In this conversation, Shelley Leonard and Sasha Stair break down the company’s latest product moves — from intelligent Verification to the groundbreaking FICO Score Simulator. A smarter future for lending.

A new era of mortgage verification

Leonard, who has spent over 30 years in the mortgage fintech industry, shared what motivated her to join the company after nearly three decades at Black Knight.

“The opportunity to transform this piece of the mortgage market into something that can help lenders reduce costs and better serve their consumers was too compelling to pass up,” Leonard said. “Our goal is to innovate while ensuring compliance and regulatory standards are met.”

CMO Sasha Stair, who joined Xactus in October, echoed this sentiment. “I was drawn to the leadership team and the company’s culture,” she said. “The verification space needed to be redefined, and I saw the vision that Shelly and the team had. I knew immediately it was the right place for me.”

Introducing intelligent verification

“We’ve developed Xactus 360, our intelligent verification platform, which helps lenders use data more efficiently,” Leonard explained. “That might sound counterintuitive — why would a company that sells data want to reduce its consumption? The answer is simple: We want to make the market as efficient and cost-effective as possible while improving consumer outcomes.”

“The cost of mortgage origination has been increasing dramatically, and verification expenses have been a big part of that,” Leonard noted. “We’re addressing these rising costs by eliminating waste and using data-driven insights to streamline the process.”

Marketing the future of verification

For Xactus, getting the word out about intelligent verification is crucial.

“We’ve got the IVP (Intelligent Verification Platform) branding on our shirts at this event,” Stair said. “It’s a conversation starter. No one knows what IVP is, and that’s exactly the point. They ask, ‘What is an IVP?’ and we’re able to explain why every lender should have one.”

Xactus is also taking a multi-channel approach to marketing. “We’re leveraging digital campaigns, email outreach, one-on-one meetings, and partnerships with media outlets like HousingWire to tell this story,” Stair said. “Lenders have CRMs, LOS platforms, and servicing systems. Now, we’re making sure they also have a verification platform that reduces costs and improves efficiency.”

FICO partnership: The mortgage score simulator

Xactus has also partnered with FICO to launch a mortgage score simulator, a tool designed to help lenders and consumers optimize credit scores for better loan qualification.

“We worked closely with FICO because they know their scoring models better than anyone,” Leonard said. “By combining their simulator with our credit data, we’re giving lenders and consumers powerful insights into how different financial decisions impact their ability to secure a mortgage.”

Stair highlighted the consumer benefit: “For homebuyers, getting prequalified can be an emotional rollercoaster. If they’re denied or don’t get the best rate, they may not understand why. The FICO Mortgage Score Simulator helps them see exactly what changes they can make to improve their credit standing and access better mortgage options.”

A strategy for growth

Xactus is now carefully considering its next moves.

“Over the past three years, we’ve focused on organic growth,” Leonard said. “We acquired a flood company to provide our own data for flood certifications, but beyond that, we’ve been investing in our core technology, Xactus 360. Moving forward, we’re looking at opportunistic acquisitions, especially in technology areas that enhance lender efficiency and reduce costs.”

While Xactus continues to expand its offerings in mortgage originations, Leonard hinted at a broader vision. “We’re exploring how our solutions can be applied beyond originations—into servicing and capital markets as well,” she said.

Looking ahead

Xactus is committed to reshaping mortgage verification through technology-driven efficiency. “Ultimately, our mission is to help more consumers become homeowners,” Leonard said. “We’re creating solutions that not only make the process easier for lenders but also empower borrowers with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.”