PLANO, Texas, Sep 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced its initial speaker lineup for its 2027 Optimal Blue Summit, including Analyst, ESPN Monday Night Football, 3-Time Super Bowl-Winning Quarterback, Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman. The third annual event shaping what's next in mortgage will take place February 1-3, 2027 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz., and bring together the industry's leading executives, economists and innovators. Registration is now open at Summit.OptimalBlue.com, with early-bird pricing available for a limited time.

As a leader in AI-driven innovation and the industry's only end-to-end capital markets platform, Optimal Blue's annual conference is designed to help mortgage leaders and professionals navigate a rapidly changing market. It will provide more than 500 attendees from across the mortgage ecosystem with access to actionable insights, best-in-class technologies, leading experts and professional networks to help optimize their performance and profitability, all in one Scottsdale destination. Attendees will benefit from a comprehensive agenda featuring to-be-announced speakers and breakout sessions focused on market dynamics, lender trends, rate conditions, secondary-market strategy, product intelligence, and peer insight, plus a front-row view of Optimal Blue innovation, to help them navigate the year ahead.

Ahead of serving as announcer for The Big Game in February, Troy Aikman will take the stage in Scottsdale for a fireside chat with Optimal Blue Chief Executive Officer Joe Tyrrell. The legendary quarterback, Emmy-nominated broadcaster, entrepreneur, and philanthropist will inspire and motivate attendees through lessons learned from his storied career leading high-performing teams on and off the field.

Highlighted industry experts planned to speak at the 2027 Optimal Blue Summit include:

* Robert (Bob) Broeksmit, CMB, president and chief executive officer, Mortgage Bankers Association

One of the mortgage industry's most recognizable and trusted voices, Bob Broeksmit is a senior finance executive with over 35 years of experience across mortgage operations, secondary marketing and servicing. With deep knowledge across all aspects of mortgage lending activities, Bob advocates for more than 2,000 member companies on issues of critical importance and has served as an expert witness in complex mortgage underwriting cases.

* Michael Fratantoni, Ph.D., chief economist, Mortgage Bankers Association

Michael Fratantoni oversees MBA's economic forecasts, industry surveys and benchmarking studies, as well as leads its award-winning economics team. He also serves on the board of CONVERGENCE Collaborative. A leading economist and expert on the trends shaping the mortgage market, Michael delivers data-driven insights to inform and educate mortgage professionals.

* Joe Tyrrell, chief executive officer, Optimal Blue

Joe Tyrrell leads Optimal Blue's strategy to empower lenders with modern technology, actionable data, and AI-driven innovation across the mortgage capital markets lifecycle. With more than 25 years of fintech leadership experience touching all aspects of origination and secondary marketing technologies, he is accelerating the company's AI-first vision that combines trusted intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies to help lenders make better decisions, operate more efficiently, and unlock new competitive advantages, no matter the market.

* Erin Wester, chief product officer, Optimal Blue

Erin Wester oversees product strategy and innovation across Optimal Blue's mortgage capital markets platform, driving AI-powered solutions that help lenders make smarter decisions, reduce complexity, and improve performance. A mortgage fintech leader with more than 15 years of industry experience, she is known for combining customer-centric innovation, deep industry expertise, and responsible AI leadership to help shape the future of mortgage lending.

"The Optimal Blue Summit is where the conversations shaping the future of mortgage lending turn into action," said Sara Holtz, chief marketing officer at Optimal Blue. "By bringing together industry and executive voices, emerging technologies and market intelligence, we're helping lenders navigate change, uncover opportunity, and make better decisions so they can move forward with greater confidence. And this is only the beginning as we continue to add to our lineup."

In addition to a robust expert speaker roster, the event will feature:

* Reveals of the latest AI-driven innovations, powered by the new Optimal Blue AI Labs

* Hands-on trainings, product demonstrations, and client feedback forums that shape future product direction

* Meaningful connections and networking opportunities with leaders and decision-makers from across the mortgage ecosystem

To learn more about Optimal Blue Summit 2027 and to take advantage of early bird pricing before it ends Oct. 31, visit Summit.OptimalBlue.com.

About Optimal Blue

Optimal Blue powers strategic performance across the mortgage capital markets ecosystem. As the industry's only end-to-end capital markets platform, our technology, data and integrations bridge the primary and secondary markets to help lenders of all sizes optimize performance - from pricing accuracy to margin protection and every step in between. Backed by over 20 years of proven expertise, our modern, cloud-native technology delivers the real-time automation, actionable data and seamless connectivity lenders need to navigate market volatility and scale for growth. To learn more about how Optimal Blue helps deliver measurable ROI, visit https://OptimalBlue.com.

News Source: Optimal Blue

Related link: https://www2.optimalblue.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/optimal-blue-announces-initial-speaker-lineup-for-2027-summit/

COLOGNE, Germany, Sep 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- JUNYUN LIMITED, the company behind LagoFast, today shared highlights from LagoFast's participation in gamescom 2026. Bringing years of game acceleration experience to the exhibition, LagoFast showcased network optimization, FPS features and gaming utilities designed to support more stable connections and smoother PC gameplay. The team also met with players, content creators and game companies to exchange feedback and explore potential collaboration.

For online players, the connection to a game server is part of the playing experience. Delayed responses and uneven network performance can interrupt a session even when a PC is capable of running the game well. LagoFast's presentation focused on this part of gaming: how network optimization can help improve the connection between players and the games they play.

LagoFast combines real-time network diagnostics, dynamic node matching and routing optimization to help reduce latency. These capabilities reflect its longstanding focus on game acceleration, using network conditions to guide route selection. At gamescom, the team presented this approach as a practical way to address connection quality, a concern shared by players across different games and regions.

The presentation also covered PC performance. FPS Pro offers one-click system-level optimization and customizable settings, giving players another way to adjust their gaming experience. Alongside LagoFast's broader gaming utilities, these features complement its acceleration service by addressing both the network connection and performance on the player's device.

Players and game content creators visited the LagoFast booth to meet the team and share their experiences. According to the on-site team, some visitors expressed appreciation for the acceleration service and provided positive feedback about using LagoFast. The face-to-face conversations brought user experience into the discussion alongside the product's technical capabilities.

Those discussions extended to game companies. According to the LagoFast team, some expressed positive views of its network optimization capabilities, and the exchanges led to preliminary interest in working together. Potential collaboration would bring together game development knowledge and network optimization experience, with the shared aim of providing players with more stable connections and smoother online gameplay. Discussions remain at an early stage.

ABOUT LAGOFAST

LagoFast, operated by JUNYUN LIMITED, provides game acceleration software, FPS optimization features and gaming utilities. Its network optimization technology combines real-time diagnostics, dynamic node matching and routing optimization to help players improve their online gaming connections. LagoFast brings these capabilities together with tools for PC gaming performance in one product.

For more information, visit https://www.lagofast.com/

News Source: JUNYUN LIMITED

Related link: https://www.lagofast.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/lagofast-brings-years-of-game-acceleration-experience-to-gamescom-2026/

BATON ROUGE, La., Sep 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Safety Alert Patrol (SAP), a national nonprofit that connects vetted, retired military veterans and law enforcement officers with schools and churches as trained, free security guardians, today announced a formal partnership with Safe Hiring Solutions (SHS), a professional background screening firm whose advisory board includes former FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Navy SEAL leadership. Under the agreement, SHS will serve as SAP's exclusive vetting partner, providing end-to-end background screening for every Guardian on the platform.

As part of the partnership, Safe Hiring Solutions is offering deeply discounted background screening rates to schools, churches, and institutions engaging Guardians through the Safety Alert Patrol platform.

The announcement comes as SAP completes outreach to schools, churches, and community institutions in all 50 states, and as the organization reports growing support from military and law enforcement organizations across the country. SAP was recently featured in News You Can Use, the internal publication of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), reaching AUSA's national network of chapters and members.

"Every day, we hear from another retired veteran or police officer who tells us the same thing: I'm not done serving," says Baron K. Davis, Founder and Executive Director, Safety Alert Patrol. "And every day, we hear from another school or church that says the same thing back: we need someone we can trust to help protect our kids and our congregation. Safety Alert Patrol exists to bring those two people together, for free, with real vetting behind it."

Davis adds, "This partnership with Safe Hiring Solutions means every single Guardian on our platform is screened by a team that includes some of the most respected names in federal law enforcement. That is the standard our children and our churches deserve."

Safety Alert Patrol operates as a free matching platform. Schools and churches register at no cost and are connected with Guardians - retired veterans and law enforcement officers - in their area who are seeking a continued mission of service. Every Guardian is screened at registration against national offender and sex-offender databases, and institutions may request a full background investigation through Safe Hiring Solutions before finalizing an arrangement with a specific Guardian. SAP does not charge schools, churches, or Guardians for its matching services and is funded entirely by donations and corporate sponsorships.

Safety Alert Patrol is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Safety Alert Patrol is growing because people are spreading the word. Here is how you can help:

If you know a school or church that would be proud to welcome a local hero to help protect their students or their congregation, tell them about Safety Alert Patrol. It is completely free.

If you know a veteran or a current or retired law enforcement officer - active duty, reserve, or retired - who would welcome the opportunity to keep serving their community, tell them about Safety Alert Patrol. Registration is free.

And if you like what we're doing, buy us a beer. A $5 donation goes a long way toward keeping this mission free for every school, every church, and every Guardian who signs up.

Learn more, register a school or church, register as a Guardian, or make a donation at https://www.safetyalertpatrol.org/.

ABOUT SAFETY ALERT PATROL

Safety Alert Patrol is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects vetted, retired military veterans and law enforcement officers with schools, churches, and community institutions as trained security guardians, at no cost to the institution. Founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, SAP operates as a neutral matching platform funded entirely by donors and corporate sponsors, with vetting provided by its exclusive partner, Safe Hiring Solutions. Learn more at https://www.safetyalertpatrol.org/.

News Source: Safety Alert Patrol Inc.

Related link: https://www.safetyalertpatrol.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/safety-alert-patrol-announces-national-vetting-partnership-and-growing-support-from-military-and-law-enforcement-community-as-it-expands-free-guardian-program-to-all-50-states/

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sep 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Industrial SalesLeads announced today that momentum in the Industrial Manufacturing sector continues to build, with August 2026 marking the fourth consecutive month of steady growth in planned capital project activity. Following an upward trend through May, June and July, August saw 160 new planned industrial projects tracked across North America. These projects include new facility construction, expansions and equipment modernization.

This sustained pipeline of investment signals continued confidence in U.S. manufacturing, with activity spread across key states including Ohio, Alabama, Texas, California, and Indiana.

The following are selected highlights on new Industrial Manufacturing industry construction news.

INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING - BY PROJECT TYPE

* Manufacturing/Production Facilities - 151 New Projects

* Distribution and Industrial Warehouse - 84 New Projects

INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING - BY PROJECT SCOPE/ACTIVITY

* New Construction - 36 New Projects

* Expansion - 56 New Projects

* Renovations/Equipment Upgrades - 95 New Projects

* Plant Closings - 9 New Projects

INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING - BY PROJECT LOCATION (TOP 10 STATES)

Ohio - 16
Alabama - 11
Texas - 11
California - 10
Indiana - 10
Pennsylvania - 9
Wisconsin - 9
Massachusetts - 7
New York - 7
North Carolina - 7

LARGEST PLANNED PROJECT

During the month of August, our research team identified 16 new Industrial Manufacturing facility construction projects with an estimated value of $100 million or more.

The largest project is owned by SpaceX, who is planning to invest $100 billion for the construction of a processing, warehouse, and storage complex in VERMILION PARISH, LA. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Construction is expected to start in 2027, with completion slated for 2029.

Top 10 Tracked Industrial Manufacturing Projects

TEXAS:
Aerospace company is planning to invest $17 billion for the construction of a 100 million sf manufacturing facility in GRIMES COUNTY, TX. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

CONNECTICUT:
Submarine mfr. is planning to invest $5 billion for the expansion, renovation, and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing complex in GROTON, CT. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

OREGON:
Semiconductor equipment mfr. is planning to invest $1.5 billion for the expansion of their manufacturing campus in TUALATIN, OR by 210,000 sf. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

NORTH CAROLINA:
Wire and cable mfr. is planning to invest $1 billion for the expansion and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facility in CLAREMONT, NC. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for 2028.

INDIANA:
Construction equipment mfr. is planning to invest $890 million for the expansion and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facility in LAFAYETTE, IN. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

OHIO:
Pharmaceutical company is planning to invest $750 million for the expansion and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facilities in BLUE ASH, OH and HAMILTON, OH.

OREGON:
Biotechnology company is planning to invest $750 million for the expansion of their processing and manufacturing campus in HILLSBORO, OR. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for 2031.

NORTH CAROLINA:
Sterilization products manufacturer and services company is planning to invest $600 million for the construction of a 600,000 sf processing and distribution campus in SANFORD, NC. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for late 2028.

ALABAMA:
Automotive mfr. is planning to invest $472 million for the expansion and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facility in LINCOLN, AL. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for Summer 2029.

GEORGIA:
Electrical equipment mfr is planning to invest $185 million for the renovation and equipment upgrades on a 550,000 sf manufacturing and warehouse facility at 580 Raco Pkwy SE in PENDERGRASS, GA. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Construction is expected to start in late 2026.

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 salesleadsinc.com.

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

Learn more:

https://www.salesleadsinc.com/industry/industrial-manufacturing/

https://www.salesleadsinc.com/blog/

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/industrial-manufacturing-capital-projects-sees-four-month-growth-with-160-new-planned-projects-in-august-2026/

DENVER, Colo., Sep 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- ACES Quality Management®, the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced today that three senior professionals will speak at two fall industry conferences including MBA's Compliance and Risk Management Conference, Sept. 27-29 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C., and the America's Credit Unions Lending Council Conference, Nov. 3-6 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. ACES will also serve as the platinum sponsor of the MBA conference's opening general session, where Chief Executive Officer Trevor Gauthier will take the stage and introduce featured speaker Frank Abagnale, the renowned cybersecurity and fraud prevention expert and bestselling author.

At MBA's Compliance and Risk Management Conference:

Nate Smith, senior product manager, ACES Quality Management, will speak on "Trending Compliance Issues Track: AI Vendor Audits - A Compliance Playbook" on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 1-2 p.m. ET. Smith will lay out a practical framework for auditing AI vendors, including AI-specific due diligence, vendor attestations and alignment with existing compliance standards, as accelerating AI adoption draws new scrutiny to vendor risk, fair lending and model governance.

Amanda Phillips, general counsel and executive vice president of compliance, ACES Quality Management, will join a panel for "Fraud Prevention Track: AI, Fraud & Quality Assurance - The New Battlefront in Mortgage Risk" on Monday, Sept. 28, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. ET. The panel examines AI's dual role in mortgage risk, exploring how the technology is making fraud more sophisticated while also making fraud detection, quality assurance and risk mitigation more effective.

At the America's Credit Unions Lending Council Conference:

Brock Miller, senior director of business development, ACES Quality Management, will present "Mortgage Quality Beyond the Checklist: Tools, Trends, and Industry Insights" on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. PT. The session covers mortgage quality and compliance management across the full loan lifecycle, from origination through servicing, including risk-based sampling, defect trending, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, and the performance metrics that matter most. Attendees will leave with tools they can apply directly.

"Our team's presence across this year's conference circuit reflects the role ACES plays in helping lenders, servicers and credit unions turn compliance and audit requirements into a competitive advantage," said Trevor Gauthier, CEO of ACES Quality Management. "The regulatory environment closing out 2026 rewards institutions that build quality into their operations rather than inspect for it after the fact, and these are the conversations where that shift takes shape."

ACES Quality Management is the platinum sponsor of MBA's Compliance and Risk Management Conference's "Opening General Session: Catch Him if You Can - Lessons from a Former Fraudster," on Monday, Sept. 28, from 8:30-10 a.m. ET. The session features Frank Abagnale, the former con artist whose story inspired the film "Catch Me If You Can" and who has since worked with the FBI on fraud prevention for more than 40 years. Introduced by Gauthier, Abagnale will discuss how scams are built, how criminals exploit weaknesses in systems and in people and what institutions must do to stay ahead of them.

About ACES Quality Management

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® Software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* Over 70% of the top 20 independent mortgage lenders;
* 8 of the top 10 loan servicers;
* 14 of the top 30 banks; and
* 7 of the top 15 credit unions in the United States.

ACES also supports multiple state housing authorities and mortgage insurers, a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) and dozens of third-party QC service providers that collectively serve hundreds of financial institutions. Unlike other quality control platforms, ACES Flexible Audit Technology® enables independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions to easily manage and customize the system to their specific needs without relying on IT or outside resources. With ACES' AI-powered capabilities, audit teams can translate complexity into clear insights and accelerate performance. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment.

For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com or call 1-800-858-1598.

News Source: ACES Quality Management

Related link: https://www.acesquality.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/aces-quality-management-subject-matter-experts-to-address-ai-mortgage-quality-at-leading-mortgage-and-credit-union-industry-conferences/

TEMPE, Ariz., Sep 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Cloudnium LLC today announced that its Phoenix-area data center at 1005 W Geneva Drive in Tempe is now accepting new colocation deployments, with capacity ranging from single-server placements and locking cabinets to full racks and private caged environments. The facility is positioned for enterprises, hosting providers, infrastructure operators and Neo-Cloud deployments that need flexible space, power and network options in the Phoenix market.

Cloudnium's Tempe facility includes approximately 15,070 square feet of building space, approximately 12,000 square feet of data center whitespace, about 625 kW of critical power and approximately 1.25 MW of backup-power capability. Customers can start with a small footprint and scale into larger cabinet or private-space configurations as requirements grow.

"Tempe gives us a flexible way to meet customers where they are today and still support where they need to go next," said Earl Adams, CEO of Cloudnium. "A customer can start with a single server or a full rack, and we can work with them as their power, network and footprint requirements grow. We are excited to bring that flexibility to the Phoenix market."

RACK-READY COLOCATION AND PRIVATE SPACE

The Tempe site supports 1U, 2U and 4U placements, locking quarter- and half-cabinet options, full racks and private caged deployments. Power can be scoped around the deployment, including higher-power cabinet configurations where appropriate. For larger private-cage opportunities, Cloudnium can plan cabinet, power and network requirements as a coordinated deployment rather than forcing customers into a one-size-fits-all package.

CONNECTIVITY FOR GROWING INFRASTRUCTURE

The facility offers multiple diverse-path providers, DIA options up to 100Gbps and direct connectivity to phoenixNAP. Cloudnium can also work with customers that have carrier-specific, BGP or custom network requirements. The goal is to support both practical near-term deployments and larger infrastructure plans without requiring customers to overbuy on day one.

LIMITED TEMPE LAUNCH OFFERS

For new Tempe customers, Cloudnium is offering limited Early Bird 1U colocation at $29.99 per month, compared with the standard $39 monthly rate, while promotional inventory remains. Standard full-rack deployments, which start at $1,299 per month, are also eligible for the first month free, with standard pricing applying thereafter. Promotional availability is limited.

ABOUT CLOUDNIUM

Cloudnium provides enterprise colocation, data center infrastructure, dedicated servers, VPS and custom hosting solutions across multiple U.S. markets. The company supports customers from single-server deployments through full cabinets, private space and larger infrastructure requirements, with an emphasis on flexible growth, practical deployment planning and direct customer support.

Learn more about Cloudnium's Phoenix-area colocation options: https://cloudnium.net/colocation/phoenix/

News Source: Cloudnium LLC

Related link: https://cloudnium.net/

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/cloudnium-now-accepting-colocation-deployments-at-tempe-arizona-data-center/

PHOENIX, Ariz., Sep 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Fairway Home Mortgage and the Kanyur Reverse Team are proud to announce the opening of a new branch location in Phoenix, Arizona. The new office, located at 11811 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 1002, Phoenix, AZ 85028, represents an exciting milestone in the team's continued commitment to serving homeowners throughout Arizona with specialized retirement lending solutions.

Led by Rob Kanyur, Senior Vice President and Branch Manager, the Kanyur Reverse Team brings nearly three decades of industry experience helping homeowners age 55 and older achieve greater financial flexibility and confidence in retirement. Backed by Fairway Home Mortgage, a national leader in reverse lending, the team provides education and guidance designed to help clients strategically leverage home equity to support their long-term financial goals.

"Opening this branch represents an exciting new chapter for our team and the clients we serve throughout Arizona," said Kanyur. "We are honored to continue helping homeowners explore opportunities that create greater financial flexibility, independence, and peace of mind in retirement. This new location allows us to better serve our clients while strengthening our relationships with community partners across the Valley."

The new office expands Fairway Home Mortgage's presence in the Phoenix market and enhances access to retirement-focused lending solutions. By providing personalized guidance and education, the Kanyur Reverse Team helps homeowners understand how home equity can be incorporated into a broader retirement strategy, empowering them to make informed financial decisions with purpose and clarity.

To celebrate the opening, Fairway Home Mortgage and the Kanyur Reverse Team will host a Ribbon Cutting and Open House on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Community members, business partners, clients, and local leaders are invited to attend.

Guests will have the opportunity to tour the new office, meet members of the Kanyur Reverse Team, connect with community partners, and enjoy an evening of celebration featuring:

* Food truck dining

* Ice cream bar

* Live music

* Raffle prizes

* Networking opportunities

* Additional family-friendly activities

"We look forward to welcoming clients, referral partners, and members of the community to our new home," Kanyur added. "This celebration is our way of saying thank you to those who have supported our growth and trusted us to help navigate important financial decisions."

EVENT DETAILS
Ribbon Cutting & Open House
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Location: Fairway Home Mortgage
11811 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 1002, Phoenix, AZ 85028

ABOUT FAIRWAY HOME MORTGAGE

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a national mortgage lender dedicated to helping individuals achieve their homeownership and retirement financing goals through a comprehensive range of mortgage solutions and exceptional customer service. By combining innovative lending programs with personalized guidance, Fairway empowers clients to make confident financial decisions at every stage of life.

Learn more: https://robkanyur.com/

Equal Housing Opportunity Act

News Source: Fairway Home Mortgage - Kanyur Reverse Team

Related link: https://robkanyur.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/fairway-home-mortgage-announces-opening-of-new-phoenix-branch/

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Sep 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Argyle, the leading consumer-permissioned verification platform, today announced an expanded integration with Tidalwave, an agentic AI platform that automates the full U.S. mortgage lifecycle from application through closing. Argyle and Tidalwave partnered in 2025 to embed Argyle's verification of income and employment (VOIE) solution into Tidalwave's borrower workflow through payroll connectivity. The expansion adds banking connections for Argyle's verification of assets (VOA) solution and sends the data borrowers share directly to the Encompass® loan origination system (LOS) from ICE Mortgage Technology®, giving lenders a fuller, faster financial picture from application through close.

Borrowers using Tidalwave's Form 1003 application process can now connect their bank accounts to share asset data alongside income and employment data, consolidating verification steps into a single experience. Loan officers can track verification status in real time and request it at any stage of the loan lifecycle, whether at application or later, based on lender preference.

Expansion highlights:

* Frictionless consumer experience: Borrowers share their data by connecting payroll and bank accounts in seconds, all within a single, guided application flow.

* Built-in interoperability with Encompass: Income, employment and asset data flow automatically to the LOS, keeping records accurate from application through closing.

* Forensic-level financial insight: Tidalwave's AI agents automatically analyze the data borrowers share through Argyle to surface risk indicators, identify spending patterns (including buy-now-pay-later services and recurring payments) and calculate eligible income and assets for loan officers.

"Argyle and Tidalwave are unifying income, employment and asset verifications and sending that direct-source data straight to the LOS," said Daniel Esquibel, vice president of mortgage at Argyle. "That means fewer steps for loan teams, a smoother experience for borrowers and earlier access to the financial insights lenders need to make sound qualification and underwriting determinations."

"Every piece of data a borrower can share up front is one less thing a loan officer has to chase down later," said Tidalwave Co-founder and CEO Diane Yu. "Our goal is to carry that same connected experience through the full mortgage journey, and expanding our partnership with Argyle helps us do that."

The Argyle integration is available now to mutual customers. For more information, visit https://www.argyle.com/blog/blog-tidalwave-encompass-expansion.

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 on Argyle's industry-leading verification platform, visit https://www.argyle.com/.

About Tidalwave

Tidalwave is an agentic AI platform that automates the full U.S. mortgage lifecycle, from application through closing. Founded by Diane Yu, a two-time founder and engineer who previously co-founded FreeWheel (acquired by Comcast for ~$400M) and served as CTO at Better.com, Tidalwave is headquartered in New York City. The platform integrates directly with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Plaid, Argyle, Truv and ICE Mortgage Technology to deliver real-time underwriting, automated verification and multilingual borrower support. Tidalwave has raised $24M in total funding from Permanent Capital, D.R. Horton and Engineering Capital. Learn more https://www.tidalwave.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-expands-tidalwave-integration-to-unify-income-employment-and-asset-verification-with-real-time-operability-to-encompass/

ADDISON, Texas, Sep 08, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced that mortgage industry veteran Blake Priest has joined the company as director of whole loan trading. In this role, Priest will lead the company's scratch and dent purchasing, giving correspondent partners another outlet for loans that fall outside traditional investor guidelines. In addition, he will oversee lead sourcing and pricing assessments, monitor hedging performance and participate in secondary distribution to support continued growth across the correspondent division.

"Blake's experience leading a mandatory hedging model through a high-volume, multi-branch operation is exactly the discipline our correspondent partners expect from a counterparty," said Jeff Bode, founder and CEO of Click n' Close. "His ability to build strong partnerships while driving accountability and process improvement will further enhance the reliability and performance our lending partners depend on."

The appointment strengthens the hedging and pricing function behind Click n' Close's correspondent division. For correspondent sellers, it signals continuity in the disciplined, mandatory hedging approach Click n' Close uses to manage risk and honor pricing commitments.

"I've spent my career managing the hedging and pricing discipline that keeps a correspondent desk reliable for its partners, and that's the kind of desk I want to build here," Priest said. "My focus is giving our correspondent partners consistent execution and pricing they can count on."

Priest joins Click n' Close after two years as a residential mortgage lender at Pinnacle Bank in Fort Worth, Texas. His background also served as president of retail lending at Open Mortgage LLC, where he managed multi-state loan production and a staff of 75. Before that, Priest spent two decades at NTFN Inc. in Plano, Texas, including nearly 10 years as company president. In that role, he oversaw operations, sales, investor relations and the company's mandatory hedging model, managing 250 employees across more than 40 branches with production of $1 billion to $2 billion in most years.

Earlier at NTFN, Priest served as regional director of North American Lending, leading the company's transition from a best-efforts pricing model to a mandatory hedging model while working directly with its hedge advisory firm. During a 22-year mortgage career, he also served as a branch manager, overseeing pricing and the secondary desk, and as an account executive serving mortgage brokers in the Dallas and Houston markets.

Correspondent sellers interested in learning more about Click n' Close's whole loan trading and scratch and dent purchasing can contact the company's correspondent team.

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-names-blake-priest-director-of-whole-loan-trading/

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Sep 08, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Rotary District 5130 will carry the World Polio Torch through communities across Northern California from October 2 through October 24, 2026, raising awareness and support for Rotary's decades-long commitment to eradicate polio worldwide.

CATHY RITTER'S OLYMPIC TORCH LEGACY

At the heart of the relay is an original torch from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Torch Relay - Torch No. 0244 - carried by Catherine Aileen "Cathy" Ritter when she was 23 years old. Representing the South Lake Tahoe Women's Center, Cathy carried the Olympic flame along Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe.

BOB ROGERS: A POLIO SURVIVOR LEADING THE FIGHT TO END POLIO

More than four decades later, Rotary clubs across District 5130 will carry and pass that same torch from community to community. Its return carries special meaning for Cathy's stepdad, Bob Rogers, a Rotarian and polio survivor who serves as Rotary District 5130's PolioPlus Chair. Cathy died on March 15, 2025, and the relay will honor her life and spirit of service while advancing Rotary's worldwide commitment to eradicate polio.

"This relay will unite communities throughout our district around one of Rotary's most important and enduring humanitarian commitments," said Jeff Kolin, Governor of Rotary District 5130. "Our 46 Rotary Clubs and 3 Rotaract Clubs invite members of the public to join us and experience a unique opportunity to carry a real torch from the 1984 Olympics Torch Relay," he added.

THE WORLD POLIO TORCH RELAY DETAILS

The World Polio Torch Relay is scheduled to begin with an opening ceremony in Crescent City on October 2 and conclude in Petaluma on October 24, World Polio Day.

Rotary clubs along the route will carry and pass the torch from one community to the next through a series of walks, runs, bicycle rides, community gatherings and ceremonial handoffs. Vehicle transfers will connect portions of the route where necessary.

Participating clubs will invite Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interact members, students, families, civic leaders, community partners and members of the public to take part in local events.

Following the opening events in Crescent City, the torch will travel through participating communities in Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake County, Napa and Sonoma counties before reaching the closing celebration in Petaluma.

"The torch gives us a compelling, visible way to remind our communities that the work to end polio is not yet finished," said District Governor Jeff Kolin. "Every community that carries the torch becomes part of a worldwide story of persistence, partnership and hope," he added.

Rotary has been a leader in the global effort to eradicate polio for more than three decades, working with its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Rotary members have contributed funding, volunteer leadership and public advocacy to help protect children from this preventable disease.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST POLIO

Members of the public can support the campaign by donating through participating Rotary clubs' individual Raise for Rotary fundraising pages. All donations will benefit PolioPlus through The Rotary Foundation and will be credited to the participating club.

Local relay events will provide opportunities for news photography and video, particularly as the torch arrives in each community and is passed from one participating club or group to the next. Additional information about individual events and media opportunities will be announced by participating Rotary clubs.

For the complete route, event schedule and updates, visit https://rotary5130.org/polio-newsletter/world-polio-torch-relay-2026/.

ABOUT ROTARY DISTRICT 5130

Rotary District 5130 includes 46 Rotary clubs serving communities across Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties. District clubs bring together community leaders and volunteers who address local needs, support young people, strengthen communities and advance humanitarian efforts throughout the world. For more information about Rotary, visit our website at https://rotary5130.org/.

ABOUT ROTARY AND POLIO ERADICATION

Rotary is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and has worked for decades with its partners to protect children from polio. Rotary members around the world continue to raise funds, advocate for sustained support and build public awareness until polio is eradicated everywhere.

News Source: Rotary District 5130

Related link: https://rotary5130.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/historic-1984-olympic-torch-to-lead-rotary-world-polio-relay/

ATLANTA, Ga., Sep 08, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- As GLP-1 receptor agonist medications continue to revolutionize metabolic health and weight management worldwide, healthcare providers and patients are observing a frequent, distressing side effect: sudden, widespread hair shedding. Known clinically as telogen effluvium, this temporary condition occurs when rapid body mass loss, nutritional shifts, and physical shock force hair follicles prematurely into a resting phase. To combat this growing post-weight loss wellness challenge, Biotin Xtreme Hair Care - a leader in clean hair restoration founded by veteran salon specialists with over 30 years of clinical expertise - today announced the official rollout of its Natural Scalp Support Program for Post-Weight Loss Hair Thinning.

"Achieving significant weight loss is a powerful health milestone, but the associated metabolic stress frequently triggers severe scalp shedding that leaves individuals feeling anxious and disheartened," explains Steve Haymes, Co-Founder at Biotin Xtreme Hair Care. "When clients come to us seeing alarming amounts of hair in their shower drain after rapid weight loss, we reassure them that telogen effluvium can be managed-provided you feed the follicle pure, nutrient-dense ingredients and remove micro-environment DHT obstacles on the scalp."

UNDERSTANDING TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM & THE GLP-1 CONNECTION

During rapid weight reduction, the human body reallocates vital amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to essential organs, often starving hair follicles of critical micronutrients. Concurrently, metabolic shifts elevate scalp sensitivity to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for follicle miniaturization. Without proactive scalp care, this shedding can noticeably affect visible hair density in the months following rapid weight loss.

THE DRUG-FREE 3-STEP FOLLICLE RESTORATION PROGRAM

Unlike chemical topical solutions or prescription medications that may introduce unwanted systemic side effects, Biotin Xtreme's program offers a 100% drug-free, hormone-free alternative that nourishes follicles directly at the root:

1. Natural Biotin Hair Growth Shampoo (99.5% Natural): Infused with Biotin B-Complex, jojoba, and honeysuckle extract to gently cleanse the scalp of buildup and excess sebum without stripping natural oils or leaving heavy residues.

2. Natural Biotin & Keratin Deep Conditioner (99.7% Natural): Delivers plant-derived keratin and essential vitamins deep into fragile strands, strengthening tensile elasticity and adding weightless volume to thinning hair.

3. Natural DHT Blocker & Follicle Restoration Spray (>95% Natural): A targeted leave-in treatment featuring natural botanical extracts (including Ginseng and Saw Palmetto) formulated to support scalp micro-circulation and nourish dormant follicles.

PRODUCT SAFETY & QUALITY COMMITMENTS

* 100% Drug-Free & Hormone-Free: A gentle, non-hormonal formula designed for continuous daily use.

* Color-Safe & Non-Comedogenic: Free of harsh sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and heavy silicones.

* Salon-Tested Experience: Built upon 30,000+ in-salon client consultations and proudly manufactured in the USA.

More information: https://www.biotinxtremehaircare.com/

ABOUT BIOTIN XTREME HAIR CARE

Founded by a veteran husband-and-wife team of hair loss specialists in Atlanta, Georgia, Biotin Xtreme Hair Care (biotinxtremehaircare.com) bridges the gap between salon expertise and high-performance e-commerce wellness. Built upon three decades of direct client care, Biotin Xtreme is dedicated to producing certified natural, cruelty-free, and effective hair restoration products for men and women suffering from thinning hair, hair loss, and scalp distress.

MULTIMEDIA:
Featured Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px4OXCXMPI0

News Source: Biotin Xtreme Hair Care

Related link: https://www.biotinxtremehaircare.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/biotin-xtreme-hair-care-launches-natural-scalp-support-program-for-glp-1-hair-thinning/

PLANO, Texas, Sep 08, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its August 2026 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which found that mortgage activity continued to soften in August even as rates leveled off. Total rate-lock volume declined 9% month over month (MoM) and slipped 3% below August 2025 levels. Purchase lock volume fell 10% from July but remained 6% higher year over year (YoY), with purchase loans accounting for nearly 81% of total lock volume. Refinance share ended the month at more than 19% of total production, while rate-and-term refinance volume dropped 47% YoY and declined 13% MoM.

Mortgage rates saw little change across major products in August. The Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices (OBMMI) 30-year conforming fixed rate, the benchmark for CME Group's Mortgage Rate futures, ended the month at 6.72%, unchanged from July but 28 basis points (bps) higher than three months ago and up 23 bps YoY. The 10-year Treasury yield held flat at 4.75%, while the spread between the 10-year Treasury and the OBMMI 30-year conforming rate was unchanged at 197 bps. The spread was nearly 30 bps tighter than a year ago, partially offsetting the impact of higher Treasury yields.

"After a sharp move higher in July, rates leveled off in August, but that pause didn't translate into stronger volume," said Brennan O'Connell, director of data solutions at Optimal Blue. "Purchase activity is still running ahead of last year, but with rate-and-term refinance volume down 47%, there just isn't much refinance demand to support the broader market. With rates still elevated and our 12-month forecast pointing to only gradual relief, the market remains highly sensitive to even modest changes in borrowing costs."

On the secondary side, execution spreads tightened across most major products, with the best-efforts-to-mandatory spread for conventional 30-year loans narrowing 4 bps to 26 bps and the 15-year spread narrowing 3 bps to 37 bps, while the government 30-year spread held flat at 16 bps. Mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) for conforming 30-year loans increased 4 bps to 1.38%, a 5.52 multiple, moving in line with a monthly OBMMI average that rose 11 bps. The share of loans sold at the highest price tier declined from 79% to 77%, while the share of loans sold with servicing retained increased 4 percentage points to 57%, rebounding from 53% in June and July. The report also shows lenders continuing to concentrate their hedges in the UM30 5.5, the 5.5% coupon for 30-year uniform mortgage-backed securities (MBS). It accounted for 62% of hedges in August, compared with 27% of production slotting into the 5.5 coupon and 25% into the 6.0 coupon.

"We saw a mixed secondary-market picture in August, with tighter execution spreads and higher MSR values alongside some deterioration in top-tier execution share," said Mike Vough, Optimal Blue's senior vice president of corporate strategy. "Servicing retention also moved back up to 57%, while the UM30 5.5 remained the dominant hedge even as production was more distributed across the 5.5 and 6.0 coupons. That gap between hedge concentration and where production is actually slotting is worth watching closely."

Key findings from the Market Advantage report include:

Volume trends and market composition

* Refi pullback deepens: Rate-and-term refinance volume declined 13% MoM and 47% YoY. Cash-out refinance volume fell 3% MoM and 5% YoY. Refinance share nevertheless increased 40 bps to more than 19% of total production.

* Purchase demand slows: Purchase lock volume fell 10% MoM but remained 6% higher YoY. Purchase loans accounted for nearly 81% of total lock volume in August.

* Conforming loses ground: Conforming share declined to 47% of total production, down 38 bps MoM and more than 4 percentage points YoY. Non-conforming share held at nearly 21%, while FHA increased 74 bps to nearly 20% and VA declined 44 bps to nearly 12%.

* Non-QM tops 11%: Non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) loans accounted for more than 11% of total lock volume in August, up 1 percentage point MoM and 3 percentage points YoY. Investor and debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) loans represented more than 35% of non-QM production, up 1.7 percentage points MoM, while bank statement loans accounted for nearly 30%.

* ARM share eases: Adjustable-rate mortgages accounted for 10.5% of lock volume in August, down 55 bps MoM but remaining slightly above year-ago levels.

* Property mix stays stable: Single-family detached homes accounted for more than 63% of production in August. Planned unit developments (PUDs), a proxy for new-construction activity, represented more than 28% of volume, down 51 bps MoM but still 49 bps higher YoY. Condominiums accounted for 6% of production and manufactured housing nearly 2%.

Rates and pricing

* Rates level off: The OBMMI 30-year conforming fixed rate ended August at 6.72%, unchanged MoM and 23 bps higher YoY. The 10-year Treasury yield held at 4.75%, while the spread between the 10-year Treasury and the OBMMI 30-year conforming rate remained at 197 bps, nearly 30 bps tighter than a year ago. The average rate locked through Optimal Blue's product, pricing, and eligibility (PPE) engine was 6.48%.

* MSR values rise: MSRs for conforming 30-year loans increased 4 bps to 1.38%, a 5.52 multiple.

* Top-tier executions slip: The share of loans sold at the highest price tier declined 172 bps to 77%. Second-ranked executions increased 141 bps to 13%, while third-ranked executions were essentially unchanged at 3% and fourth-tier or lower executions increased 39 bps to 7%.

Market outlook

* Rates forecast to rise, then ease: The OBMMI 30-year conforming fixed rate is forecast at 6.74% over the next month and 6.82% over three months before easing to 6.51% over the next 12 months.

* Spread forecast to stay near 1%: The primary-secondary spread is forecast to narrow from 1.09% currently to 1.04% over the next month and 1.03% over three months before returning to 1.04% over the next 12 months.

Channel and execution

* Hedged sales shift toward MBS: The share of hedged loan sales delivered via MBS increased 300 bps MoM to 43%. Bulk executions declined 1 percentage point MoM to 24%, cash executions held at 32%, and best-efforts executions declined 1 percentage point MoM to 2%.

* Execution spreads compress: Best-efforts-to-mandatory spreads for conventional 30-year products narrowed 4 bps MoM to 26 bps. Conventional 15-year spreads narrowed 3 bps MoM to 37 bps, while government 30-year spreads held flat MoM at 16 bps.

* Spec-eligible share holds at 80%: The share of a lender's pipeline eligible for specified pool delivery remained at 80% in August. The share of loans originated in New York, Florida, Texas or Puerto Rico increased 31 bps MoM, while the $350,000 unpaid principal balance (UPB) tier declined 29 bps.

* UM30 5.5 hedge share eases: The UM30 5.5 accounted for 62% of hedges in August, down from 67% in July. That compares with 27% of production slotting into the 5.5 coupon and 25% into the 6.0 coupon.

* Servicing retention rebounds: The share of loans sold with servicing retained increased 4 percentage points MoM to 57%, up from 53% in June and July.

Product mix and borrower profiles

* First-time buyer shares hold steady: First-time homebuyer share was unchanged MoM across conforming (44%), FHA (70%) and VA (45%) loans. Compared with a year ago, conforming share increased 2 percentage points and FHA 1 percentage point, while VA declined 1 percentage point.

* DTIs stay flat: Purchase debt-to-income (DTI) ratios were unchanged in August, with conforming borrowers at 36.7%, FHA borrowers at 43.5% and VA borrowers at 43.1%. Compared with a year ago, DTIs were down 0.2 percentage points for conforming borrowers, 1.1 points for FHA borrowers and 0.7 points for VA borrowers.

* Credit quality stays solid: The average credit score across all locks nationwide was 729 in August, ranging across the top 20 metros by volume from 719 in Atlanta to 757 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Purchase credit scores averaged 734, down 1 point MoM and 3 points YoY. Rate-and-term refinance scores averaged 738, up 2 points MoM and 1 point YoY, while cash-out refinance scores averaged 697, up 1 point MoM and 2 points YoY. Conforming borrowers averaged 752, down 1 point MoM and 4 points YoY. FHA borrowers averaged 677, essentially unchanged MoM and up 2 points YoY, while VA borrowers averaged 714, down 2 points MoM but up 3 points YoY.

* Pull-through improves: Purchase pull-through increased 6 percentage points MoM to 84.9%, while refinance pull-through rose nearly 3 percentage points MoM to 72.8%. YoY, purchase pull-through was 68 bps higher and refinance pull-through was nearly 12 percentage points higher.

* Loan size declines: The average locked loan amount declined to $388,000 in August from $395,000 in July, a decrease of nearly 2%. Average loan-to-value (LTV) ratios nationwide were 80.9%, ranging across the top 20 metros by volume from 70.4% in the greater Los Angeles area to 84.6% in Houston.

To view the full August 2026 Market Advantage report, complete the free subscription form: https://engage.optimalblue.com/market-advantage.

Subscribers receive a report PDF each month with the latest data. Members of the press are eligible for special, advance access each month and should contact Alexandra Kreuter to be added to the media list.

About the Market Advantage Data Report

Optimal Blue issues the Market Advantage mortgage data report each month to provide insight into U.S. mortgage trends and drivers of lending profitability. Data is sourced from the Optimal Blue PPE, which is used to price and lock more than one-third of all mortgages nationwide, and Optimal Blue's hedging and loan trading system, which supports approximately 40% of loans hedged and sold into the secondary market. The report also includes forward-looking rate and spread forecasts generated by Virtual Economist, an AI- and machine learning-powered forecasting tool built on public economic data and Optimal Blue's proprietary lock volume data. As the leader in mortgage capital markets technology, Optimal Blue has a direct view of both origination and secondary market activity and the interconnectedness of the two. Unlike self-reported survey data, Optimal Blue's direct-source data accurately reflect the in-process loans in lenders' pipelines and secondary market executions. Visit Optimal Blue's website to subscribe to receive the free report each month.

Nothing herein shall be construed as, nor is Optimal Blue providing, any legal, trading, hedging or financial advice.

About Optimal Blue

Optimal Blue powers strategic performance across the mortgage capital markets ecosystem. As the industry's only end-to-end capital markets platform, our technology, data and integrations bridge the primary and secondary markets to help lenders of all sizes optimize performance - from pricing accuracy to margin protection and every step in between. Backed by over 20 years of proven expertise, our modern, cloud-native technology delivers the real-time automation, actionable data and seamless connectivity lenders need to navigate market volatility and scale for growth. To learn more about how Optimal Blue helps deliver measurable ROI, visit https://OptimalBlue.com.

News Source: Optimal Blue

Related link: https://www2.optimalblue.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/optimal-blue-report-mortgage-demand-slips-below-year-ago-levels-as-rate-and-term-refi-activity-plunges/

BUDA, Texas, Sep 04, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Taste on Main, a longtime Buda restaurant, is evolving into an Italian Steakhouse concept pairing Texas beef with classic Italian flavors. The restaurant embraces the new Italian direction, while preserving its celebrated steaks, East Coast oyster bar, and craft cocktail program. The transformation of the dining room is underway, culminating in the official launch of TasTe Italian Steakhouse on September 24.

When the culinary team at Taste on Main was challenged to create a standout dish for Monday nights, the result was a Lasagna that quickly became the beginning of something new. Taste has always been chef-driven. Handmade pasta has always had a place in its kitchen. As the culinary team evolved, the menu began moving in an unmistakably Italian direction. The menu has new language, rich sauces, and Italian classics-all served with plenty of focaccia and Chianti.

According to Tamra Tindol, President, "This is an evolution, not a reopening. The name may be evolving, and the menu may be speaking a new language, but the heart of TasTe Italian Steakhouse remains the same. We will remain open 7 days a week throughout the transition. We will offer 14 weekly meal services across lunch, dinner, and brunch."

Daily happy hour will continue from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., along with the restaurant's all-day drink specials, including half-price bottles of wine every Monday. TasTe Italian Steakhouse will maintain its allocated spirits program, sourcing rare and hard-to-find bourbons, while expanding its wine list to showcase more Italian varietals.

TasTe Italian Steakhouse is a chef-driven restaurant in Buda, Texas. TasTe combines the traditions of an Italian steakhouse, with exceptional steaks, handmade pastas, an East Coast oyster bar, thoughtfully crafted cocktails, an extensive wine list, and allocated spirits program. TasTe is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, and brunch. https://tasteonmain.com/

-- Please Drink Responsibly --

News Source: Taste on Main

Related link: https://tasteonmain.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/local-culinary-evolution-taste-on-main-becomes-taste-italian-steakhouse/

ONTARIO, Canada, Sep 03, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Soap Opera Magazine (https://soapoperamagazine.com/), a leading digital publication covering daytime television, today announced the nominees for the first annual Maggie Awards, a new honors program recognizing outstanding performances and storytelling across all five American daytime dramas. The Maggies celebrate work that aired during the 2025 calendar year, and every winner will be chosen by fan vote. Winners will be announced October 1, 2026.

The inaugural slate spans 13 categories: Leading Actress, Leading Actor, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor, Younger Actress, Younger Actor, Guest Performance, Best Soap, Best Couple, Best Villain, Best Hero, Best Comeback, and Best Newcomer.

Nominations cover "The Young and the Restless" (https://soapoperamagazine.com/category/the-young-and-the-restless-spoilers/), "The Bold and the Beautiful" (https://soapoperamagazine.com/category/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-spoilers/), "General Hospital" (https://soapoperamagazine.com/category/general-hospital-spoilers/), "Days of Our Lives" (https://soapoperamagazine.com/category/days-of-our-lives-spoilers/), and "Beyond the Gates" (https://soapoperamagazine.com/category/beyond-the-gates/).

Nominees include daytime veterans Eric Braeden, Deidre Hall, Maurice Benard, Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, and John McCook, alongside Steve Burton, Scott Clifton, Cameron Mathison, Paul Telfer, Tamara Tunie, Karla Mosley, Maura West, and Kathleen Gati.

"Beyond the Gates," the first new network daytime drama in more than 25 years, earned nominations in nine categories in its first eligible year.

"Daytime actors do some of the most demanding work on television, and they rarely get recognized for it outside one night a year," said Amber Sinclair, Editor-in-Chief of Soap Opera Magazine. "The Maggies were built to give that work a second stage. This first slate represents legacy performers who have anchored their shows for decades and newer talent who made 2025 impossible to look away from."

FANS WILL DECIDE EVERY WINNER

Unlike industry-juried awards, every Maggie category is decided entirely by daytime viewers. Voting is open now on the Soap Opera Magazine Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SoapOperaMagazine) and closes September 28, 2026.

"Soap fans have never been shy about who deserves recognition, and now they get the final say," said Sinclair. "These are the people who watch every single day, who know exactly which scene mattered and why. Handing them the ballot was the whole point."

Each winner will receive an engraved Maggie trophy. The Maggies are named for the magazine itself and will be presented annually, with each year's eligibility period matching the prior calendar year. The complete list of nominees in every category is available at https://soapoperamagazine.com/the-maggies/

ABOUT SOAP OPERA MAGAZINE

Soap Opera Magazine (https://soapoperamagazine.com/) is a premier digital publication dedicated to comprehensive coverage of daytime television. A revival of the print title published from 1991 to 1999, the publication delivers daily spoilers, breaking news, character analysis, and exclusive content covering The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, and Beyond the Gates. Distributed through MSN, NewsBreak, and major social media platforms, Soap Opera Magazine serves a dedicated community of daytime television fans with timely, insightful, and fan-focused content. Soap Opera Magazine is published by Squid McGuffey Media LLC.

Follow Soap Opera Magazine: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SoapOperaMagazine) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soapoperamag) | X (https://x.com/SoapOpera411) | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/soap-opera-magazine)

News Source: Soap Opera Magazine

Related link: https://soapoperamagazine.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/soap-opera-magazine-announces-nominees-for-the-first-annual-maggie-awards-fans-will-decide-every-winner/

LA MESA, Calif., Sep 03, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- In March 2025, LegalizeFerrets.org filed Form FGC-1 with the California Fish and Game Commission - the formal petition, under Government Code §11340.6, asking the state to reconsider its classification of domestic ferrets as restricted wild animals under Title 14, §671. Preparing it properly took considerable effort. The Commission accepted it as Petition 2025-003.

Government Code §11340.7 requires an agency, within 30 days of receiving a petition, to notify the petitioner and either deny the petition in writing or schedule it for public hearing. The statute also permits an agency to grant relief in part or take "any other action" it determines is warranted. The dispute is whether referring a petition for "further consideration" can leave it there indefinitely, without a final disposition.

In June 2025, the Commission voted unanimously to place the petition under "further consideration" and referred it to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for "review and recommendation." More than a year later, no recommendation has returned to the Commission in an open meeting, and no final disposition has issued.

LegalizeFerrets.org has sued the Commission and the Department to compel a final answer. In seeking dismissal, the State argues that LegalizeFerrets.org "did not allege that the Department has a mandatory duty or the authority to take action under Government Code section 11340.7." Advocates say that creates an obvious problem: the Commission sent the petition to the Department for "review and recommendation," while the State now argues the lawsuit identifies no legal duty requiring the Department to complete that work.

For ferret advocates, that raises a question bigger than statutory interpretation:

WHY SHOULD THEY TRUST ANOTHER OPEN-ENDED FISH AND GAME REVIEW?

"We did the thing the process asks of you," said LegalizeFerrets.org founder Pat Wright. "We filed the petition properly. The Commission considered it, sent it out for review and recommendation, and more than a year later it's still unresolved. At some point, the public has to be able to trust that 'further consideration' actually leads somewhere."

THEY HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE

The concern isn't hypothetical.

At an official Commission meeting on April 7, 2011, ferret advocate Jeremy Trim asked whether an environmental report submitted in support of legalization had been reviewed. A Department of Fish and Game representative answered:

"We received a document, and it's currently within the Department."

Asked how long the review would take, the answer was direct:

"No, there's no timing. It's just as soon as we can get staff that have the expertise to review it and look at it."

The Department described what was supposed to happen next: it would review the document, work with proponents if changes were needed, and return it to the Commission for a public decision.

THAT LOOP WAS NEVER COMPLETED. NO DECISION ON THAT REPORT WAS EVER BROUGHT BACK TO THE COMMISSION.

The pattern continued. A separate petition, 2016-008, was continued in 2016 so staff could review its environmental checklist - and no decision followed.

On April 20, 2023, Commission President Erik Sklar told advocates: "Unless you folks want to spend the money - it's not easy and not cheap - to do a CEQA study and bring it to us, we really can't do anything."

Advocates funded the study through Sacramento State University research and returned to the Commission on August 22, 2023, with Wright asking directly: "We're ready to get started. We're going to take President Sklar up on his offer. What do we do?"

The Commission moved to the next speaker.

Then, in 2025, Petition 2025-003 was referred for another "review and recommendation."

"Every time, it's the same pattern," Wright said. "Nobody says no. Nothing becomes final. It goes somewhere else 'for review,' and review has no deadline. We don't have to guess where an open-ended review can lead. We watched it happen in 2011."

WHAT THE LAWSUIT ASKS FOR

LegalizeFerrets.org is not asking a court to legalize ferrets, and does not dispute the Commission's authority to deny the petition outright.

"Deny it. Grant it. Do the review the Department told us in 2011 it would do," Wright said. "What we don't think the law allows is an answer that's built to never become final."

OCTOBER 2 COURT HEARING

The State's demurrer is scheduled to be heard October 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Department 16B of Sacramento County Superior Court. The State is asking the court to dismiss the case; LegalizeFerrets.org argues that the petition process cannot simply remain unfinished.

LegalizeFerrets.org has advocated for the legal treatment of domestic ferrets as companion animals in California since 2005.

Learn more about Legalize Ferrets, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, at: https://LegalizeFerrets.org/

News Source: Legalize Ferrets

Related link: https://www.legalizeferrets.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/california-asks-ferret-advocates-to-trust-further-consideration-history-gives-them-little-reason-to/

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sep 03, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced it has expanded its leadership team with two experienced executives: Salvatore Piccola as senior vice president of product strategy and Gil Valera as vice president of professional services. The additions strengthen two areas central to Dark Matter's growth strategy: innovation focused on using AI to improve customer experience, help lenders realize efficiencies, and drive seamless implementation and adoption of its product capabilities.

Piccola will lead product strategy, direction and long-term evolution across the Empower® Loan Origination Solution, the built-in Point of Sale (POS) experience in Empower and the Exchange℠ Partner Marketplace. Valera will lead Dark Matter's professional services and consulting organization, with responsibility for helping customers implement, adopt and realize value from the company's technology. Both roles will report to CPO Stephanie Durflinger.

"Automation and AI are changing the game for our industry," said Dark Matter CEO Vikas Rao. "The future is helping AI agents work in conjunction with humans, enabling paradigm shifts in the mortgage lending process. Sal brings the lender and product perspective to help us build toward that future, while Gil brings decades of experience making sure complex technology is adopted successfully and delivers value in the real world. Adding both of them makes us stronger where it matters: what we build and how customers put it to work."

Piccola joins Dark Matter after nearly 24 years with PNC, where he most recently served as senior vice president and director of business innovation validation for home lending. During his tenure, he held leadership roles spanning mortgage operations, loan closing, business systems analysis, technology and business innovation, giving him experience across both the operational and technology sides of lending. Piccola holds an MBA in finance from Waynesburg University and a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Pittsburgh.

Valera brings more than 20 years of professional services leadership across mortgage technology, enterprise analytics, customer relationship management and consulting. He spent 13 years at ICE Mortgage Technology, where he served as vice president of professional services and led presales, consulting, training and customer success functions for enterprise mortgage customers. Before joining ICE, Valera held professional services and consulting leadership positions at Infor, MicroStrategy and SAP BusinessObjects, among others. He began his career at Ernst & Young.

ABOUT DARK MATTER TECHNOLOGIES:

Operating with the nimble nature of a startup and the disciplined maturity of one of the industry's leading providers, Dark Matter Technologies delivers powerful technology with unparalleled automation and relentless innovation to leading mortgage lenders, servicers and companies nationwide. For more information, visit https://dmatter.com/.

News Source: Dark Matter Technologies

Related link: https://www.dmatter.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/dark-matter-names-salvatore-piccola-and-gil-valera-to-product-strategy-professional-services-leadership-roles/

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Sep 02, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Southern Nevada's premier electrical contractor, Ampere Electric, has been honored with the Outstanding Advertising Performance Award by RSVP Las Vegas Advertising using a targeted mailer to the top 30% of homeowners in the Las Vegas Valley. This accolade recognizes the company's exceptional results in an 18-month advertising campaign that successfully closed over $4 million in new business matched back to the targeted mailer.

During this campaign, Ampere Electric engaged with over 4,826 matched contacts, resulting in 1,511 direct sales contacts, showcasing the effectiveness of their targeted marketing efforts. The award highlights their measurable success and outstanding advertising performance within the specified timeframe.

Founded in 1987, this third-generation, family-owned business is currently owned and operated by Shane Viggiani, a licensed Nevada electrical contractor holding the NV C-2 license #88495, which is required for all electrical contracting work in Nevada.

Serving Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Summerlin, Ampere Electric is renowned for delivering full-service commercial and residential electrical solutions with master-level precision. The company's commitment to excellence was further recognized in April 2026 when Inc. Magazine ranked Ampere Electric as the #5 Fastest-Growing Private Company in the Rocky Mountain Region.

In addition to their outstanding business achievements, Ampere Electric has been featured locally on NBC Las Vegas Local Living, demonstrating how to conduct proactive electrical safety inspections. This initiative helps catch hidden fire risks, degraded panels, and loose wiring before they turn into costly emergencies, emphasizing their dedication to safety and community well-being.

"We've grown into a team of 40+ electricians, but we still operate with the heart of a local family business. When our technician knocks on your door, they arrive in a fully stocked vehicle ready to fix most problems on the spot. Because everything in an electrical system is interconnected, we always perform a comprehensive safety check, map out upfront pricing options, and let you decide what's best for your home. Our goal is to set the agenda early so you feel prepared, while always delivering a true 5-star experience," stated Shane Viggiani, Owner of Ampere Electric.

"Our vision has always been to keep Las Vegas families safe and powered. But as home technology evolves, 'powered' means something completely different than it did 30 years ago. Today, a truly safe home requires a smart, interconnected ecosystem that manages its own power, charges your vehicle, and protects itself from blackouts. We built Ampere Electric to be the master architects of that future."

Powering Las Vegas and beyond since 1987, Ampere Electric is the Top-Rated Residential, Commercial and Emergency Electrical Service in Las Vegas. This locally owned and operated Las Vegas company provides premier residential and commercial solutions across the Las Vegas valley. With 24/7 emergency dispatch, same-day response times, text alerts, clean workmanship, and upfront communication. In Las Vegas, a city that is constantly changing, Ampere Electric's rapid growth reflects its unwavering commitment to the safety and satisfaction of its Southern Nevada neighbors.

For more information, please contact Ampere Electric for all of your residential and commercial needs at (702) 979-1747, or visit their website at: https://ampereelectricnv.com/.

News Source: Ampere Electric

Related link: https://ampereelectricnv.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/ampere-electric-receives-outstanding-advertising-performance-award-for-achieving-over-4-million-in-new-business/

ST. CLOUD, Minn., Sep 02, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Planning is underway for Inspiration Space Port, a year-round family destination that will place Shuttle Inspiration, a full-scale Space Shuttle mock-up, inside a towering 300-foot-wide, 175-foot-tall dome. Wrapped in a spectacular LED exterior, the dome will become a glowing beacon on the Minnesota skyline-a new landmark visible for miles.

Inside, surrounding the massive spacecraft, visitors will journey through space exploration with cutting-edge technology, simulators, interactive attractions and cinematic storytelling designed to make them feel as though they have stepped off Earth toward worlds beyond.

At the heart of the ISP vision is a simple idea: Don't just show outer space to people. Bring them to it.

"There were earlier plans to simply put the shuttle on display, but it turns out we could do so much more with it," said Jason Bernick, Founder of Inspiration Space Port. "We have a chance to create something really special here-something families will want to experience together and kids will never forget. I want this to become one of those places you simply have to see."

"The goal is to erase the line between watching and participating," said Cliff Dew, CEO of Jumping Frog Entertainment, the Chief Architect & Creative Director of Inspiration Space Port. "Our team is creating a destination where you don't just learn about space exploration-you step inside it. The technology we have available today gives us the opportunity to take families places they could once only imagine."

And behind all the excitement is a larger purpose. By bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics to life through immersive, hands-on experiences, Inspiration Space Port is being designed to demonstrate STEM rather than simply teach it-sparking curiosity and giving young people new reasons to become excited about science, technology and space.

And Inspiration Space Port won't wait for families to come to it. Plans also include the Shuttle Bus Ambassador, a traveling interactive STEM experience designed to bring space exploration directly to schools, libraries, community centers and malls across Minnesota. Featuring all-new interactive STEM experiences and a state-of-the-art space shuttle simulator, the Ambassador will take the excitement of Inspiration Space Port on the road-bringing the mission to communities across the state.

The project is currently in the planning and development stage, with work focused on site evaluation, attraction development, strategic partnerships, educational collaborations and sponsorship opportunities.

In the coming months, new details will be revealed as the vision for Inspiration Space Port continues to take shape.

Shuttle Inspiration has already made an extraordinary journey to Minnesota. Now, a new journey is about to begin.

ABOUT INSPIRATION SPACE PORT:

Inspiration Space Port is a proposed year-round family destination attraction being developed in Minnesota around Shuttle Inspiration, a full-scale Space Shuttle mock-up. The shuttle will be suspended and fully accessible inside a spectacular 300-foot-wide, 175-foot-tall dome wrapped in an exterior LED blanket that will create a glowing landmark visible for miles.

Led creatively by Cliff Dew, CEO of Jumping Frog Entertainment and Chief Architect & Creative Director of Inspiration Space Port, Cliff and his team are designing ISP to bring space exploration to life through immersive attractions, interactive technology, simulators and hands-on STEM experiences.

Learn more at: https://www.isp.earth/

News Source: Inspiration Space Port

Related link: https://www.isp.earth/

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/a-space-shuttle-has-landed-in-minnesota-soon-you-will-travel-to-space-without-ever-leaving-the-ground/

AUSTIN, Texas, Sep 02, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for home equity and mortgage lenders nationwide, announced today that John Aslanian, chief revenue officer, has been named a 2026 HousingWire Vanguard. The award recognizes C-level executives across mortgage, real estate and homebuilding for leadership that has driven measurable impact on their organizations and the broader housing economy over the past year.

Since joining FirstClose as chief revenue officer in March 2025, Aslanian has driven substantial growth across the business. Annual client retention has increased from 88% to 97.4%, bookings are up 170% year over year and professional services revenue has grown 501% year over year. Aslanian has also nearly tripled FirstClose's go-to-market staff, growing the sales, account management, marketing, customer success, implementation and solutions engineering teams.

"When we brought John on to lead revenue for FirstClose, we knew he'd help take this company into its next chapter," said Tedd Smith, chief executive officer of FirstClose. "Watching him build that out with our team over the past year and a half has been incredible to see, and this recognition is well deserved."

Aslanian's career in mortgage technology spans more than 25 years, including leadership roles at Del Mar DataTrac, Encompass(r) by ICE Mortgage Technology(r) (formerly Ellie Mae) and nCino (formerly SimpleNexus). He is active in the Mortgage Bankers Association, the California MBA, ACUMA and America's Credit Unions.

"I've spent 25 years in this industry, and it means a lot to be recognized this way," Aslanian said. "None of it happens without the team we've built here. We've nearly tripled that team in under two years, and that group is why FirstClose is winning in the market right now."

The full list of 2026 HousingWire Vanguard winners is available at https://www.housingwire.com/articles/announcing-the-2026-housingwire-vanguards/

About FirstClose

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose, Inc. provides fintech solutions to home equity and mortgage lenders nationwide. The company's mission is to increase profitability and reduce costs for mortgage lenders. FirstClose makes this possible through offering systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist their borrowers more effectively, reduce closing costs and ultimately shorten closing times. For more information, https://www.firstclose.com/.

News Source: FirstClose

Related link: https://www.firstclose.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/firstclose-chief-revenue-officer-john-aslanian-named-a-2026-housingwire-vanguard/

PROVO, Utah, Sep 02, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Thread (threadwallets.com) wrapped a three-month graduation campaign by sending four members of the Class of '26, along with the people who got them there, on a trip to the Big Island, Hawaii. The campaign, which ran from April 6 through July 2, invited thousands of graduates to enter online and on college campuses for a chance to win. No purchase required. No paid influencers. The entire $19,000 budget went to boxes filled with goodies and the trip itself.

"Graduation is the loudest milestone of a young person's life, and most brands mark it with a sale," said Lex Hymas, Marketing Director at Thread. "We wanted to do something that actually felt like a celebration, so we sent an invitation instead of an ad. We took them on a trip and created lifelong memories with the people who are really supporting us."

Entries were collected through Instagram, TikTok, email, and campus fliers at universities across the country. Thread posted 50 pieces of content across the campaign arc, building a twelve-week narrative from the announcement through the winner reveal and the trip itself. The posts generated 4.4 million video views, 54,800 new followers against an internal goal of 3,000 to 6,000, 71,000 shares, and 43,800 comments at a 15 percent engagement rate. All of it was earned. None was paid!

Midway through the campaign, Thread ran a spin-off giveaway for teachers. We did not want to forget about the teachers; they deserve to be celebrated too. Three posts later, the teacher giveaway had outrun the trip itself: 956,000 views and 18,773 new followers.

The posts generated 4.4 million video views, 54,800 new followers against an internal goal of 3,000 to 6,000, 71,000 shares, and 43,800 comments at a 15 percent engagement rate - all earned, none paid. A spin-off giveaway for teachers generated an additional 956,000 views and 18,773 new followers. Total campaign cost: $19,000, with no paid influencers and no affiliate fees.

ABOUT THREAD:

Based in Provo, Utah, Thread (and Thread Wallets) began in 2015 with the idea of bringing expression to the wallet category and has since expanded into the bag market with innovative prints and silhouettes. Thread has made an impact with its branded elastic wallets, wristlets and lip balm holders as the go-to purse replacement for teens and young adults. Learn more at: https://www.threadwallets.com/

News Source: Thread

Related link: https://www.threadwallets.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/thread-sends-the-class-of-26-to-hawaii-in-its-first-ever-community-trip/