Fidelity National Financial Inc. (FNF), a provider of title insurance, mortgage services, specialty insurance and information services, has announced the acquisition of Commerce Velocity. Commerce Velocity provides technology solutions to mortgage lenders, loan servicing organizations and investment banks that enable users to mitigate risk and optimize outcomes for their mortgage loan portfolios.Read more

Inlanta Mortgage recently collected more than $2,300 in donations for Habitat for Humanity at its recent annual conference in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Inlanta sponsored the dunk tank, while employees donated money to have the chance to dunk their fellow co-workers. “We always try to make our conferences fun, and this year we decided to include a charitable element. The response was overwhelming! Our employees were more than willing to support Habitat for Humanity for an opportunity to soak their fellow co-workers,” said Inlanta Chief Operating Officer Jean Badciong.Read more

National Mortgage Forensic Loan Auditors (NMFLA) , a firm that specializes in residential and commercial loan audit services, has recently opened its doors to homeowners and consumers allowing the public to obtain these services directly from the firm via educational products. NMFLA wants to expand and concentrate their efforts on helping the general population more effectively, obtain loan modifications and ensure enforceable loans.Read more

Guaranteed Home Mortgage Company Inc., a national residential mortgage investment and banking firm, has announced the establishment of a new office in Rockefeller Plaza to anchor its New York business and provide a base of operations to vigorously pursue a retail origination platform in Manhattan. Neil Bader, Guaranteed's national retail sales director and a Manhattan resident, will be permanently located there, supplementing the company's retail operations from White Plains, N.Y. to Manhattan to emphasize Guaranteed's commitment to the co-op and condo market.Read more

Walter Investment Management Corporation has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Marathon Asset Management LP to purchase Marix Servicing LLC, a high-touch specialty mortgage servicer. Marix, based in Phoenix, Ariz., is focused on default management, borrower outreach, loss mitigation, liquidation strategies, component servicing and specialty servicing. Marix is an S&P Select Servicer and brings relationships with each of the GSEs, as well as a management team which averages over 22 years of industry experience.Read more

Horizon Consulting, a provider of financial support outsourcing services, has announced a “Back to Basics” initiative to advance the cause of risk mitigation and fraud prevention in the mortgage loan industry through intensified quality control. Statistics show that misrepresentation and fraud continue to escalate in the mortgage industry, despite (or, in part, because of) advances in technology. Automation of mortgage loan underwriting has, in one respect, created a false safety net for loan evaluation and approval. It is also easier than ever to forge documents.Read more

Mortgage Builder, a leader in loan origination software (LOS) technology for the mortgage industry, has created the new client-focused position and has appointed Kelli Himebaugh vice president, client development to further invest in customer service as the company continues its record-breaking growth streak. Previously Mortgage Builder’s sales manager for the western United States, Himebaugh takes on a role that is a departure from the traditional sales role in many technology companies.Read more

Freddie Mac has named Subha V. Barry to the position of chief diversity officer (CDO). In this position, Barry will lead the company's newly formed Office of Diversity and Inclusion, with overall responsibility for the combined functions of Diversity and Inclusion and Supplier Diversity.Read more

Richard L. (Rick) Borges II, MAI, SRA, formerly of Seymour, Ind., has been Thursday as 2011 vice president of the Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional organization of real estate appraisers. Borges will serve as vice president of the Appraisal Institute beginning Jan. 1, 2011. The following year he will serve as president-elect, and in 2013 will become the Appraisal Institute’s president for one year, followed by a year as immediate past president.Read more

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, one of the country’s largest mortgage bankers, has announced that it is entering the wholesale market with select banks, credit unions and brokers. The company will build a national wholesale platform by leveraging its expertise in Federal Housing Administration (FHA), agency and USDA lending and the seasoned management and staff it has assembled.Read more