Your progress through closing is now easier to follow
After you accept an offer, it can feel like you've fallen into a black hole. Tasks pile up, statuses change, and it's hard to know where you actually stand. We reworked the closing page from the ground up so you can see exactly where you are in the process, what's coming next, and what still needs your attention — all in one place.
Your closing page now shows a clear six-phase timeline — from Application through to Funded — so you always know which phase you're in and what's ahead. Estimated timeframes update as your loan moves forward.
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Clearer closing status at a glance The top of your closing page now shows a plain-language summary of your loan's current status, with any warnings surfaced prominently. You won't have to hunt for what needs your attention.
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Your gift donor invite now shows the right status If you invited someone to submit a gift letter on your behalf, the task on your home screen now correctly shows "waiting on donor" once the invitation is sent. Previously it still showed as incomplete, which was confusing and made it look like nothing had happened.
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If a gift letter is rejected, you can act on it When a submitted gift letter doesn't pass review, you'll now see the specific reason and two clear options: send a new invitation to your donor, or appeal the decision if you think it was made in error. Before, the task would just stall with no way forward.
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You can always sign out from the closing page A bug on mobile meant there was no way to sign out once you reached the closing screen. That's fixed — the exit option is now visible and accessible on every device, at every step.
Your rate and offer information is more accurate from the start
Seeing a rate before the numbers behind it are ready can create false expectations. If that early number didn't match what you were actually offered, it was disorienting. We made a few targeted fixes this week so that what you see on screen reflects what's real.
The rate card on your introduction screen is now hidden until your actual rate and APR are confirmed from the backend. You won't see a number that might change.
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All loan options shown with equal weight When the advisor shows you multiple loan products, one option was previously displayed more prominently than the others — which implied a recommendation Athena isn't in a position to make. All options now look the same so you can compare them on equal footing.
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Switching from a social media app to your browser is now smoother If you started your application inside Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok's built-in browser, certain steps — like connecting your bank account or uploading documents — could fail silently. You'll now see a clear prompt to open the full Safari or Chrome browser before hitting those steps, with a plain explanation of why it matters.
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Loading screens instead of blank pages In some edge cases, the offer page could show a completely blank screen while your pricing was still being calculated. It now shows a proper loading screen so you know something is happening.
The Athena banking app is getting a major upgrade
Athena's banking app — which lets you manage your cash account alongside your mortgage — is being rebuilt with more reliable technology and a refreshed look. Most of this work is happening under the hood, but the result is an app that's faster, more secure, and ready for features like joint accounts and direct deposit.
The banking app now supports passkey authentication on both iOS and Android, meaning you can sign in using Face ID or your fingerprint instead of a password — faster and more secure.
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Joint accounts are now supported If you're buying or refinancing with a partner, you can now open a joint Athena cash account together. Both of you get full access from day one, without any extra setup.
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More ways to move your money The app now supports sending money via standard bank transfer, same-day transfer, and instant payment — and you can save recipients so you don't have to re-enter details every time.
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A refreshed look across iOS and Android The banking app has a new visual design that matches Athena's brand — cleaner layouts, updated fonts, and a more consistent experience across every screen.
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Your mortgage details now appear in the banking app You can now see your loan terms and make extra principal payments directly from the banking app, alongside your cash account — so everything related to your home is in one place.
Behind the Scenes
Technical improvements you won't see, but should trust.