Data and information management

For the digital mortgage to reach its full potential, lenders and technology developers still have to solve for the disconnect between the front-end application process and the underwriting work required before a loan closes.

Automated data validations are integral to a seamless digital mortgage experience. But the extent of data exposed in the Equifax breach raises questions about the risk of fraudsters exploiting those technologies to further compromise consumer data.

The Equifax breach has millions of Americans now thinking about freezing their credit to guard against identity theft. But those who act could be cutting themselves off from the nation's vast credit economy.

Senate Democrats' legislative bid to reform the credit reporting industry is tempered and balanced, according to analysts, which could help it gain traction in the GOP-controlled Congress.

The bill would create a federal obligation for credit reporting agencies to offer free credit freezes and prevent them from selling consumer information while a freeze is in place.

A mishmash of lawmakers from different parties and committees are wading into the aftermath of Equifax’s megabreach, with some using it to advance their policy agendas while others are calling for possible criminal prosecution.

Banks should not point blame at the credit bureau but rather should step up and demonstrate their commitment to their customers. If you punt the problem to Equifax, it suggests you don’t really care.

Senate Finance Committee leaders sent a letter to Equifax CEO Richard Smith scrutinizing the scope of the company's data breach and its response.

Everybody say it with me, “Customer data is a liability.” And the Equifax breach shows why.

In order to compensate victims of the breach, Equifax is offering free credit monitoring services that include a mandatory arbitration clause, a measure Democrats were highlighting to lobby support for the CFPB's rule banning such clauses.

One lawsuit has already been filed against Equifax in the wake of its massive security failure. But that’s the just beginning of the consequences for the credit bureau and the banks that use it.

It's not just Equifax that needs to worry. The incident can and should be a turning point for the financial services industry, a warning that it needs to end its reliance on static personal identifiers.

Intruders accessed names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and driver’s license numbers in what could be one of the largest data intrusions.

It’s highly debatable whether the artificial intelligence engines that online lenders typically use, and that banks are just starting to deploy, are capable of making credit decisions without inadvertent prejudices.

Freddie Mac has gotten the green light for its appraisal alternative for purchase loans, and has released information about how similar automated collateral evaluations for refinances have performed.

With condominium lending rising, CoreLogic is now offering lenders self-service access to its condominium project review data service.

Using historical patterns to predict the next financial success or crisis seems rational. But beware the human psyche’s tendency to concoct order out of randomness.

A decline in overall customer brand perception has stalled mortgage servicer satisfaction, ending a multiyear trend of steady improvements, according to J.D. Power.

Borrowers can now self-serve when submitting application information at U.S. Bank, but the bank also has proprietary technology aimed at keeping loan officers looped in to help with product selection.

FNF Group has acquired Real Geeks to target single real estate agents unaffiliated with a team.