How Lenders Can Increase Pull-Through with eSign + RON
Pull-through rate—how many loans actually close compared to how many applications are submitted—is one of the most important performance indicators for lenders.
But in a market where borrowers expect speed, convenience, and digital options, traditional closing workflows slow everything down.
That’s why eSign and Remote Online Notarization (RON) have become essential tools in modern mortgage operations.
Together, they create a faster, smoother borrower experience that significantly improves pull-through.
This article explains why eSign + RON matter, how they increase pull-through, and how lenders can implement them effectively.
What Are eSign and RON?
eSign (Electronic Signatures)
Borrowers sign disclosures, documents, and closing packages digitally instead of using paper.
RON (Remote Online Notarization)
Notarization happens online through audio-video technology.
Borrowers can complete the notarized portion of their loan anywhere—24/7.
Together, these two technologies eliminate friction points that often cause borrower drop-off.
1. Faster Borrower Workflow = Higher Pull-Through
The biggest reason borrowers abandon the mortgage process is delay.
Paper-based or hybrid workflows often require:
Scheduling notary appointments
Printing & wet-signing documents
Scanning, uploading, or mailing files
Multiple in-person meetings
Every delay increases the chance a borrower shops a competitor or changes their mind.
eSign + RON solves this by:
Allowing signatures instantly
Completing notarization online
Reducing the entire process from days to minutes
This speed alone boosts pull-through, especially for refis and rate-sensitive borrowers.
2. Eliminates Scheduling Conflicts
Borrowers today often work nontraditional hours. Coordinating signer + notary + loan officer can delay closings for days.
RON removes this completely:
Borrowers notarize from home
Available nights and weekends
No travel, no coordination
Available in all/most states with RON legislation
When borrowers don’t have to rearrange their lives to close, more of them finish the loan.
3. Reduces Abandonment During Disclosures & Re-Disclosures
A major drop-off point happens during:
Initial disclosures
Updated disclosures
CD reviews
Re-disclosures on changed circumstances
Paper or email-based workflows slow the borrower down. eSign platforms:
Send disclosures instantly
Notify borrowers automatically
Track completion
Allow signatures on mobile
This dramatically reduces fallout between application and underwriting.
4. Increases Borrower Confidence and Trust
Borrowers feel more in control when the process is modern and transparent.
With eSign + RON, they can:
Review documents digitally
Ask questions in real time
Sign at their own pace
Use interfaces that feel similar to other digital services they trust
A smoother, more predictable experience = higher borrower satisfaction, which directly increases pull-through.
5. Reduces Errors That Cause Delays
Errors kill pull-through.
Examples include:
Missing signatures
Incorrectly signed documents
Missing notary sections
Wrong date formats
Illegible signatures
eSign + RON automated workflows prevent these mistakes through:
Real-time validations
Required signature fields
Automated date stamping
Auto-generated notarial certificates
Fewer errors → fewer re-signs → fewer borrowers dropping out.
6. Supports Faster Rate Lock-to-Close Cycles
When borrowers can sign documents instantly, lenders eliminate “timing gaps” that harm lock execution.
Benefits include:
Higher lock conversion
Fewer lock extensions
Lower hedge cost
Faster closing timelines
Greater borrower loyalty
RON also ensures rate-sensitive borrowers don’t lose deals due to slow notarization.
7. Attracts Tech-Savvy Borrowers (Millennial & Gen Z)
Over 60% of new mortgage applicants are younger, mobile-first consumers.
These borrowers:
Hate paperwork
Prefer online everything
Want convenience
Expect digital closing options
Lenders that offer eSign + RON see:
More applications completed
Faster document turn times
Higher conversion from quote → application → funded loan
Digital convenience = competitive advantage.
8. Enables Full eClosing for Maximum Efficiency
eSign + RON are the core components of a full eClosing, which drives the highest pull-through increases.
Full eClosing benefits:
Borrowers sign everything digitally
eNote reduces collateral errors
Funding is faster
Closing packages are instantly delivered
No paper back-and-forth
Full eClosings routinely show 5–10% higher pull-through rates compared to traditional closings.
How Lenders Can Implement eSign + RON Strategically
1. Start with Hybrid eClose
Digitize disclosures and non-notarized docs first.
2. Add RON through approved providers
Choose a MISMO-certified RON vendor with GSE-approved integrations.
3. Offer borrowers a digital-first option
Present “Close Online” as the default, not an add-on.
4. Train LOs and processors
Borrowers follow the lender’s confidence. Your team must promote it clearly.
5. Track pull-through metrics
Evaluate conversion metrics before and after implementation to measure ROI.
Conclusion
eSign + RON are no longer optional—they are essential for lenders who want to stay competitive and increase pull-through in a digital-first marketplace. By reducing delays, eliminating scheduling barriers, minimizing errors, and improving borrower experience, eSign + RON directly drive more loans from application to closing. Lenders who embrace these tools will see higher conversion, lower fallout, faster closings, and happier borrowers—making them leaders in the modern mortgage experience.
