How Proof Helped Thrive Mortgage Fund Loans in Minutes
Thrive Mortgage, led by COO Selene Kellam and Kelley Cooper Spencer, partnered with Proof to become a fully digital mortgage company, pioneering remote online notarization in Texas since 2018, which enabled over 100 seamless, paperless eClosings within a year, significantly improving funding efficiency, reducing errors, and enhancing the homebuying experience by allowing borrowers to close loans conveniently from anywhere.
Kelley Cooper Spencer never wants to sign a piece of paper ever again. In fact, Thrive Mortgage COO Selene Kellam has told Spencer and her colleagues that she will only eClose her personal mortgage loans in the future. Becoming a fully digital mortgage company wasn’t just an ambition: it was foundational to the DNA of the Thrive Mortgage family.
“We wanted to lead the mortgage industry in how we helped homebuyers get into their homes,” said Spencer. “And if we could do it well – if we could move the mortgage industry – then we could help shift every other industry away from paper and manual processes.”
The Opportunity to Lead the Market in Online Closings
Thrive Mortgage knew that borrowers wanted a seamless, easy, and convenient homebuying experience. Remote online notarization presented the opportunity to not only deliver on that ideal, but to improve the funding processes on the back end that has long delayed closing times.
“eClosings provided unparalleled efficiencies in funding,” said Spencer. “There are almost no cleanups or corrections; we can see when all the documents are signed; and it’s a consistent, improved process on the back end.
“We wanted to build an innovative process with a partner who could help us every step of the way. For that, Proof was the perfect partner.”
Over 100 Real Estate Closings in Just One Year
In the summer of 2018, Thrive Mortgage and Proof (formerly Notarize) completed the first online mortgage closing in the state of Texas. Less than a year later, Thrive has completed more than 100 online closings, and its top loan officers have done away with offering paper closings entirely. This, Spencer says, is indicative of where the industry is heading.
“Borrowers are closing on their homes in Starbucks and from their PJs,” said Spencer. “They want painless, seamless experiences that don’t require them to sign stacks of paper in person. And this isn’t just great for borrowers: it benefits our post-closing experience. Fundings went from an hour to 10 minutes or less, which means that homebuyers can get the keys to their homes faster.”
Thrive Mortgage’s loan officers are also leading the mortgage industry, with top performers committing to eClosings entirely, to meet the expectations of homebuyers in this digital age.
“We want every closing to be powered by Proof because, in the not too distant future, we won’t be debating remote online notarization and online closings – we’ll be debating who is using those technologies to deliver the best customer experience,” said Spencer.
“We want Thrive to be leading that conversation.”
Related
What Is eClosing Software? | Proof
eClosing software enables lenders, title agents, and homebuyers to complete mortgage loan closings entirely online or through hybrid methods by streamlining document collection, reducing errors, and saving time through comprehensive digital tools for preparation, signing, notarization, and recording.
How To Run a Smooth eClose | Proof
The article explains that transitioning from slow, error-prone paper closings to efficient eClosings—either hybrid, involving some in-person digital signatures, or full, entirely remote digital processes—requires lenders and title teams to implement essential components like eSignatures, online notarization, eNote filing, identity verification, and secure document storage, while emphasizing thorough preparation, workflow tracking, and continuous improvement to ensure compliant, fraud-resistant, and borrower-friendly digital closings.
Successful Change Management Techniques for Moving to eClosings
The article emphasizes that successful adoption of fully-digital eClosings in the mortgage industry—offering significant cost savings and improved customer experience—requires more than just technology; it demands a structured, deliberate change management strategy that supports employees through the transition, avoids overwhelming teams, and ensures high adoption and return on investment.
Customer Case Studies and Stories
The content highlights multiple customer case studies demonstrating how Proof’s identity verification and remote notarization solutions have significantly enhanced security, efficiency, and customer experience across various industries by reducing fraud, accelerating digital closings, streamlining workflows, and simplifying account recovery.
Proof Legal Glossary
The Proof Legal Glossary, last updated June 19, 2026, defines key terms related to Proof's digital notarization and certification services, including fees, legal entities, API access, electronic signature laws, notary regulations, business definitions, service capacities, and specific platform features like Certify and Close for securing digital content and conducting real estate transactions remotely.
ALTA's Best Practices: The Guide to Securing Your Closings
The American Land Title Association (ALTA) released updated Best Practices Framework (Version 4.2) and Identity Verification Guidance to help title and settlement companies combat rising real estate fraud by mandating robust, documented identity verification programs, enhanced oversight of notaries and signing professionals, and a layered approach combining human oversight, training, and technology to ensure valid IDs, identity matching, and transaction legitimacy.