A new white label offering for home-equity lines of credit is designed to address a critical gap for smaller lenders who find it challenging to profitably originate low-dollar loans. Home-equity investment products could be on the horizon for the platform.
Hitch Inc.’s new white-label HELOC platform includes a loan origination system and a point-of-sale interface, while other services from other providers are embedded in the technology through a single interface, a written statement indicated.
“This iteration signals Hitch’s smooth transition from the direct-to-consumer market to a collaborative effort with independent mortgage lenders,” the fintech stated.
"After talking with them, we realized the tech we built out for Hitch could help them offer a hot in demand product they haven’t offered their clients or loan officers before – a HELOC."
United Mortgage Corp., which reportedly originated more than $2 billion in purchase financing and refinances during 2023, is the inaugural client that inspired Hitch to launch the service. With the platform, the company can originate HELOCs under their brand without redirecting borrowers to external platforms.
Schoeffler said that Hitch can process applications in a few minutes and fund a loan within seven days. Hitch noted the service addresses a critical gap for small to mid-sized lenders who have traditionally been constrained by rigid systems that make it challenging to profitably originate smaller loans.
Loan officers will have dedicated portal access where they can engage with clients.
"If your client wants a HELOC and you can’t offer it to them, the first thing they are going to do is go to another bank, and we don’t want that."
Hitch said that it aims to expand its product portfolio with home-equity investment solutions and a buy-before-you-sell product. Hitch will be competing with the likes of Figure Lending LLC, which is a leading HELOC issuer that leverages technology, including blockchain, for the origination and servicing of loans.
Schoeffler indicated that Hitch is already in discussions with its next group of white label client prospects.