accelerate decisioning, reduce operational friction and close loans faster.

Floify named to HousingWire’s 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list for AI-powered point-of-sale innovation

BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Floify, the mortgage industry’s leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, has been named to HousingWire’s 2026 Mortgage Tech100 list, which recognizes the most innovative and impactful technology organizations serving the mortgage and housing finance ecosystem.

Vertyx caps a year of accelerated growth and mortgage servicing technology market expansion

NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Vertyx, a provider of intelligent mortgage servicing technology built for enhanced portfolio performance, today announced the completion of a milestone year marked by significant market expansion, increased platform adoption and continued innovation across compliance, security and community engagement.

Dovenmuehle maintains FHA Tier 1 rating from HUD’s Tier Ranking System (TRS) II Scorecard throughout 2025

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc. (DMI), a leading mortgage subservicing company, announced today that it maintained a Tier 1 Rating from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) throughout 2025. This quarterly rating was awarded for Dovenmuehle’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) servicing performance under HUD’s Tier Ranking System II (TRS II).

ACES Quality Management’s Sharon Reichhardt Selected to Moderate Session at 2026 MBA Servicing Solutions Conference

DENVER, Colo., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced that Sharon Reichhardt, executive vice president of operations, has been selected to speak at the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Servicing Solutions Conference, taking place Feb. 16-19, 2026, in Dallas.

DocMagic recognized on HousingWire’s 2026 Tech100 Mortgage list

TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 3, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — DocMagic, Inc. announced today that it has once again been named to HousingWire’s Tech100 Mortgage list, earning recognition every year since the program’s inception. The annual award recognizes the most innovative technology companies transforming the mortgage industry.

Elevate, Dark Matter Technologies’ servicing platform, gains momentum with new signings and technology enhancements

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 2, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced continued client momentum that includes a multi-year renewal with Arbor Bank and a new client signing with Covey Financial, as well as tighter integration of its Elevate℠ Loan Servicing Solution (Elevate) and the Empower® loan origination system (LOS).

Mortgage Collaborative releases Pulse of the Network survey results and analysis

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Jan. 30, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s leading independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, today released results from the latest Pulse of the Network survey, along with an analysis examining how mortgage lenders are prioritizing technology, operational efficiency, and growth strategies amid continued market pressure.

NotaryCam surpasses 2 million lifetime notarizations, doubles credit card transaction volume in 2025

HOUSTON, Texas, Jan. 30, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — NotaryCam®, a Stewart-owned company and leading remote online notarization (RON) provider for real estate and legal transactions, announced a standout year in 2025, having reached more than 2 million successful notarizations to date, including more than 238,000 notarizations completed this year. The company also doubled both its credit card transaction volume and the number of servicers using loss mitigation-related RON transactions through its real estate vertical, exemplifying growing industry adoption of digital solutions.

Class Valuation names Chris Flynn as Chief Operating Officer

TROY, Mich., Jan. 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Chris Flynn has been appointed chief operating officer. Flynn joined Class Valuation in April 2025 as chief data officer and has since played a central role in advancing the company’s strategic, operational and product initiatives.

DocMagic executives elected to vice chair MISMO Communities of Practice

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 27, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — DocMagic, Inc., today announced that two of its executives have been elected to help lead Community of Practice (CoP) workgroups within the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO) for the 2026-2027 term. Chief eServices Executive Brian D. Pannell will serve as vice chair of MISMO’s Digital Interoperability CoP, and Director of Integration and Technical Services David Garrett will serve as vice chair of the eMortgage CoP. [UPDATED]

ACES Quality Management Acquires Basecap Analytics, Expanding Enterprise Data Quality Capabilities

DENVER, Colo., Jan. 27, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced its acquisition of Basecap Analytics, an established enterprise data quality platform trusted by leading financial institutions. The acquisition enhances ACES’ ability to deliver end-to-end quality management by expanding its platform to include enterprise-wide data quality automation.

Vertyx Expands Mortgage Servicing Platform with Portfolio Retention and Engagement Measurement Tools for Servicers and Investors

NEW YORK, N.Y., Jan. 27, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Vertyx, a provider of intelligent mortgage servicing technology built for enhanced portfolio performance, today announced the release of Borrower Relationship Management, a new capability within its end-to-end mortgage servicing platform designed to help servicers and investors identify retention and recapture opportunities earlier, deliver timely outreach through borrower channels and measure engagement.

Down Payment Resource finds 2,619 homebuyer assistance programs nationwide in Q4 of 2025

ATLANTA, Ga., Jan. 26, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry authority on homeownership program data and solutions, today released its Q4 2025 Homeownership Program Index (HPI) report, identifying 2,619 programs. While the total count is five programs fewer than the prior quarter, it marked a 6% increase from a year earlier, rising from 2,466 programs in Q4 2024. The year-over-year (YoY) growth reflects continued expansion and refinement of program options amid persistent housing affordability challenges across much of the country.

Informative Research delivers significant platform innovations and enhanced integrations in 2025

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., Jan. 26, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that its work in 2025 has introduced significant platform enhancements and expanded its integration ecosystem across credit and verification services. The company introduced new credit and verification capabilities, added multiple data and payroll partners, and enhanced automation through its unified platform.

Class Valuation Appoints Tanya Wright as EVP of TPO and Distributed Retail

TROY, Mich., Jan. 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Tanya Wright has joined the company as Executive Vice President of Third-Party Origination (TPO) and Distributed Retail. Wright will serve on Class Valuation’s Operations Leadership Team and oversee strategy, operations and client success for the company’s broker and distributed retail channels.

Moody’s Investors Service affirms Dovenmuehle’s overall rating as ‘above average’ residential mortgage loan servicer

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., Jan. 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc. (Dovenmuehle), a leading residential mortgage subservicer, announced today that Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) has affirmed its servicer quality (SQ) assessment as a servicer of prime residential mortgage loans at SQ2-. Moody’s assessment highlights Dovenmuehle’s strong performance and disciplined execution across key areas of mortgage servicing.

Franklin Madison Welcomes Farah Rehman as Group Vice President, Revenue Execution

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Jan. 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Madison is thrilled to announce the addition of Farah Rehman as Group Vice President, Revenue Execution. With 24 years of experience spanning product development, sales, marketing, and strategy, Farah brings a distinguished track record of helping build and scale insurance businesses to the executive leadership team.

Doherty Enterprises-Owned Applebee’s® Launches 2026 Above & ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest in NYC and Westchester

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Jan. 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s® Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in New York City and Westchester County today announced the start of its annual Above & “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest. Now in its next chapter, the contest will recognize six deserving teachers – one each from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Westchester County – with a $500 sponsorship check for classroom supplies and an end-of-year party for their current class.

FirstClose Caps Transformational 2025 With Faster Closings, Platform Expansion and Strong Market Momentum

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, today announced 2025 results showing faster closings and measurable efficiency gains as lenders used its technology to meet rising home equity demand in a high-interest-rate environment. The company reduced closing timelines, expanded key integrations and strengthened its operating foundation to support scalable growth in 2026.

Legacy Wealth Advisors has once again been named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams list for 2026

WARRENVILLE, Ill., Jan. 15, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Raymond James Financial Services is proud to announce that Legacy Wealth Advisors has once again been named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams list for 2026, marking four consecutive years of recognition in this prestigious national ranking. Legacy Wealth Advisors is known for its collaborative approach, ensuring clients benefit from the collective expertise of the entire team.

ACES Quality Management Grows Audit Volume and Market Share, Advances AI Innovation and Industry Leadership in 2025

DENVER, Colo., Jan. 13, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, continued to support its customers through a challenging mortgage market in 2025 by sustaining audit scale, advancing AI-driven quality control innovation and delivering trusted regulatory and defect trend insight.

Optimal Blue report: December lock volume closes 2025 on a firm footing

PLANO, Texas, Jan. 13, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today released its December 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing that mortgage rate-lock activity ended the year on a firm footing, bucking typical holiday-driven seasonality. Total lock volume rose 2% month over month (MoM) from November and finished 30% higher year over year (YoY), driven primarily by rate-and-term refinances, which climbed 13% from November and more than 170% compared with December 2024.

Friday Harbor adds Fannie Mae’s Income Calculator to its AI Originator Assistant

SEATTLE, Wash., Jan. 6, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Friday Harbor, an AI-powered platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, today announced the integration of its AI Originator Assistant with Fannie Mae’s Income Calculator. The new connection enables lenders to instantly calculate qualifying income for borrowers with self-employment or rental income and gain enforcement relief from representations and warranties on the income calculation for conventional loans.

Dovenmuehle receives ISO/IEC 27001 certification, reinforcing commitment to data security and operational excellence

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., Jan. 6, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc. (DMI), a leading mortgage subservicing company, announced today that it has received the ISO/IEC 27001 certification from NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR), an NSF company. ISO/IEC 27001 defines global benchmarks for information security management systems (ISMS).

The Big Picture opens 2026 with conversations on compliance, leadership and new paths to homeownership

CLEVELAND, Ohio, Jan. 6, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Top mortgage industry webcast The Big Picture, broadcast live every Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, announced a January slate of guests offering timely perspectives on how to navigate the regulatory landscape ahead, scale mortgage production while developing the next generation of originators, execute with discipline in volatile markets and expand access to homeownership in new ways.

Ascribe Appoints Craig Bennett as Chief Executive Officer

CHICAGO, Ill., Jan. 5, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Ascribe, a leading provider of real estate valuation and inspection services, has appointed Craig Bennett as chief executive officer to lead the company in its next phase of growth.Bennett brings nearly 15 years of senior-level experience in financial services to his post which includes 5 years at StoicLane, Ascribe’s parent company.

The Mortgage Collaborative Appoints Rich Swerbinsky as Strategic Advisor to CEO & President; Names Heidi Belnay Senior Advisor for Business Development

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Jan. 5, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s only independent, wholly-owned mortgage lending cooperative, today announced the appointment of Rich Swerbinsky as Strategic Advisor to the CEO & President and Heidi Belnay as Senior Advisor for Business Development. These strategic additions to the leadership team position TMC for accelerated growth and continued industry impact in 2026 and beyond. [UPDATED]

IRS Solutions Completes SOC 2® Examination

VALENCIA, Calif., Dec. 29, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — IRS Solutions® announces today that it has completed the SOC 2® examination. As tax professionals face growing security expectations, technology providers must prove accountability and consistency in how they handle data. A recently completed SOC 2® examination provides independent validation that IRS Solutions systems maintain secure, reliable, and confidential operations.

TMC to host inaugural ACT Technology Summit focused on mortgage technology and AI

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Dec. 22, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s leading independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, today announced it will host the inaugural ACT Technology Summit, short for Accelerator and Collaborative Transformation, a two-day standalone mortgage technology competition and showcase Aug. 12-13 at The Highlands Hotel in Dallas.