As
part
of
the
effort
to
better
support
IMBs,
Blend
has
launched
a
dedicated
business
unit
that
is
focused
on
delivering
tailored

technology
and
support.
It
will
be
led
by
Justin
Venhousen,
the
newly
appointed
general
manager
of
Blend’s
IMB
division.

Before
joining
Blend,
Venhousen
spent
more
than
12
years
at

Compass
Mortgage
as
its
chief
operating
officer.

“Having
spent
more
than
a
decade
at
a
mortgage
lender,
I’ve
experienced
the
challenges
our
customers
face
firsthand,”
Venhousen
said
in
a
statement.
“I
understand
the
operational
pressures
and
the
importance
of
supporting
branch-level
efficiency
within
a
compliant
framework.

“That
perspective
helps
guide
our
approach
as
we
design
technology
solutions
that
are
adaptable,
scalable,
and
built
to
support
the
way
IMBs
operate,
while
maintaining
consistency
and
control
across
the
organization.”

Blend’s
developed
enhancements
—
some
of
which
are
already
live
at
CrossCountry
Mortgage,
with
others
set
to
launch
in
2025
—
include
branch-
and
LO-level
configurations.
These
allow
CrossCountry
to
tailor
workflows,
branding
and
operational
settings
at
the
branch
level
to
maintain
consistency
across
its
branches.
Other
advantages
include
increased
disclosure
package
functionality
and
hybrid

closing
safeguards
such
as
improved
eSign
visibility.

CrossCountry
COO
Jennifer
Stracensky
touted
the
“new
standard”
that
the
partnership
is
setting
for

homebuying
accessibility.

“We’re
proud
to
partner
with
Blend
to
develop
purpose-built
solutions
and
advanced
tools
that
empower
our
loan
officers
to
better
serve
borrowers,”
Stracensky
said.

“By
working
together
to
develop
solutions
like
branch-level
configurability
and
seamless
disclosures
within
Blend,
we’re
not
just
optimizing
our
own
operations
—
we’re
helping
set
a
new
standard
for
the
home
lending
process,
making
it
easier
and
more
accessible
for
borrowers
and
communities
across
the
U.S.”