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FirstClose And Stewart Join Forces To Accelerate Home Equity Lending

Dec 15, 2025
FirstClose and Stewart Partnership

FirstClose has partnered with Stewart Lender Services to integrate home equity title, valuation, and closing solutions directly into its Order Management System, streamlining workflows and accelerating loan processing for lenders

FirstClose, a fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders, has announced a new partnership with Stewart Lender Services aimed at expanding home equity fulfillment capabilities within the FirstClose Order Management System (OMS).

The collaboration integrates Stewart’s suite of home equity title, valuation and closing solutions directly into FirstClose OMS, enabling lenders to manage ordering and fulfillment through a single, streamlined workflow. By reducing manual touchpoints and consolidating critical processes, the integration is designed to accelerate loan decisioning, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the borrower experience.

Under the partnership, FirstClose OMS users gain access to Stewart’s home equity data, property reports, title insurance, and an errors and omissions policy covering home equity loans. The offering also includes automated title decisioning tools and a streamlined curative process, supporting faster eligibility checks and quicker clear-to-close timelines across a range of loan scenarios.

“Our home equity fulfillment solutions are designed to help lenders move with speed and confidence,” said Beth Fowler, president of Stewart Lender Services. “By integrating with FirstClose, we’re equipping lenders with the tools needed to accelerate loan decisioning, improve operational efficiency, and deliver a modern, streamlined home equity experience for borrowers.”

The integration extends to Stewart Valuation Intelligence, providing lenders with access to desktop and field appraisals, automated valuation models, hybrid inspections, and analytics that support accurate property valuation and risk assessment. In addition, Stewart’s signing and closing services offer flexible execution options, including mobile notary, remote online notarization, and in-person electronic notarization.

“Partnering with Stewart Lender Services strengthens the value of our Order Management System by giving lenders direct access to a broader set of integrated home equity solutions,” said Tedd Smith, CEO of FirstClose. “By unifying data, title, valuation, and closing workflows in one platform, lenders can shorten cycle times, better manage risk, and drive growth in the evolving home equity market.”


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Dec 15, 2025
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