Sente Mortgage Quarterly Newsletter November 2025

November 2025

Sente Mortgage Quarterly Newsletter

Tom's Quarterly Newsletter Video
Tom's 18-Year Anniversary Video
Branch News
New Braunfels: Bubbles & Branding
Austin MBA Top Producer Panel
Cabot: Chili Cookoff
OG Lunch
Department Updates
Human Resources
Closing
Accounting
Concierge/Encompass
Compliance
IT Department
Employee Spotlight
New Hires & Anniversaries

Concierge

If you have questions on any of the Department Updates in this issue, please contact Concierge@SenteMortgage.com.

Important Dates

Annual Compliance Training Deadline for ALL Employees

November 30, 2025

To access the training, sign into OnCourse using the personalized link you received and your login credentials. Your username is your email.

Tom's Quarterly Newsletter Video

Tom's 18-Year Anniversary Video

Tom shares how our Core Values have guided Sente’s success over the past 18 years.

Branch News

Please send in photos from the events you host, co-host, or attend through the end of the year! Submit to Contest@SenteMortgage.com.

Sarah Carter

New Braunfels: Bubbles & Branding, October 8

The Bubbles & Branding networking event, hosted by Sarah Carter, had a great turnout with professional headshots, drinks, and lively conversation.

Sarah Carter, Jennifer Rodriguez, JK Elizondo, Kelly Kuykendall

Scott Williams, Jessie Ruckel from Iappraisal AMC, Sarah Carter, Jennifer Rodriguez

Austin MBA Top Producer Panel, October 9

Karen Elliott had the honor of moderating the Top Producer Panel for the Austin Mortgage Bankers Association with Jimmy Alexander, Tom Couture, Kaelan Cheatham, and David Medrano.

Samantha Brown & Shelly Powell

Cabot: Chili Cook-Off, October 10

Samantha Brown and Shelly Powell participated in the 4th Annual Downtown Conway Chili Cook-Off, benefiting local cancer patients through Fabulous You Boutique at Conway Regional.

Tyler Keck, Samantha Brown, Shelly Powell

OG Lunch, October 21

OG Sente Lunch! Pictured left to right: Julie Bryant, Karen Elliott, Liz Saenz, Kristin Carroll, and Gabbie Brown (Kenton K. Brown’s wife)

Department Updates

Compliance

License Renewals

It’s that time of year again for license renewals for all Mortgage Bankers and Sente Mortgage as a corporation.

Did you know the Nationwide Licensing System launched in January 2008 under the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act? It was created by The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators (AARMR) to: 1) address fraud and predatory lending in the mortgage market; 2) standardize training requirements; 3) allow borrowers to verify a loan officer's license, and more. Please be sure to complete any licensing requirements! If you have any questions or concerns, please send a ticket to Concierge@SenteMortgage.com.

Closing

Frequent Error on FHA Management Screen

The Closing Team has observed a recurring issue with the FHA Management screen not being filled out correctly. Specifically, the purchase date should reflect the date the sales contract is executed; however, we have noticed that the close date is often entered in this field instead. It is important to ensure that the date recorded is the date when the sales contract is signed.

Example below:

Friendly reminder that you can update the close date on files in the started milestone.

Accounting

Audit Update

The Accounting Department completed our annual financial audit in September. The audit is the final confirmation of our fiscal-year-end financial statements. Our new fiscal year began on July 1, 2025.

In January we will be preparing and filing annual 1098 and 1099 informational statements to the IRS.

Expense Reimbursement Facts and Best Practices

Refer to the Sente Expense Reimbursement policy on Ask Sente and on ADP (Resources – Forms Library) before completing an expense report.
Use the most current version of the expense report template (also available on Ask Sente and on ADP Resources – Forms Library).
Expenses must be submitted within 120 days to be considered for reimbursement.
Don’t forget to get your manager’s approval before incurring expenses!
Send your saved Excel Expense Report along with pdf copies of all receipts to accounting@sentemortgage.com.

Concierge/Encompass

Technology Enhancements

Argyle VOA and VOE
During the 3rd quarter, the Concierge Team released new technology as part of our commitment to streamlining workflow–the Argyle VOA and VOE. This new platform is available through Encompass and can be added to the online application for the Mortgage Banker. We have seen high success rates on borrower engagement and gained efficiency in the workflow. Mortgage Bankers can send a ticket to Concierge to add these features to their online application.

MyUtilities
We continue to work closely with MyUtilities. This service is free to borrowers and assists with the setup of various utilities, internet, etc. in their new home. We have very robust borrower engagement, and overall usage is above 60%. It is a great feature, and minimizes some of the stress when moving into a new home.

nCino Updates
nCino was upgraded so all loan applications automatically import into the Leads folder PLUS auto-importing borrower documents. This was a valuable enhancement to minimize steps and streamline workflow. The most recent enhancement is the release of the 3rd Party Gift Letter via nCino. Now you can send the Gift Letter to the donor and obtain their electronic signature via DocuSign.

Send Your Ideas for Custom Training
We have much more coming in the 4th quarter. We want to hear from you on custom training that would be beneficial. Please send your recommendations to Concierge@SenteMortgage.com.

Human Resources

Cigna Healthcare Wellness Experience

The Cigna Healthcare Well-Being Solution platform is integrated into myCigna to provide a personalized, holistic, and inclusive member experience that results in measurable outcomes. You can share free account access with up to 10 family members and friends so they can join you on your wellness journey. This innovative experience features:

Digital health coaching journeys across multiple health topics
Motivational daily content cards
Healthy habit tracking
My care checklist
Well-being challenges
Surveys and learning
Device and app connection
Available in 21 languages
Connected via myCigna

Here is a short video about the program: Cigna Healthcare Wellness Experience on Vimeo

Instructions for enrolling: Well-Being Solution Enrollment Flyer

IT Department

Security Awareness Training

As part of our ongoing security awareness program at Sente, employees who violate our IT security policy will be required to complete security training.

Examples of violations include:

Clicking on a link in a phishing email.
Downloading a malicious file from an untrusted website.
Entering credentials on an unauthorized or unknown website.

Initial security training takes approximately 15 minutes and must be completed within one month after you receive the training notification. Repeat violators must complete more comprehensive security training and may be subject to additional restrictions.

Q: Where are you located?
A: I currently live in Atlanta, Georgia.

Q: How long have you been in the mortgage industry?
A: I have been in the industry 26 years.

Q: Who or what inspired you to pursue an underwriting career?
A: I was inspired by several individuals. One person is my friend’s older sister who owned her own brokerage company. She taught me processing and gave me my first opportunity in the industry. The second person was my agent from my first home purchase who was my age. I was impressed by her professionalism at such a young age and her knowledge of her craft.

Q: Which Sente Value most resonates with you and why?
A: Seriously, all of them resonate with me, but if I had to pick one, I would pick “Embrace Challenges as Opportunities.” This value sounds a lot like words from my late father. When a new opportunity would arise for me, he would always say, “Are you up to the challenge?” He would also say that with every challenge is an opportunity to learn. He coined the term LE – ‘“learning experience” – which he taught us to take from any challenge as opposed to a mistake.

Q: How would you describe your job to a group of five-year-old’s?
A: I work with people who all work together to solve make-believe mysteries. If we succeed in solving the mystery, we grant a wish to a family to own their own home.

Q: Favorite thing about your job?
A: My favorite thing about my job is knowing that I help people gain pride from homeownership, as well as working with such amazingly talented people.

Q: List a few personal fun facts about you.
A: I am a science geek, and I love making homemade remedies and tinctures. After graduating from college, I worked as a chemist.

Q: Do you have pets?
A: I have a very handsome German Shepard. He is our little (well, he’s 95 pounds) detective and goes by the name of Sherlock Holmes–Sherlock for short.

Q: What do you do on weekends?
A: I do a lot of baking. I love going out for brunch, which is my favorite meal of the day! My hobbies are gardening, reading, and just spending time with my hubby.

Q: Where do you love to travel most?
A: I travel most to the west coast to visit family as well as Chicago, my hometown.

Q: Favorite food.
A: I am learning to cook Japanese food, which is incredible! Curry is my kryptonite.

Q: How long have you been at Sente
A: 5 months.

Q: Where are you located?
A: I’m right across the river from Cincinnati, on the Northern Kentucky side.

Q: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in Marketing?
A: Growing up around my family’s video production company sparked my appreciation for both business strategy and creativity. I love that marketing can take many forms and provides the opportunity to collaborate with different skill sets.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Sente?
A: The people here are amazing to work with! I learn something new every day and love that the culture stays strong, even though most of us are spread out across different states.

Q: Which Sente Value do you reflect on as the most important?
A: “Deliver on our Promises” resonates most with me. To me, it’s about being accountable and following through. Growing up playing sports taught me the importance of commitment and showing up every day, not just for yourself but for the team as a whole.

Q: How would you describe your job to a group of five-year-olds?
A: We tell people how awesome it is to have their own house and help them want one.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: I love being on a small team that touches many parts of the company. It’s challenging, rewarding, and a great way to keep learning and growing.

Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what type and what are their names?
A: No pets right now, but when I was younger, I had a pet turtle named Bubbles.

Q: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
A: Anywhere with my favorite people and a great view. Whether it’s hiking up a mountain for sunrise or watching the sunset on a beach, I’m always happy to explore new places.

Q: What activities or hobbies do you have outside of work?
A: I’m really into sourdough right now. In the summer I love waterskiing with my parents up in Michigan.