Craig Rebmann on successfully utilizing AI in the mortgage industry
Dark Matter Technologies is one of the most important companies in the mortgage industry for many reasons, not the least of which is their exploration of, and approach to, AI integration and scalability. HousingWire’s Diego Sanchez sat down with Craig Rebmann, Product Evangelist at Dark Matter Technologies, during the MBA Annual Conference to discuss the company’s dual LOS strategy, their AI platform Ava, and technology adoption strategies for lenders.
Dual LOS approach: Empower and Nova
Dark Matter Technologies recently introduced a dual LOS product strategy. The company’s flagship Empower LOS is known for its enterprise-level capabilities, including extensive automation and task-based processing. However, recognizing that not all lenders have the resources to manage an enterprise system, Dark Matter added the Nova LOS to their lineup.
“Empower is great for lenders looking for advanced process automation,” Rebmann explained, “but not every lender wants to dedicate a full-time administrator. Nova offers a more turnkey experience while still providing end-to-end functionality and configurability.” This dual LOS approach allows Dark Matter to expand its market share and meet the varying needs of lenders across the industry.
Becoming proactive, not reactive
Dark Matter Technologies recently introduced a dual LOS product strategy. The company’s flagship Empower LOS is known for its enterprise-level capabilities, including extensive automation and task-based processing. However, recognizing that not all lenders have the resources to manage an enterprise system, Dark Matter added the Nova LOS to their lineup.
“Empower is great for lenders looking for advanced process automation,” Rebmann explained, “but not every lender wants to dedicate a full-time administrator. Nova offers a more turnkey experience while still providing end-to-end functionality and configurability.” This dual LOS approach allows Dark Matter to expand its market share and meet the varying needs of lenders across the industry.
AI-Driven AIVA
Dark Matter’s AI platform, AIVA, has been a cornerstone of their technology offerings for nearly eight years. Initially designed for document classification and data extraction, AIVA has evolved to include rules-based tasks like income calculations and bank statement reviews. The AI platform is integrated across Empower’s ecosystem and will soon extend to Nova.
Rebmann emphasized the importance of predictive AI over generative AI in this context. “Lenders are already familiar with document classification and data extraction, so it’s an easy entry point for AI,” he noted. “AIVA doesn’t make decisions—it provides data to inform decision-making, which helps mitigate risks while offering high rewards.”
Navigating the AI learning curve
Despite AI’s growing role in the mortgage industry, many lenders are still in the early stages of adoption. Rebmann pointed out that understanding use cases is critical for successful AI integration. “The key is to know exactly what you want to achieve with AI and to understand the benefits and risks involved,” he advised.
Dark Matter is actively helping lenders embrace AI by demonstrating its use cases and emphasizing the role of humans in the loop. “AI is here to stay, and getting educated about it is essential,” Rebmann said. “When people see AI as a tool rather than a threat, they can use it to enhance their roles rather than replace them.”
Creating a scalable workflow
The conversation also touched on the mortgage industry’s boom-and-bust hiring cycle and how technology could alleviate its impact. “A more scalable workforce is key,” Rebmann remarked. “In this market, the biggest risk isn’t AI—it’s the market itself. By leveraging AI, lenders can better scale their existing staff without overextending resources.”
Rebmann cited examples where Dark Matter’s AIVA capabilities enabled lenders to scale document volume up to 16 times without increasing headcount. This efficiency gain demonstrates how AI can drive long-term cost reductions and improve operational resilience.
Build vs. buy AI
When lenders mull over their AI decisions, the build-versus-buy question inevitably arises. Rebmann noted that larger lenders might have the resources to build their own AI models and partner with giants like OpenAI or AWS. However, this isn’t feasible for every lender due to the high costs of training models and managing complex cloud services.
“For many lenders, partnering with a trusted AI provider like Dark Matter is a more practical solution,” Rebmann suggested. “We can help lenders identify use cases, manage change, and leverage AI without the heavy investment in building it from scratch.”
Looking ahead to a more resilient lending industry
Rebmann concluded with a forward-looking vision on how AI and scalable technology can transform the mortgage industry. By combining powerful AI capabilities with flexible LOS options, Dark Matter Technologies aims to help lenders build a more resilient and efficient business model.
