In Brief: 800 Number from PMI Sizes Up Borrowers

SAN FRANCISCO - Chalk another one up to the mortgage industry's technology craze.

The PMI Group Inc. is now offering lenders a way to get crucial borrower statistics via an 800 number.

Here's how it works. The lenders are assigned an 800 number to use in advertising campaigns. A prospective borrower, calling that number, speaks to an automated voice that solicits the borrower's Social Security number, income, household debt, and even zip code.

The data are used to generate a credit report and figure out how big a loan a potential borrower can take out.

When lenders get in touch with the potential borrower, they can form a stronger bond and guide them to real estate agents and builders, said Susan King, vice president of national sales at the mortgage insurer.

Why is PMI getting into this business? Ms. King said, "I think people are more into technology than ever before. They don't have time."

For its part, PMI thinks that what's good for lenders will in turn be good for PMI.

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