Essex Mortgage, Gateway First Bank are latest to sign on as U.S. delinquencies escalate
February 5, 2024 – GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – WaterfallCalc, a trusted provider of accurate loss mitigation technology for small- and mid-sized mortgage servicers, announced Essex Mortgage and Gateway First Bank have joined its growing list of clients, bringing the number of mortgage servicers to sign on this year to 10. As other new clients have done, both companies selected WaterfallCalc to ensure agency and non-agency loss mitigation compliance amid rising mortgage delinquencies and property foreclosures rates.
WaterfallCalc is an intuitive loss mitigation application that evaluates the proper loan workout options for mortgage servicers, banks, and housing agencies, transforming cumbersome manual processes into an efficient, automated workflow. Servicers can tailor calculations to their specific needs and confidently evaluate any default scenario in a compliant manner.
“We chose WaterfallCalc to ensure our distressed FHA borrowers receive every opportunity afforded to them by HUD to get back to healthy homeownership,” said Nathan Sands, chief servicing officer at Essex Mortgage. “Understanding the complex nature of FHA loss mitigation can be difficult, as workout options must be offered in the specific order that HUD requires. WaterfallCalc simplifies the entire process and ensures we are compliant.”
“In our steadfast commitment to guiding distressed FHA borrowers on their path to revitalized homeownership, we have strategically selected WaterfallCalc,” said Nathan Sands, chief servicing officer at Essex Mortgage. “This sophisticated yet user friendly tool not only streamlines the intricate landscape of FHA loss mitigation options from application through claim but also ensures meticulous compliance.”
WaterfallCalc’s user-friendly interface seamlessly integrates with a servicer’s existing systems, while its per-loan pricing ensures scalability and cost-effectiveness. Clients can also suggest improvements to the application to make their processes smoother, and WaterfallCalc will adapt to their needs.
“WaterfallCalc’s ability to upgrade our system and their timely performance were key factors behind our decision to engage them,” said Gateway First Bank VP of Non-Performing Loan Operations Chris Wiseley. “We had to rethink our options with another vendor because they were not flexible enough to meet our evolving portfolio dynamics.”
Both Essex Mortgage and Gateway First Bank also use WaterfallCalc+, the company’s cloud-based, borrower facing loss mitigation portal that enables borrowers to submit loss mitigation applications from any device. WaterfallCalc+ seamlessly works with a client’s servicing platform and enables servicers to easily communicate with borrowers and offer assistance if a borrower needs help completing an application.
The growing utilization of WaterfallCalc mirrors a nationwide increase in delinquent loans. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the delinquency rate on one-to-four-unit residential properties rose to 3.62% at the end of the third quarter of 2023, up 25 basis points from the previous quarter. Meanwhile, foreclosure actions were started in the third quarter rose by 0.14%.
“Since our launch, we’ve enabled more than 50 servicers to ditch hand-written calculations or spreadsheets and streamline their loss mitigation processes, including title and document ordering,” said WaterfallCalc Founder Donna Schmidt. “With more delinquencies likely on the way, we’re proud to help Essex Mortgage and Gateway First Bank increase the speed of their loss mitigation decisions and ensure a completely compliant process.”
About WaterfallCalc
WaterfallCalc is a leading provider of loss mitigation analysis technology for small and mid-sized mortgage servicers. The company’s affordable, easy-to-use solutions enable servicers to streamline their default processes and stay compliant by quickly and accurately calculating the best loss mitigation options for distressed borrowers. WaterfallCalc’s cloud-based technology, WaterfallCalc+, enables servicers to help borrowers who apply for assistance directly from their mobile device, tablet or PC while tracking the loss mitigation process. The company’s solutions are integrated with Fannie Mae’s Servicing Management Default Underwriter, and soon, Freddie Mac’s Resolve. WaterfallCalc is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more information, visit www.WaterfallCalc.com.