BALTIMORE, Md., Jul 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Food companies, marketers, researchers, students, and media for years have been asking us about the number of vegetarians and vegans, said The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG). To help answer this question, VRG commissioned The Harris Poll to conduct a nationally representative online poll of 2,096 U.S. adults aged 18 and over.

They asked: Which one, if any, of the following best describes your eating behavior? Please select the option that best applies.

1) I never eat meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs

2) I never eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry

3) I sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs

4) I sometimes eat meals without meat, fish, seafood, or poultry

5) I usually eat meals without meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs

6) I usually eat meals without meat, fish, seafood, or poultry

7) None of these

VRG considered those who never eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry; plus those who never eat meat, fish, seafood, poultry, dairy, or eggs, as vegetarian. They classified that second category of vegetarians who don't eat dairy or eggs also as vegan. Because they use the word "never" and don't just ask if a person considers him/herself vegetarian or vegan, their numbers may be lower than those reported in other polls.

Sixty-seven percent of adults in the United States always, sometimes, or usually eat vegetarian meals (including vegan), while 33% presumably never have vegetarian meals or vegan meals. Thirty-three percent of adults always, sometimes, or usually eat vegan meals. Five percent are vegetarians, with over half (3%) also being vegan.

SURVEY METHOD:

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Vegetarian Resource Group from January 6-8, 2026, among 2,096 adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to plus or minus 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.

For more information on this VRG survey and VRG polls since 1994, go to https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/faq.htm#poll

For more information, contact The Vegetarian Resource Group at vrg (at) vrg (dot) org or (410) 366-8343.

ABOUT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP

The Vegetarian Resource Group is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which educates the public about veganism and is publisher of Vegan Journal. A vegetarian does not eat meat, fish, or poultry. A vegan is a vegetarian who does not use other animal products such as eggs and dairy milk. For more information on veganism, restaurants to eat vegan, eating vegan on a budget, which plant milk is best, and The Vegetarian Resource Group visit https://www.vrg.org/

News Source: The Vegetarian Resource Group

Related link: https://www.vrg.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/how-many-adult-vegans-and-vegetarians-are-in-the-u-s-the-vegetarian-resource-group-asks-in-a-2026-survey-conducted-by-the-harris-poll/

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jul 24, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The UPSHOT League has turned to ref-ology - a respected name in officiating training and growth - to source and evaluate the referees who officiate its games. This move reflects a league built on creating opportunity, not only for the players on the court but for the officials working alongside them.

The need has never been greater. Basketball is being played at more levels, in more places than ever before. ref-ology's approach is simple - meet this demand with more officials, better prepared, in every marketplace, growing alongside the game. Through an accessible, app-based platform, referees learn alongside seasoned pros and level up wherever they are in their officiating path. Referees can learn more at https://ref-ology.com/.

ref-ology was founded by Shelley Russi, a former, long-time NCAA Referee, who led WNBA Referee Performance & Development from 2016-2018. She is joined by Don Vaden, a former NBA Finals Referee and former Director of Officials for the NBA and WNBA. Shelley and Don are known for elevating officials at all levels.

"This partnership reflects our commitments to raising the standard of officiating and creating an environment where referees are supported, developed, and empowered to succeed, said Taj McWilliams-Franklin, VP of Basketball Operations. "Working along ref-ology allows us to build a sustainable referee eco-system that benefits everyone involved in The UPSHOT League."

"ref-ology's approach is simple: we train officials at every level with a singular focus to grow a community of referees that the modern game demands - and, right now, women's basketball is leading the way to transforming what's required of referees and what's required of those training and assigning referees," says founder Shelley Russi.

Don Vaden adds, "Giving all referees in our community the attention, teaching and an honest assessment of performance gives each the skills to perform at a high level. Growing a peer-to-peer feedback community rooted in sound fundamentals, is key to restoring trust in basketball officiating."

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to creating opportunity while strengthening the UPSHOT League by paying attention to the development of the people who officiate it.

The UPSHOT League's inaugural season runs May through August. Fans can follow the action at upshotleague.com and @UPSHOTLeague on social media.

About ref-ology

ref-ology is a leader in referee training and growth. Founded by Shelley Russi, ref-ology's community serves officials of any age, gender, in any league, anywhere in the world - from those calling their first games to those working on the sport's biggest stages. ref-ology, The Practice of Refereeing Present - Physically, Mentally, Respectfully, uses an accessible, app-based platform to deliver teaching, honest feedback and a community that helps referees build peer-to-peer 'growth mindset' relationships, receive mentorship and grow alongside the game. Interested in leveling up your officiating, join us at https://ref-ology.com/.

About the UPSHOT League

The UPSHOT League is a professional women's basketball league founded in 2025 and launched in May 2026 with a belief that the Future is UP. Led by commissioner, co-founder and former WNBA president Donna Orender, the league features four teams across the Southeastern United States - the Jacksonville Waves, Savannah Steel, Greensboro Groove and Charlotte Crown - each playing a 34-game season from May through August. Backed by founding advisors including Women's Basketball Hall of Famers Cheryl Miller, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Tamika Catchings, and Chamique Holdsclaw. The UPSHOT League is built on creating opportunity in women's basketball. Learn more at https://upshotleague.com/.

News Source: The UPSHOT League

Related link: https://upshotleague.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/ref-ology-is-tapped-by-the-upshot-league-to-lead-upshot-referee-operations/

TRACY, Calif., Jul 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Real California Milk and the Cheese Trail today announced the launch of the Discover! California Cheese Shops Guide, a new consumer resource designed to celebrate and support independent cheese shops across California while encouraging consumers to discover the exceptional variety and quality of California-made cheeses.

The statewide guide features independent cheese shops that showcase California cheeses, providing consumers with an easy way to explore local destinations, meet knowledgeable cheesemongers and discover the state's award-winning artisan and farmstead cheeses.

Developed through a partnership between Real California Milk and the Cheese Trail, the guide expands opportunities for consumers to connect with California's vibrant cheese community and the retailers who help bring specialty cheeses to market.

"California is home to an extraordinary community of cheesemakers producing world-class cheeses that reflect the innovation, craftsmanship and agricultural heritage of our state," said Jennifer Giambroni, Vice President of Communications for the California Milk Advisory Board. "Independent cheese shops play an essential role in helping consumers discover these exceptional products, learn the stories behind them and build connections with local food producers. The Discover! California Cheese Shops Guide is designed to make those experiences more accessible while supporting the retailers who champion California cheese every day."

California is America's leading dairy state and home to one of the nation's most dynamic artisan cheese communities. More than 50 California cheesemakers produce hundreds of varieties of specialty, artisan and farmstead cheeses, earning recognition at prestigious national and international competitions. From traditional European-inspired styles to innovative new creations, California cheeses reflect the state's diverse landscapes, cultures and commitment to quality.

The Cheese Trail was founded in 2011 by Vivien Straus to connect cheese lovers with the cheesemakers, farms and retailers behind America's cheese culture. What began as a regional Sonoma and Marin County initiative has grown into a statewide network that helps consumers discover cheesemakers, creameries, retailers and cheese-focused experiences throughout California, with expansion efforts underway nationwide.

"Cheese shops are among the most important ambassadors for artisan cheese," said Vivien Straus, founder of the Cheese Trail. "These retailers introduce consumers to new flavors, educate them about cheesemaking traditions and connect them directly to the people and places behind the cheese. We're excited to partner with Real California Milk on this guide to help more people discover the incredible cheese culture that exists throughout California and to support the independent businesses that make it thrive."

The Discover! California Cheese Shops Guide highlights destinations throughout Northern, Central and Southern California, encouraging both residents and visitors to explore local communities through cheese. The guide complements the Cheese Trail's broader mission of connecting consumers with cheesemakers, farms and retailers while helping strengthen California's specialty cheese economy.

Consumers can access the Discover! California Cheese Shops Guide at https://www.cheesetrail.org/product/discover-california-cheese-shops-guide.

ABOUT CMAB/REAL CALIFORNIA MILK

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) is an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture representing California dairy farmers. The CMAB develops and implements marketing programs on behalf of the state's dairy farmers, including the Real California Milk seal, which certifies dairy products are made with milk from California dairy farm families. Learn more at RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram and Pinterest.

ABOUT THE CHEESE TRAIL

Founded in 2011 by Vivien Straus, the Cheese Trail connects consumers with the cheesemakers, farms, retailers and experiences that make up America's cheese culture. Originally launched as a Sonoma-Marin initiative, the Cheese Trail now serves consumers throughout California and is expanding its model nationwide. Learn more at https://www.cheesetrail.org/.

News Source: California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB)

Related link: https://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/discover-california-cheese-shops-guide-launches-to-support-independent-retailers-and-inspire-exploration-of-california-specialty-cheeses/

HONG KONG, Jul 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- IPcook launched its new custom service of proxies, as enterprises now require more proxy resources and better resource management. The service is designed for businesses with large-scale proxy needs and offers tailored packages based on different project requirements. It can customize proxy types, resource size, geographic coverage, and billing options to fit different business stages better. With this launch, IPcook expands its enterprise proxy solutions and provides more flexible resource options for different projects.

New Custom Service for Diverse Enterprise Proxy Needs

Today, proxy networks are widely used for web scraping, market research, ad verification, brand protection, and AI data collection. Different industries and projects often have different requirements. Factors such as target locations, IP volume, connection methods, and project timelines can all affect how proxy resources should be planned.

Standard proxy plans work well for most daily use cases. However, some enterprise projects require more flexible resource planning aligned with their business goals. For example, global projects may require wider geographic coverage, while long-running tasks may need stable connections and longer sessions. To meet these needs, IPcook introduced its custom service, giving businesses more flexibility when building their proxy solutions.

Tailored Packages with Flexible Configuration Options

With IPcook custom service, businesses can build a Tailored Package based on their project requirements. Different proxy products can be customized in different ways to match specific workloads better.

For residential proxies, businesses can customize the size of their data package based on expected traffic usage. Larger traffic packages are available at lower unit prices, with pricing as low as $0.3/GB for enterprise plans. Businesses can also choose different session settings, including sticky sessions lasting up to 24 hours for tasks that require stable, continuous connections.

For ISP proxies and datacenter proxies, businesses can customize the countries and regions where IPs are needed, the number of IPs, subscription duration, and resource allocation based on project requirements. These options make it easier to plan proxy resources for projects with different deployment schedules and business goals.

Enterprise Features for Team Collaboration and Large-Scale Projects

This custom service includes several features designed for enterprise operations. Businesses can start with 500 concurrent threads and scale to 100,000 concurrent connections as project requirements grow. This allows large-scale data collection and other high-volume workloads to run more efficiently.

IPcook service also supports up to 10 sub-accounts, making it easier for different teams or departments to manage proxy resources under the same organization. For long-term projects, the purchased traffic will not expire until it is used. This gives businesses greater flexibility when planning resource usage and helps reduce waste caused by fixed usage periods.

"Enterprise proxy projects are becoming larger and more complex," said Kevin, Chief Technology Officer at IPcook. "Businesses need proxy resources that match their technical requirements instead of fixed plans. Our Custom Service gives enterprise customers more flexibility across different proxy products. It helps them build solutions that better fit their infrastructure, workloads, and deployment plans."

About IPcook

IPcook ( https://www.ipcook.com/ ) specializes in providing residential, ISP, and datacenter proxies designed for seamless browsing, secure data scraping, and unrestricted access to geo-restricted content. Its huge IP network ensures high anonymity, reliability, and fast speeds-perfect for ad verification, market research, SEO monitoring, and e-commerce automation.

News Source: IPcook

Related link: https://www.ipcook.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/ipcook-announces-custom-service-for-enterprise-proxy-users/

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J., Jul 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Hemophilia Association of New Jersey (HANJ), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, proudly serves patients and families throughout the Garden State. Today, HANJ is thrilled to announce three exciting milestones: a refreshed logo, a completely redesigned website, and the return of its signature fundraising event: the Bleeding Disorders Awareness 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center in East Brunswick, NJ.

A NEW LOOK THAT SPEAKS TO EVERYONE

HANJ's updated logo now features the phrase "For All Bleeding Disorders" marking an important step forward in the organization's ongoing commitment to supporting every person and every family touched by a bleeding disorder here at HANJ.

The accompanying website redesign at https://hanj.org/ delivers a faster, more intuitive experience with improved access to resources, educational materials, community events, advocacy initiatives, and membership information; all designed to connect and empower the bleeding disorders community statewide.

From the Executive Director:

"We are thrilled to unveil our new logo and launch our new website," said Stephanie Lapidow, HANJ Executive Director. "Our goal is to reach and support as many bleeding disorders patients and families as possible. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers, we proudly provide critical insurance assistance, educational programming, community-building opportunities, and strong advocacy efforts for our members throughout New Jersey. We encourage families to visit our website, learn more about our programs and services, and become members so they can join us in advancing our mission."

LACE UP FOR A CAUSE - SEPTEMBER 13, 2026

Mark your calendars! HANJ's annual Bleeding Disorders Awareness 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk returns on Sunday, September 13, 2026. Whether you're a seasoned runner, a family looking for a fun morning out, or someone who simply wants to show support, there is a place for you:

5K Run - $35 ($20 for students ages 7-18)

1-Mile Walk - $25 ($15 for students ages 7-18)

Kids Under 7 - FREE

Volunteers - Sign up to help make the day a success!

Where: East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

When: Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

Register today, form a team and raise funds, or make a donation at: https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/EastBrunswick/HemophiliaRunWalk.

Early registration pricing is available through July 20, 2026 - don't wait!

WHY IT MATTERS

Every dollar raised fuels HANJ's life-changing programs: emergency financial assistance, insurance navigation support, educational programming, Medic Alert identifications, scholarships, member advocacy, and so much more. These events bring together patients, families, healthcare professionals, advocates, and supporters from across New Jersey.

The 5K Run & Walk joins HANJ's annual golf tournament on the fundraising calendar. Check out the tournament and save the date: https://hanj.org/event/dennis-keelty-memorial-golf-classic/.

Together, these events generate the critical funding that keeps HANJ's programs running and its doors open for every family that needs them.

GET INVOLVED

Visit https://hanj.org/ to explore the new site, become a member, and discover how you can make a difference. Through its continued dedication to advocacy, education, and patient support, HANJ remains committed to strengthening the lives of individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders.

News Source: Hemophilia Association of New Jersey

Related link: https://hanj.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/hemophilia-association-of-new-jersey-unveils-bold-new-brand-redesigned-website-and-announces-its-annual-bleeding-disorders-awareness-5k-run-and-1-mile-walk/

AUSTIN, Texas, Jul 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Velocity Credit Union is making it easier for members to protect what matters most by offering access to a wide range of insurance solutions through trusted industry partners. From home and vehicle insurance to business protection and specialty coverage, members can now explore insurance options designed to fit their unique needs and budgets.

"Life is full of unexpected moments, and having the right protection in place can make all the difference," said Debbie Mitchell, President & CEO. "By partnering with Inszone Insurance Services, we're giving members convenient access to experienced professionals who can help them find coverage that fits their lives today and adapts as their needs change."

PERSONALIZED INSURANCE SOLUTIONS THROUGH INSZONE INSURANCE SERVICES

Through Velocity's partnership with Inszone Insurance Services, members gain access to licensed insurance professionals who simplify the process of finding coverage. An advisor can compare options from a nationwide network of insurance carriers to identify competitive rates and customized solutions tailored to each member's needs. This translates into real value for members who will have access to multiple insurance carriers and licensed insurance professionals who can help them compare coverage options.

Coverage options include:

* Homeowners, renters, condominium, and specialty property insurance

* Auto, motorcycle, boat, RV, and rideshare vehicle insurance

* Life insurance and pet insurance

* Umbrella policies for additional liability protection

* Business insurance, including commercial property, business auto, general liability, cyber liability, workers' compensation, and employee benefits

* With more than two decades of industry experience, Inszone provides personalized support and guidance - from obtaining a quote and selecting coverage to ongoing service and assistance well after the policy is in place.

ADDITIONAL PROTECTION THROUGH ALLIED SOLUTIONS

Velocity members also have access to specialty insurance products available through Allied Solutions and offered by Franklin Madison Group LLC, a licensed insurance agency. These affordable coverage options are designed to help members prepare for life's unexpected challenges, such as Hospital Accident Protection and Recuperative Care coverage.

These group accident and sickness insurance plans feature straightforward enrollment processes and are designed to complement existing insurance coverage, helping members create a more comprehensive financial safety net.

DELIVERING VALUE WHERE LIFE HAPPENS

As part of its commitment to helping members achieve financial well-being, Velocity continues to expand services that support members through every stage of life. By providing access to trusted insurance professionals and a broad range of coverage options, Velocity is helping members safeguard their homes, vehicles, businesses, families, and financial futures.

Members interested in learning more about available insurance options can stop by any Velocity branch for additional information and referral assistance or visit https://www.velocitycu.com/.

ABOUT VELOCITY CREDIT UNION

Velocity Credit Union has served Central Texans for over 75 years with a mission to provide exceptional financial products, personal service, and support for the communities it serves. Membership is open to those who live or work in the five-county Austin area. Velocity Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Equal Housing Lender. Insurance products are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, Velocity Credit Union or any of its affiliates. Insurance products are not insured by the NCUA or any other federal government agency and may be subject to risk. Visit https://www.velocitycu.com/ to learn more.

ABOUT INSZONE INSURANCE

Inszone Insurance Services is a full-service insurance brokerage providing personal, commercial, and employee benefits solutions across the United States. Founded in 2002, Inszone combines personalized service, industry expertise, and access to a broad network of leading insurance carriers to help individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most. Visit https://www.inszoneinsurance.com to learn more.

ABOUT ALLIED SOLUTIONS

Allied Solutions is one of the nation's largest providers of insurance, lending, marketing, and technology-enabled solutions to financial institutions in North America. Since 1978, Allied Solutions has partnered with more than 6,000 financial institutions to help them grow their bottom line, protect their business and consumers, and evolve through connected solutions, data-driven insights, and modern platforms designed to keep them competitive in rapidly changing markets. Allied Solutions is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana and maintains several offices strategically located across the country. Allied Solutions is a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of Securian Financial Group. Visit https://www.alliedsolutions.net to learn more.

ABOUT FRANKLIN MADISON

An industry leader with over 55 years of experience, Franklin Madison builds financial security for individuals and families by delivering industry-leading insurance products and marketing services through its brand partners. Franklin Madison helps generate increased loyalty and value for more than 3,500 financial institutions. Visit https://www.franklin-madison.com to learn more.

News Source: Velocity Credit Union

Related link: https://www.velocitycu.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/velocity-expands-member-benefits-with-comprehensive-insurance-solutions/

ATLANTA, Ga., Jul 22, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homeownership programs, today released its Q2 2026 Homeownership Program Index (HPI) report, identifying 2,746 programs nationwide. The total represents an increase of 67 programs from Q1 2026, reflecting continued expansion of resources designed to improve affordability and access to homeownership, and is a new survey high.

Homeownership programs like down payment assistance (DPA) provide meaningful financial support that strengthens borrower profiles. By reducing loan-to-value ratios and covering upfront costs such as down payments, closing costs and rate buydowns, these programs help convert qualified demand into successful homeownership outcomes.

One standout finding this quarter is the growing number of grant programs, which require no repayment. Grant programs rose 6% from Q1 to Q2, with 234 programs representing 9% of all program types.

The Q2 findings also reveal a broad span in the type of assistance available. Of the 2,746 programs identified, 80% support new construction and 93% support existing construction, meaning builders and their lending partners have a wide range of programs to offer buyers regardless of whether they are purchasing a newly built home or an existing one.

Additionally, with 62% of programs allowing income limits above $100,000, and 291 programs carrying no income restrictions at all, down payment programs are not "niche resources" for a narrow audience. They are mainstream financial tools that the housing industry has historically undersold and an opportunity for homebuilders, lenders and real estate professionals to differentiate themselves by presenting every qualified buyer with options.

"Quarter after quarter, the universe of available programs keeps expanding, and so does the flexibility they offer," said Rob Chrane, founder and CEO of Down Payment Resource. "The surge in grant programs is a good example. These aren't resources for a narrow slice of buyers. They're mainstream financial strategies that lenders and real estate professionals should be putting in front of every qualified borrower."

KEY HPI REPORT FINDINGS

An examination of the 2,746 homeownership programs on July 1, 2026, resulted in the following key findings:

* Count reaches new high: The total number of programs increased to 2,746, up from 2,679 in Q1 2026. Active and funded programs total 2,114 (77%), providing immediate opportunities for homebuyers across the country.

* Grants surge: Grant programs increased 6% during Q2 to 234 programs. Grants now represent 9% of all program types, offering significant value for buyers seeking assistance that does not add to their debt burden.

* More support for new and existing construction: 2,209 (80%) of programs support new construction, 2,544 (93%) support existing construction and 2,209 (80%) support both, giving homebuilders and lenders broad coverage regardless of what a buyer is purchasing.

* Multi-unit programs expand: Programs supporting multi-unit properties (2-4 units) increased to 962, up 3% from Q1. Multi-unit eligibility expands access for buyers seeking rental income potential alongside homeownership, which is a growing consideration in today's affordability environment.

* Support for manufactured housing grows: Programs supporting manufactured homes increased to 1,089, representing 40% of all programs, a gain of 3% from Q1. Manufactured housing continues to be one of the most accessible lower-cost homeownership pathways, and expanded program support broadens options for buyers in markets where site-built homes remain out of reach.

* Second mortgages remain dominant: Second-mortgage programs make up 56% of all program types, offering flexible structures such as deferred or forgivable loans that reduce upfront costs for buyers. Combined assistance programs account for 10% of programs and first-mortgage programs represent 9%.

* More programs with no income limits: 291 programs (11%) carry no income restrictions, 2% higher than the previous quarter. These programs give lenders greater flexibility to qualify a broader range of borrowers including higher-income households.

* Support for first-time and first-generation buyers expands: 1,696 programs (62%) are available to first-time homebuyers, a 2% increase from Q1. 35 programs support first-generation buyers, up 6% from Q1, continuing to expand access for those entering the market without family homeownership history.

* Local providers lead program availability: Municipalities account for the largest share of programs at 39% (1,068), followed by nonprofits at 22% (601) and state housing finance agencies at 18% (485). Local HFAs represent an additional 8% (207 programs). Tribal organizations grew to 56 programs, up 4% from the previous quarter, reflecting expanding community-based program delivery.

A more detailed analysis of the Q2 2026 HPI findings, including infographics and examples of the programs described in this release, can be found on DPR's website at: https://downpaymentresource.com/professional-resource/down-payment-assistance-continues-to-expand-in-q2-2026-reaching-2746-programs-nationwide/

For a complete list of homebuyer assistance programs by state, visit (PDF): https://downpaymentresource.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/HPI-state-by-state-data.Q22026.pdf

Members of the media are encouraged to contact DPR for data specific to their reporting needs.

METHODOLOGY:

Published quarterly, DPR's HPI surveys the funding status, eligibility rules and benefits of U.S. homeownership programs administered by state and local housing finance agencies, municipalities, nonprofits and other housing organizations. DPR communicates with over 1,400 program providers throughout the year to track and update the country's wide range of homeownership programs, including down payment and closing cost programs, Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCCs) and affordable first mortgages, in the DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE(r) database.

ABOUT DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is the mortgage industry's affordability intelligence platform, operationalizing down payment assistance (DPA) at scale for lenders, MLSs and API users. Its embedded intelligence helps automate DPA eligibility, decisioning and delivery, connecting homebuyers with the assistance they need through a national database of over 2,700 programs. DPR's technology is used by seven of the top 25 mortgage lenders, two of the largest real estate listing websites and 600,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://www.downpaymentresource.com/.

News Source: Down Payment Resource

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/down-payment-resource-identifies-2746-homeownership-programs-nationwide-in-q2-2026/

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Jul 22, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Argyle, the leading consumer-permissioned verification platform, and The BIG Point of Sale today announced they have been named winners of the 2026 Connections Award by PROGRESS in Lending. The award honors the most impactful partnerships, integrations and acquisitions advancing the mortgage industry, recognizing the companies for an integration that embeds verification of income and employment (VOIE) directly into the loan origination process through ICE Mortgage Technology's Encompass Partner Connect® framework.

"Being named a Connections Award winner alongside Argyle validates the approach we've taken from day one: verification should happen where the loan is actually originated, not as a separate step borrowers and processors have to manage on the side," said Jerry Melia, president at The BIG Point of Sale. "This recognition reflects the work our team has put into making that experience feel seamless for lenders and borrowers alike."

"Argyle empowers consumers to securely share data directly from their payroll and other income-related accounts with authorized lenders," said John Hardesty, senior vice president of revenue at Argyle. "Lenders can embed income and employment verification directly into The BIG Point of Sale, accessing direct-source data earlier in the process and eliminating the manual back-and-forth that has historically slowed things down for borrowers and operations teams."

Income and employment verification has historically been one of the more manual, time-consuming and expensive parts of the mortgage process. Borrowers are typically required to locate and upload paystubs, W-2s and other documentation, while lenders spend additional time chasing missing information, following up and re-entering data across systems.

With Argyle, The BIG Point of Sale integration changes that by making verification a natural part of the borrower application experience. Loan officers can initiate VOIE requests from The BIG Point of Sale on any device during or after the application process. Borrowers can easily share their real-time income and employment data through consumer-directed payroll connections- no document uploads required. After completing the Argyle connection flow, required data including VOIE, paystubs and W-2s is returned in real time and automatically posted to the Encompass eFolder through native Encompass Partner Connect functionality and workflow automation rules.

The integration also supports GSE-eligible verification data and reference IDs within the same workflow. As an authorized supplier for Fannie Mae's Desktop Underwriter® validation service and an approved service provider for Freddie Mac's Loan Product Advisor® asset and income modeler (AIM), Argyle enables lenders to access direct-source data and GSE reference IDs without leaving the point-of-sale environment or reordering a VOIE through separate systems.

The business impact of the integration is already visible in the field. Since embedding Argyle into the borrower workflow within The BIG Point of Sale, Absolute Home Mortgage increased its automated verification success rate from 10% to 48%. The lender reduced reliance on processor intervention and manual borrower follow-up while improving file completeness entering underwriting-with nearly half of loans submitted for underwriting already including paystubs and W-2s synced through Fannie Mae's Day 1 Certainty® framework.

Key benefits lenders gain through the integration:

* Speed: Payroll-connected VOIE data arrives in Encompass in real time, reducing delays between application and underwriting.

* Cost reduction: Automated payroll-based VOIE can significantly reduce verification costs compared to legacy database-driven services.

* GSE support: Lenders can qualify for representations and warranties relief through the same workflow, helping reduce repurchase risk exposure.

* Better borrower experience: Borrowers complete verification from a mobile device in minutes rather than gathering and submitting paper documents.

ABOUT ARGYLE

Argyle is the leading consumer-permissioned verification platform empowering consumers to share their income, employment, and asset data through consumer-directed payroll and bank connections. With Argyle, lenders automate verification workflows to save time, reduce fraud and compliance risks, lower costs and build better product experiences. As an authorized supplier for Fannie Mae's Desktop Underwriter® validation service and an approved service provider supporting Freddie Mac's Loan Product Advisor® asset and income modeler (AIM), Argyle empowers mortgage lenders to receive the paystubs and W-2s applicants share, understand applicants' ability to pay and improve loan quality-all at up to 80% less cost. Argyle's commitment to innovation is backed by investors including Bain Capital Ventures, Checkr, Mastercard and SignalFire. For more information, visit https://www.argyle.com/

ABOUT THE BIG POINT OF SALE

The BIG Point of Sale, a Mortgage Automation Technologies solution, is a configurable point-of-sale platform built to help mortgage lenders simplify and automate the loan origination process. Through native integrations with ICE Mortgage Technology's Encompass Partner Connect framework and verification partners like Argyle, The BIG Point of Sale embeds verification, disclosures and workflow automation directly into the borrower application experience, helping lenders reduce cycle times and manual work from application through closing. The BIG Point of Sale is based in Fairfield, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.thebigpos.com

News Source: Argyle

Related link: https://www.argyle.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/argyle-and-the-big-point-of-sale-named-2026-connections-award-winners-by-progress-in-lending/

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Jul 22, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- One of this year's most unexpected Comic-Con announcements comes as Thump Records - long recognized for its contributions to the music industry - officially enters the world of comic book publishing with the debut of "East Side Story" #1, premiering exclusively at Booth #1735 during San Diego Comic-Con.

Inspired by the iconic Chicano-influenced East Side Story music compilations of Thump Records, the company's inaugural comic book is the first chapter of an original multimedia property, introducing readers to a compelling cast of characters and the dramatic events that set the story in motion.

Set against the unmistakable backdrop of Southern California, "East Side Story" is an authentic, character-driven story inspired by the rich traditions of the region's legendary lowrider culture. Far more than beautifully customized automobiles, lowriding represents generations of artistry, craftsmanship, family, music, neighborhood pride, and cultural heritage. The comic celebrates that legacy through cinematic storytelling that focuses on the people whose lives, dreams, triumphs, and challenges define this remarkable community.

Rather than relying on stereotypes, "East Side Story" delivers an emotionally engaging story filled with family conflict, friendship, loyalty, ambition, romance, and redemption-creating a vibrant world that honors one of Southern California's most enduring cultural movements.

"Comic books have become one of the entertainment industry's greatest launching pads for unforgettable worlds and compelling new characters," said Bill Walker, President of Thump Records. "With 'East Side Story,' we're honored to introduce readers to a story that celebrates the heart and soul of Southern California's lowrider community with authenticity, respect, and cinematic scope. This is a story about family, identity, dreams, and perseverance-universal themes that transcend culture. We believe audiences will immediately connect with these characters and their journey, and we're incredibly proud to premiere the very first issue at San Diego Comic-Con."

The debut of "East Side Story" #1 also marks a significant new chapter for Thump Records, reflecting the company's commitment to developing original intellectual property across multiple forms of entertainment. By expanding from music into comic book publishing, Thump Records is embracing the growing synergy between comics, film, television, and music while creating stories designed to resonate with audiences across generations.

Comic-Con attendees visiting Booth #1735 will be among the very first readers anywhere to experience "East Side Story" #1, and discover the beginning of what promises to become an exciting new multimedia entertainment franchise.

Following its Comic-Con debut, "East Side Story" #1 will also be available at the "East Side Story" celebration on San Diego's Broadway Pier on Saturday, July 25, where fans of live music, classic lowriders, and Southern California culture can experience the real-world inspiration behind the comic book.

As Hollywood continues to look to comic books for its next generation of film and television projects, "East Side Story" at exactly the right moment-offering authentic storytelling, unforgettable characters, and a cinematic vision rooted in one of America's most vibrant and influential cultural traditions.

Whether you're a lifelong comic book fan, an admirer of Southern California culture, or simply searching for the next exciting independent series to discover, "East Side Story" #1 is a Comic-Con debut not to be missed.

VISIT THUMP RECORDS AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON BOOTH #1735

Be among the first to experience the world premiere of "East Side Story" #1 and witness the launch of an exciting new comic book universe inspired by the people, traditions, and spirit of Southern California's legendary lowrider culture.

Learn more:
https://thumprecords.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thumprecords

News Source: Thump Records

Related link: https://thumprecords.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/thump-records-enters-the-world-of-comic-book-publishing-with-the-debut-of-east-side-story-1-at-san-diego-comic-con/

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. and LEWES, Del., Jul 22, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- 3Aware today announced a formal partnership with John Snow Labs to embed their world-class multimodal de-identification capabilities directly within the 3Aware Evidence Vault, enabling health systems to unlock governed, privacy-protected real-world clinical data for scalable research and commercialization-while keeping data and analytic processing inside the provider environment.

The partnership combines 3Aware's Evidence Vault model, built to activate longitudinal, multimodal clinical data under each health system's strict governance and controls, with John Snow Labs' in-environment de-identification technology for multimodal clinical data, including structured data and unstructured EHR data, PDFs, DICOM, FHIR, and text reports. John Snow Labs' capabilities-available at no charge to 3Aware's healthcare provider data partners-are integrated directly into 3Aware's native data curation and transformation workflow. Together, the companies will help health systems operationalize HIPAA Expert Determination workflows, preserve longitudinal linkage through consistent tokenization, and accelerate the creation of research-ready cohorts without moving raw patient data outside institutional control.

With this foundation in place, 3Aware can scale in silico, non-interventional observational studies by more easily surfacing and interpreting the longitudinal clinical context embedded across complete episodes of care, including the unstructured clinical narrative that structured coding and claims typically miss. Faster de-identification via John Snow Labs reduces the time needed to onboard new health system partners and produce research-ready datasets-supporting both internal KOL-led research and life sciences-funded research collaborations at greater scale-within the 3Aware Evidence Vault. As 3Aware expands from industry-sponsored evidence programs to support investigator-led research within academic medical centers, the combined solution accelerates comparative effectiveness research (CER) and value analysis across interventions, pathways, procedures, and patient subgroups.

"This partnership advances our core principle: health systems shouldn't have to choose between protecting patient privacy and unlocking meaningful evidence," said William (Bill) Moss, CEO of 3Aware. "By integrating John Snow Labs' multimodal de-identification inside the 3Aware Evidence Vault, we're making it easier for providers to participate as Commercial Data Partners-safely generating scalable, defensible real-world evidence and enabling new, non-reimbursement revenue through governed research collaboration."

"As healthcare organizations move from pilot projects to scalable secondary use, the ability to de-identify multimodal clinical data where it lives is foundational," said David Talby, CEO, John Snow Labs. "Partnering with 3Aware brings our de-identification capabilities into a federated evidence infrastructure designed for real operational constraints: governance, auditability, and reliable outputs."

"For health systems, de-identification is one of the biggest determinants of whether secondary-use research can scale responsibly," said Neil Martin, former Chief Quality Officer of Geisinger, former Chief Medical Officer of Providence Southern Division, and 3Aware Strategic Advisory Board Member. "Having trusted, world-class multimodal de-identification capabilities embedded directly within the 3Aware Evidence Vault helps mitigate risk and accelerates the ability to participate, so health systems can unlock research value while maintaining the privacy protections and governance patients and institutions expect."

ABOUT 3AWARE

3Aware provides a Clinical Scientific Workbench and Evidence Vault that enable health systems to generate real-world evidence from longitudinal clinical records-structured and unstructured-processed within the health system's secure cloud. The platform supports rapid cohort definition, preserves full episode-of-care context, and uses interpretive AI to surface determinant clinical signals for defensible analysis. This model strengthens investigator-led research within partner institutions and enables MedTech manufacturers to run in silico, non-interventional observational studies on devices as used at the point of care. Today, 3Aware supports 15 leading manufacturers, including Medtronic®, Johnson & Johnson®, Boston Scientific®, Stryker®, BD®, Zimmer Biomet®, CONMED®, and Teleflex®. See https://3aware.ai/ for more information.

ABOUT JOHN SNOW LABS

John Snow Labs is a healthcare AI company whose medical language models are used by 500+ enterprise customers across health systems, payers, life sciences organizations, and government agencies. Its de-identification platform removes PHI from structured data, clinical notes, FHIR, PDFs, DICOM, and SVS images, with regulatory-grade accuracy, validated across billions of patient notes and in peer-reviewed research. All processing runs inside the customer's secure environment: no data leaves institutional control, and every pipeline produces confidence scores and audit logs that meet HIPAA Expert Determination standards. John Snow Labs also provides clinical NLP, medical LLMs, OMOP harmonization, and terminology services that let healthcare and life sciences teams build production-grade data pipelines without moving raw patient records off-premises. See https://www.johnsnowlabs.com/ for more information.

News Source: 3Aware

Related link: https://3aware.ai/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/3aware-and-john-snow-labs-announce-partnership-to-deliver-multimodal-de-identification-inside-the-3aware-evidence-vault/

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla., Jul 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Capital investment across the Southeast United States held strong through the second quarter of 2026, with new construction, facility expansion, equipment modernization, and plant renovation activity spanning automotive, food and beverage, aerospace, data centers, chemicals, pharmaceutical, and life sciences, and distribution and warehousing. Our research team at Industrial SalesLeads, Inc. tracked 375 new industrial, manufacturing, and supply chain facility projects across 11-states in the Southeast.

States include: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The collective states continue to show momentum in site selection, plant expansion, and economic development activity.

More than $23.7 billion in capital investment was confirmed across 137 projects tracked this quarter, including 28 projects valued at over $100 million each. Leading the way is a $5 billion aerospace manufacturing facility in North Carolina and a $4 billion automotive plant expansion in Alabama.

The following are selected highlights on new industrial and manufacturing construction news across the Southeast region:

SOUTHEAST MANUFACTURING - BY PROJECT CATEGORY

Manufacturing/Production - 189 (50%)

Construction - 32 (9%)

Distribution - 30 (8%)

Transportation, Utilities & Data Centers - 30 (8%)

SOUTHEAST MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY - BY SUBSECTORS

Transportation Equipment - 38

Food & Beverage - 25

Chemicals - 20

Electronic & Electrical Equipment - 18

Fabricated Metal - 16

Industrial Machinery & Equipment - 10

Automotive and aerospace manufacturers led the Southeast manufacturing subsectors this quarter, strengthening the region's rise as a hub for transportation-equipment capital investment, followed by food and beverage processing and chemical manufacturing.

SOUTHEAST MANUFACTURING - BY PROJECT LOCATION

Florida - 71

Georgia - 64

North Carolina - 53

Tennessee - 39

Virginia - 35

Alabama - 32

Kentucky - 30

Maryland - 17

South Carolina - 17

Mississippi - 14

West Virginia - 3

Florida, Georgia and North Carolina accounted for nearly half of all new Southeast industrial and manufacturing project activity tracked this quarter.

SOUTHEAST MANUFACTURING - BY PROJECT SCOPE/ACTIVITY

Renovation - 149

New Construction - 136

Equipment Upgrade - 136

Expansion - 67

Relocation - 61

SOUTHEAST MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT CATEGORIES IN DEMAND

Across all 375 tracked Southeast industrial and manufacturing projects this quarter, project managers are procuring the following equipment:

* 88%: Lighting, HVAC Equipment

* 85%: Compressed Air Systems

* 83%: Mechanical Construction, Networking/Security Equipment

* 74%: Fire Protection Equipment

* 61%: Material Handling/Storage Equipment

* 56%: Lift Trucks

* 53%: Loading Dock Equipment

* 51%: Conveyors

* 47%: Floor Coatings

* 45%: Cranes and Hoists

--- TOP TRACKED INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING PROJECTS IN THE SOUTHEAST ---

NORTH CAROLINA:
Aerospace company is planning to invest $5 billion in the construction of an 8 million sf manufacturing facility in North Carolina. This is the single largest capital investment tracked in the Southeast this quarter. A data center company is seeking approval for a large-scale data center campus with construction expected to start Fall 2026.

ALABAMA:
A car manufacturer is planning to invest $4 billion in the expansion of its automotive manufacturing facility in AL. An electronic component manufacturer, is planning a $500 million manufacturing and research facility.

VIRGINIA:
Data center developer is planning to invest $3 billion in the construction of a data center campus in VA. Battery component manufacturer has started construction on a $1.3 billion, 1 million sf facility.

FLORIDA:
A medical device manufacturer, is investing $1 billion in the construction of a distribution facility with construction underway.

SOUTH CAROLINA:
A refined metals company is planning to invest $1 billion in the renovation and equipment upgrade of an 800,000 sf manufacturing. Candy manufacturer is planning a $675 million processing and warehouse campus.

Largest Planned Project

The largest project tracked in the Southeast region this quarter is owned by JetZero, an aerospace manufacturer planning to invest $5 billion in the construction of an 8 million sf manufacturing facility in North Carolina.

About Industrial SalesLeads, Inc.

Since 1959, Industrial SalesLeads, based in Jacksonville, FL is a leader in delivering industrial capital project intelligence and prospecting services for sales and marketing teams to ensure a predictable and scalable pipeline. Our Industrial Market Intelligence, IMI identifies timely insights on companies planning significant capital investments such as new construction, expansion, relocation, equipment modernization and plant closings in industrial facilities. The Outsourced Prospecting Services, an extension to your sales team, is designed to drive growth with qualified meetings and appointments for your internal sales team. Visit us at https://salesleadsinc.com/.

Each month, our team provides hundreds of industrial reports within a variety of industries.

News Source: Industrial SalesLeads Inc

Related link: https://www.salesleadsinc.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/new-industrial-manufacturing-and-supply-chain-facility-projects-signal-sustained-capital-investment-across-the-southeast-in-q2-2026/

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., Jul 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced the promotion of Ajay Trilokeshwaran to chief technology officer (CTO). In his new role, Trilokeshwaran will lead the company's product and technology execution, overseeing platform development, application engineering, infrastructure and cloud strategy to support business growth.

Trilokeshwaran brings more than 20 years of enterprise technology experience to the role, with deep expertise in platform modernization, large-scale system integrations and DevOps strategy. Since joining Informative Research, he has been the driving force behind the company's core verification infrastructure, building systems that help lenders meet investor guidelines and capture GSE incentive programs through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Trilokeshwaran's work has turned what was once a set of separate capabilities into something greater than the sum of its parts. IR's verification platform operates as a unified system where credit, income, employment and asset data flow together intelligently, giving lenders a single infrastructure they can build on. His contributions have helped lenders across the industry manage verification costs and develop consistent, reliable verification processes.

"Ajay has been instrumental in shaping what Informative Research is today," said President Matt Orlando. "His technical vision, his ability to build and lead high-performing teams, and his deep understanding of what lenders need have made him the right person to take the reins as we continue to grow."

Trilokeshwaran was recognized as a 2024 HousingWire Tech Trendsetter for his leadership in advancing scalable technology in the mortgage industry. His work has also contributed to IR's recognition on the HousingWire Tech100 list over multiple years.

"I'm motivated to build things that actually move the needle for the people using them," said Trilokeshwaran. "Our team has and continues to pursue that goal, and there's still more to do. I'm grateful for the trust and recognition, and I'm looking forward to what comes next."

About Informative Research

Informative Research, a Stewart company, is a premier technology provider delivering data-driven credit and verification solutions to the lending community. The solutions provider currently serves mortgage companies, banks and lenders throughout the United States. The company is recognized for streamlining the loan process with its straightforward service model, progressive solutions and cutting-edge technology. To learn more, visit https://www.informativeresearch.com.

News Source: Informative Research

Related link: https://www.informativeresearch.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/informative-research-names-ajay-trilokeshwaran-chief-technology-officer/

SEATTLE, Wash., Jul 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Friday Harbor, an AI pre-underwriting platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, today announced support for USDA loans. The new capability enables lenders to identify documentation gaps, eligibility issues and changes that require updated Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS) findings before loan files reach underwriting, helping reduce rework and deliver a more predictable path to closing for both lending teams and borrowers.

"USDA loans have always required a level of expertise that many production teams simply don't encounter every day," said Theo Ellis, co-founder and CEO of Friday Harbor. "We've built that expertise directly into the hands of loan officers, so they know when a file needs attention before it reaches underwriting. That means underwriters spend less time working through preventable conditions, production teams keep loans moving and borrowers get to closing with fewer surprises."

Friday Harbor continuously evaluates USDA loan files as they evolve, identifying documentation gaps, eligibility issues and changes that require updated GUS findings as new information is added to the file. Instead of relying on manual judgment or institutional knowledge, production teams receive real-time guidance that helps resolve issues before the loan reaches underwriting. The result is cleaner loan files, fewer underwriting touches and more predictable production timelines, while borrowers benefit from fewer avoidable delays and clearer expectations throughout the mortgage process.

Backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program, USDA loans expand access to homeownership by allowing eligible borrowers to purchase homes with no down payment. Because the program has unique eligibility and documentation requirements, lenders rely on GUS, an automated underwriting system (AUS), to evaluate borrower qualifications and program eligibility before returning underwriting findings.

Those findings can change throughout the origination process. Updates to borrower information, income, assets or property details may require another GUS evaluation, yet it is not always clear when one is needed. Loan officers often rerun files unnecessarily or risk delaying underwriting when required evaluations are overlooked. Friday Harbor helps production teams determine when updated GUS findings are needed, reducing unnecessary reruns while helping ensure required evaluations aren't missed.

Lenders can learn more about USDA loan support in Friday Harbor or request a demo at https://fridayharbor.ai.

About Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor is an AI pre-underwriting platform that helps lenders identify and resolve potential issues earlier in the origination process. By analyzing borrower documents, appraisals and income calculations against investor guidelines and lender overlays, the platform helps teams deliver cleaner files, achieve fewer underwriting touches and improve individual productivity. For more information, visit https://fridayharbor.ai/.

News Source: Friday Harbor

Related link: https://fridayharbor.ai/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/friday-harbor-adds-usda-loans-to-its-ai-pre-underwriting-platform/

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Jul 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, today released results from its June 2026 Pulse of the Network survey. The biannual survey gathered input from mortgage lenders, including independent mortgage banks, credit unions and depository institutions, on strategic priorities heading into the second half of 2026.

According to the survey results, lenders are focused on growth heading into the second half of 2026 and intend to rely mostly on existing staff to achieve that goal. Three-quarters of respondents said their primary growth strategy is to increase production from their current sales team, while 64% plan to recruit experienced loan officers. Overall, 83% said their companies are focused on growth, and 89% expect origination volume to climb in the second half of the year. Most are projecting moderate gains of 5% to 20%, though 17% anticipate a significant jump. Elevated interest rates, tight housing inventory and margin compression remain the biggest obstacles.

Technology ranked second on lenders' priority lists, though most are still in the exploration phase with AI. While 83% said they are evaluating AI tools across their businesses, only 17% have deployed the technology in live production workflows. The most frequently cited barrier to AI adoption is trust, with a quarter of respondents saying their organizations aren't yet confident in AI-generated outputs.

Operational efficiency rounded out lenders' top three priorities, with an emphasis on making better use of existing investments and talent. Reducing loan production costs was the top operational priority for 86% of respondents, followed by vendor and technology consolidation at 64% and reduction in turn times at 56%. Personnel-wise, three-quarters of respondents say they are investing in technology to improve loan officer productivity, and 72% plan to improve compensation and incentive structures to keep top performers.

Borrower retention/recapture ranked as the top secondary market priority by 75% of respondents, in light of the growing opportunity in this area due to gradually declining interest rates. Nearly as many, 72%, are working to broaden their investor and agency relationships, while 69% are strengthening their post-close processes. From a product perspective, respondents identified conventional purchase loans and non-QM lending as the two largest opportunities for volume growth in the second half of the year.

Lenders' caution around AI also extends to their compliance departments, where automated decisioning now consumes more resources than any other area of compliance, according to 75% of respondents. Nearly half expressed concerns about fair lending risk tied to AI decisioning, and 22% say they haven't yet fully assessed it. State-level regulatory complexity remains a burden as well, with 53% calling it a meaningful drain on resources.

"The results show a membership that is more confident about volume in the second half of the year, but still disciplined about how they get there," said Jodi Hall, president and CEO of The Mortgage Collaborative. "Members are prioritizing production from their current teams and technology investment over expansion, and they are asking specific questions about AI governance and per-loan costs."

TMC conducts the Pulse of the Network survey twice a year to identify what lender members are navigating and where they are seeking support. Results inform programming for TMC's working groups, lender-only collaboration labs, TMC Insight benchmarking initiatives and conference programming. The survey results are provided at https://mailchi.mp/mtgcoop/pulse-of-the-network.

About The Mortgage Collaborative

The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC) is a membership-driven organization that empowers mortgage lenders across the United States through networking, education and advocacy. TMC fosters an environment of collaboration and innovation, ensuring its members succeed regardless of market conditions. For more information, visit mortgagecollaborative.com.

News Source: The Mortgage Collaborative

Related link: https://www.mortgagecollaborative.com

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/volume-growth-from-existing-staff-ranks-as-lenders-top-priority-for-the-second-half-of-2026-the-mortgage-collaboratives-survey-finds/

DENVER, Colo., Jul 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Industry Group (TIG) and the Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) will spotlight the convergence of POS, kiosks, digital signage, and edge AI at RetailNOW 2026, July 26-28 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. The initiative aligns with the release of TIGER 2026, a new market report from TIG that quantifies how unattended POS and self-service kiosks are reshaping global retail and payments.

Anchored by Intel's first-time appearance at RetailNOW, the RetailNOW Walking Tour guides VARs, ISVs, and solution providers through a curated set of exhibitors including Intel, Advantech-AURES, POSIFLEX, Ingenico, Toshiba, Datalogic, Crane Payment Innovations, Bluefin, NMI, and Datacapsystems. The tour is designed as a practical roadmap for channel partners looking to extend beyond traditional countertop POS into unattended and software-defined deployments.

TIGER 2026 describes POS as a distributed, unattended, software-defined commerce layer spanning self-checkout, self-ordering, EV charging, smart vending, healthcare check-in, and digital-signage-enabled transaction points, rather than a single fixed-lane terminal category. The report sizes the global self-service kiosk market at 39.4 billion dollars in 2024, growing to 82.1 billion dollars by 2031, with unattended POS projected from 1.254 billion to 3.418 billion dollars at 15.4 percent CAGR.

For RetailNOW attendees, the message is clear: POS is no longer just a countertop terminal, but the operating system of self-service commerce. TIGER 2026 is being released in conjunction with RetailNOW 2026 to give POS dealers, VARs, ISVs, and payment professionals a data-backed roadmap for expanding into unattended, software-defined, and accessibility-aware self-service deployments.

The Industry Group operates a network of news and research sites covering kiosks, digital signage, retail automation, EV charging, and smart city technology, and produces TIGER series reports on self-service markets.

The Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) is a global, cause-based industry association advocating for best practices in self-service, including ADA/WCAG accessibility, payments compliance, and secure, reliable deployments.

Together, TIG and KMA provide both the market intelligence and policy framework that help the retail IT channel turn self-service opportunities into scalable, serviceable solutions.

For all the self-service insights, opinions and news: https://kioskindustry.org/news-posts/

News Source: The Industry Group

Related link: https://industrygroup.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/kiosk-and-pos-market-report-tiger-2026-released-with-retailnow-2026-event/

ONTARIO, Calif., Jul 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Last year, more than 7,000 pedestrians were killed when struck by cars (some 700 of those were children) and tens of thousands more were injured. MAGLITE® flashlights have been featured in kids' entertainment over the years, most notably in the Nancy Drew books and, more recently, in the "Dora the Explorer" live-action film. The brand's longstanding annual commitment to roadside traffic safety awareness led to the creation of the Safe Road Adventures K-5 Curriculum through Pedestrian Safety Institute (PSI), a roadside safety initiative that MAGLITE® partnered with several years ago to combat roadside fatalities.

Upon the request of Tony Maglica, Sr., the 96-year-old founder and inventor of the iconic MAGLITE® flashlight, the PSI team went to work and came up with Safe Road Adventures™, a free 5-week, 15-minute-a-week curriculum that teaches kids how to be safe around vehicular traffic through core principles lessons, workbooks, drawings, and an original "Cross The Road" song and dance with the animated characters of Maggie The Chick and her friend Sol The Duckling.

For participating schools, this curriculum will culminate in a school-wide assembly, cementing the principles of roadside safety in the minds of K-5 students. For teachers, this free curriculum is an easy add-on to their current lesson plans. For parents and homeschoolers, it is a fun weekly activity that will potentially save the lives of their children.

"Learning these critical skills will save children's lives, and that's why we are excited about the program," said Tony Maglica, Sr. "Any time a child is killed or injured, it is devastating for the family, their friends, their school, and the community, and we are doing what we can by sponsoring this program of the Pedestrian Safety Institute to reduce the number of these tragic accidents."

The program teaches kids the importance of looking before crossing the street with the "look left, right, left" drill and song, teaches the importance of making sure you are seen by oncoming traffic "see and be seen," and being patient when crossing the street "1-2-3 wait for me."

"The United States had more than 7,000 pedestrian deaths last year, and around 10% or 700 of those were children who were killed, and tens of thousands more were struck and injured, often severely," said Lou Desmond, spokesperson for PSI. "It is fantastic that MAGLITE® has stepped up and sponsored this program to help children stay safe."

The number of pedestrian deaths goes up when the days get darker and longer, and low visibility (darkness) is a huge factor; some 90 percent of traffic fatalities happen between the hours of dusk and dawn, according to a variety of government and private studies on the matter of pedestrian traffic deaths and injuries.

"As the maker of the iconic Maglite® Flashlight, lighting the darkness and providing visibility is in our DNA," said Maglica.

The curriculum is available for free at www.thesaferroad.com, and the staff at PSI are ready to assist any school that wants to implement the curriculum, which will officially be launched at the 22nd Annual School Safety Conference in Orlando, Florida.

For help with implementing the program or any questions you may have, please go to the "Get Support" tab at https://www.thesaferroad.com/.

News Source: Mag Instrument Inc.

Related link: https://maglite.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/mag-instrument-maglite-joins-forces-with-pedestrian-safety-institute-to-save-kids-from-being-killed-by-cars-launching-the-safer-road-initiative/

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Jul 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Anima Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking down barriers for independent and underrepresented artists, today announced a two-night immersive concert experience presented with Los Angeles-based musician Dolce Wang. "Any Other Way" debuts July 25-26, 2026, at Venia Studio in Downtown Los Angeles, and is co-produced with Bravewyld, a Los Angeles-based collective of multidisciplinary creative volunteers.

"Any Other Way," Wang's most personal record to date, is an emotionally rich collection of shoegaze, indie folk and electronic dream pop that embraces vulnerability as a source of strength. Written across years of international travel and shaped by conversations with strangers along the way, the album moves through themes of love, loss, resilience and tenderness, including "Time Once Again," a song written about the passing of Wang's father.

The record features an international ensemble that mirrors its global influence. Serbian drummer Serge Milenkovic, Yugoslavia-born bassist and producer Aleksandar "Meksi" Sasha Panich and Taiwanese violinist Edith Lin bring together distinct musical backgrounds to create a unified and deeply expressive sound. Together, they craft sweeping arrangements that move effortlessly between intimate acoustic passages, expansive shoegaze textures and cinematic dream pop.

The record's title doubles as its thesis: an invitation to find and be celebrated in one's own unique path forward and the album release is intended as more than an immersive listening event; it is both a personal artistic statement and a demonstration of what's possible when musicians, designers and community organizations unite their strengths toward a single creative vision. That range comes naturally to Wang, whose career sits at the intersection of art and engineering.

Alongside her music, she has spent nearly two decades as a multidisciplinary creative and business leader across theme park design, film and interactive new media art, including as a Creative Director and Inventor within Walt Disney's R&D Imagineering division. "Any Other Way" draws directly on that same instinct for world-building aimed, this time, at her own story.

"The canvas is the space, actually. And with the space and the event, we're transporting people from their daily lives. For me, it's about stopping time so you can be present in the moment, with the people around you. The album is very poetic so there's a poetic sense to the space. It's creating a sense of magic. That's the memory we're embedding into people's minds," said Wang. "When we can find our own ways and celebrate that together, even when it's difficult or isolating to walk the road less-traveled, we're actually doing this together. I believe the evening and the album are both reflective of how we are able to find another way."

Anima Initiative and Wang partnered on this immersive concert experience following the success of her earlier show, InDreams Immersive Concert, where audiences reportedly remained in their seats for the full 90-minute performance. Rather than staging a traditional album release show, Wang and Anima conceived the event as a fully immersive world of her own making, assembling Bravewyld's multidisciplinary team of collaborators, including projection and lighting designers, a fashion studio, florists and a dedicated soundscape partner, to transform the studio into what the creative team is calling a "forest clearing for the weary traveler."

The result is an environment built around live performance, ambient soundscapes, 3D audio and layered lighting, projection and scent design, all in service of the album's sound. For Anima Initiative, the collaboration is also a continuation of its core mission: creating environments where independent and underrepresented artists can share their work without the usual production and marketing hurdles.

"There is something incredibly unique about listening to Dolce perform live. Being able to showcase it through Anima is a very unique opportunity for us, but also one that we're very happy to do, because much of the feedback we've received is that LA needs more of this, and facilitating the experience of this album and event is exactly what we're here to do," said Keeter Ly, Co-Founder & Experience Director, Anima Initiative. "Anima's entire mission is to support independent, underrepresented artists and help tell their stories, removing barriers and giving them a platform for their work."

At a moment when independent artists face mounting barriers to producing and marketing their own work, this event reflects a broader shift in how independent artists in Los Angeles are reimagining the album release format, trading the traditional venue-and-lineup model for smaller, narrative-driven gatherings built around a specific sensory and emotional experience.

"A lot of people have known me to be unshakably resilient. I've gone through a lot, both professionally and in my personal life, pushing through a lot of hardship in our family growing up. Tapping into that is very difficult publicly, but I'm slowly learning how to find strength in vulnerability. The truth is, there has always been plenty of fear and anxiety, but I've created a muscle of just stepping through it. Now I'm just pulling back the curtain. In fact, the album leaves me in an even more raw state because it's so personal. But as I step through this, I feel like it also gives permission for others to do the same and embrace their humanness," said Wang.

At its core, "Any Other Way" is an invitation into a shared experience. Through music, design and immersive storytelling, the event encourages audiences not simply to observe, but to participate, to slow down, connect and experience the album together.

As Wang put it, echoing a line from Maya Angelou that she returns to often: "You only are free when you realize you belong to no place, you belong to every place, no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great;" the emotional anchor of both the album and the event.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: "Any Other Way," a two-night immersive concert experience

Who: Dolce Wang, presented by Anima Initiative, co-produced with Bravewyld

When: July 25-26, 2026

Where: Venia Studio, Downtown Los Angeles

Tickets: On sale now; presale pricing ends at 11:55 p.m. the night before each show, after which door pricing applies

ABOUT DOLCE WANG:

Dolce Wang is a Los Angeles-based musician and multidisciplinary artist whose nearly two-decade career spans theme park design, film, spatial audio and interactive new media art. A former Creative Director and Inventor within Walt Disney's R&D Imagineering division and two-time U.S. patent holder, she has since served as Chief Creative Officer of Fantasy Works Interactive and Executive Creative Director at MoonShine Animation, and designs experiences for clients including Audi, Honda, Asus, NASA and the United Nations.

Her music draws on years spent in Taiwan's independent scene and her own string-driven shoegaze sound; she also founded the Vox Photo Project, teaching photography as a tool for underserved communities to tell their own stories. "Any Other Way" is her most personal release to date, exploring themes of love, loss, resilience and belonging. For additional information, visit: https://www.dolcewang.com/.

ABOUT ANIMA INITIATIVE:

Anima Initiative is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit dedicated to being a platform for underrepresented and independent artists, exploring the invisible languages of art, music and movement. Anima works to identify the barriers artists face, particularly around production, logistics, and marketing and to build environments where their work can reach audiences and communities more directly. For additional information, visit: https://www.anima-initiative.org/.

ABOUT BRAVEWYLD:

Bravewyld is a thought collective of wacky and passionate multi-disciplinary volunteers from around the world, who gather for salon-style conversations, champion each other's work and are united by a desire to create something beautiful in Los Angeles.

MULTIMEDIA:
Listen (pre-save): https://show.co/yUBOqCT

News Source: Anima Initiative

Related link: https://anima-initiative.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/anima-presents-any-other-way-an-immersive-concert-experience-by-dolce-wang/

OCEAN VIEW, Del., Jul 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- "Two Dramatic Lives" (ISBN: 978-1662979927) is a romantic suspense novel written by Dave Roseman, the individual described in the CIA's highest career commendation as, "CIA's secret weapon." At the center of the novel is Simphini Elle Miller, 34, who has built her life with a successful career, stable marriage, family, a future carefully planned. Simphini is intelligent, determined, compassionate. Until one devastating event changes almost everything that has been her life in Westchester, New York.

ACTION INCLUDES

After the devastating event she experiences, Simphini Miller unexpectedly meets Matt Grant, 45. Widowed, sophisticated, and quietly enigmatic, he is an international business owner whose own life has been shaped by loss, secrecy, and responsibilities few people could imagine. Beneath his calm exterior lies a world of intelligence operations, hidden threats, and dangerous international realities that operate far beyond public view.

Their connection is immediate.

Their attraction is undeniable.

And neither of them can walk away.

As their relationship deepens, Sim finds herself pulled into a world of secrets, moral dilemmas, and escalating danger. Powerful individuals hide behind wealth, influence, and respectability. Her boss, however, does offer her a helping hand - on her knee. At the same time, Matt's occasional involvement in the most sensitive operations abroad, at the request of the United States government, places both of them in the path of people willing to do anything, and with the resources to take that action, whether legal or not, to protect their interests.

High-stakes tension escalates when Simphini Miller discovers a possibility that threatens everything; the man she is falling in love with may somehow be connected to the greatest tragedy her family has ever endured.... Matt Grant is overseas in alias on a top-secret espionage mission, is restrained by 'associates' of the most ruthless narcotics kingpin, and threatened that in milliseconds, "You will die many moons and beg for dying."

EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Set against an international backdrop of exotic locations, clandestine operations, hidden agendas, intrigue, and emotional conflict, "Two Dramatic Lives" blends romantic suspense, espionage, and psychological drama into a story where every choice carries consequences...and a mistake might be fatal.

From the first paragraphs of this novel until the last sentence, a reader will experience,

* A powerful and intelligent female protagonist.

* A mature romance filled with emotional complexity.

* International intrigue and intelligence-world realism.

* Unexpected secrets. surprises, shocking revelations.

* Moral ambiguities and impossible choices.

* Female empowerment.

* High-stakes suspense with cinematic scope.

Romantic suspense, emotionally driven fiction, women's fiction, and espionage thrillers, are blended into "Two Dramatic Lives," delivering both heart-pounding danger and deeply human emotion.

And a love that may prove to be the greatest risk of all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dave Roseman brings a lifetime of extraordinary real-world experience to his fiction. During a distinguished career as a senior official in the highly secretive Central Intelligence Agency's Directorate of Operations, also known as the Clandestine Service, his responsibilities included some of the most sensitive and demanding assignments.

Over the course of his career, Roseman worked on complex intelligence challenges, spanning five continents. His consistent ability to solve high-stakes problems led to repeated requests for his involvement by senior United States officials and, through U.S. government coordination, by heads of powerful foreign intelligence agencies and services, heads of state, other prominent figures, the U.N.

Written commendations from high-level national security officials at multiple federal agencies include crediting his work as "absolutely essential to the successful execution of operations around the world" and "an inspiration to our national security workforce."

Drawing upon many years of firsthand experience in intelligence actions, Roseman brings exceptional authenticity, emotional realism, and intensity woven into his fiction. His novel combines the tension of espionage, the complexity of human relationships, and the emotional stakes of lives lived under extraordinary pressure.

"Two Dramatic Lives" is his debut novel.

It is available through Amazon at https://a.co/d/08FlJE8S and through Barnes & Noble at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/two-dramatic-lives-dave-roseman/1150441671?ean=9781662979927 and major retailers.

News Source: Author Dave Roseman

Related link: https://a.co/d/08FlJE8S

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/two-dramatic-lives-is-a-new-suspense-novel-about-an-unforgettable-romance-what-could-go-wrong/

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Jul 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- ViewTech Borescopes is proud to announce the launch of the 3D Measurement VJ-4 Video Borescope, expanding its remote visual inspection product line with advanced measurement technology that enables maintenance professionals to capture precise dimensional measurements during inspections without disassembly.

Built to improve inspection accuracy and streamline maintenance decisions, the 3D Measurement VJ-4 combines high-definition imaging with intuitive measurement technology, enabling users to evaluate defects without disassembly.

Available in 3.9 mm, 6.0 mm, front-view and side-view configurations, the 3D Measurement VJ-4 is engineered to adapt to a wide variety of inspection applications across aerospace, aviation, power generation, manufacturing, automotive, oil and gas, and industrial maintenance environments.

"The addition of 3D measurement technology empowers our customers to make faster, more informed maintenance decisions right at the inspection site," said Duncan White, Director of Sales and Marketing at ViewTech Borescopes. "By combining reliable dimensional measurements with exceptional image quality, the VJ-4 gives inspectors greater confidence in their assessments, improves documentation, and helps reduce unnecessary downtime."

The 3D Measurement VJ-4 empowers maintenance teams to accurately characterize corrosion, cracks, erosion, weld defects, foreign object damage (FOD), coating loss, and other critical anomalies while eliminating the guesswork often associated with visual inspections.

Complementing its advanced measurement capabilities, additional proven features include onboard file management, optional Wi-Fi connectivity, and a 5.5-inch OLED touchscreen that supports intuitive navigation and on-screen annotation. Mini joystick controls and full HD camera resolution further support clear, detailed inspections, while the Borescope Report Maker-Operator Driven Inspections (ODIN)-software enables efficient creation of professional inspection reports.

Organizations evaluating a new or replacement remote visual inspection video borescope are encouraged to experience the VJ-4 through ViewTech Borescopes no-cost, no-obligation demo program. The program allows maintenance professionals, quality teams, and industrial inspection specialists to evaluate the VJ-4 at their own facility, using their own equipment.

About ViewTech Borescopes

ViewTech Borescopes, founded as RF System Lab in 2008, is North America's top seller of video borescopes. Their first product, the VJ borescope, set a new standard for portability, ergonomics, and ease-of-use, with its industry-first mechanical, joystick-controlled articulation.

Learn more: https://www.viewtech.com/

MULTIMEDIA

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/YLuWemC2K5g

News Source: ViewTech Borescopes

Related link: https://www.ViewTech.com

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/viewtech-borescopes-introduces-3d-measurement-vj-4-video-borescope-for-accurate-real-time-inspection-measurements/

ADDISON, Texas, Jul 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, received a USDA 2026 Top Wholesale Lender award. The award was presented today at USDA Rural Development's National Lender of the Year Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The USDA National Lender of the Year Awards recognize top lending partners supporting rural homeownership through USDA Rural Development's Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. Click n' Close ranked second nationally in the Top Wholesale Lender category, behind United Wholesale Mortgage.

Click n' Close offers USDA loans through its wholesale and correspondent channels, including a forgivable second-lien down payment assistance option that can be applied toward closing costs, escrows and prepaids. The company also supports manufactured home financing under the USDA program, expanding the range of eligible property types available to rural homebuyers.

"Rural borrowers often get overlooked by lenders chasing volume in metro markets," said Jeff Bode, chief executive officer of Click n' Close. "We built our wholesale platform to serve the brokers working in those communities, and this ranking tells us that approach is paying off for the families they're helping get into homes."

The USDA National Lender of the Year Awards Ceremony was held June 17 in Washington, D.C. Soliman Martinez, division manager, accepted the award on Click n' Close's behalf. More information on the ceremony is available in the USDA's news release at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/news-release/usda-holds-national-lenders-year-award-ceremony-0.

About Click n' Close, Inc.

Click n' Close, Inc. is a multi-state mortgage lender serving consumers and originators through its wholesale, correspondent and retail channels. The company is an industry leader in proprietary down payment assistance (DPA) programs and a recognized leader in One-Time Close construction lending across conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and Section 184 programs. Through its 1st Tribal Lending division-the nation's largest originator and servicer of Section 184 home loans for Native Americans-Click n' Close extends its commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities nationwide.

In operation since 1959, Click n' Close has remained at the forefront of mortgage innovation, pioneering the adoption of eClosings and eNotes. Backed by a strong financial foundation, Click n' Close has the balance sheet and warehouse capacity to support and scale its specialized loan programs, providing consistent access to capital and reliable execution for its partners. By maintaining direct relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and private investors and servicing its loan programs in-house, the company delivers dependable liquidity, loan salability and an enhanced borrower experience.

Learn more at https://www.clicknclose.com.

News Source: Click n' Close Inc.

Related link: https://www.clicknclose.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/click-n-close-named-one-of-usdas-top-wholesale-lenders-for-2026/