TheMReport — News and strategies for the evolving mortgage marketplace.
Issue link: http://digital.themreport.com/i/1457838
26 | M R EP O RT FEATURE T he digitization of the mortgage industry has finally advanced to a stage where the question is no longer simply "Should we automate?" or "How much should we automate?" but rather, "What's the best way to modernize our processes?" Just as the industry's understanding of the need for digitization has advanced, so too has the number of available technologies and solutions. We're no longer talking as much about global solutions or off-the-shelf systems, either. Each mortgage lender has a unique way of doing business, unique clients, and unique needs. There is no single system—whether it's Point of Sales (POS), Loan Origination System (LOS), or closing technol- ogy—that fits the needs of all. While a good number of lenders have long since committed to a central LOS or other foundational technology, it's the de novo lender or new leadership faced with rebuilding a business that has more options than ever before, which means more opportuni- ties, but also, more potential blind alleyways. Building the Foundation of Your Tech Strategy N onetheless, even today, the initial building block for most lenders when it comes to a tech stack remains the LOS. This decision will be the heart of your tech strategy, and, unsurprisingly, making it starts with a decision- maker or team that clearly under- stands its own strategic vision, its long-term plan, and the culture of the brand. After all, the typical LOS contract, optimized for pric- ing, will lock a lender in for five to 10 years. When considering an LOS, start with the developer of the Navigating the Modern Tech Stack It's no longer adequate to pick a single mortgage technology and assume your every business need will be met. By Leah Lanier