As mobile usage continues to surge, several mortgage service providers, as well as a wholesale lender and an appraisal management company, are cranking out new mobile applications. But a bank study cautions users about mobile risks.
The growing popularity of mobile banking is driving an increase in the number of attacks on mobile devices, the American Bankers Association recently reported. The trade group said that mobile use has grown 30 percent since 2012.
Washington, D.C.-based ABA offered consumers who utilize mobile banking 10 steps to protect their mobile devices. Among the suggestions were logging out of mobile banking sessions, installing security software and avoiding malicious applications.
ABA also recommended keeping up with software updates and avoiding storing sensitive data on devices.
On Friday, United Wholesale Mortgage said it unveiled a mobile application for its mortgage broker clients. The application makes it easy to access rates, manage pipelines and obtain status reports.
“UWM’s new mobile application keeps our brokers in the know at all times by providing them with direct access to much of the functionality that exists within EASE (Easiest Application System Ever), which is our broker portal,” United Wholesale President Mat Ishbia said in the statement. “The use of technology and constant innovation are key components in how we make our brokers’ jobs easier. This mobile app is one of many exclusive tools that UWM has unveiled as a commitment to partnering with our clients.”
The Troy, Mich.-based lender claims to be the biggest wholesaler in the country.
Mercury Mobile, a new iOS applications, enables appraisers to respond to new Mercury Network orders instantly, a la mode announced last week. The free application works on Apple products, though an Android version is expected to be available soon.
a la mode, a Mortgage Daily advertiser, said lenders and appraisal management companies that use the applications “will see instantaneous turn time improvements.”
“Mercury Mobile focuses on a single yet significant problem: Eliminating delays in the appraisal ordering process caused by appraisers being busy in the field doing inspections on other properties,” the news release stated. “With the free app, appraisers can immediately accept, negotiate, or decline a Mercury Network client order. The app results in faster operations for any Mercury Network lender or AMC, and appraisers eliminate lost opportunities to accept orders due to being out on field inspections.”
A new mobile access platform was announced late last year by ServiceLink for its LoanCare Servicing division. The offering is available as a private label solution for servicers. Borrowers have access to account information, payment processing and servicer contact information.
Up-to-the-second training and resources are available to mortgage bankers on mobile devices through Atticmedia’s Mojo Central, according to a recent announcement. The product promises to help lenders be better prepared to meet compliance requirements.
A mobile application unveiled late last year by Mortgage Coach reportedly became a top-20 most downloaded mortgage-related application for the iPad and a top-30 downloaded program for the iPhone. The offering for loan originators “is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to revolutionizing the way loan officers provide customer service..”
