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88 community banks, credit unions, private equity firms, and mortgage banks and is committed to providing a world-class customer experience to borrowers. Reliant Bank's selection of Round- Point as its subservicer is confirmation of this commitment, the company said in a statement. Jacqueline Weed, VP Operations and Cor- respondent Lending, with Reliant Bank, stated, "We chose RoundPoint Mortgage Servicing because of its best-in-class systems, customer- centric operating model, and robust report- ing tools. We look forward to deepening our relationship with RoundPoint as we continue to expand our mortgage product offerings." "Reliant Bank has experienced tremendous growth and success, and we are delighted to have been selected as its subservicing partner. is relationship helps Reliant excel at provid- ing comprehensive mortgage solutions while RoundPoint focuses on what we do best—ex- pertly performing our subservicing respon- sibilities," said Allen Price, SVP of Business Development for RoundPoint. Kevin Brungardt, CEO for RoundPoint, added, "As we continue providing a world- class subservicing execution to publicly-traded institutions, we seek partnerships with like- minded organizations that seek to promote and foster homeownership with innovative solutions. Our relationship with Reliant is a perfect example of this partnership objective." OKLAHOMA Gateway Mortgage Completes Merger Gateway Mortgage Group announced it has completed its merger with Farmers Exchange Bank to form Gateway First Bank, an Oklahoma banking corporation. "is acquisition and resulting transfor- mation is a very important achievement for Gateway," said Stephen Curry, Gateway's CEO. "By combining two successful Okla- homa companies to form Gateway First Bank we have created a robust foundation for future growth. Over the next year, we intend to deliver significant enhancements to the customer expe- rience and new products, while maintaining the superior service, great culture and nationally- recognized workplace we're known for." To fund the acquisition and support future growth, Gateway First Bank completed an ini- tial closing of a private placement offering, rais- ing approximately $40 million in equity capital. Shapiro Bieging Barber Otteson LLP served as legal counsel to Gateway for the acquisition and the private placement. Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. served as placement agent for the private placement. Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP served as legal counsel to the placement agent. Fenimore, Kay, Harrison & Ford, LLP served as legal counsel to Farmers Exchange Bank in the acquisition. TEXAS Partnering for Customer Benefits Hightide Settlement Services, LLC, a Tex- as-based provider of title and settlement services, is now offering eClosings through Pavaso, a supplier of digital mortgage closing technologies. Hightide uses its experience and expertise to tailor comprehensive, customized solutions for every title and settlement need. Pavaso expands the range of options available to Hightide customers and helps deliver faster, more convenient closings. e Pavaso platform breaks down tradi- tional silos and brings everyone in the home buying transaction together in the same digital environment, where they can seamlessly com- municate, collaborate, and securely exchange information throughout the entire closing pro- cess. Designed by industry veterans to simplify the closing experience, Pavaso can help save time, reduce costs, and streamlines processes. "Hightide is always looking for new ways to improve the customer experience and adapt to the demands of a changing industry," said Keith D. Murray, Hightide's President and CEO. "e Pavaso platform helps Hightide do both. Not only does Pavaso give our customers more choices and convenience, but it also gives us tools to maximize efficiency and remain competitive in the digital age." "Our comprehensive eClosing solution provides the flexibility to deliver a full eClos- ing, a hybrid closing or even a traditional paper closing," said Cheryl Baillis, EVP of Opera- tions at Pavaso. "We understand the impor- tance of the customer experience and believe in providing the ability to choose the closing method they're most comfortable with and that best meets their needs. Our goal is to add convenience to everyone involved in the real estate transaction." A New Regional Office for Planet Home Lending Planet Home Lending, LLC, a national mortgage lender and servicer, opened a re- gional office in Irving, Texas. As the company's first Regional Operating Center (ROC), the 25,000-square-foot facility accommodates about 130 employees and offers space to expand to house more employees. e ROC has five conference and training rooms, in addition to access to a large-scale meeting and conference center. Employees and departments previously based in Dallas have moved to the new of- fice. is includes legal and enterprise risk management, credit policy, origination support service, national operations, human resources, IT, project management, and servicing. "As Planet Home Lending grows, we can tap into Dallas' significant mortgage industry talent pool. It's also a central meeting location for our executives and leadership team who are based in multiple states," said Suzy Lindblom, EVP, National Operations. "e ROC gives us additional leverage in assisting our clients in Planet Home Lending's national footprint. "Dallas is an enhancement to our already remarkable sites, like Meriden, Connecticut; Tampa, Florida; Columbia, Maryland; and Rochester and Melville, New York. e Dal- las site supports our talented local mortgage processors as well as sales professionals in our regional offices and our national retention retail hubs." According to a WalletHub study, Louisiana has the highest per- capita total loss amount from climate-related disasters. The state was also ranked as one of the most unsafe ones to live in by WalletHub. KNOW THIS