Building an AI Underwriting Copilot for Encompass
An AI copilot that lives natively inside Encompass — what it does today, where it's going, and how to get in on the first wave.
By William Schoeffler, CEO at Hitch Equity
The Problem
We've automated origination, pricing, disclosures, and doc generation — but underwriting is still manual. A Non-QM file with a self-employed borrower takes 60 to 90 minutes just for the initial review. Reading unstructured documents, cross-referencing guidelines, performing calculations — this is exactly the work AI does well. So we built a copilot powered by Anthropic's Claude, deployed as a native Encompass EPC plugin.
Why It Lives Inside Encompass
Separate tools fail because they break the underwriter's flow. By building as a native EPC plugin:
- Zero context switching — appears as a panel inside Encompass
- Direct data access — reads loan fields and documents from the file, no re-uploading
- Built-in audit trail — findings write back to Encompass notes
- Simpler IT approval — runs within your existing security framework
What It Does Today
- Document intelligence — reads bank statements, tax returns, and P&Ls. Identifies deposits, categorizes income, flags unusual transactions, reconciles across documents. Saves 30-45 minutes per file.
- Guideline cross-referencing — ingests investor guidelines and matches them against the loan file in real time. Picks up guideline changes without reprogramming rules.
- Income calculation — calculates qualifying income using each investor's methodology (12-month, 24-month, declining income, depreciation add-backs) with side-by-side comparison.
- Conversational interface — underwriters ask questions in plain language and get specific, guideline-referenced answers.
Roadmap
- Multi-investor deal structuring — surface the best investor options with rate, LTV, and condition trade-offs
- Condition clearing — review docs against outstanding conditions automatically
- Pre-underwrite at POS — instant AI assessment at application, not just a pricing quote
- Full Agency coverage — Fannie, Freddie, FHA, VA alongside Non-QM
Early Access — Now Open
We're opening the first wave to a limited number of Encompass shops originating Non-QM volume. This is how the first lenders are getting ahead:
- Priority deployment — live in your environment with your guidelines
- Shape the roadmap — first-wave lenders have direct input on what ships next
- Founding pricing and white-glove onboarding
Let's Talk
The lenders who adopt AI underwriting early will handle more volume, take on more complex deals, and turn files competitors struggle with.
— William Schoeffler, CEO, Hitch Equity
FAQ
- What is an Encompass EPC plugin?
- A native integration that runs inside ICE Mortgage Technology's Encompass LOS. The copilot appears as a panel inside the system underwriters already use — no separate login or context switching.
- What does the copilot do today?
- It reads loan documents (bank statements, tax returns, P&Ls), cross-references investor guidelines, calculates qualifying income per investor methodology, and surfaces findings inside Encompass. Powered by Anthropic's Claude.
- How do I get early access?
- We're opening the first wave of early access to a limited number of Encompass shops originating Non-QM volume. Early access lenders get priority onboarding, direct influence on the roadmap, and preferential pricing.
- Agency loans or just Non-QM?
- Both. The impact is most dramatic in Non-QM, where documents are more complex and manual effort per file is highest.
- Is borrower data safe?
- Yes. The copilot runs as a native Encompass plugin — all data stays within your existing environment and security framework.