How Blend's platform can help you avoid tech debt in mortgage origination

Big news: FirstClose has officially integrated with Optimal Blue! This certified integration connects our point-of-sale (POS) platform with Optimal Blue’s trusted product, pricing, and eligibility (PPE) engine. It empowers lenders to close home equity loans in 10 days or fewer while giving borrowers accurate, real-time pricing and eligibility data. Together, we’re making the home equity process faster, simpler, and more transparent—helping lenders meet growing demand for HELOCs and second mortgages. Read the full announcement HERE: https://hubs.ly/Q03Lnkc70

As of Q1 2025, U.S. homeowners held an estimated $34 trillion in equity, compared to just $14 trillion in mortgage debt. This gap represents a massive opportunity—not just for borrowers seeking financial flexibility, but for lenders looking to meet evolving consumer needs. With higher interest rates, shifting demographics, and changing borrower behavior, home equity products like HELOCs and second liens are becoming increasingly strategic. They offer a way to access liquidity without disrupting low-rate first mortgages—a key consideration in today’s economic environment. Technology is transforming how borrowers discover and access these solutions. The integration between Optimal Blue’s PPE and FirstClose’s POS is a great example—bringing real-time visibility & pricing accuracy to home equity options directly within the borrower journey.

Thank you to HousingWire for publishing my latest article: "The end of the mortgage workhorse: Adapting to a new lending ecosystem." The lending world isn't what it was five years ago — and that's a good thing. Borrowers today expect personalization, speed, and more innovative options. The traditional "one-size-fits-all" loan model has reached its limits. In this piece, I share why specialized products are reshaping how we serve borrowers — and why lenders who adapt will be the ones who thrive in the next chapter of our industry. I appreciate the platform, HousingWire, for sparking this meaningful conversation. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gEhst-xg Brian Rieger Amber Milkeris Keith Stiles Andrew Siddon John Loyacono Shadi Kamran Lance Ludman Robert Kane HousingWire #AlwaysCloseWithCertainty

Ever been left second guessing a lender calc? That’s the problem with black box tech: it hides the logic and leaves you exposed. Quickli flips that 🤓 Every calculation is transparent, lender-aligned, and updated as fast as policy changes! 🔥 You know the numbers stack up   🔥 You walk into client conversations with confidence   🔥 You’re never caught off guard when lenders shift the goalposts For us, transparency isn’t just a feature. It’s the future of mortgage tech. Brokers: What would it mean for your client conversations if every calc was crystal clear? #Quickli #mortgagebrokers #homeloans #fintech

Finova, a cloud-based mortgage and savings software provider, has appointed David Espley as its new chief technology officer (CTO). 📰Cameron Emanuel-Burns reports 👇 https://lnkd.in/eA5XSzUG #FinTech #FinTechNews

We’re excited to announce we our launching our new Home Report, now paired with a customer-facing AI version that delivers homeowner insights in real time. Some vendors have impressive tech, so we took inspiration. At Rapid One Lending, we combine direct access to the mail house with our own integrated technology, giving loan officers the ability to have smoother, more informed conversations backed by real homeowner data. The result? More credibility, more value, and stronger connections with potential clients. This is just one of the ways we’re making the mortgage process faster, smarter, and easier for both our loan officers and homeowners. Erik Yazdanian R.Timothy Trout

ICE Mortgage Technology is rethinking the housing finance lifecycle with automation, APIs, and AI built into Encompass and beyond. In our latest Executive Conversation, SVP of Engineering Troy Tomas shares how ICE is shaping a connected, future-ready mortgage ecosystem that brings origination, servicing, and capital markets under one roof. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gCFPXK4y

Mortgage transformation isn’t just about technology — it’s about people. This Stratmor Group article makes the point clear: without strong change management, even the best digital investments fall flat. In loan origination, LOS/POS platforms promise speed and simplicity but only deliver when loan officers, processors, and underwriters truly embrace new workflows. In servicing, modern tools can streamline operations, but real gains come from retraining teams and redesigning processes. My perspective: the hardest work of transformation is not choosing platforms, but aligning people, process, and culture so the change sticks. Read more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/g7aPYFVa #Mortgage #DigitalTransformation #ChangeManagement #LOS #POS #MortgageOrigination #MortgageServicing #Lending #Fintech

🏢 When it comes to #mortgage lending, size isn’t everything. With the right digital tools and strategies, smaller financial institutions can thrive in today's lending landscape. 💡 In this MortgageOrb article, Mary Kay Theriault, Senior Director of Product Management at Finastra, shares how small financial institutions are using smart digital strategies to stay competitive in the mortgage space: https://okt.to/QWAyRi #FinastraLending #RetailLending

🏢 When it comes to #mortgage lending, size isn’t everything. With the right digital tools and strategies, smaller financial institutions can thrive in today's lending landscape. 💡 In this MortgageOrb article, Mary Kay Theriault, Senior Director of Product Management at Finastra, shares how small financial institutions are using smart digital strategies to stay competitive in the mortgage space: https://okt.to/9yahmk #FinastraLending #RetailLending