In The News

As a reputable thought leader and a premier financial services company providing data analytics and expertise, First American Mortgage Solutions prides itself on its media presence. Our experts are frequent contributors to industry publications and are often interviewed for other media outlets.

View Archive: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2022

• Bob Caruso of ServiceMac on Changes in Mortgage Servicing and Subservicing

  Oct. 18, 2022
  Source: MBA Newslink

  Bob Caruso, CEO of ServiceMac LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of First American Financial Corp., discusses changes in the servicing industry over his 30-year career. To learn more about the company, visit firstam.us/about-servicemac.

• Homepoint Enters Into Servicing Relationship with ServiceMac

  Feb. 14, 2022
  Source: homepointfinancial.com

  ServiceMac has entered into an agreement with Home Point Financial Corporation to handle its servicing operations. With this arrangement, Homepoint’s servicing associates will have the opportunity to join the ServiceMac team and provide Homepoint’s customers and broker partners with the same high-quality service.

2020

• 2020 HW Insider: Pam Forrester

  Sept. 1, 2020
  Source: HousingWire.com

  Leveraging her comprehensive knowledge of the post-closing and servicing space, Pam Forrester, First American Mortgage Solutions Vice President, Division Operations Management, works with clients to customize and execute business process outsourcing strategies according to their needs. 

• FirstMod-CLARIFIRE Integration Aims to Minimize Manual Touch

  Aug. 27, 2020
  Source: MortgageOrb.com

  First American Mortgage Solutions has completed a strategic integration with Clarifire that automates orders of First American’s FirstMod loss mitigation products and services suite for CLARIFIRE technology users.

• First American Title’s EVP Kevin Wall discusses three ways COVID-19 will change mortgage lending forever

  June 12, 2020
  Source: NEXT Mortgage News

  Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, companies across the globe have been forced to rethink their businesses—and quickly.

• 2020 HW Rising Star: Phil Sparling

  June 1, 2020
  Source: HousingWire.com

  Phil Sparling’s leadership in First American Mortgage Solutions’ title and settlement business line has driven substantial market share improvement. 

2019

• 2019 Rising Star: ​​​​​​​David Warner

  June 3, 2019
  Source: HousingWire.com

  David Warner, director of underwriting, has been instrumental in implementing underwriting standards that utilize data automation and technology at First American Mortgage Solutions.

• The Building Blocks of Title

  May 24, 2019
  Source: MReport

  Putting customers first is key, maintains title industry executives including First American's Chris Leavell and Kevin Wall.

• The New Technology Mix in Mortgage

  March 11, 2019
  Source: MReport

  A recent survey by Clever Real Estate revealed that 63 percent of this generation use their smartphone as a primary research tool while searching for a home, preferring to go to popular real estate search portals to find the right property. 

• Four Imperatives as Lenders Evaluate eClosing Options

  March 4, 2019
  Source: MBA Insights
  By Kevin Wall, President, First American Mortgage Solutions

  Momentum is building across the industry to offer eClosing options to consumers, but easily overlooked challenges can slow progress toward secure, scalable adoption of eClosings. 

• Technology Expands Property Valuation Options for Lenders

  February 6, 2019
  Source: HousingWire.com

  HousingWire gives nod to First American Mortgage Solutions President Kevin Wall's thought leadership on technology, data and analytics in its opener to the 2019 Mortgage Services Guide.

• Top 25 Leaders and Influencers

  February 4, 2019
  Source: MReport

  First American Mortgage Solutions President Kevin Wall was recognized among MReport's Top 25 Mortgage Industry Leaders for his commitment to innovation and customer service.

• Looking for Solutions

  February 1, 2019
  Source: DS News

  In the early months of 2019, default servicing continues on much the same path it’s traveled for some time now, with all corners of the industry continuing to try and find ways to thrive in an ongoing low-volume environment.

• Ellie Mae Announces 2019 Hall of Fame Winners and Finalists

  January 14, 2019
  Source: Ellie Mae

  Award Winners Honored at Ellie Mae’s Experience Conference in San Francisco. First American Mortgage Solutions to be honored as "Lender’s Choice for Best Service Provider."

2018

• For First American Mortgage Solutions, APIs are a Crucial Part of Their Business Strategy

  October 16, 2018
  Source: HousingWire

  First American Mortgage Solutions has made significant investments to modernize the underlying technologies that lenders use to build or enhance their digital strategy.

• First American Launches equiRisk^TM

  September 24, 2018
  Source: MReport

  First American announces the launch of equiRisk for home equity originations.

• First American’s Solution Provides a Platform to Help Achieve Digital Transformation

  September 4, 2018
  Source: HousingWire

  Our Digital Gateway offers lenders a single point of access to all of First American’s data and services.

• Women of Influence 2018

  August 1, 2018
  Source: HousingWire

  Felice Kesselring, Vice President of Product Management at First American Mortgage Solutions, was recognized as one of the most influential women in housing.

• TPO Products; OB/Resitrader Deals; New Tariffs Announced

  July 11, 2018
  Source: Mortgage News Daily

  Among Vendor Excitement, First American Mortgage Solutions announced expansion of the application programming interfaces (APIs) available through its Digital Gateway.

• 3 New Digital Mortgage Partnerships Everyone Should Know About

  June 1, 2018
  Source: HousingWire

  eOriginal partners with mortgage lenders, including First American Mortgage Solutions.

• How Data and Technology Innovation are Transforming Valuations

  May 9, 2018
  Source: HousingWire

  First American Mortgage Solutions president Kevin Wall contributes his ideas on the technological paradigm shift underway that is setting a new standard for valuations.

• The Future of Valuations

  March 1, 2018
  Source: HousingWire

  First American Mortgage Solutions executives Kevin Wall, Alan Hummel and George Opelka contribute their ideas to this article that discusses what automation means for appraisers and appraisal companies.

• First American Mortgage Solutions Improves Valuation Quality and Speed

  March 1, 2018
  Source: HousingWire

  First American Mortgage Solutions is changing the valuation landscape with its Smarter Valuations offering, a unique combination of assets that offers lenders increased efficiency and greater accuracy for a better, faster consumer experience.

• First American Acquires Bank of America’s Lien Release Business

  February 4, 2018
  Source: MReport

  First American Financial Corporation announced the completion of its acquisition of Bank of America's lien release business.

• First American Completes Acquisition of BofA Lien Release Business

  February 1, 2018
  Source: HousingWire

  First American first announced the deal back in December, saying the transaction would be completed during the first quarter of this year. The major deal makes Bank of America’s lien release business and its employees part of First American’s mortgage solutions division. As part of the agreement, the group will continue to provide lien release services to Bank of America.

• First American Mortgage Solutions Offers Servicers Convenience, Confidence and Certainty

  February 1, 2018
  Source: HousingWire

  Lenders, servicers and investors need to work with a partner they can trust. In a time when so many service providers are closing their doors, it is becoming increasingly important to pick a reliable company that will be there for the long haul. First American Mortgage Solutions offers convenience, confidence and certainty throughout the mortgage lifecycle.

• Data-enabled Technology Drives Smarter Valuations

  January 11, 2018
  Source: HousingWire

  First American Mortgage Solutions offers quality assurance, not just quality control. Kevin Wall, president of First American Mortgage Solutions, talks about how new technology puts the appraiser in more control in every situation they are in.

2017

• Rebuilding and Rethinking

  December 13, 2017
  Source: DS News

  With 2018 on the horizon, the mortgage and servicing industry is taking stock of what’s come before and bracing to meet the obstacles—and the opportunities—laying ahead. See what Kevin Wall, president of First American Mortgage Solutions, contributed to the conversation.

• First American Acquires Bank of America’s Lien Release Business

  December 10, 2017
  Source: MReport

  First American Financial Corporation announced the signing of an agreement to acquire Bank of America’s lien release business.

• First American Financial Buys Bank of America’s Lien Release Business

  December 8, 2017
  Source: HousingWire

  First American Financial just inked a deal to acquire Bank of America’s lien release business.
• MBANow: Kevin Wall of First American Mortgage Solutions

  November 14, 2017
  Source: MBA Insights

  Kevin Wall, president of First American Mortgage Solutions, spoke with MBA Insights staff about the latest industry trends at the recent MBA Annual Convention & Expo in Denver.

• Mortgage Industry's Tech Future is Evolving

  October 26, 2017
  Source: Scotsman Guide News

  Kevin Wall, president of First American Mortgage Solutions, spoke with Scotsman Guide News about trends in technology, the digital mortgage and the future of the appraisal industry during a break at the 2017 MBA Annual Conference.

• Data-Driven Technology Leads to Smarter Valuations

  October 24, 2017
  Source: HousingWire

  Kevin Wall, president of First American Mortgage Solutions, joined HousingWire at MBA Annual in Denver, Colo., to talk about how the company is using data as a validation mechanism.

• Digital Launches Kick it up a Notch During MBA Annual Conference

  October 23, 2017
  Source: HousingWire

  Among other companies making announcements at this year's MBA Annual Conference, First American Mortgage Solutions unveiled its new Digital Gateway offering to help simplify and accelerate mortgage lending.

• First American Unveils Tech Solution to Cut Appraisal Times by 20%

  October 18, 2017
  Source: HousingWire

  First American reported its initial findings after months of testing its new smart valuation offering, which integrates big data, mobile technology and reconfigured workflows to enhance the appraisal process.

• First American Mortgage Solutions Automates Appraiser Valuations

  October 18, 2017
  Source: National Mortgage News

  First American Mortgage Solutions is offering new data and technology support for appraisers aimed at reducing turn times for valuations and, in turn, closing times for lenders.

• First American Mortgage Solutions Named Vendor for Fannie Mae’s Day 1 Certainty Program

  October 8, 2017
  Source: MReport

  First American Mortgage Solutions is now one of a few vendors able to offer data verification for all three components of Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter (DU) validation service and Day 1 Certainty through First American FraudGuard^®.

• Making the Choice Between Fast, High-quality and Cost-efficient Appraisals?

  October 2, 2017
  Source: HousingWire

  Kevin Wall, president of First American Mortgage Solutions, discusses how lenders should be able to get it all without trade-offs.

• Market Makers: First American Mortgage Solutions Builds Data Assets Into Every Offering

  October 2, 2017
  Source: HousingWire

  First American Mortgage Solutions' industry expertise leads to unique, customized solutions for lenders and servicers.

• Corralling the Collateral Chaos

  August 28, 2017
  Source: MReport Daily Dose

  Chris Brinkley, VP, Division Operations for First American Mortgage Solutions, talks about the risks that come along with document management, even though it rarely gets the attention it deserves.

• Valuation Review 2017 Technology Report

  August 2017
  Source: Valuation Review

  See how First American Mortgage Solutions is leading the narrative on valuation technology innovation with features from George Opelka, VP Division Operations and John Forsythe, VP Division Operations.

• 3 Challenges to Your Business Today

  July 31, 2017
  Source: Valuation Review, reprinted with permission.

  John Forsythe, vice president and director of valuations at First American Mortgage Solutions, addressed key issues appraisers must face and maneuver through during their daily assignments. 

• How to Survive the Inventory Shortage, Step 4: Support Valuations

  July 20, 2017
  Source: National Mortgage News

  Kevin Wall, president of First American Mortgage Solutions, discusses how a need for data exists, even in a rapidly moving market.

• Comps, Appraiser Responsibility Examined

  July 17, 2017
  Source: Valuation Review

  Valuation Review interviews John Forsythe, vice president and director of valuations at First American Mortgage Solutions, about new regulations, policies and the overall responsibility of the appraiser.

• First American, HouseCanary Partner to Boost Home Price Data Offerings

  June 21, 2017
  Source: HousingWire

• Hummel: Appraisers Paid for Analysis, Not Data Gathering

  June 5, 2017
  Source: Valuation Review, reprinted with permission.

  First American Mortgage Solutions’ Chief Appraiser Alan Hummel addresses key topics in valuation, from mortgage and lending value to leveraging property data provided by third parties.

• 2017 Rising Stars: Todd McGowan

  June 1, 2017
  Source: HousingWire

• Industry Vet: Eliminate Term 'Trainee'

  May 22, 2017
  Source: Valuation Review, reprinted with permission.

  First American Mortgage Solutions’ Chief Appraiser Alan Hummel, one of the industry’s leading authorities on market value, trainees, and how perceptions can make or break the appraisal profession, spoke at the 2017 Valuation Expo in Orlando, Fla..

• First American Launches New Appraisal Solutions Technology

  March 20, 2017
  Source: HousingWire

• First American Mortgage Solutions at Valuation Expo

  March 18, 2017
  Source: AppraisalBuzz

• Tips For Making Clean MSR Transfers

  February 2017
  Source: Servicing Management

• Looking Back – Looking Forward

  February 2017
  Source: Secondary Marketing Executive

• First American Mortgage Solutions Brings Clarity and Insight to Servicing

  Feb. 1, 2017
  Source: HousingWire

• Chief Appraiser Gains Visibility

  January 30, 2017
  Source: Valuation Review, reprinted with permission.

  As First American Mortgage Solutions has taken a more visible role in the appraisal industry, Chief Appraiser Alan Hummel has gained notice for his work. 

• Valuation Visionary 2017 Winner – Alan Hummel, SRA

  January 6, 2017
  Source: AppraisalBuzz

2016

• 2016 HW Vanguard Award Winners - Kevin Wall, President First American Mortgage Solutions

  Dec. 1, 2016
  Source: HousingWire

• First American Mortgage Solutions Utilizes a Broad Growth Strategy

  Dec. 1, 2016
  Source: HousingWire

• How Might A Trump Presidency Impact The Mortgage Industry?

  Nov. 16, 2016
  Source: MortgageOrb

• Preparing for the Future

  Nov. 7, 2016
  Source: Appraisal Buzz

• The Fraud File

  October 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• Residential Briefs: First American Partners with LendingQB

  Oct. 5, 2016
  Source: MBA Newslink

• Fraud as a Compliance Issue

  Oct. 4, 2016
  Source: MBA Newslink

• The Fraud File

  September 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• The Fraud File

  August 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• The Fraud File

  July 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• How the Presidential Election Could Play Out for the Mortgage Banking Industry

  June 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine
  Author: Kurt Pfotenhauer, Vice Chairman, First American Title Insurance Company

• The Fraud File

  June 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• A Sit-Down With Forsythe Appraisals

  June 1, 2016
  Original Source: Appraisal Buzz

• The Fraud File

  May 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• The Fraud File

  April 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• Taking Quality Beyond Regulatory Requirements with ISO 9001

  March 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine
  Author: Kevin Wall, President, First American Mortgage Solutions

• The Fraud File

  March 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• Seizing the Home-Equity Opportunity

  February 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine
  Author: Chris Brinkley, Vice President of Division Operations, First American Mortgage Solutions

• The Fraud File

  February 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• First American Mortgage Solutions Brings Clarity to Business Decisions

  February 2016
  Source: HousingWire
  Commentary from: Kevin Wall, President; Eric Friedman, COO; and Nick Volpe,
  Vice President of Product Management

• Deciphering the ‘How’ of Servicing QC Compliance

  February 2016
  Source: Servicing Management
  Author: Nick Volpe, Vice President of Product Management, First American Mortgage Solutions

• The Fraud File

  January 2016
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

2015

• The Fraud File

  November 2015
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• The Fraud File

  October 2015
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• The Other Side of TRID: Preparedness Doesn’t End at the Closing Table

  October 2015
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine
  Author: Kevin Wall, President, First American Mortgage Solutions

• David Kittle of First American Mortgage Solutions Joins Bruce Norris on the Real Estate Radio Show

  October 3, 2015
  Source: The Norris Group

• First American Mortgage Solutions Maximizes the Consumer Experience

  October 1, 2015
  Source: HousingWire

• TRID Aftermath: Resolving the Thorny Problems That Remain

  October 1, 2015
  Source: HousingWire

• Diversified We Stand, Divided We Fall

  October 2015
  Source: MReport, page 4

• First American Launches TRID-ready PredProtect Enhancements

  October 2015
  Source: MReport, page 11

• Mortgage Fraud Risk is Lowered by Operational Enhancements

  October 2015
  Source: MReport, page 38

• Barriers to Appraiser Training and How the Industry Responds

  Date: August 5, 2015
  Source: AppraisalBuzz

• The Big Shift

  July 1, 2015
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• The Fraud File

  July 2015
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• Trending Tech: Changing the Way Mortgage Professionals Work

  June 4, 2015
  Source: MReport

• The Long Game: How to Succeed in the Mortgage Business for 50 Years or More

  Date: June 1, 2015
  Source: HousingWire

• Title Professionals, Lenders Must Prepare for Industry Changes

  May 26, 2015
  Source: MReport
  Authors: Kevin Wall, President, First American Mortgage Solutions; John Hollenbeck, EVP, First American Title Insurance Company

• HELOC Resets: Opening the Door to New Originations

  May 4, 2015
  Source: Mortgage Orb
  Author: Felice Kesselring, Vice President of Product Management, First American Mortgage Solutions

• The Fraud File

  April 2015
  Source: Mortgage Banking Magazine

• Servicing Costs Rise Despite Lower Delinquencies, Reversing Longtime Pattern

  February 26, 2015
  Source: Mortgage Servicing News