HousingWireHousingWire
This year brought significant change for ICE Mortgage Technology. The company made a major shift within its Encompass loan origination system (LOS). ICE shelved its SDK technology in favor of Encompass Partner Connect (EPC), which utilizes a modern application programming interface (API).
In this executive conversation, Nancy Alley, Vice President of Product Strategy, shares how ICE Mortgage Technology is driving transformation in the mortgage industry. She explores the need for innovation, the transition from legacy integrations, and the significance of the Encompass transition in October 2025.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
HousingWire (HW): Why is ICE Mortgage Technology transitioning away from SDK (software developer kit) technology?
Nancy Alley (NA): The mortgage industry is plagued by outdated processes, inefficiencies, and redundancies. At ICE, we aim to drive innovation that enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and lowers friction for lenders and borrowers. Our approach focuses on four key principles: efficiency, transformation, extensibility, and reliability.
This shift doesn’t just modernize processes. It allows businesses to allocate resources toward high-value initiatives instead of tirelessly patching outdated systems. Loan origination documents, processes, and tasks become faster and more reliable. This enables lenders to focus on growth instead of maintenance.
HW: How does transitioning from legacy tools like the Encompass SDK provide a competitive advantage to Encompass lenders?
NA: Over time, we’ve seen how legacy technology creates persistent challenges for lenders, such as developers leaving, solutions that struggle to scale, and the need for extensive manual workarounds. Many of these tools were designed to address problems of the past and haven’t evolved to match current needs and possibilities.
By implementing modern solutions developed with and for our customers, like native features within Encompass and APIs available on Developer Connect and Partner Connect, we’re equipping lenders and partners to:
- Upskill their development teams with the technology stack they want to leverage
- Deliver scalable solutions quickly to market
- Automate and streamline workflows, saving time and resources
- Deliver smoother, faster experiences for both teams and borrowers
HW: We’ve been hearing about the October 31, 2025, deadline. What does this mean, and how is the transition progressing?
NA: October 31, 2025, signals the start of eliminating SDK-based dependencies within Encompass. By this date, our clients and partners will transition to Encompass’s modern native features and APIs.
The results of this change are clear — many lenders have already significantly reduced their SDK usage and embraced more efficient, modern solutions. Our task framework, workflow engine, and APIs simplify operations, providing a significant return on investment (ROI) by reducing development and support costs.
NA: We’ve been working with our partners to prepare for this transition for several years. Our partners are using our technology to offer an incredible range of innovative solutions, including cost-effective title search services, helping to match borrowers with eligible down payment assistance programs, and support for specialty loan programs, among others.
Some lenders have achieved reductions of up to 95% in their prior usage just by switching to an API-based integration for their point of sale, one of the heaviest users of the SDK.
The 2025 deadline has helped organizations prioritize this transition and make the leap to better efficiencies, automation, and user experiences.
HW: What happens if Encompass clients cannot complete their transition by the 2025 deadline?
NA: While we anticipate a smooth transition, we also understand that some organizations may require additional time. For clients unable to complete the shift by October 31, 2025, transitional SDK access can be requested at no cost for the first six months, starting from October 1, 2025, to ensure uninterrupted service.
These transitional measures are not a long-term solution. We strongly encourage clients to act early and partner closely with our team and our network of partners to avoid any disruption.
HW: How does ICE’s innovation strategy position lenders and partners for long-term success?
NA: The mortgage industry is rapidly evolving, and staying competitive demands forward-thinking strategies. At ICE, our innovation isn’t just about technology — it’s about creating a future-ready industry.
With the right tools, lenders gain the ability to:
- Automate complex processes to enable faster loan processing.
- Enhance operational efficiency, cut costs, and streamline workflows.
- Meet compliance standards with confidence and reduce risks.
This also allows teams to focus on value-adding tasks and strategic initiatives instead of patching together outdated solutions. It’s about building a more resilient, future-facing ecosystem where lenders and borrowers alike thrive.
HW: Any advice for lenders or partners just starting their transition to modern technology?
NA: My biggest piece of advice is to be open to new approaches. Take a critical look at your current SDK plugins and assess how their functionality can be substituted with modern tools. Also, once an existing plugin is replaced, don’t forget to uninstall it.
This isn’t just a technical migration; it’s a strategic investment in the future of your business. At ICE, we’re committed to helping our clients succeed through every step of this transformation. Together, we are shaping the future of the mortgage industry.
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