Mortgage and Finance News

Mortgage and Finance News: (AUSTIN, Texas) FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today a new partnership with Stewart Lender Services, a division of Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE: STC), that enhances FirstClose's Order Management System (OMS) with expanded home equity fulfillment capabilities.

Mortgage and Finance News: (PLANO, Texas) Optimal Blue today released its November 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which found that total mortgage rate-lock activity declined with normal late fall seasonality, yet still marked the strongest November in four years. Total lock volume fell 25% month over month (MoM) from October but remained up 17% year over year (YoY), buoyed by historically strong refinance demand and mortgage rates holding near 6%.

Mortgage and Finance News: (PLANO, Texas) Optimal Blue today announced the promotion of Lanny Rogers III, CPA, to chief financial officer (CFO) and Jeremy Moreno to chief revenue officer (CRO). Their combined experience and long track records of leadership position the company to advance its next stage of growth and client success with a dedicated financial strategy function and strengthened revenue oversight.

Mortgage and Finance News: (GARDEN GROVE, Calif.) Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that Software Developer Sriranjini "Sri" Prabhakara has been named to National Mortgage Professional Magazine's 2025 40 Under 40 list. The annual recognition highlights emerging professionals whose work is helping shape the future of the mortgage sector.

Mortgage and Finance News: (AUSTIN, Texas) FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, today announced the appointment of Alex Sirpis as vice president of sales. In this role, Sirpis will lead the company's sales organization, refine the go-to-market strategy and drive revenue growth as FirstClose continues expanding its presence with mortgage and home equity lenders across the country.

Mortgage and Finance News: (TROY, Mich.) Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Daniel A. Busch has joined the company as its chief financial officer (CFO). Busch brings more than two decades of financial leadership experience to the role, including extensive work in private equity environments, business transformation and data-driven operational performance.

Mortgage and Finance News: (AVE MARIA, Fla.) Nick and Joan Cerami announce their growing presence in Southwest Florida as owners of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors - the Cerami Team, marking the next chapter in a professional journey that has spanned four decades and two industries. After more than 30 years each in marketing and advertising - often working in tandem as client and agency partner, the couple now share business ownership.

Mortgage and Finance News: (AUSTIN, Texas) FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) has implemented FirstClose's Equity Order Management to automate settlement workflows for its home equity lending operations.

Mortgage and Finance News: (AUSTIN, Texas) Velocity Credit Union (Velocity) has announced the launch of a new Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) program designed to give members greater financial flexibility and control over their everyday spending. A financial institution with over $1 billion in assets and serving over 80,000 members, Velocity is introducing this program to further its commitment to offering comprehensive financial services to its members for every stage of their life.

Mortgage and Finance News: (OAKLAND, Calif.) Champion Women, together with Wrestle Like A Girl, the Women's Golf Coaches Association, and the Women's Sports Policy Working Group, announced today that they have filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in In re College Athlete NIL Litigation (No. 25-4190). According to Liberty Law, Inc., the filing supports a slew of objectors challenging the NCAA's proposed $2.8 billion settlement.