Blend Release Notes - 2025/03/28

(Note: you can download the Release Notes PDF in the Release Notes PDFs section in Help Center)

For this release, we anticipate the following introductions in your environments. Major features are documented in the Blend Knowledge Base accessible at help.blend.com.

If that resource does not answer your question, please reach out to Blend Support.

Announcements (1) 

(New) Feature Spotlight: Enhanced Security with Optional reCAPTCHA for Borrower Account Creation

Blend’s optional reCAPTCHA feature is designed to significantly enhance the security of customer environments. reCAPTCHA acts as a powerful deterrent against automated bots and malicious actors, preventing them from creating fraudulent accounts. 

How reCAPTCHA Works and Key Considerations:

• Targeted Protection: reCAPTCHA will appear on the borrower account creation page, providing focused protection where it's most needed. When a borrower attempts to create a new account, they will be prompted to complete the reCAPTCHA verification before proceeding.
• Specific to Upfront Account Creation: It is important to note that the reCAPTCHA feature applies specifically to Blend’s Login App, which is used for upfront account creation. Any account creation methods that bypass upfront account creation, such as Single Sign-On (SSO) or delayed account creation, will not be gated by reCAPTCHA.
• Borrower Focus: The reCAPTCHA feature is designed to protect borrower account creation. Lender or enterprise user account creation will not be gated by reCAPTCHA.
• Optional Configuration: This feature is optional and can be configured by Blend’s Support team. Contact Blend Support support@blend.com or your Blend representative in order to enable this feature. 
• Available for All Application Types: reCAPTCHA can be used with all application types on both the Lending and Configurable Platforms where account creation is completed before borrowers and applicants can access the application.
• User Experience: Upon enabling reCAPTCHA, a "I'm not a robot" checkbox will appear above the "Create Account" button on the borrower account creation page. Users will be required to click this checkbox to verify their human identity. The "Create Account" button will remain inactive until the reCAPTCHA is successfully completed, ensuring that only verified human users can proceed.

If the application is configured with Magic Links (Consumer Banking applications on the Builder Platform only), the reCAPTCHA will appear below the email confirmation boxes. 

By leveraging this optional reCAPTCHA feature, you can significantly strengthen your platform's security posture and protect your business from potential abuse. Contact Blend Support or your Blend representative today to enable this security enhancement.

Maintenance Announcements (2)

Kubernetes Minor Version Upgrade

Blend will be upgrading beta and prod kubernetes clusters (EKS) from version 1.28 to 1.29. The total downtime for this maintenance is anticipated to be less than 5 minutes. 

What are the affected periods for beta environments?
12am-2am PT Tuesday April 1, 2025

What are affected periods for prod environments?
12am-2am PT Tuesday April 8, 2025
 

Database Maintenance

Blend will be performing maintenance on a postgres-shared database in production and beta environments. The total downtime for this maintenance is anticipated to be less than 5 minutes. 

What are the affected periods for beta environments?
12am-2am PT Tuesday, March 25, 2025

What are affected periods for prod environments?
12am-2am PT Thursday, April 17, 2025

 

Preview Environments (Test/Dev/Beta) (2)

• 1-click Download for RON Closings
• LO Toolkit Support for 3+ Borrowers 
   

Production Environments (Prod) (6) 

• Encompass Credit Reissue - Soft Pulls for Xactus/Avantus and CoreLogic
• Allow Reminder Emails for Automated Follow-Ups
• Blend is Partnering with Truework for Income and Employment Verification (VOIE)
• (Update) Automated Follow-Up Email Timer Set to 20 Minutes (Builder Platform)
• DU 1.9 Update
• LPA 5.4 Update

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