HighTechLending and Better Expand Access to Home Equity Loans Through EquitySelect™ HELOC

Rhea-AI Summary

HighTechLending (BETR) announced a partnership with Better to offer the EquitySelect™ HELOC through Better's retail channel, NEO Home Loans powered by Better, expanding access to home equity loans without refinancing first mortgages.

The product targets homeowners locked into low mortgage rates and those with nontraditional income; HighTechLending estimates up to 20% of previously declined applicants could qualify, and HighTechLending will purchase loans originated through the program.

Positive

• Adds retail distribution via NEO Home Loans powered by Better
• Estimated 20% of declined applicants may qualify under EquitySelect
• Targets homeowners amid $35 trillion national home equity and 26M low-rate borrowers

Negative

• No financial terms disclosed for the loan purchase program
• Aggregate scale or timeline for originated loans not specified

News Market Reaction – BETR

+9.90%

13 alerts

+9.90% News Effect

+5.2% Peak in 7 hr 56 min

+$47M Valuation Impact

$519.14M Market Cap

0.6x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, BETR gained 9.90%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +5.2% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 13 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $47M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $519.14M at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Total home equity: $35 trillion Low-rate mortgages: 26 million homeowners Mortgage rate threshold: 4% +5 more

8 metrics

Total home equity $35 trillion Estimated home equity held by U.S. homeowners

Low-rate mortgages 26 million homeowners Homeowners with mortgage rates below 4%

Mortgage rate threshold 4% Interest rate level defining low-rate ‘lock-in’ cohort

Lost loan volume $240 billion annually Estimated annual loan volume lost for homeowners aged 40+

Potentially eligible share 20% Declined NEO Home Loans HELOC applicants who may qualify under EquitySelect

Current price $28.59 BETR price before partnership news on 2026-03-25

52-week high $94.06 BETR 52-week high level

52-week low $9.50 BETR 52-week low level

Market Reality Check

Price: $33.12 Vol: Volume 286,094 is below t...

low vol

$33.12 Last Close

Volume Volume 286,094 is below the 20-day average of 419,364, indicating muted pre-news activity. low

Technical Price at 28.59 is trading below the 200-day MA of 34.40, reflecting a weaker intermediate trend.

Peers on Argus

BETR was down 1.38% pre-news with peers mixed: LDI (-1.36%), ONIT (-0.45%), VEL ...

BETR was down 1.38% pre-news with peers mixed: LDI (-1.36%), ONIT (-0.45%), VEL (-0.29%), while HMPT and GHLD were flat. Scanner data did not flag a coordinated sector move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 18 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 18	Conference appearance	Neutral	-8.8%	ROTH conference fireside chat and investor meetings announcement.
Mar 17	AI benchmark release	Positive	+8.8%	AI accuracy benchmark with Columbia DAPLab highlighting SOLO performance.
Mar 13	Earnings results	Positive	-6.0%	Q4 2025 results with strong revenue and volume growth but ongoing losses.
Mar 05	AI product launch	Positive	+6.3%	Launch of conversational credit decision engine in ChatGPT with OpenAI.
Mar 02	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-6.0%	Scheduling announcement for Q4 and full-year 2025 results release.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has often seen sharp price reactions, with several positive or neutral updates followed by negative moves, indicating inconsistent alignment between headline tone and next-day performance.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, BETR has issued a mix of product, AI, earnings, and conference announcements. On Mar 5, launching a ChatGPT-based credit decision engine coincided with a 6.3% gain, and an AI benchmark update on Mar 17 saw an 8.78% rise. However, Q4 2025 results on Mar 13 and an earnings date notice on Mar 2 were followed by 6.03% and 5.97% declines, respectively. A ROTH conference appearance on Mar 18 also preceded an 8.81% drop, underscoring volatile and sometimes contrarian reactions to seemingly routine or positive news.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock moved +9.9% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the...

Analysis

The stock moved +9.9% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the strategic nature of this partnership, which broadened home equity access through EquitySelect™ HELOC distribution via NEO Home Loans powered by Better. Past AI and product launches around Mar 5 and Mar 17 saw sizable moves, suggesting investors have previously rewarded innovation-focused updates. However, prior earnings-related volatility and the stock’s position below its 200-day MA at 34.40 could still frame this as a move vulnerable to sentiment shifts or execution concerns.

Key Terms

heloc, home equity line of credit, cash-out refinance

3 terms

heloc financial

"HighTechLending's EquitySelect™ HELOC to their retail channel, NEO Home Loans..."

A HELOC (home equity line of credit) is a revolving loan that lets a homeowner borrow against the value built up in their house, similar to a credit card but secured by the property. It matters to investors because HELOCs affect banks’ lending volumes, interest income and credit risk, and high consumer use or defaults can signal stress in the housing market and consumer spending, influencing related stocks and bond valuations.

home equity line of credit financial

"created the EquitySelect™ HELOC, or home equity line of credit, to provide..."

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a revolving loan that lets a homeowner borrow against the difference between their house’s market value and remaining mortgage, much like a credit card secured by the home. Investors watch HELOC activity, rates and delinquencies because it affects consumer spending, credit risk for banks and the performance of mortgage-related assets—shifts can influence bank earnings and demand across consumer-driven sectors.

cash-out refinance financial

"effect that discourages them from completing a cash-out refinance to hold onto..."

A cash-out refinance is when a homeowner replaces their existing mortgage with a larger loan and receives the difference in cash, using the home’s equity as collateral. Investors care because increased cash-out refinancing raises household debt and can boost consumer spending in the short term while also changing the risk profile of mortgage-backed assets and bank loan portfolios—think of it like trading in a car for a bigger loan and pocketing the extra cash, which can amplify both growth and risk.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

IRVINE, Calif., March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HighTechLending, a national mortgage lender focused on innovative solutions to consumer needs, has announced a partnership with Better, the leading AI-native homeownership company, to expand access to home equity loans through HighTechLending's EquitySelect™ HELOC to their retail channel, NEO Home Loans powered by Better.

The partnership is designed to help more homeowners access the equity in their homes, particularly those who may not qualify for traditional home equity loans despite being creditworthy and holding substantial equity.

Across the country, homeowners are sitting on an estimated $35 trillion in home equity. At the same time, approximately 26 million homeowners have mortgage interest rates below 4%, creating a "lock-in" effect that discourages them from completing a cash-out refinance to hold onto their low rate. Millions more are self-employed or have variable incomes that may not meet traditional loan criteria, making it difficult to access their largest financial asset, home equity. For homeowners aged 40 and over, annual estimated loan volumes lost exceed $240 billion.

HighTechLending created the EquitySelect™ HELOC, or home equity line of credit, to provide a more flexible way for equity-rich homeowners to tap their home equity without refinancing their first mortgage. The product reengineers how required payments are structured, giving borrowers more flexibility over their monthly obligations while remaining grounded in disciplined, equity-based underwriting.

"Life changes, incomes fluctuate, and financial needs evolve," said David Peskin, President and CEO of HighTechLending. "Homeowners deserve options that reflect those realities. Through our partnership with NEO Home Loans powered by Better, we are expanding access to responsible home equity solutions for borrowers who have been declined under traditional guidelines but are otherwise strong, creditworthy homeowners."

• Based on a review of sample data from NEO Home Loans powered by Better's declined home equity applications, HighTechLending estimates that as many as 20% of those borrowers could qualify under the EquitySelect™ HELOC structure.
• By incorporating EquitySelect™ into its broader product offering, NEO Home Loans powered by Better will be able to provide an additional path forward for homeowners seeking capital for home improvements, debt consolidation, and other financial goals.

"Better is a recognized leader in digital mortgage and home equity lending. Their commitment to innovation and borrower access aligns closely with our mission," Peskin added. "Through their retail channel NEO Home Loans powered by Better, we are working to fill a meaningful gap in the market and unlock home equity for more homeowners."

Under the partnership, NEO Home Loans powered by Better will offer EquitySelect™ as part of its product suite and will work closely with HighTechLending to train its teams and integrate the product into its workflow. HighTechLending will purchase the loans originated through the program.

About HighTechLending

HighTechLending is a national mortgage lender focused on innovative, consumer-centric lending solutions. By combining forward-thinking product design with disciplined underwriting, HighTechLending aims to responsibly expand access to capital while promoting long-term financial stability for homeowners.

About Better Home & Finance Holding Company

Better Home & Finance Holding Company (NASDAQ: BETR) is the first AI-native mortgage and home equity finance platform, and the first fintech to fund more than $110 billion in loan volume. Better has leveraged its industry-leading AI platform, Tinman^®, to achieve its singular mission of making homeownership cheaper, faster, and easier for all Americans. Tinman^® allows customers to see their rate options in seconds, get pre-approved in minutes, lock in rates, and close their loan in as little as three weeks. In addition, Betsy™, the first AI loan agent built exclusively for the mortgage industry, revolutionizes the homebuying journey by answering questions, delivering approvals, comparing products, processing rate locks, and moving their loan application along to closing 24/7/365. Better's mortgage offerings include GSE-conforming mortgage loans, FHA and VA loans, and jumbo mortgage and home equity loans. Better serves customers in all 50 US states and the United Kingdom.

Media Contact
Brunswick Group
HTLending@Brunswickgroup.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hightechlending-and-better-expand-access-to-home-equity-loans-through-equityselect-heloc-302724454.html

SOURCE HighTechLending, Inc.

FAQ

What is the EquitySelect HELOC partnership between HighTechLending (BETR) and Better?

It is a distribution partnership to offer EquitySelect HELOC via NEO Home Loans. According to the company, HighTechLending will integrate the product into Better's retail workflow and purchase loans originated through the program.

How many previously declined applicants could qualify for EquitySelect HELOC (BETR)?

Up to 20% of declined home equity applicants could qualify under EquitySelect. According to the company, this estimate comes from a review of sample declined applications from NEO Home Loans powered by Better.

What homeowner groups does EquitySelect HELOC target for BETR's product?

It targets equity-rich homeowners who want to keep low first-mortgage rates and those with variable or self-employed income. According to the company, the product reengineers payments and uses equity-based underwriting for flexibility.

Will HighTechLending (BETR) retain the loans originated through Better's channel?

Yes. According to the company, HighTechLending will purchase the loans originated through the program, meaning the lender will hold the loan assets rather than Better retaining them.

What market opportunity does EquitySelect HELOC address for BETR?

It addresses homeowners holding an estimated $35 trillion in equity and about 26 million low-rate borrowers. According to the company, these factors create a pool of homeowners discouraged from refinancing who may seek HELOC access.

What borrower uses does EquitySelect HELOC support for BETR customers?

It supports home improvements, debt consolidation, and other capital needs without refinancing the first mortgage. According to the company, the product offers payment flexibility while maintaining disciplined, equity-based underwriting.