Byte updates LOS: Kirkland, Wash.-based Byte Software has updated its BytePro loan origination software to version 3.0, and the update includes support for FHA risk-based premiums among other enhancements. The update also features a newly-customizable dashboard, the company said, including pipeline data and other loan information. The risk-based premium calculation feature may need to be shuttered after October 1; that’s when the recently-enacted housing bill takes effect, and provisions in the new laws contained in the bill will wipe out risk-based pricing for the FHA. It was nice while it lasted, right? (www.bytesoftware.com) MARI targets fraud: Mortgage Asset Research Institute, or MARI to the rest of us, has released a fraud detection platform its calling Loan Fraud Alert Service Pro. The platform assists lenders in discovering fraudulent loan applications prior to funding through a combination of comparative loan application analysis and identity risk management tools, the company says. “Lenders now have a tool that helps them ensure the loans they are about to make are not tainted by fraudulent activity and detect patterns indicative of fraud within their loan pipeline and other contributed lender pipelines,” says Tom Chmielewski. (www.marisolutions.com) MRG looks to streamline consents: MRG Document Technologies, a compliance and e-doc provider, has launched MRG eConsent, a solution that the company says “provides up-front federal and state specific disclosures directly to consumers in an electronic format.” eConsent eliminates the printing, mailing, receiving and tracking of paper documents. As part of the offering, MRG offers clients a private-branded Web portal for borrower use, as well. (www.mrgdocs.com) Ellie Mae gets Mortgage Power: Users of Ellie Mae‘s well-known LOS now have direct access to the Mortgage Power Network from within the company’s Encompass platform; MPN is a provider of information and tools for mortgage originators, and aggregates marketing tips and campaign templates, training videos and manuals, as well as providing community forums for brokers and loan officers. Access is not free; Encompass users will need to pay what wsa touted in a press statement as “a low introductory rate” of $97 for two months. No word on the rate after two months. (www.elliemae.com) LOS links into a la mode: MortgageDashboard, an Oklahoma-based LOS provider, has integrated its platform with a la mode‘s XSite product offering; the XSite offering is an off-the-shelf website and service offering for originators, with both free and for-fee pricing levels. Users operating with an XSite for their consumer-facing web presence can now export incoming loan applications directly to their MortgageDashboard LOS, both companies said. MortgageDashboard also will offer new customers a 20-day trial of the XSite for-fee product, the company said. (www.mortgagedashboard.com) MortgageFlex adds one: Santa Ana, Calif.-based MortgageFlex Systems, Inc. has added the Orange Country Credit Union to its client roster after a multi-year search for a replacement loan origination system. Credit union officials said the LOS platform’s ability to handle underwriting without customizations was a deciding factor. (www.mortgageflex.com) Cogent Road goes debt free: San Diego, Calif.-based Cogent Road has launched a new debt elimination planning tool within its Funding Suite platform’s Intelligent Credit Report. The credit reporting platform provides mortgage originators with a solution that interprets tradelines, detects data errors and predicts underwriting conditions for potential borrowers, while the new debt elimination tool enables originators to create step-by-step debt reduction plans for potential applicants during an initial meeting with the applicant. The company says the debt planning feature should help brokers and loan officers “provide more value and to position themselves as trusted counselors.” (www.cogentroad.com) Editor’s note: Tech Roundup runs each Monday morning, and offers a look at key tech news and trends from throughout the week. To have your company’s news considered for inclusion here, send an email with your press statement to [email protected].