Last week, Jessica Ludlow, Key Client Success Manager; Tiffany Keohane, VP of Client Implementation; and Susan Portnoy, SVP and Head of Product Management, represented LERETA at Sagent Ignite 2026 in Phoenix.
They returned with a clear takeaway: the mortgage servicing technology landscape is evolving rapidly, creating new opportunities for both LERETA and the clients we serve.
Many of the discussions at Ignite centered around the future of mortgage servicing technology, particularly the role of AI, real-time data access, and operational efficiency in modern servicing environments. Those themes were especially evident in conversations surrounding DARA, Sagent’s next-generation servicing platform.
DARA: Sagent’s Next-Generation Servicing Platform
The centerpiece of the conference was DARA, Sagent’s next-generation servicing platform built on Snowflake and powered by AI.
Its headline capabilities—including real-time data access, automated regulatory tracking, and lender-level vendor management—represent a significant shift away from legacy batch-based systems. Implementation timelines are projected at 60 to 90 days, with client rollouts expected to begin in Q4 2026.
For LERETA, DARA’s API-native architecture will influence how we connect and integrate as clients begin migrating to the platform. This builds on LERETA’s existing partnership with Sagent to enhance residential tax and flood integrations as servicing technology continues to evolve.
Vendor management moving to the lender level will also standardize setup and data fields across the platform, creating greater consistency and efficiency for all parties involved.
From an escrow perspective, DARA introduces several practical enhancements, including a forward-looking view of tax installments directly within the primary interface—not just the next due date—along with cleaner data organization and customizable exception workflows. These are meaningful operational improvements servicers will notice immediately.
AI Continues to Shape the Industry Conversation
AI was a central theme throughout nearly every conversation at Ignite, and for the LERETA team, many of those discussions reinforced work already underway internally.
Use cases such as loan origination document review, quality control, automated root-cause analysis for escrow shortages, loss claims trending, and call center quality monitoring closely align with areas LERETA has been actively evaluating through an AI lens.
As we continue exploring opportunities to improve operational efficiency and elevate the client experience, it was encouraging to see the broader industry focused on many of the same applications. Industry conversations around AI in servicing continue to accelerate, with platforms like DARA introducing new AI-driven servicing and compliance capabilities, as highlighted recently by HousingWire.
The conversations at Ignite reinforced that LERETA is not only keeping pace with industry innovation, but approaching it strategically and thoughtfully.
What We Heard from Clients
Clients attending Ignite were engaged, candid, and already thinking ahead about the implications of the DARA transition for their organizations and vendor ecosystems.
One message came through clearly: successful implementation timelines will depend heavily on vendor readiness. If vendor partners are not prepared, the projected 60-to-90-day rollout window becomes much more difficult to achieve.
LERETA heard that message clearly, and we are preparing accordingly.
Our team also had productive discussions with Sagent leadership that reinforced a shared commitment to partnership and collaboration as clients transition to DARA. The momentum surrounding the platform is real, and LERETA is aligned and preparing for what’s ahead.
Looking Ahead
We returned from Phoenix with stronger relationships, valuable insights, and a clearer view of where mortgage servicing technology is headed.
As Sagent clients begin transitioning to DARA, LERETA will be ready—as a partner, as an integration provider, and as a trusted property tax and flood services resource supporting clients throughout every phase of the transition.
