Academy Mortgage Corporation Chooses Mercury Network For Appraisal Management With Native XML Data

a la mode announced today that Academy Mortgage Corporation has launched a new MercuryDirect plugin, giving it the Native XML appraisal data needed for streamlined UMDP compliance.

The plugin runs an extensive set of quality control rules against the report while still on the appraiser’s desktop, so any issues can be addressed by the appraiser before delivery eliminating the back-and-forth process common in other solutions.  After the report passes the quality control regimen, the plugin bundles the final PDF with the original MISMO 2.6 XML file, and then delivers it directly to Academy Mortgage’s in-house management system.

No PDF extraction is used, since the MISMO XML is built from the actual appraisal file’s data, not the PDF.  The end result is higher quality appraisals, faster underwriting, and superior UMDP compliance without the delays and fees associated with attempting error-prone PDF conversion.

Jennifer Miller, EVP of Products for a la mode’s Mortgage Solutions Division said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Academy Mortgage to Mercury Network.  The new integration gives Academy the Native XML they’ll need for easy UMDP compliance, plus direct access to the largest and most qualified pool of appraisers in the country.  Academy’s commitment to the highest quality appraisals along with their attention to faster underwriting serves their clients and investors very well.”

“We’re pleased to be working with Mercury Network,” said Adam Kessler, President of Academy Mortgage. “Our MercuryDirect plugin gives our clients accurate, expert appraisals that are in compliance with the new GSE requirements.”

a la mode’s Mercury Network is the nation’s premiere Vendor Management Platform in the appraisal and BPO industries, offering both interfaceless “black box” MercuryDirect services and APIs, as well as “turn key” MercuryManaged web front ends for use by loan officers and compliance staff.  It’s used in both capacities by a lengthy roster of the nation’s largest lenders and AMCs, as well as by numerous community banks, credit unions, wholesale and correspondent lenders, and mortgage brokers, simplifying full compliance with appraisal independence standards and banking security regulations.  It’s been used by more than 200,000 mortgage professionals since 2002 to automate the full “round trip” of tens of millions of appraisals.  For more information, visit www.MercuryVMP.com.

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About a la mode
Celebrating 26 years as a technology leader, a la mode develops desktop, mobile, and Web tools for the real estate and mortgage industries.  a la mode’s mission-critical products are used by hundreds of thousands of appraisers, agents, inspectors, and lending professionals to complete the nation’s real estate transactions.  a la mode’s state-of-the-art offices are located in Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, and Washington, DC.  For more information, visit www.alamode.com.

About Academy Mortgage
Academy Mortgage is a leading service-oriented lender headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Academy operates 112 branches in 40 states and proudly provides FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, conforming, and non-conforming loan products.  For more information, visit www.AcademyMortgage.com.

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

Press inquiries, contact:
Molly Dowdy
EVP, Marketing
Mortgage Solutions Division
a la mode, inc.
(405) 359-6587 x 339