Dan Kellett has been named Chief Technology Officer of the data and workflow solutions company FirstClose.
In his new position, Kellett will oversee FirstClose’s technology and strategy regarding applications, data, cybersecurity, and infrastructure.
“It’s exciting to join FirstClose at this time of immense change, challenges, and innovation in the mortgage industry,” Kellett said. “FirstClose’s focus on providing a true digital home equity experience makes this a unique opportunity, and by expanding the ecosystem leveraging our platforms and provider network, we’ll increase our speed of adoption which will keep us at the forefront of mortgage innovation.”
Kellet brings more than a decade of software engineering and leadership experience to the position. Prior to FirstClose, he served as Head of Technology and…
Better.com announced a fully digital home equity line of credit (HELOC) offering, enabling homeowners to access cash through their equity completely online.
Better says customers can be approved in twenty-four hours or less and close in as little as three days.
The HELOCs are available for primary, secondary, and investment homes, with a maximum $500,000 line of credit and up to 90% of the property value. The product offers a number of benefits over traditional products, including a simple application process, immediate pre-approval, no unnecessary fees, and the ability to keep the existing mortgage rate and pay interest only on what is withdrawn.
“Better’s digital HELOC offerings are a game changer for customers seeking flexibility during a difficult economic climate,”…
Fintech LenderClose announced it is rebranding as Coviance, the company announced in a press release. The rebrand “reflects the company’s next phase of growth” as a transformative technology partner that allows lenders to efficiently scale home equity volume and close in a matter of hours. “The evolution of our technology has advanced us into a new era on our mission to perfect the lending experience,” says Omar Jordan, Founder & CEO of Coviance. “Our technology empowers Credit Unions and Community Banks to compete with fintechs, delivering the best borrower experience with a more humanized touch.” Coviance was founded in 2015 by Omar Jordan with the goal of offering community lenders a user-friendly tech solution to lend more efficiently, faster, and at…
Mortgage originations saw their largest annual decline in 21 years, further evidence that the housing boom is coming to an end. Originations fell 47% YOY in Q3, according to ATTOM Data’s Q3 2022 U.S. Residential Property Mortgage Origination Report. Quarter-over-quarter they were down 19%, the sixth consecutive drop. Lenders issued a total of $636.5 billion worth of mortgages in Q3. By dollar count, that’s down 22% from Q2 and 46% YOY. It’s the largest dip in loan dollar volume since at least 2001. HELOC lending increased for the fifth time in six quarters, but the boost was overwhelmed by the slump in purchase and refinance origination. “There are no surprises in this quarter’s loan origination numbers, as the unprecedented jump…
Both Movement Mortgage and Homepoint introduced new, speed-focused home equity products as homeowners continue to seek out ways to access cash without compromising their mortgage rates. Homepoint, a wholesale lender, launched a new, 100% digital HELOC in 38 states and Washington, D.C., available through its mortgage broker partners. The company said it will expand to more states within months. Its HELOC requires “minimal uploading of income and asset documents” and, in some cases, may provide same-day approval and funding within five business days. It lets borrowers access $20k to $400k of their home’s equity as a line of credit with either a 5-, 10-, 15-, or 30- year term and 2- to 5-year draw terms. They maintain at least 15%…
Refinance lending fell 36% from Q1 to Q2 2022, eclipsing increases in other lending areas, according to ATTOM’s second-quarter 2022 U.S. Residential Property Mortgage Origination Report. The report found that 2.39 million mortgages secured by residential property were originated in Q2 2022, down 13% from Q1 and 40% YOY. This is the fifth consecutive quarter of falling originations and the biggest annual drop since 2014. Though purchase originations and home-equity lending actually increased 8% and 35%, respectively, they were heavily outweighed by the double-digit refi drop. The total number of mortgages issued was down 13.2% from Q1 and 40% YOY, dropping at their fastest pace in eight years. Lenders issued $807.8 billion worth of mortgages overall in Q2, down 11%…
Wells Fargo will take a break from offering new home equity lines of credit beginning Friday as credit continues to tighten during the coronavirus pandemic, according to media reports. The San Francisco-based banking giant joins JPMorgan Chase in backing off the loans known as HELOCs, which allow homeowners to borrow money against the equity in their houses. “Wells Fargo Home Lending will temporarily stop accepting applications for Wells Fargo Home Lending will temporarily stop accepting applications for all new home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) after April 30,” the company said in a statement shared with The Mortgage Note. “The decision to temporarily suspend the origination of new HELOCs reflects careful consideration of current market conditions and the uncertainty around…
