Ying Wang, vice president, product design, explains why it is in lenders’ best interest to work with vendors prepared for the ICE Mortgage Technology® transition deadline and how ServiceLink’s EPC readiness is helping to lead the way.

ICE recently announced an extension for the transition to Encompass Partner Connect™ (EPC) - moving the final transition date to December 31, 2026, giving lenders more time to adopt a modern, streamlined technology stack and phase out legacy systems. While this extension offers flexibility, it’s not a reason to delay. All future features and enhancements will be delivered exclusively through EPC, meaning early adopters will gain faster access to innovation, improved workflows, and a better borrower experience. This extension is an opportunity to ensure a smoother, well-supported transition to take full advantage of the all the new capabilities.

Moreover, the shift modernizes how lenders, servicers and vendors integrate with Encompass®. The new cloud-based framework, designed to simplify workflows and accelerate innovation, offers real-time data exchange, improved reliability, enhanced security and reduced integration complexity. This translates into time savings, efficiency gains and opportunities to elevate the borrower experience. Lenders’ ability to take advantage of these improvements, however, hinges vendors EPC readiness.

Preparing for the ICE deadline

To support lenders and servicers through this transition, vendors need to invest in development and certification to navigate the challenges of managing dual environments in order to modernize their technology. Vendors who do so are rewarded with broader latitude for innovation and the opportunity to deliver richer, more seamless integrations – leaving them better able to serve their clients. That’s why ServiceLink invested time and resources into readiness efforts early on, and now offers users a full suite of solutions within the new API framework.

ServiceLink’s approach to EPC readiness

Knowing that our clients rely on us to be their trusted partner in digital mortgage transformation — to support them as they navigate through the phases of origination modernization — ServiceLink committed to achieving readiness well before the original Encompass legacy service ordering transition date. We quickly recognized the benefits of the Encompass API-first architecture to our partners and approached this mortgage technology API transition as an opportunity for them to differentiate themselves and keep moving forward as industry leaders.

ServiceLink’s efforts have included designing a refreshed, intuitive interface; working closely with them to collect feedback and continuously enhance the experience; and conducting rigorous testing and ongoing performance optimization to ensure the integration’s reliability and speed. The resultant EPC integration provides streamlined workflows, improved accuracy and reliability, stronger security and a smoother user experience. In essence, it provides easy access to our tech-enabled mortgage services that give lenders a competitive advantage. Further, our early efforts help ensure our clients will experience zero disruption during the EPC transition.

ServiceLink EPC integration features and functionality

Today, ServiceLink EPC integrations provide full coverage for lenders and servicers needing title and close, appraisal and flood services related to both origination and default transactions. These up-to-date technological capabilities empower lenders to speed their mortgage processes and continuously improve the borrower experience.

Accessing ServiceLink’s products and services through the ICE Mortgage Technology integration is as easy as adding ServiceLink as an option in the admin section — with no extra onboarding required. This accelerated process puts one-click ordering, real-time automated scheduling and transparent milestone tracking to work for the loan officer seeking support in any of the following areas.

Streamlined title and close

Easy ordering, accelerated title decisioning and instant scheduling move borrowers to the closing table days sooner for lenders using ServiceLink’s EPC title and close integration. Loan officers gain direct access to the calendars of our national signing agent panel so they can book an in-person or a remote closing in real time; then both lender and borrower receive electronic confirmations, reminders and other updates to ensure transparency throughout the process.

A full spectrum of valuation services

EPC users can also book appraisals instantly using the EXOS® Valuations scheduling functionality available through the ServiceLink EPC integration. Prior to scheduling, needed information is automatically pulled in from Encompass to create the order. The loan officer is given a recommendation of an appropriate valuation product, which they can accept or override by choosing a different product. Then they can schedule the appointment or empower the borrower to do so. Once an appointment has been scheduled, the borrower receives appraiser information — name, photo, and car make and model — followed by regular updates.

Automated flood services

Using EPC, lenders can set milestones to prompt automatic ordering of flood zone determinations, as well as default products such as Life of Loan and HMDA, so they are pre-selected when users go through the ordering process. The ServiceLink EPC integration also enables one-stop shopping so loan officers can upload documents, submit disputes and access servicing transfers all within the Encompass platform.

Embracing the ICE Mortgage Technology integration

As ICE Mortgage Technology makes this strategic shift toward a more agile, secure and scalable mortgage ecosystem, participating lenders and vendors have the opportunity to collaboratively elevate the borrower experience while helping shape the future of origination. ServiceLink is committed to supporting lenders through this mortgage technology API transition to fuel their ongoing success.

Learn more about ServiceLink’s Encompass Partner Connect integrations at go.svclnk.com/servicelink-encompass.

‍