Which companies are merging, and what professionals are moving? See some highlights in this update of the housing and mortgage industries.

Assurant, Inc. recently announced the release of a series of new products and product enhancements from its Mortgage Solutions division designed to address some of the challenges surrounding the rapidly evolving mortgage valuations and title sectors. This includes new valuations, mortgage technology, and title products and enhancements.

“Assurant partners with and really listens to our clients to understand the challenges they face so together we can adapt to market demands,” said Dan Hoppes, SVP, Mortgage Solutions at Assurant. “We are focused on innovation that enables us to meet our client’s need for a faster, streamlined appraisal process, while maintaining compliance and reliability.”
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HouseCanary recently announced a partnership with leading appraisal management company PCV Murcor. The partnership will further the expansion of HouseCanary’s Agile Appraisal Management Platform, a fast, flexible valuation platform with full USPAP and FIRREA compliance. PCV Murcor will leverage their appraisers and HouseCanary’s software to fulfill Agile Appraisal orders, accelerating Agile’s industry-leading appraisal completion time.

“We are thrilled about partnering with PCV Murcor to continue modernizing the appraisal landscape,” said Alex Villacorta, Ph.D., HouseCanary’s EVP of Analytics. “With the Agile Appraisal platform, appraisers can efficiently spend their time and attention on the key aspects of the valuation, especially when utilizing our integrated tools around comp selection and adjustments.”

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Calyx Software announced that all Calyx Point users can now access products and pricing information for 1st Tribal Lending programs, regardless of whether they have registered to broker loans with 1st Tribal Lending.

"In today’s competitive market, lenders are looking for new niche markets and programs to put their borrowers in homes,” said Bob Dougherty, VP of Business Development at Calyx Software. "This integration allows 1st Tribal Lending to increase its outreach to Calyx’s extensive user base, and, at the same time, provides all Calyx customers, even if they are not yet approved to broker loans with 1st Tribal Lending, access to the lender’s loan programs for Native American borrowers."

 

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ProVest LLC, a national process serving company, announced the purchase of J.J.L. Process Corp. Building 25-plus years’ success supporting the mortgage default servicing industry, ProVest has been expanding in the credit collections industry. By acquiring one of the largest companies in this market, ProVest has both strengthened its presence and proven its commitment to growth in this area.  

“I am really excited about this union and feel that ProVest has certain managerial abilities and additional resources that can only be of benefit to our clients along with their vast expertise in service of process” says JJL Owner and President Scott Levine.

In addition, ProVest CEO Jim Ward said, “We are very excited to have this successful team join our organization.  The acquisition will enhance our geographic presence and allow us to benefit from JJL’s extensive experience in the credit collection industry.”

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PHH Corporation announced that Madeline Flanagan will succeed William Brown as SVP and General Counsel of PHH Corporation, effective January 1, 2018. Flanagan has served as SVP and General Counsel of PHH Mortgage, since 2012.

Robert B. Crowl, President and CEO of PHH Corporation, said, “We are fortunate to have a 15-year veteran of the Company and someone as qualified as Madeline ready to step into the General Counsel role.”

Crowl continued, “She has extensive experience across a number of legal and regulatory areas and has deep knowledge of the mortgage industry. She is a proven leader within our organization and I am confident she is the right person to lead the execution of our legal strategy to support our overall strategic direction.”