Accenture has agreed to acquire Zenta, a leading provider of residential and commercial mortgage processing services in the United States. The acquisition will significantly expand Accenture’s ability to help lenders, servicers and real estate investment trusts (REITS) retool and streamline their operations, enhance the customer experience, and improve profitability in response to new market conditions, while enhancing Accenture’s BPO portfolio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

In conjunction with the agreement, Accenture is launching Accenture Credit Services, a full-service consulting, technology and BPO capability that will expand its support for institutions in the residential mortgage, commercial real estate, leasing and automotive finance industries. Zenta’s mortgage processing capabilities will be a key component of the service.

“The wave of regulations and a changing credit environment are redefining the competitive landscape of the mortgage industry,” said Terry Moore, global managing director of Accenture Credit Services. “In the residential mortgage business, low customer satisfaction, rising fulfillment costs, and falling pull-through rates -- coupled with slower refinancing and purchase activity -- are undercutting profitability. On the servicing side, regulatory changes are forcing operational transformation.