Spring Edition 2026
Sente Mortgage Employee Newsletter
Concierge
Have a question?
If you have questions on any of the Department Updates in this issue, please submit a ticket to: Concierge@SenteMortgage.com.
Branch News
- Cabot, AR: Awards in Excellence
- Dahlonega, GA: Charcuterie Boxes for Agents
- Houston - Upper Kirby, TX: Milestone Birthday Celebration for Lucas Arcizo
BRANCH NEWS
Cabot, AR: Awards in Excellence
Samantha Brown, Stefanie Lyles, Blake Lyles, and Tyler Keck attended the Greater Central Board of Realtors Awards of Excellence in February, where the Cabot, AR, Team was recognized as Platinum Sponsors.
Dahlonega, GA: Charcuterie Boxes for Agents
The Golden Team in Dahlonega, GA, hosted the I-85 Board of Realtors’ monthly meeting in February and provided charcuterie breakfast boxes and juice for the agents.
Houston - Upper Kirby, TX: Milestone Birthday Celebration for Lucas Arcizo
The Houston-Upper Kirby Branch celebrated Mortgage Banker Lucas Arcizo’s 30th birthday on April 10.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Accounting
Business Personal Property Renditions Completed
The Accounting Department has completed and reported business personal property renditions to each county where we have an office for the year 2026. Renditions are used by the counties to assess taxes that will be due later in the year on business personal property. Branches can help save costs if Accounting is kept informed throughout the year of any acquisitions and dispositions of furniture or fixtures.
Our next major departmental event occurs in late summer when we have our annual financial audit.
Closing
Now Drawing Our Own Docs!
The Closing Team is excited to announce that we're now drawing our own docs with the exception of Texas! This significant development gives us complete control of our files and provides extreme efficiency in our processes.
This change allows us to streamline operations and improve our service to clients, ensuring a quicker turnaround time and enhanced experience. If you have any questions or would like more information about how this will impact our workflows, please feel free to reach out.
Compliance
NMLS Updates
Important updates went into effect on April 18, 2026, to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) that impact all Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) and licensed Production Partners. These changes must be completed by August 31, 2026—well ahead of the 2027 NMLS renewal cycle.
Why is NMLS making these changes?
NMLS launched a comprehensive review of its disclosure questions in 2020, the first such review since the system's inception. The goals of the update are to reduce confusion in the existing questions, clarify terminology and definitions, and introduce new defined terms to better reflect today's regulatory environment. These are meaningful improvements that will make the disclosure process clearer for everyone.
What’s changing and who handles it?
The updates fall into two categories: items Compliance will handle on your behalf and one item you must complete yourself.
Compliance will handle:
- Work phone and work email will now be listed on your NMLS contact information record. Compliance will make this update for you.
- Remote work status must now be indicated in NMLS. Compliance will make this update for you.
Once Compliance completes these updates, you will receive an email asking you to attest to the information.
You must complete:
- Updated Disclosure Questions on your MU4 (and MU2, if applicable). All MLOs, control persons, branch managers, and qualifying individuals are required to answer the revised disclosure questions individually as this cannot be done on your behalf.
Your action steps:
- Watch for an email from Compliance asking you to review and attest to your updated contact information and remote work status in NMLS.
- At the time of attestation, you will also be prompted to complete the updated disclosure questions.
- All steps must be finished by August 31, 2026.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Compliance Team.
Concierge
Full Update of Ask Sente
It was a busy first quarter for the Concierge Team. One of our goals was to work closely with department managers to complete a full refresh of all Ask Sente articles and content. This included over 300 knowledge articles, instructional videos, matrices, and much more. Ask Sente is a great resource to find information quickly using a keyword search. We continue to review and evaluate content to provide you with information in real time. Remember that Ask Sente includes links to ADP, Alerus, marketing, all regs, and the quarterly newsletter. If you cannot find what you need, simply submit a ticket to Concierge@SenteMortgage.com.
Argyle Proving to Be a Cost-Efficient Tool
We've now worked with our VOIE/VOA vendor Argyle since June 2025 and continue to see very high completion statistics. We have 74% of our borrowers complete the verification, which automatically imports into Encompass and syncs with your AUS findings. We encourage all Mortgage Bankers to add Argyle to your nCino application link to streamline the documentation needed from the borrower. It has proven to be a cost-efficient method to verify income, employment, and assets. If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to Concierge@SenteMortgage.com.
Fun Fact: The combined Sente tenure of the Concierge Team is 39 years!
Human Resources
Benefit Provider Updates
Garner
If you're enrolled in a Blue Cross medical plan, your Garner benefit is ready to use—and it's free.
Garner helps you find top-rated, in-network doctors and reimburses you for seeing them—up to $1,000 for individual coverage or $2,000 for family coverage each year. To get started, simply follow the steps in the flyer to download the app, create your account, and add a doctor to your Care Team before your next visit. That's all it takes to start getting money back on your healthcare costs.
Need a walkthrough? Access the Garner resource guide for a full overview or catch up on our session with the Garner Demo and Program Overview on Ask Sente (it’s the second recording down below the open enrollment video).
Questions? Reach out to HR@sentemortgage.com or contact the Garner Concierge directly through the app or at concierge@getgarner.com; office hours are Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m. CT.
Higginbotham
We’re excited to introduce Higginbotham as our new employee benefits broker. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, Higginbotham is one of the nation’s largest independent insurance brokerages. They are especially known for their hands‑on approach and strong focus on supporting small to mid‑sized companies with customized benefit solutions.
Our Higginbotham partners are here to support you with any benefits‑related questions:
Ashley Moore
Strategic Account Executive, Employee Benefits
Office: 817‑984‑8395
Cell: 214‑244‑1806
amoore@higginbotham.com
Chris Schneider
Employee Benefits Advisor
Cell: 512‑417‑3627
cschneider@higginbotham.net
New Benefit for You: Employee Response Center
A new resource is now available to all Sente employees enrolled in our benefit plans—the Employee Response Center.
This dedicated helpline connects you directly with real people who can provide personalized support, so you don’t have to navigate benefits questions on your own.
The Employee Response Center can help with:
- Enrollment support
- Benefits information
- Eligibility questions
- Claims and billing support
How to reach the Employee Resource Center
- Call or text: 866‑419‑3518
- Email: helpline@higginbotham.net
- Bilingual representatives are available Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. CT.
- Messages left after 3 p.m. will be returned the next business day
We encourage you to take advantage of this added level of support whenever you need assistance.
IT
Be Seen in the Best Light
Is your image in Teams meetings the best it could be?
If meeting attendees are telling you they can’t see your face clearly in a Teams or Zoom meeting or call, the problem is probably not with the camera—or your face! Lighting plays a major role in how your image is displayed in online meetings.
A camera is very similar to a mirror in how it uses available lighting. Just like you cannot see your image in a mirror in a totally dark room, the camera also relies on reflected light to produce a digital image in a Teams meeting. Regardless of the backgrounds you use during a session, the position of the lighting on your “digital meeting set” can change visual effects and how you are seen on screen.
For example, in the illustration below, note how the light coming from the side creates a hemispheric effect—the shadows are darker on one side than the other:
Notice how the shadows on the face change when the light is moved to the back, behind the head. The camera is only able to pick up the illuminated areas:
The camera will be able to capture more visual information when the light comes from in front of you. The light should not be directly towards your face, but centered towards the top of your head:
You will want to be careful to not have too much light shining directly towards your face. The skin reflecting too much light will have the effect of “washing out” facial details. Just the opposite of not enough or poorly positioned lighting.
Try to use natural light as much as possible for online meetings. When adding additional lighting, the glow should be soft. Flouresent lights and incandesent bulbs with no shading can create harsher shadows, even if positioned properly.
We hope these lighting tips help you make the best impression possible in your Teams calls and meetings! The Sente IT Department is happy to assist you with any questions.
Marketing
Reflect the Sente Brand in Every Meeting
Did you know your video background is part of your professional brand? Whether you're meeting with borrowers, partners, or colleagues, using a Sente-branded background in Teams and Zoom is a simple way to reinforce who we are and present a polished, consistent image.
Branded backgrounds are especially impactful when your camera is on—and with the lighting tips shared by IT in this issue, you'll look great in front of these backgrounds!
Getting set up is easy:
- Download the Sente-branded backgrounds using the link below.
- In Zoom: Go to Settings → Background & Effects → Virtual Background, then click the + icon to upload.
- In Teams: Select the background filter icon during a meeting or call, choose "Add new," and upload your background.
[Download Sente Branded Backgrounds]
For questions about branded assets or other marketing materials, please reach out to the Marketing Team.
Processing
New Processing Manual
The Processing Department is excited to announce the launch of our brand-new Processing Manual, now available on Ask Sente!
While this resource was designed with our processors in mind, it’s built to support the entire organization. The manual includes a wide range of practical “How-To” guides, step-by-step procedures, and helpful tips that Mortgage Bankers and Production Partners can use to navigate key parts of the loan process more efficiently.
Whether you’re looking for quick guidance, a refresher on best practices, or a deeper understanding of workflows within Encompass, this manual is a valuable tool to help drive consistency, improve speed, and elevate the overall borrower experience.
Recruiting
Expand Your Referral Network Through Industry Events
As the spring season begins, it presents an ideal opportunity to focus on expanding your referral network and strengthening relationships within your local mortgage community. Engaging with industry peers through professional events can be a highly effective way to build connections and generate new business opportunities.
There are numerous events hosted by local Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) and other industry organizations. One notable example is the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), which has a robust membership base of approximately 58,000 loan officers and real estate professionals nationwide. With local chapters across the country and consistently well-attended events, NAHREP offers an accessible and valuable platform for networking and relationship-building.
In addition to NAHREP, your state’s MBA regularly hosts events, educational sessions, and social gatherings that provide excellent opportunities to connect with other professionals in your market. You can typically find a calendar of upcoming events on your state MBA’s website.
Taking advantage of these opportunities can help you grow your network, exchange insights, and position yourself for continued success in your market.
Secondary
Pricing Medical Professionals Loans
We launched Sente’s delegated Medical Professionals Loan Program in Q1 2026. To price these in OB, you need to select non-conforming as the loan type. If you have a borrower interested, make sure you check the ARM pricing. This product is designed to be an ARM—that is where it is most competitive and is mostly what market competitors offer.
Servicing
Have a Customer Moving Out of State?
If you have a borrower moving out of state where you are not licensed, please make sure to put in a ticket to Concierge to see if Sente can help with a new mortgage. We are licensed in 22 states and may be able to continue working with them. As a continued Sente customer, you could provide a warm transfer to a new house in their new home state!
Underwriting
Gateless Smart Underwrite
We are launching a pilot on new technology for processing and underwriting in Q2
Gateless Smart Underwrite sits in the background analyzing credit, income, and assets using the same documents and third-party reports you have already ordered. Smart Underwrite will add and clear conditions, making the process start to finish easier for gathering conditions upfront and speeding up the underwriting process time.
- Smart Underwrite reviews your credit report—it does the stare and compare for you, eliminating the step of reconciling credit, tradelines, disputes, etc.
- Smart Underwrite reviews income and provides calculations approved by DU and LPA.
- Smart Underwrite reviews assets and identifies large deposits to be addressed, as well as validates ending balances supporting cash to close.
We are excited to bring this new technology to everyone in Q2!
SENTE SPOTLIGHTS
MEET THE TEAM
Get to know three randomly selected team members who are celebrating their “Sente-versary” in Q2.
Jim Browarski, Senior Technology Engineer
Q: How long have you been at Sente?
A: 11 years
Q: Where are you located?
A: The Austin Corporate office
Q: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in IT?
A: I entered the PC computer industry at the very beginning, nearly 40 years ago. Growing up on a farm, it was 180 degrees from my upbringing. It was new and exciting, and I could figure out things that most others could not.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Sente?
A: The people! My co-workers are amazing! They are smart and hard-working. They inspire me to do my best so I can make their jobs easier.
Q: Which Sente Value do you reflect on as the most important?
A: Care So Much We Make a Difference
Q: How would you describe your job to a group of 5-year-olds?
A: I fix computers and protect us from bad people.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: I enjoy the variety of things I do. No day is the same. Plus, technology is still fun.
Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what type and what are their names?
A: Marvel the boxer
Q: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
A: Montana, with my feet in the river, fishing with my best friend. That, or anything involving my boys Freddy and Marek.
Q: What activities or hobbies do you have outside of work?
A: Coaching water polo for kids ages 8 to 18. I started out coaching my kids, and now I have hundreds I consider my own. To be able to impact a young person’s life, then watching them grow into upstanding, responsible young adults makes my heart burst with pride.
Heike Harviel, Loan Processor
Q: How long have you been at Sente?
A: Almost 10 years
Q: Where are you located?
A: Killeen, Texas
Q: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in processing?
A: It fell into my lap. A Mortgage Banker friend thought I would be good at processing and offered me a job.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Sente?
A: The collaboration between the different departments.
Q: Which Sente Value do you reflect on as the most important?
A: Deliver on Our Promises
Q: How would you describe your job to a group of 5-year-olds?
A: I check if people have a job and enough money saved up so I can help them buy a house.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: A happy customer at the closing table.
Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what type and what are their names?
A: I love animals but after going through cancer treatments and surgeries with two dogs, I am taking a break.
Q: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
A: Germany, to spend time with my family. And the times I can't fly to Europe for an extended vacation, I will settle for anywhere with a nice beach.
Q: What activities or hobbies do you have outside of work?
A: Going on road trips and spending quality time with my grandkids.
Stefanie Lyles, Branch Manager
Q: How long have you been at Sente?
A: 7 years in May
Q: Where are you located?
A: Cabot, Arkansas—right outside Little Rock
Q: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in the mortgage industry?
A: I accidentally got a job as a processor way back in 2000 and quickly realized I wanted to be on the front-end of mortgage, originating loans and helping people. I got that opportunity in 2006 with my first originator position. The funny thing is: No one believed in me back then, and I had to fight hard to prove myself capable of originating. Never give up when you know your own capabilities. It only takes one person to see your potential, and that can open doors.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Sente?
A: Sente always focuses on the solutions available, not the problem. This is unique in our industry!
Q: Which Sente Value do you reflect on as the most important?
A: Always Do The Right Thing!
Q: How would you describe your job to a group of 5-year-olds?
A: Imagine you really want a brand-new bicycle, but it costs $100 and you only have $5 in your piggy bank.
That's where I come in!
I'm like a money helper. I work at a place that has lots and lots of money saved up. When a grown-up wants to buy a house—which costs WAY more than a bicycle, like hundreds of thousands of dollars—they usually don't have all that money sitting around. So, they come to me!
Here's what happens:
The grown-up finds a house they love and wants to buy it.
They ask me for help getting the money.
I check to make sure they're good at paying money back—like if you borrowed a crayon from a friend, did you give it back?
My company lends them the money to buy the house.
Every month, the grown-up pays back a little bit—kind of like returning one dollar at a time until the whole $100 is paid back.
I help them through every single step so it's not scary or confusing.
The grown-up gets to live in their house right away, even before they've paid it all back. And I make sure everything goes smoothly so their dream of having a home comes true.
I'm basically a house-dream helper!
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: I love helping first-time homebuyers make their first step to building wealth. The most exciting part is having those clients return a few years later with life-changing equity. Helping that same borrower purchase their forever home down the road is an awesome feeling.
Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what type and what are their names?
A: We have a Yorkie named Tajh and a Boykin Spaniel named Crash
Q: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
A: Any tropical island far away with lots of sun!
Q: What activities or hobbies do you have outside of work?
A: I love gardening, being in the great outdoors, bird-watching, and antiquing! I am also a pianist and enjoy playing all types of music.
WELCOME TO NEW HIRES
New Hires:
Kelsey Patterson, Production Partner
Chick Bruce, Security & Technology Manager
HAPPY SENTE-VERSARY!
Q2 ANNIVERSARIES
Brent Berry, Director of Capital Markets: June 29
Jim Browarski, Senior Technology Engineer: April 27
John Hathcote, Branch Manager/Mortgage Banker: April 1
Debbie Riopelle, Mortgage Banker: April 1
Milton Birdwell, Branch Manager/Mortgage Banker: April 15
Jenny Lack, Mortgage Banker: June 9
Jennifer Lourence, Production Partner: June 9
Heike Harviel, Loan Processor: June 15
Les Odom, COO: April 9
Laura Clayton, Controller: May 14
Stefanie Lyles, Branch Manager/Mortgage Banker: May 20
Blake Lyles, Production Manager: May 20
Krista Sansom, Senior Loan Processor: May 20
Dana Place, Loan Processor: May 20
Rachel Robinson, Appraisal Desk Coordinator: May 10
Cara Welch, Business Development Specialist: May 13
Nancy McAlpine, Product Specialist/Lock Desk Analyst: May 13
Krystal Wakem, Accounting Specialist: June 24
Jenna Scherer, Marketing Coordinator: May 19
Tracy Dietz, Senior Underwriter: May 27