Mortgage closings moved out of the office years ago to places more convenient for borrowers. Now, technology allows closing to occur without all the parties being present in the same place. United Wholesale Mortgage claims to be the first lender to have completed a “virtual e-closing” with a refinance that closed at the end of July. The lender allowed the borrowers and notary to use webcam technology and electronically sign all of the closing documents. Previously, lenders offering e-closings have required some in-person contact with a notary to e-sign closing documents. “This ultimately eliminates...
With the troubles from the financial crisis fading in the rear-view mirror, the residential mortgage servicing industry could be on “the edge of glory,” if companies can elevate their game and keep it at a high level, according to analysts with S&P Global Ratings. “The financial crisis left mortgage servicing hanging on a moment of truth,” they said in a new report. “This led to substantial changes in the industry in the past 10 years, the effects of which are still being felt today.” The changes included...
Companies looking to acquire servicing via bulk transfers need to be mindful of how the transaction will impact borrowers, according to analysts at Strategic Mortgage Finance Group. Officials at Stratmor warned that a poorly executed transfer can significantly reduce servicing value as dissatisfied borrowers are unlikely to refinance with the lender/servicer. Michael Grad, a senior partner at the firm, said a servicing operation that maintains a strong borrower relationship and ...
Ginnie Mae this week announced that processing and issuance of its Platinum MBS are now fully automated – a key step in modernizing the agency’s aging technology and infrastructure. Automated processing will allow current issuers to increase their Platinum volumes as well as potentially draw new issuers into the program, the agency said. Under Ginnie’s Multiclass Securities Program, participating issuers may pool MBS into a single Platinum trust, which issues securities based on the pool. Automation went...