Tag: Integration

Optimal Blue Delivers on “Lights-Out” Integration Between Hedge Advisory and Loan Trading Platforms

— Integration builds on legacy of disruptive secondary marketing automation and sets stage for significant ongoing enhancements —

Optimal Blue, the leading provider of secondary marketing automation and services in the mortgage industry, announced today the completion of a “lights-out” integration between its comprehensive hedge advisory and loan trading platforms. The announcement exemplifies Optimal Blue’s ongoing commitment to provide enterprise, end-to-end automation through superior technology with functional depth.

The only one of its kind, this real-time integration uses a library of proprietary APIs to seamlessly automate vital functions within the secondary marketing process that to date, have been increasingly complex and resource intensive. Further, the two-way integration builds on the advanced workflow automation that is already established within the Optimal Blue platform.

For years, Optimal Blue clients have recognized the significant competitive advantage of a seamless integration between the company’s flagship product eligibility and pricing and hedge advisory platforms by automatically updating the hedge position based on loans locked in the product eligibility and pricing engine. The new and highly anticipated “lights-out” integration between the hedge analytics and trading platform takes it a step further by fully automating the feed of loans that are “ready-to-sell” and returning post-trade updates to sync hedge positions in real time.

“We are thrilled to deliver this next generation of automation to our clients,” said John Ardy, Vice President of Resitrader by Optimal Blue. “More than half of our clients have already transitioned to the integrated platform and those that remain will be migrated over the next several months.” Optimal Blue anticipates monthly trading volumes to exceed $5 billion upon completion of client onboarding.

Optimal Blue views this integration as the foundation for several significant innovations and ongoing enhancements, like the use of proprietary machine learning algorithms to assist buyers and sellers optimize their trading strategies, as well as a fully automated “lights-out” loan execution to deliver a full roundtrip automation experience linking buyers and sellers. In addition, Optimal Blue is pursuing the expansion of axe posting for CRA, non-QM, and Jumbo transactions.

“There is considerable value in a unified technology platform,” explained Scott Happ, CEO of Optimal Blue. “This integration provides further transparency into whole loan transactions and delivers the connectivity, efficiency, and liquidity necessary to thrive in today’s competitive environment.”

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PRESS CONTACT FOR OPTIMAL BLUE
Robert J. Brandt
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Alliances
(469) 609-5585
bbrandt@optimalblue.com

PromonTech Announces Integration with Optimal Blue

— Borrower Wallet will now offer access to latest product eligibility and pricing information —

PromonTech, the technology unit of Promontory MortgagePath, announced today that its point-of-sale (POS) solution, Borrower Wallet™, is now integrated with Optimal Blue, a leading provider of secondary marketing automation and services in the mortgage industry.

This seamless integration provides consumers and loan officers easy access to qualified products and rates. Consumers can easily review the types of mortgages they qualify for by simply adjusting their search criteria or by having their loan officers search using the Optimal Blue product eligibility and pricing engine.

Borrower Wallet is a white-label, omni-platform POS that engages with customers using any computer or mobile device, on either a self-serve or assisted basis with a loan officer. The secure, borrower-friendly environment is designed to build confidence and make it easy for the borrower to enter information, approve automated data collection, upload/e-send documents, sign disclosures, utilize the closing center, and stay informed throughout the loan origination journey through loan closing. Borrower Wallet promotes both applicant self-service and values the role the loan officer plays as a trusted advisor. One of the unique features of Borrower Wallet is a dashboard that shows the borrower their key metrics – credit score, debt-to-income, and loan-to-value ratios – that loan decision-makers will use to approve their loans. In addition, lenders can accommodate their applicants anytime/anywhere in a secure workspace and loan officers can be a true co-pilot by enhancing the application process and loan quality ahead of underwriting.

“In this competitive mortgage market, today’s lenders are looking to differentiate their service offering and meet new consumer demands,” said Bob Brandt, vice president of Marketing and Alliances at Optimal Blue. “By integrating with Optimal Blue’s advanced API, PromonTech provides lenders with the tools they need to succeed by enabling the borrower to seamlessly access accurate pricing and product selection early in the application process.”

“Our main goal at PromonTech is always to provide the best possible service and home-buying experience for our customers – borrowers, lenders, and loan officers,” said Michael Kolbrener, chief technology officer of PromonTech. “Partnering with Optimal Blue streamlines the application process by offering our clients real-time access to the most accurate product eligibility and pricing information.”

ABOUT PROMONTORY MORTGAGEPATH
Headquartered in New York, Promontory MortgagePath was founded by Gene Ludwig and Bruce Witherell, the former U.S. Comptroller of the Currency and chief operating officer of Freddie Mac, respectively. The company has two main operating divisions: PromonTech, its Denver-based technology arm, and Promontory Fulfillment Services. PromonTech is a FinTech hybrid – that is, a technology company, led by seasoned banking and mortgage executives. Its digital solutions are designed by talented technologists and mortgage experts, working collaboratively to eliminate pain points and enhance the customer experience. Promontory Fulfillment Services offers end-to-end white-label mortgage fulfillment services for banks, mortgage banks and private investors and is located in Danbury, Conn. Promontory MortgagePath is the winner of the 2018 HW Tech100™ award and the 2018 Progress in Lending Innovations award.

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PRESS CONTACT FOR OPTIMAL BLUE
Robert J. Brandt
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Alliances
(469) 609-5585
bbrandt@optimalblue.com

Resitrader is Industry’s First to Release End-to-End Integration with Freddie Mac

— Mutual clients immediately gain efficiencies in pricing, committing, and trading Freddie Mac loans —

Optimal Blue, the leading secondary marketing automation platform and largest online exchange for whole loan trading, announced today the completion of integration with Freddie Mac’s Loan Selling AdvisorSM application programming interface. By connecting the two platforms in real-time, Optimal Blue has enabled significant workflow efficiencies for its clients by fully automating the process of pricing Freddie Mac loans and securing Freddie Mac commitments.

The planning for this highly demanded interface began months ago, guided by the initial goal of bringing additional operational improvements to Freddie Mac sellers and servicers that utilize Optimal Blue’s innovative whole loan trading platform, Resitrader. Available immediately to all Resitrader clients without the burden of time-consuming system upgrades, this integration enables users to seamlessly acquire Freddie Mac pricing data and facilitates comparisons against alternative executions such as bulk bids. Additionally, this advanced integration enables the automated commitment of Freddie Mac loans by returning trade confirmations directly back to the Resitrader user, thus eliminating the need to utilize multiple systems to conduct a single transaction.

“Optimal Blue’s integration enables me to swiftly compare live quotes and complete pricing from Freddie Mac against all of my execution options,” explained Anthony Bruschi, Director, Capital Markets Trade Desk at New Penn Financial. “Additionally, I am able to commit all loans with Freddie Mac efficiently and accurately without ever having to leave the Resitrader system.”

Now that Freddie Mac’s Loan Selling AdvisorSM has been integrated with Optimal Blue’s Resitrader, the company has turned its attention toward leveraging this automation with the other solutions in its enterprise secondary marketing platform. Optimal Blue’s next phases will enable Freddie Mac pricing and commitment integrations with its hedge advisory and market-leading product and pricing solutions. In doing so, Optimal Blue will provide an efficient, end-to-end user experience for loan officers and secondary professionals conducting business with Freddie Mac.

“Optimal Blue is completely aligned with Freddie Mac’s commitment to deliver compelling innovations to our joint clients,” said Bob Brandt, Vice President of Marketing and Alliances at Optimal Blue. “Our end-to-end pricing and commitment integration between the Resitrader platform and Freddie Mac’s Loan Selling AdvisorSM is a perfect representation of this, bringing first-to-market innovations to our clients to further facilitate automated transactions between the buyers and sellers of mortgage loans through our Digital Mortgage Marketplace.”

ABOUT FREDDIE MAC
Freddie Mac makes home possible for millions of families and individuals by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Since our creation by Congress in 1970, we’ve made housing more accessible and affordable for homebuyers and renters in communities nationwide. We are building a better housing finance system for homebuyers, renters, lenders and taxpayers. Learn more at FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Mac’s blog.

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PRESS CONTACT FOR OPTIMAL BLUE
Robert J. Brandt
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Alliances
(469) 609-5585
bbrandt@optimalblue.com

Calyx Path Becomes First Certified LOS Integration with Optimal Blue APIs

— Secondary marketing APIs further enhance Calyx Path’s LOS experience —

Calyx Software and Optimal Blue today announced the completion of the integration between Path, Calyx’s cloud-based, dynamic mortgage loan origination software (LOS), and Optimal Blue’s industry-leading product eligibility and pricing engine.

Optimal Blue’s robust secondary marketing APIs deliver accurate, real-time pricing information to the technology solutions their clients rely upon throughout the mortgage loan process. As the first LOS platform to integrate with Optimal Blue’s APIs, Calyx Path now provides immediate access to accurate and compliant product, eligibility, and pricing information at the point of sale — increasing efficiency in the loan life cycle and minimizing the potential for error.

“We are thrilled that Calyx has selected Optimal Blue to enhance the Calyx Path user experience,” said Bob Brandt, Vice President of Marketing and Alliances at Optimal Blue. “Both organizations have an established legacy in the industry, founded on a commitment of continuous innovation. The real-time integration we have just completed couldn’t exemplify that commitment any better.”

Bob Dougherty, Executive Vice President of Business Development at Calyx Software, added, “We’re excited that Path is the first LOS to implement Optimal Blue’s APIs. The ability to price loans using the industry’s leading product and pricing engine streamlines the mortgage process for our originator clients and their borrowers.”

ABOUT CALYX SOFTWARE
Calyx Software is a provider of innovative solutions to help streamline and simplify all phases of the loan process. The company’s loan origination software offerings include Point, PointCentral and Path for banks, credit unions, mortgage bankers and brokers; INK-it, a secure electronic signature solution; WebCaster, a website development tool; and Zip, the most affordable, easy-to-use loan interview conveniently accessible to borrowers via a personalized URL. For more information call (800) 362-2599 or visit www.calyxsoftware.com.

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PRESS CONTACT FOR OPTIMAL BLUE
Robert J. Brandt
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Alliances
(469) 609-5585
bbrandt@optimalblue.com

PRESS CONTACT FOR CALYX SOFTWARE
Jessica Ruiz-Krout
Campbell Lewis Communications
(212) 995-8058
jessica@campbelllewis.com

Finastra Integrates Optimal Blue Live Pricing into Fusion MortgagebotPOS

Finastra has integrated Optimal Blue into its Fusion MortgagebotPOS solution, enabling banks and credit unions to provide mortgage applicants with Optimal Blue’s live pricing searches, via any point-of-sale channel. The addition of Optimal Blue to MortgagebotPOS furthers Finastra’s relationship with the enterprise secondary marketing automation vendor, which already integrates with the Fusion MortgagebotLOS loan origination platform.

“Finastra is committed to developing an ecosystem of innovation, and working with companies like Optimal Blue helps us deliver the full value of our solutions to our clients,” said Mike Dionne, Senior Vice President, Community Markets, Finastra. “By expanding our relationship with Optimal Blue, we are giving mortgage lenders that use our point-of-sale platform seamless access to market-leading enterprise lending services, including product and pricing.”

As a leading provider of secondary marketing automation and services to the mortgage industry, Optimal Blue’s solutions enable thousands of lenders to easily implement, manage, and execute sophisticated product and pricing strategies focused on increasing competitiveness and creating new efficiencies. By directly embedding Optimal Blue’s broad portfolio of REST APIs into its mortgage origination solutions, Finastra is able to fully leverage the capabilities of Optimal Blue, providing joint clients real-time access to compliant product and pricing content throughout the Fusion Mortgagebot solutions.

“We are thrilled to mark a new chapter of collaboration with Finastra by extending the use of our APIs into the Fusion Mortgagebot platform,” explained Bob Brandt, Vice President of Marketing & Alliances at Optimal Blue. “This highly-anticipated integration vastly improves the user experience and uniquely positions our joint clients to create substantial new efficiencies throughout the entire loan life cycle.”

Fusion MortgagebotPOS is a web-based solution that allows lenders to receive accurate, qualified applications through every point-of-sale channel: consumer-direct via the internet, in the branch or call center, or through professional loan officers. As a cloud-based solution, borrowers have the option of completing an application in one channel or moving seamlessly between channels, depending on their needs and preferences. This web‐based technology allows users to explore rates, fees and products; complete an application in minutes; get instant approvals; and receive immediate online disclosures – anywhere they have internet access.

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PRESS CONTACT FOR OPTIMAL BLUE
Robert J. Brandt
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Alliances
(469) 609-5585
bbrandt@optimalblue.com

PRESS CONTACT FOR FINASTRA
Patrick Kilhaney
Public & Analyst Relations Manager
(917) 286-1053
patrick.kilhaney@finastra.com

Optimal Blue & Mortgage Coach Deliver Game-Changing Capabilities to Mortgage Loan Officers

— Product loan comparisons embedded with real-time, compliant pricing now available —

Optimal Blue, the leading provider of secondary marketing automation and services in the mortgage industry, is proud to announce a game-changing innovation with Mortgage Coach, creator of comprehensive point-of-sale borrower conversion software. Through direct integration with Optimal Blue’s robust API platform, every Mortgage Coach application now seamlessly connects real-time, compliant product and pricing data with the compelling financial analyses Mortgage Coach is known for. Through this collaborative effort and newly expanded product offering, Mortgage Coach and Optimal Blue enhance their long-standing strategic partnership and take their industry value proposition to a whole new level.

“Without ever leaving the Mortgage Coach app on their mobile device, loan officers can create informative, side-by-side comparisons highlighting multiple loan programs and comprehensive pricing information in just seconds,” explained Bob Brandt, Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Alliances for Optimal Blue. “Combining the sophisticated product and pricing data at the heart of every mortgage transaction with a compelling user experience — and doing so whenever, wherever it matters most — is a game changer for the industry.”

The benefits are not exclusive to lenders and loan officers. Today’s consumers immerse themselves with the details behind major financial decisions and pride themselves on deeply understanding their alternatives. Mortgage financing is no exception. When provided with a comparative, in-depth analysis of the financial impact of their best financing alternatives in a highly consultative environment, consumers are more engaged with their loan officers and more likely to move forward with a loan.

“In today’s price compression marketplace, converting every prospect into a borrower is the most important aspect of achieving increased profits for mortgage lenders,” said Joe Puthur, President of Mortgage Coach. “This new innovation gives lenders the instantaneous benefit of earning more commitments at a lower cost of acquisition.”

Mortgage Coach, the company’s flagship platform, is the technology behind the Total Cost Analysis (TCA), a report that illustrates the long and short-term impact of any loan program on the borrower’s financial situation. The TCA incorporates real time rates, fees, closing costs, and program information and presents its findings using simple yet powerful graphical elements like charts and graphs. The TCA provides a level of clarity that is virtually impossible to achieve without the Mortgage Coach platform.

“The difference between using a TCA to explain mortgage options and using any other method is like the difference between having a film described to you versus watching it in high definition with Dolby sound,” explained Mike Hardwick, President of Churchill Mortgage. “Having been in partnership with Mortgage Coach and Optimal Blue for several years now, we’re happy to have helped thousands of borrowers make a better, more informed decision. These new capabilities will provide greater clarity, transparency, and confidence to any borrower – in a way that is faster for every loan professional.”

ABOUT MORTGAGE COACH
The Mortgage Coach suite of enterprise online and mobile applications enhance the conversation between the borrower, mortgage professional, and Realtor, enabling a confident mortgage decision. Thousands of banks and lenders rely on Mortgage Coach to turn borrower education into a competitive advantage. With Mortgage Coach technology, financial and real estate professionals provide clearly illustrated mortgage options with detailed financials, charts, video narration, and live updates on any device, ensuring an informed home loan choice. Learn more about how to add the power of Mortgage Coach to your lending platform by visiting www.mortgagecoach.com or contact sales@mortgagecoach.com.

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PRESS CONTACT FOR OPTIMAL BLUE
Robert J. Brandt
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Alliances
(469) 609-5585
bbrandt@optimalblue.com

PRESS CONTACT FOR MORTGAGE COACH
Jeri Yoshida
Yosh Communications
(310) 651-0051
jeri@yoshcomm.com

SoftVu Selects Optimal Blue to Create a Unique Client Experience

— Custom integration gives consumers a real-time experience when shopping for a loan —

SoftVu announced today that the company has chosen to leverage Optimal Blue’s powerful API to integrate robust product eligibility and pricing data into their unique technology platform. This highly-anticipated integration equips lenders with accurate and compliant rate quotes at an integral point of the homebuying cycle, providing a much-improved experience for consumers that begin the mortgage process online. Access to this comprehensive pricing data also significantly improves lead conversion.

“Typically, when a consumer starts thinking about moving, they go to a search engine, and poke around to get an idea of mortgage rates,” explained Nick Peeples, VP, SeniorVu Engineering. “They’re trying to determine what they can afford. Our integration with Optimal Blue allows SoftVu to enhance the consumer experience by providing a real-time tool that they can interact with which instantaneously provides them with the most accurate information.”

This integrative tool is the first of its kind for online mortgage consumers and lenders. It reduces the amount of time both parties spend going through the loan process online.

“Consumers have set a high bar for today’s online mortgage lenders,” said Bob Brandt, Vice President of Marketing & Alliances for Optimal Blue. “Online mortgage lenders have certainly seen consumer engagement and conversion rates improve when they combine modern online interfaces with full pricing transparency and scenario pricing capabilities. By fully integrating with Optimal Blue’s API, SoftVu enables consumers to interactively adjust financing assumptions and make informed home-buying decisions with real-time, compliant, and highly personalized loan pricing at their fingertips.”

For additional information or to gain access to this custom integration, please contact SoftVu at (877) 611-0104 or info@softvu.com.

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PRESS CONTACT FOR OPTIMAL BLUE
Robert J. Brandt
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Alliances
(469) 609-5585
bbrandt@optimalblue.com

PRESS CONTACT FOR SOFTVU
Valissa Smith
VP Strategic Communications
(913) 696-9700
valissa.smith@softvu.com

Ignite Leverages Optimal Blue’s API to Improve Loan Originator Experience in Leading LOS

— Advanced APIs and robust pricing allow for various loan scenario comparisons —

Ignite Integrations Solutions, Inc., sister company to matchbox LLC., a leading custom development software company to the mortgage banking industry, has further enhanced their partnership with Optimal Blue, the industry’s predominant provider of secondary marketing automation through the creation of a custom Pricing Scenario Worksheet. Through this unique offering, originators can significantly enhance their customer interaction and experience. The custom-branded form leverages the Optimal Blue API to provide live, accurate product eligibility and pricing that is presented directly into an industry-leading LOS. Comprehensive results provide up to three loan scenarios side by side, which can consist of different products, terms, down payment information, and more.

The integration of robust product eligibility and pricing via Optimal Blue’s Enterprise Secondary Marketing Solution, working in tandem with a highly-advanced API built exclusively for scenario pricing, delivers instantaneous results that satisfy a borrower’s need for immediate selection. Customers of Ignite and Optimal Blue can run various scenarios simultaneously, pulling accurate pricing back into the loan scenario form and ultimately presenting real-time options to their borrowers each and every time.

“We are thrilled to further expand our relationship with Optimal Blue,” said Frank Fiore, Vice President of Ignite Integration Solutions, Inc. “The modern origination workflow requires real-time product eligibility and pricing at any time, from directly within the Loan Origination System. Through this integration, Ignite clients can work more efficiently and provide real-time loan structuring options directly out of the LOS. Side-by-side scenarios, decisioning, and a client-facing document that visualizes all available options work together as an innovative toolset that yields a win-win for originators and borrowers alike!”

This progression is a direct result of the API-first strategy that Optimal Blue is taking to better integrate with the leading technology and service providers used throughout the mortgage industry. “The assembly of our best-in-class API and accurate pricing, paired with the unique user interface that Ignite has pioneered, provides originators with the time-saving advantage to compare multiple options at once,” explained Chazz Huston, Strategic Alliances Manager at Optimal Blue. “Together, we have seamlessly simplified a once time-consuming and tedious process that required substantial effort. I foresee this type of partnership continuing to advance our industry.”

ABOUT IGNITE INTEGRATION SOLUTIONS, INC
Ignite Integration Solutions, Inc. is a custom software development partner to the mortgage industry. Its team is comprised of mortgage experts who provide the grass roots feedback on development requirements and experienced developers who have deep knowledge in mortgage integration capabilities. This combination of talent provides the foundation for state of the art mortgage technology innovation and development of products that support the industry. Ignite supports a full library of Encompass-based tools as well as a full complement of custom integration and development options for clients and vendors alike. For more information, please visit www.igniteintegrationsolutions.com or contact Frank Fiore at ffiore@igniteintegrationsolutions.com.

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PRESS CONTACT FOR OPTIMAL BLUE
Robert J. Brandt
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Alliances
(469) 609-5585
bbrandt@optimalblue.com

PRESS CONTACT FOR MATCHBOX LLC
Frank Fiore
Vice President
(516) 802-7375
ffiore@igniteintegrationsolutions.com