MBA Newslink Premier Member Spotlight: DocMagic

One in a continuing series of profiles of Premier Members of the Mortgage Bankers Association. Please contact MBA’s Alicia Goncalves, CMB for information about Premier Member spotlights.

MBA Newslink: Please provide a brief description of your company.

DocMagic: Based in Torrance, Calif., DocMagic is a leading provider of digital mortgage solutions that automate every phase of the loan process. Since 1987, DocMagic has pioneered the technologies that make paperless lending possible, empowering lenders to originate, close, and deliver loans electronically with speed, accuracy, and compliance.

Trusted by thousands of mortgage lenders, banks, credit unions, settlement service providers, and investors nationwide, DocMagic’s solutions span the entire digital mortgage ecosystem:

Document Generation:
The DocMagic® intelligent document generation system automatically evaluates loan data at every stage of origination to produce accurate, compliant document packages for all 50 states in seconds. Using a data-centric, rules-based engine and MISMO SMART Doc® formats, it ensures accuracy, e-enablement, and seamless integration with POS and LOS platforms. DocMagic also offers instant Flood Zone Determinations and optional flood certification that can be automatically included with document packages.

eSignature Platforms:
DocMagic’s eSignature and electronic delivery technologies, including ClickSign®, eNotary, and Appraisal eDelivery, deliver secure, compliant, and user-friendly digital signing experiences. Borrowers can review, sign, and return documents from any device, while lenders benefit from full tracking, time-stamped audit trails, and long-term electronic storage. The platform supports both in-person eNotarization (IPEN) and Remote Online Notarization (RON) with integrated identity verification, ensuring compliance with all state and federal eNotary regulations.

eMortgage Technology:
DocMagic’s eMortgage technology supports every type of eClosing—from hybrid to 100% paperless—with technologies including Total eClose™, AutoPrep™, and SmartSAFE® with SmartREGISTRY™. Using AI, OCR, and machine learning, AutoPrep instantly e-enables third-party documents for eClosing, while Total eClose unites every participant and step in a single secure portal. SmartSAFE manages eNotes and other transferable records through a MERS®-connected eVault, ensuring integrity and lifecycle compliance across all transactions. DocMagic also offers eHELOC technology that brings the same digital standards to home equity lending.

Automated Compliance:
DocMagic’s automated compliance solutions combine deep legal expertise with advanced technology to monitor and enforce regulatory accuracy throughout the loan process. The platform runs thousands of audits for data validation, fair lending, and investor eligibility, supported by the Compliance Edge™ knowledge base and eDecision tool to ensure every loan meets eNote, eVault, and eRecording requirements.

Collaborative Technology:
DocMagic’s collaborative tools connect borrowers, lenders, and settlement agents in real time. SmartCLOSE® streamlines communication between lenders and settlement service providers with synchronized workflows, RESPA tolerance monitoring, and integrated ClickSign delivery. DocMagic® One, the company’s unified digital lending platform, provides real-time visibility and communication across all participants in the loan process. Through integrated tracking, notifications, and secure messaging, it helps lenders streamline workflows, reduce closing times, and deliver a more connected borrower experience.

eChattel Technology:
DocMagic extends its proven eVaulting technology beyond mortgage lending through SmartSAFE with SmartTRANSFER. These solutions manage digital chattel paper and other eAssets with tamper-evident seals, audit trails, and secure transfer capabilities, ensuring complete control and compliance for non-mortgage transactions.

Together, these solutions form a connected ecosystem that enables lenders to achieve true digital lending from application through delivery to reduce costs, improve compliance, and elevate the borrower experience. Learn more at www.docmagic.com.

MBA Newslink: Please provide a list of key senior personnel.

DocMagic:
Pat Theodora, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
With more than four decades of mortgage experience, Pat has been at the forefront of the industry’s digital evolution since co-founding DocMagic in 1987. His deep expertise across origination, securitization, and servicing has guided the company’s mission to modernize the loan process through technology, and he remains an approved underwriter for FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac loans. Prior to founding DocMagic, Pat led multiple mortgage banking operations, building companies that originated and serviced billions in loans. In 2025, Pat was honored with the HousingWire Vanguard Award.

Lori Johnson, Chief Operating Officer
Lori brings visionary leadership and a passion for operational excellence to her role as COO. Since joining DocMagic through its acquisition of Document Express, which she co-founded, she has helped drive the company’s growth and client success. A recognized industry leader in eMortgage innovation, Lori has been honored with awards from HousingWire, Mortgage Women Magazine, Mortgage Professional America, and PROGRESS in Lending.

Brian D. Pannell, Chief eServices Executive
A pioneer in digital mortgage technology for nearly three decades, Brian is driving the mortgage industry’s digital transformation by accelerating lender adoption of eClosing, eVaulting, eChattel, and eNotes. Prior to joining DocMagic in 2014, he held leadership roles at eSign Systems and spent 18 years at Fannie Mae, where he helped shape the industry’s most-used automated underwriting system. A two-time winner of HousingWire’s Tech Trendsetter award, Brian is an active member of MISMO®’s Residential Standards Governance Committee and co-chair of the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Technology Vendor Working Group.

Gavin T. Ales, J.D., Chief Compliance Officer
Gavin leads DocMagic’s compliance and regulatory strategy, overseeing the company’s suite of compliance solutions used nationwide. Known for his deep understanding of complex mortgage regulations, he plays a key role on the company’s risk management committee and has been recognized as one of PROGRESS in Lending’s Next Gen Leaders. Before joining DocMagic, Gavin served as deputy chief compliance officer at Prospect Mortgage. Gavin is a past recipient of the HousingWire Insiders Award.

Michael Morford, Chief Technology Officer
A recognized innovator in digital mortgage technology, Mike oversees product development, architecture, and integration at DocMagic. With more than 20 years at the company, he has helped shape the interoperability that enables lenders and partners to fully leverage eMortgage solutions. Mike is an active member of MISMO’s new product incubator group and a frequent industry speaker. He was named a 2024 HousingWire Tech Trendsetter.

MBA Newslink: What are some key trends your company is tracking?

DocMagic: DocMagic is closely monitoring several forces shaping the future of digital lending. These include the expansion of eMortgage technology beyond first-lien loans, with innovations such as eHELOCs and eChattel lending that apply SMART Doc standards across asset classes. The company is also tracking the continued rise of eNote and eVault adoption, fueled by growing investor and regulatory acceptance of digital assets and expanded MERS eRegistry participation.

Other key areas of focus include advances in data standardization and interoperability through MISMO and the Mortgage Bankers Association, the use of AI and machine learning to automate compliance and document workflows, and the ongoing maturation of trusted digital infrastructure for storing, transferring, and servicing electronic loan assets. DocMagic also studies how lenders are translating these innovations into measurable results, including reduced closing times, improved compliance, and lower per-loan costs — outcomes that define the next phase of digital mortgage performance.

MBA Newslink: Why did your company join the Mortgage Bankers Association?

DocMagic: DocMagic joined the Mortgage Bankers Association to be part of the industry’s leading voice for mortgage innovation and collaboration. Since our founding in 1987, we’ve shared the MBA’s commitment to advancing the real estate finance industry through responsible modernization and strong partnerships. As a pioneer in digital mortgage technology, DocMagic values the MBA’s role as a unifying platform where lenders, regulators, and technology providers come together to shape the future of housing finance.

MBA Newslink: How has being an MBA Premier Member benefited your company?

DocMagic: DocMagic’s long-standing membership in the MBA has fostered meaningful relationships, industry leadership, and continued growth. As a host sponsor of major MBA conferences including the Annual Convention & Expo and the Secondary and Capital Markets Conference, we’ve been able to collaborate closely with the lending community and showcase innovations that drive digital progress. The MBA has also recognized our contributions to mortgage technology over the years, with our late founder Dominic Iannitti named an MBA Tech All-Star in both 2014 and 2024. These connections and recognitions reflect DocMagic’s deep, ongoing partnership with the MBA and our shared mission to modernize the mortgage process.

(MBA Premier Member Spotlights are provided by the Mortgage Bankers Association as a service to MBA Premier Members. Publication does not constitute an endorsement of a particular company, product or service. For more information about the MBA Premier Member program, contact MBA Director of Associate Membership Alicia Goncalves, CMB, at agoncalves@mba.org or call 202/557-2920.)