National News

PLANO, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Optimal Blue today announced it will host its 2027 Optimal Blue Summit February 1-3 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. The annual event convenes Optimal Blue clients, integration partners and capital markets leaders from across the mortgage industry for three days of insight, collaboration and forward-looking strategy.

SEATTLE, Wash. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Friday Harbor, an AI pre-underwriting platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, today announced the launch of Income and Asset Sandbox, a new set of capabilities that allows lending teams to structure income and asset decisions in real time without committing changes prematurely or stepping outside program guidelines. The capabilities are designed to help loan officers structure deals that qualify and close earlier in the origination process.

PLANO, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Optimal Blue today announced Virtual Economist, the first on-demand forecasting tool for mortgage capital markets leaders powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), as the centerpiece of nine platform advancements unveiled at the company's 2026 Summit. Together, the innovations further unify the capital markets profitability experience by connecting forecasting, pricing, hedging, competitive benchmarking and workflow execution within a single, end-to-end platform.

LAKE ZURICH, Ill. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc., a leading mortgage subservicing company, today announced it has successfully completed its 2025 Service Organization Control (SOC) 1® Type 2 and SOC 2® Type 2 audits. The independent examinations, conducted by public accounting and business advisory firm Plante Moran, PLLC, confirm that Dovenmuehle's internal controls, operational processes and information security practices meet stringent standards for financial reporting integrity and the safeguarding of client data.

HOUSTON, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- NotaryCam®, a Stewart-owned company and a pioneering provider of remote online notarization (RON) and identity verification / authentication technology for real estate and legal transactions, today announced President and CEO Brian Webster has been honored by National Mortgage Professional (NMP) as a 2026 Industry Titan. The NMP Industry Titan award spotlights experienced mortgage professionals whose dedicated efforts drive the industry forward.

DENVER, Colo. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), a leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced today that CEO Trevor Gauthier has been named a 2026 Industry Titan by National Mortgage Professional (NMP). The Industry Titan Award recognizes mortgage professionals whose leadership, innovation and long-term contributions have shaped the industry.

TROY, Mich. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Chief Growth Officer Jon Tallinger has been named a 2026 Industry Titan by National Mortgage Professional (NMP).

AUSTIN, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that co-founder and Chief Growth Officer Tim Smith has been named a 2026 Industry Titan National Mortgage Professional (NMP). The Industry Titan Award recognizes mortgage professionals whose leadership, innovation and long-term contributions have shaped the industry.

BOULDER, Colo. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Head of Sales Jason Mapes has been named an Industry Titan by National Mortgage Professional (NMP) for 2026. The Industry Titan designation recognizes individuals whose leadership and influence have helped shape the mortgage industry.

ADDISON, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, today announced that mortgage industry veteran Rachel Fatino has joined the company as director of correspondent operations. In this role, Fatino will lead pipeline strategy, operational performance and partner engagement initiatives to support continued growth across the correspondent channel.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- In recent years, Las Vegas has undergone a significant transformation in its real estate landscape, emerging as an attractive market for first-time home buyers, eXp Realty announced today. Historically known for its vibrant entertainment scene and rapid development, the city has experienced shifts in affordability, inventory, and economic stability that now make it an appealing choice for those purchasing their first home.

AUSTIN, Texas /New York Netwire - National News/ -- FirstClose™, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, today announced a strategic partnership with TruStage to embed TruStage's dynamic document engine within the FirstClose platform.

BEREA, Ky. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Fahe today announced the expansion of its Housing Can't Wait® initiative through a coordinated, multi-state advocacy campaign designed to elevate housing as a central economic and workforce priority across Appalachia. Across Appalachia, housing shortages are not accidental.

WEST GROVE, Pa. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Jenner's Pond in Chester County, one of Simpson's Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), offers spacious cottages with new finishes, designed for today's active, modern elders looking for alternatives or to upsize to a forever home. With up to 3,600 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, the cottages provide an option to skip the condo phase and settle directly into a 62+ Life Plan Community.

DENVER, Colo. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced the release of its quarterly ACES Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report covering Q3 2025. The report analyzes post-closing quality control data derived from the ACES Quality Management & Control® software.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- BEAM Collaborative, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening local businesses and keeping them locally owned, today announced a strategic partnership with Murphy Business Sales - West Pittsburgh, a leading full-service business brokerage firm serving Western Pennsylvania.

SEATTLE, Wash. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- As senior living communities continue to navigate workforce challenges that directly impact care quality and operations, 3rd3rd Marketing and AgingIN are partnering to present a timely webinar: "Workforce That Stays: Creative Strategies to Attract, Inspire, & Retain a Mission-Driven Team" on Friday, February 27, geared toward senior living executives, HR professionals, and community leaders looking to build a sustainable workforce.

BOULDER, Colo. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that OCCU has selected Floify to support its next phase of member-centric lending and long-term growth. OCCU is a member-owned, not-for-profit credit union based in Eugene, Oregon, with more than 284,000 members.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- Run 2 The Rescue, a Sag Harbor-based nonprofit with rescue operations and a shelter in Beijing, China, has been featured in PEOPLE in an exclusive story highlighting the dramatic transformation of Kronk, an injured Malamute rescued from the dog meat trade.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. /New York Netwire - National News/ -- The Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) announced today the successful acquisition of Mill Hole Cave, along with 76 acres of surrounding land. Located in Jackson County, Alabama, the Mill Hole Preserve adjoins the Skyline Wildlife Management Area, marking SCCi's 39th preserve.