Two years ago, Figure Lending utilized the Provenance blockchain to record mortgage ownership through its Digital Asset Registration Technologies (DART) solution in collaboration with asset manager Apollo. Now, DART is being introduced to lending partners, marking a significant advancement in mortgage transaction processing.
Understanding Figure’s Diverse Offerings
Figure, a multifaceted company, founded Figure Technology Services, which developed the Provenance blockchain. Its subsidiary, Figure Lending, specializes in home equity loans (HELOCs) with a lending volume of $9 billion to date. Additionally, Figure packages some of these loans as asset-backed securities (ABS), which are tokenized on the Provenance blockchain.
DART: Streamlining Loan Origination and Transactions
DART is one of Figure’s offerings, providing a comprehensive solution for originating, pledging, and selling loans. Utilizing eNotes, a type of promissory note, loans are transferred as non-fungible tokens on the DART platform, offering greater efficiency compared to traditional methods. With e-signatures and blockchain technology, transactions on DART are instantaneous, eliminating settlement risks and the need for manual reconciliations.
Challenging the Dominance of MERS
In the U.S. home lending sector, the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS) registry system holds sway. However, rather than updating public registries with each mortgage transfer, MERS logs the new owner while acting as the nominee for the true lender. Despite its dominance, DART poses a significant challenge to MERS, offering enhanced safeguards, transparency, and efficiency in mortgage transactions.
President’s Perspective on Transformative Opportunity
Jackie Frommer, President of Figure Technology Solutions, views the introduction of DART to partners as a transformative opportunity for the mortgage industry. She believes that expanding DART’s usage will not only enhance safeguards and transparency but also streamline transaction processing, benefiting all stakeholders involved.
Expanding Product Offerings and Partnerships
While initially supporting HELOCs, DART plans to extend its support to other loan products beyond home loans. Synergy One Lending is the first partner to adopt this innovative solution, signaling a promising future for DART in the mortgage industry.
Beyond Lending: Ventures in Payments and Crypto
Apart from its lending activities, Figure ventures into payments and cryptocurrency. Recently, it introduced Figure Markets and launched a crypto lending product, leveraging its existing mortgage licenses to offer loans against crypto holdings. Figure Markets has secured funding, and Figure Technology Services has filed with the SEC to list on the stock market, indicating further growth and expansion plans.
Conclusion
Figure’s DART solution represents a significant advancement in the mortgage industry, offering a streamlined and efficient platform for loan origination and transactions. With its innovative approach and commitment to transparency and efficiency, DART is poised to revolutionize mortgage processing, benefiting lenders, borrowers, and stakeholders across the industry.