KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Lenders now prioritize simplifying processes (37%) over cost-cutting (29%) for 2025, a notable shift from last year.
- Currently, only 22% of lenders use eNotes, but 62% plan to adopt them within the next two years. This growing interest supports momentum for RON eClosings in 2025.”
- Borrowers benefit: eClosings drive higher empowerment, understanding, and efficiency than paper closings. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Audio Summary:
What changed in 2025, and why does it point to RON eClosings?
Fresh results from Fannie Mae’s Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey show business process streamlining jumped to #1 for 2025, overtaking cost-cutting for the first time in three years (37% vs. 29%). That’s a clear signal lenders want fewer manual touches and cleaner workflows, exactly what RON eClosings deliver.
Trade coverage highlighted the same idea: efficiency is more important than budget cuts. Virtual signing plays a key role in making processes smoother.
How do eNotes and RON fit together in an eClose stack?
Think of RON eClosings 2025 as four building blocks working together:
- eNote (the digital promissory note) stored in an eVault and registered on the MERS® eRegistry
- RON (remote online notarization) involving a notary for notarized instruments via secure audio/video + eSeals
- eRecording where accepted, or paper-out where required
- Investors must deliver the right codes and documents. For example, use Fannie Mae SFC 861 for remote notarization of security instruments. For Freddie Mac, check Guide §1401.16 and Exhibit 48 for RON rules and allowed states.
Is adoption real, or still niche?
Both. Today, only ~22% of lenders use eNotes, but ~62% plan to adopt within two years. Meanwhile, 2.51M+ eNotes were on the MERS eRegistry as of April 1, 2025 (now 2.66M+ as of July 30, 2025), showing steady growth.
What’s holding teams back, and how can NotaryLive help?
Fannie’s survey named two top barriers to scaling eClose:
- Fragmented RON laws across states (40%)
- Unclear/low investor acceptance (~34%)
This is where the right partner matters, especially when managing each transaction efficiently.
NotaryLive helps you bridge the patchwork with a platform and playbook aligned to MISMO RON Standards, so your legal, ops, and investor stakeholders see a familiar, compliant process.
How exactly does RON improve the borrower experience?
The CFPB’s eClosing pilot found that technology-supported closings boost empowerment, understanding, and efficiency versus paper, benefits driven by earlier document access and embedded education.
These are the same levers you pull in RON eClosings 2025.
What should lenders, title, and law firms do first?
- Map eEligibility (loan/program/state): decide where you can go full eClose (eNote + RON + eRecord) vs. hybrid. Fannie and Freddie publish the RON requirements and state specifics.
- Standardize on MISMO: pick vendors aligned to MISMO RON Standards and certification to de-risk audits and investor reviews.
- Tighten pre-close ops: deliver docs earlier and educate borrowers in-platform, proven to raise understanding and cut last-minute issues.
- Instrument delivery correctly: use SFC 861 for remotely notarized security instruments at Fannie; confirm parallel rules for Freddie.
- Track the right KPIs: CTC→funding time, redraws, post-close suspense, delivery conditions, and CSAT/NPS.
Where does NotaryLive fit into your 2025 plan?
- Fast, compliant RON sessions with multi-party support (borrowers, co-borrowers, settlement, attorneys), including virtual signing capabilities.
- Enterprise features to scale: manage users, monitor sessions, and template affidavits in the Business Dashboard.
- Built-in ID verification (KBA + credential analysis) for strong KYC.
- Interoperability with a standards-first approach aligned to MISMO and GSE expectations.
Compliance note: Always confirm investor, insurer, and jurisdictional rules for each file.
What about the 2024 baseline, wasn’t cost-cutting king?
Yes. In 2024, cost-cutting led the agenda (31%). The 2025 pivot toward process simplifying (37%) reflects a strategy shift: durable efficiency beats one-time cuts. Lenders still plan to trim back-office staffing, but the priority has changed.
How do we translate this into a realistic 2025 outlook?
- Momentum: More lenders are planning eNotes + RON adoption; MERS counts keep rising.
- Reality check: The legal patchwork remains. Use MISMO standards, GSE codes, and a RON partner that understands multistate nuance.
- Opportunity: If you pilot now, you’re ready when the next volume wave hits, without adding headcount.
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Final verdict: is this a smart move now?
Yes, for teams aiming to compete on speed and borrower experience. If your audience includes more than just lenders, the RON eClosings 2025 playbook can help. It improves notarization efficiency for notaries, title companies, law firms, and real estate partners as well. (And if you’re not ready for full eClose, start hybrid, then expand.)
FAQs
Do agencies accept remotely notarized security instruments? Yes, subject to guide requirements. Fannie Mae requires SFC 861 for RON security instruments; Freddie Mac provides state-specific rules in Guide §1401.16 and exhibits. Always check the latest guides. Fannie MaeFreddie Mac Guide
What standards should our RON platform meet? Look for MISMO RON Certification and adherence to MISMO’s identity verification, recording, and audit trail standards to reduce investor friction. MISMO+1
Do eClosings actually help borrowers? Yes. The CFPB found higher empowerment, understanding, and efficiency scores for eClosing borrowers compared with paper. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
About NotaryLive
NotaryLive is a leading provider of digital notarization and eSign solutions, dedicated to enhancing business efficiency through a secure, user-friendly platform that prioritizes understanding and meeting customer needs. By offering innovative tools for electronic signatures and online notarization, NotaryLive empowers professionals to manage documents easily, anywhere, any time.
