Tag Archives: Attorneys & Title Companies

Ellie Mae, one of the top providers of automation solutions for the residential mortgage industry, announced today that David Robins would be joining their team as chief information officer (CIO). Robbins is the former chief technology officer (CTO) of NetApp, Inc.

The Collingwood Group launched a new risk management and compliance division, established with the January 2012 acquirement of GWN Consulting, LLC (GWN), a firm specializing in Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Ginnie Mae risk management and quality control.

The Bankrate.com Financial Security Index made a leap in its recent release in January, from measuring a 95.8 in December to a 97.3, which is reported to be the highest score since June 2011, when the score was a reported 97.8. However, despite the seemingly positive outlook, consumers continue to feel uneasy with their financial security. Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate.com's senior financial analyst, says, "Each of the components - job security, savings, debt, net worth and overall financial security - improved over the past months."

TMS Funding has added a new leader to its wholesale lending division. The company recently announced that Domenic Melillo has been hired as TMS Funding's vice president of wholesale lending.

Graystone Mortgage and Appraisal Logistics have announced the continuation of their standing partnership. Currently, Appraisal Logistics facilitates compliance and risk management for Graystone.

Former Fannie Mae CEO Daniel Mudd resigned from his role as CEO of Fortress Investment Group Wednesday amid ongoing controversy related to a Securities and Exchange Commission suit. The company announced his resignation in a statement, not long after Mudd had decided to take a leave of absence from his role.

President Barack Obama used his State of the Union address Wednesday to tout his accomplishments and propose several new housing ventures, including possible expansions to refinance programs, consumer financial protection, and new federal initiatives to combat abusive lending practices. The speech weighed in on risky lending practices in particular and went after Republicans for their opposition to his policies, including consumer financial protection. Experts remain on the sidelines about an expanded refinance program.

The uptick in existing home sales to end 2011 is, obviously, a positive industry trend, and a new study released by BMO Economics and Harris Private Bank indicates that the sales pace is likely to continue upward.

Avison Young is bolstering the leadership for its West Coast brokerage operations with the announcement that Martin McDermott will join the company's West Los Angeles office. McDermott, a commercial real estate broker, will focus on office and retail property transactions in his new role for Avison Young.

An awkward and slightly tense air greeted Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray at his first congressional hearing Tuesday, where the new appointee cast his agency as one that would strive to reduce duplication and increase transparency. Although careful in their approach to the new director, Republican committee members frequently cited their concerns about federal overreach, the constitutionality of his recess appointment, and interests for transparency. The CFPB can now supervise nonbank financial entities.