Today marks the launch of www.loanhound.com.

The new mortgage shopping service differs from existing online mortgage services by offering borrowers a unique blend of online communication and traditional personal service.

Most home loan transactions involve a unique and personal "story'' which must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Other online services fail to acknowledge the importance of human guidance in addressing these "stories'' individually.

LoanHound, however, does recognize the importance of the human component in addressing these transactions and has developed the site accordingly. LoanHound combines an efficient online approach with a distinct human touch in helping borrowers learn what loans and rates are available, how to structure and select financing and how to proceed through the application process.

"The mortgage process consists of three stages: information gathering, evaluating alternatives and processing the loan application itself," said Jeff Glass, president of Fluential Systems Inc., creators of LoanHound. "We focus on the first two stages by providing an online messaging system, analytical tools and connections to a network of lenders who supply the advice and quotes that borrowers need.''

LoanHound is not a mortgage lender or broker. LoanHound is more similar to a matchmaking service providing a one-stop, comparison-shopping solution to borrowers who seek the convenience of shopping for a home loan from the comfort of their home or office without fees, charges or unwanted solicitations.

"LoanHound is positioned to be the borrower's best friend," Glass said. "We enable borrowers to shop for personalized loans and quotes from multiple lenders without the inconvenience and intrusiveness of filling out loan applications or calling a succession of lenders.''

LoanHound debuts as the first of several planned online loan products from Fluential Systems Inc., a company formed by Glass in May 1998.

Published: September 15, 1998

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