SharperLending Connects Appraisal Firewall Technology To Mercury Network For Increased Lender Control Over Real Estate Appraisals

Naples, FL — a la mode announced today a new strategic integration that allows lenders using mortgage technology provider SharperLending's Appraisal Firewall platform to place appraisal orders with any appraisal management company (AMC) using Mercury Network.

The single integration with Mercury Network gives lenders using Appraisal Firewall more control when selecting appraisal providers, and expanded coverage for areas when they need it. It also gives those lenders more options in complying with wholesale and investor requirements. The integration gives Appraisal Firewall clients instant and fully integrated access to a full list of some of the best AMCs in the business.

Mercury Network's customization options enable workflow to be streamlined on a client by client basis, so lenders can enforce their own business requirements within Appraisal Firewall with every AMC they choose. Payment for the appraisal can also be processed by the AMC, providing the lender a receipt immediately upon payment. In addition, the integration provides live status updates to the lender so they are kept in the loop during the appraisal cycle just like they are when they use their known and trusted Appraisal Firewall appraiser panel.

"The integration with Mercury Network gives Appraisal Firewall lenders instant access to an expanded list of AMCs with which they can work," says Dave Black, President and CEO of SharperLending, the company behind the Appraisal Firewall technology. "We feel that this is an especially effective strategic partnership because both of our companies have demonstrated a commitment to delivering efficiency and compliance technology solutions to lenders to make sure appraisal processes don't get bogged down."

AMCs using Mercury Network will see an increase in orders as Appraisal Firewall lenders get connected. "We're proud to connect our AMC clients with new business", noted Jennifer Miller, president of a la mode's Mortgage Solutions Division. "This integration is key to giving Appraisal Firewall lenders more control over appraisal vendors, while still maintaining a tightly integrated workflow with their current systems."

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. Mercury has been 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.

Appraisal Firewall is a secure, web-based technology solution for lenders to manage their own appraisal process by working with their trusted local appraisers and AMCs in one system to achieve management-level control and multi-department efficiency. Appraisal Firewall helps lenders comply with all appraisal independence regulations, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines, internal and investor requirements, plus GSE requirements for lenders to submit UAD-compliant appraisals electronically to the UCDP. For more information on Appraisal Firewall, visit www.AppraisalFirewall.com.

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About a la mode

Celebrating 27 years as a mission-critical workflow technology leader in the real estate and mortgage industries, a la mode's products are used by hundreds of thousands of appraisers, salespeople, inspectors, and lending professionals to power more than 50% of all residential real estate transactions in the US each year. a la mode's flagship product for the lending industry is its Mercury Network, the nation's premiere valuation Vendor Management Platform with over 20,000 transactions a day. In the appraisal sector, its TOTAL desktop software line is dominant, used by more appraisers than all other brands combined. And in the agent market, a la mode's Broker Reciprocity and Analytics products enjoy top-tier direct access to MLS listings and sales data via integration contracts with local boards serving more than 500,000 licensed salespeople nationwide.

a la mode is headquartered in Naples, FL, with additional offices and approximately 200 employees located in Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, and Washington, DC. For more information about the company, visit www.alamode.com.

About SharperLending

Headquartered in Spokane, Wash., SharperLending LLC, was founded in 1989 and was the first to offer a complete Web browser-based mortgage credit reporting system on the Internet. The company's proven technology has processed more than 500 million secure mortgage transactions. SharperLending has been processing appraisals since the late 1990s, with Appraisal Firewall breaking out of the company's settlement services technology into its own unique offering. SharperLending, LLC, has three divisions under its corporate umbrella: SharperLending Mortgage Services Division, the mortgage services and Appraisal Firewall platforms; SharperLending Credit Division, technology for the credit reporting industry; and SharperLending Solutions, the loan origination product packaging division. For more information, watch the Appraisal Firewall YouTube Video, call (800)452-1174, or visit www.SharperLending.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