FirstClose

Home equity lending is evolving fast and many lenders are still stuck with manual workflows and long cycle times. Next Wednesday, FirstClose is breaking down how leading institutions are modernizing operations, improving borrower experience, and closing faster, without adding complexity. Register for the webinar > https://hubs.ly/Q04n81Vp0

We're excited to announce that Andria S. Lightfoot, PMP, CSM, SAFe will be speaking at the Mortgage Bankers Association HELOC & Home Equity Lending Workshop on September 1. She'll join experts from MISMO, Optimal Blue, and Experian to discuss how technology, automation, and AI are reshaping the future of home equity lending. Going Digital: How Technology is Transforming Home Equity Lending 1:00–2:00 PM | Sept. 1st Hope to see you there! #HELOC #HomeEquityLending #DigitalTransformation

The cost of a home equity loan isn't just what you pay vendors. It's also the time your team spends chasing updates and rekeying data.   Across hundreds of loans, those manual touchpoints can impact margins, staffing, and borrower experience. The most efficient lenders aren't just cutting costs; they're freeing teams to focus on higher-value work. That's ROI worth measuring.   Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04nrPdT0

Still dealing with manual handoffs, disconnected systems, and slow closings? It doesn’t have to be that way. Join this live webinar to see how lenders are streamlining home equity workflows, reducing cycle times, and delivering a more seamless borrower experience, from application to closing. Save your spot here: https://hubs.ly/Q04n7GkM0

😎 We're headed to Naples for the Florida CUREN CONNECTIONS conference! Meet up with Rob Pommier and Darcy Hall to get the latest home equity insights, what's moving the needle, and how your credit union can take full advantage of the market by cutting down closing times to less than a week. Reach out to Rob to schedule a meeting or swing by our booth at show. Learn more here: https://hubs.ly/Q04nPsGD0

We are thrilled to announce Andria S. Lightfoot, PMP, CSM, SAFe as a HousingWire Women of Influence winner! As VP, Client Success at FirstClose, Andria leads client onboarding, implementation, professional services, and long-term customer success initiatives. Andria has brought a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and enthusiasm during her time at FirstClose, and we appreciate all she's accomplished so far. Help us in congratulating Andria for this achievement! Read more here: https://hubs.ly/Q04njHhH0

Home equity lending is at an interesting turning point right now. Rising volumes + higher borrower expectations are putting real pressure on outdated workflows. We’re hosting a session on how leading lenders are actually fixing this. What’s working, what’s not, and what’s next.  When: Wednesday, July 22 | 1:00pm CT Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q04n30sH0

Most lenders think they have a digital home equity process. Dan Kellett argues that most of them have a digital intake form. The difference shows up in pull-through rates below 50% in a market where homeowners are sitting on record equity and actively looking to tap it without giving up their rate. Dan joined Chrisman Commentary to talk about what's driving the gap. We pulled the key takeaways into a full blog. Read it here: https://hubs.ly/Q04lv47B0

Congratulations to our co-founder and CEO, Tedd Smith, on being named to the 2026 National Mortgage Professional Legends in Lending. This recognition is reserved for mortgage professionals whose careers have made a lasting mark on the industry, and Tedd certainly qualifies. Over more than 30 years, he has focused on one consistent challenge: reducing the time, cost, and complexity of loan closings. That work led to the founding of FirstClose, where lenders now close home equity loans in 7 days or less, and where financial institutions trust the platform to power their lending operations. It's a well-deserved honor and a reflection of what our team works toward every day. Read more:https://lnkd.in/gMEAVcVx