Stewart in the Studio

For many lenders and title agents, eNotes still sound like a major technology project. But what if much of the work could happen within the real estate closing process they already use?

On Episode 29 of Stewart in the Studio, Brian Webster of Signer’s Choice returns to join Marvin Stone, Rich Kuegler and T.J. Harrington for a closer look at eNotes. They explain how smart documents, the MERS eRegistry and eVaults work together to make an electronic note transferable.

The conversation then turns to a “done for you” approach that lets title agents support multiple mortgage lenders without managing a different closing platform for each one. Brian walks through how existing documents can become an eNote, while the team explores the potential benefits of earlier quality checks, faster delivery and a more convenient signing experience.

Watch to hear what lenders and title agents should consider as they bring eNotes into their workflows.

More ways to sign should mean more convenience. But questions about technology, eligibility and workflows can make digital signings feel harder to adopt than they need to be for lenders and title agents.

On Episode 28 of Stewart in the Studio, Brian Webster of Signer’s Choice joins Marvin Stone, Rich Kuegler and T.J. Harrington to break down remote online notarization (RON), in-person electronic notarization (IPEN), hybrid closings and mobile notary services.

Together, they explore the borrower and credit union member experience, transaction eligibility and fraud prevention. Brian also shares how Signer’s Choice connects NotaryCam and Signature Closers to offer flexible signing options, including moving from RON to mobile notary when needed.

Watch through to hear how lenders and title agents can bring digital signings into their existing workflows.

AI is moving quickly across mortgage workflows, bringing new opportunities along with important questions about how it’s used and governed.

In this bonus episode of Stewart in the Studio, recorded on location at the 2026 MISMO Fall Summit, Marvin Stone sits down with Brian Vieaux, Amy Moses and Jonathan Kearns of MISMO for a timely conversation about FRAME, the Framework for Responsible AI in the Mortgage Ecosystem.

Together, they unpack why FRAME was created, how it helps organizations inventory AI use cases and how shared resources can make governance and third-party oversight more consistent.

Watch through to hear how FRAME gives mortgage companies a practical place to start and how industry collaboration is helping shape a more responsible future for AI in mortgage.

FHA default activity is picking up as the market returns to more traditional levels. For mortgage servicers, that means greater pressure to manage property risk, timelines and costs with fewer surprises.

On Episode 27 of Stewart in the Studio, Marvin and T.J. are joined by Jessica Thorne of Stewart Lender Services and Jason Myers of Mortgage Contracting Services (MCS) to examine what current default, vacancy and inspection trends are revealing about the real estate market.

The conversation looks at how property preservation offers a boots-on-the-ground view, how valuation helps servicers guide decisions and why clear title is essential to conveyance. Bringing those pieces together through shared data gives servicers a clearer picture of each property, helping them spot issues sooner, reduce handoffs and avoid unnecessary costs while keeping work moving across the default lifecycle. Watch through to hear what servicers should be preparing for as FHA pressure continues to build and how Stewart and MCS are creating a more connected approach to default servicing.

Mortgage delinquency is rarely the first sign of financial stress. That's why servicers pay close attention to what happens before it.

On Episode 26 of Stewart in the Studio, we explore the forces shaping today's mortgage servicing market, from rising consumer debt and signs of growing borrower distress to industry consolidation and growing operational complexity for lenders.

We break down the differences between performing and default servicing, why visibility and data matter more than ever, and how servicers are balancing risk, compliance and execution in an increasingly challenging environment. The conversation also examines the technology, workflows and vendor strategies helping organizations make better decisions earlier and operate more efficiently at scale.

Watch through to hear what servicers are seeing in the market today, where pressure is building and why the strongest organizations are preparing now rather than reacting later.

On Episode 25 of Stewart in the Studio, we take a closer look at the tension between increasing speed while attempting to maintain control. From post closing QC bottlenecks to gaps in ownership and workflow design, we unpack where processes tend to break when teams move too fast, duplicate effort creeps in or validation happens too late. We also explore how lenders are starting to rethink the traditional lending model, shifting quality control earlier, improving data flow and using better integrations to reduce handoffs and eliminate unnecessary friction in the lending process. Stronger upfront data, clearer ownership and more disciplined workflow design can help you move faster without creating downstream problems. By the end of the episode, we’ll show you what it takes to build this into a scalable process.

The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and reflects the opinions of the individual speakers at the time of recording. It is not intended as legal, financial, or business advice.

While our team members are experienced professionals, listeners should consult with their own advisors before making any business or investment decisions.

References to products or services are provided for informational purposes and do not constitute a guarantee of results. Stewart Lender Services makes no representations or warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information discussed and assumes no liability for any actions taken based on this content.

What happens when AI enters one of the most regulated, high‑stakes corners of mortgage lending? On Episode 24 of Stewart in the Studio, we sit down with Andrew Komaromi, senior director data, AI & automation for Stewart Valuation Intelligence (SVI). We examine how SVI is adopting AI and prioritizing trust, accuracy and governance over speed or hype. We unpack why SVI embraced AI with Sage, the proprietary LLM tying together client operating procedures, internal work instructions, overall pipeline metrics and order data. We also explore the principles guiding the team’s approach and how Sage serves as a “right seat expert,” supporting value decisions across the valuation lifecycle without replacing human judgment. Then, stick around to hear what’s currently in development and where SVI is taking responsible AI next.

The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and reflects the opinions of the individual speakers at the time of recording. It is not intended as legal, financial, or business advice.

While our team members are experienced professionals, listeners should consult with their own advisors before making any business or investment decisions.

References to products or services are provided for informational purposes and do not constitute a guarantee of results. Stewart Lender Services makes no representations or warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information discussed and assumes no liability for any actions taken based on this content.

Home equity is booming, but delivering it quickly is still a challenge for many lenders. In this episode of Stewart in the Studio, Marvin Stone, T.J. Harrington, and Andria Lightfoot of FirstClose break down why home equity loans still take 45–60 days to close, and how automation, integration, and modern workflows can reduce timelines to just days. The conversation explores how lenders can eliminate friction, improve the borrower experience, and compete in a rapidly evolving home equity market.

The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and reflects the opinions of the individual speakers at the time of recording. It is not intended as legal, financial, or business advice.

While our team members are experienced professionals, listeners should consult with their own advisors before making any business or investment decisions.

References to products or services are provided for informational purposes and do not constitute a guarantee of results. Stewart Lender Services makes no representations or warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information discussed and assumes no liability for any actions taken based on this content.

In this episode of Stewart in the Studio, Marvin Stone, Rich Kuegler and T.J. Harrington discuss how mortgage automation through Encompass Partner Connect (EPC) and Automated Service Ordering (ASO) is helping lenders reduce manual work, improve data integrity and move closer to a fully digital loan process.

A look at today’s servicing landscape, from shifting economic pressures and rising consumer debt to new technology and proactive strategies helping lenders manage risk and support borrowers.