Phoenix-based specialty default mortgage servicer Marix Servicing is stepping up its efforts to help Hispanic borrowers modify mortgages. The Hispanic Homeowner Outreach Program (HHOP) is a partnership between Marix and the National Financial Services Consortium (NFSC), a group of minority-owned financial services businesses. The program provides servicers “advanced techniques to communicate with Hispanic homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments,” by helping bridge gaps in language, culture and understanding, Marix said in a release. “Assisting Hispanic borrowers, one of the groups disproportionately impacted by the current stress in the mortgage markets, is very important work,” said Marix president Rick Smith. “Marix has gladly expanded the reach of its borrower outreach programs, with the help of the National Financial Services Consortium, to improve home retention by Hispanic borrowers,” he added. Write to Austin Kilgore.