Exclusive: PLACE acquires Ardley, adds AI recapture tech tool

PLACE has acquired Ardley, a recapture and retention software provider for independent mortgage companies and banks, the companies announced Friday. Financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition, which grows PLACE’s mortgage footprint, follows purchases of Maxwell, Remine, Envoy Mortgage and multiple divisions of Radian Group. It’s part of a strategy to create a connected ecosystem that covers borrower acquisition, origination, fulfillment, servicing, valuation, portfolio intelligence, retention and transaction services. Ardley’s software analyzes existing loan portfolios and sends prestructured loan offers to customers, helping lenders convert servicing relationships into new originations and keep borrowers from refinancing or taking out additional loans with competitors. “Ardley adds the intelligence layer to help lenders turn existing customer relationships into their next loan, rather than starting from scratch every time,” Chris Stuart, president of PLACE, said in an email to HousingWire. The deal is “a retention and growth play,” Stuart added. “Servicing portfolios are a starting point, but the value is helping lenders keep the customer and earn their next transaction. ...