|
Title companies find savings offshore
Posted Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2014
In the title insurance industry, work sent offshore can include processing images, keying and key verifying, researching missing and incorrect data elements, performing quality assurance and some escrow functions — mostly simple, entry-level tasks.
The panel agreed that many companies in the industry should expect to save 25 percent to 30 percent by offshoring, with the right vendor.
|
|
|
Wells Fargo expands access to new ideas through Startup Accelerator
Posted Date: Monday, August 25, 2014
Wells Fargo began accepting applications through Oct. 1 from young companies interested in joining the new Wells Fargo Startup Accelerator, a semiannual boot camp for innovators whose technology ideas in payments, deposits, fraud, operations and other fields could shape future customer experiences in financial services.
|
|
|
CFPB chooses eClosing pilot participants
Posted Date: Monday, August 25, 2014
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau selected its participants for its mortgage eClosing pilot program. Keep reading to find out who.
|
|
|
Hillsborough’s Loper seeks to change REO stereotype
Posted Date: Thursday, August 21, 2014
Hillsborough Title’s family of companies is adding a REO Division to its Florida operations. Newly appointed division manager Tanya Loper told The Title Report she wants to take the stigma out of REO sales.
|
|
|
FHFA seeks comment on ‘maintain, reduce and build’ plan
Posted Date: Monday, August 25, 2014
The FHFA is seeking comment from industry stakeholders as well as members of Congress and the public on its plan, which sets forth three goals — “maintain, reduce and build” — to guide the conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
|
|
|
MISMO seeking public comment
Posted Date: Thursday, August 21, 2014
The MISMO Residential Standards Governance Committee announced the schedule for the next two releases of the MISMO Residential Data Standard. Keep reading for the dates and details.
|
|
|
Wells Fargo, PNC top MBA rankings
Posted Date: Thursday, August 28, 2014
The Mortgage Bankers Association released its mid-year rankings of commercial and multifamily mortgage servicers’ volumes as of June 30. Wells Fargo and PNC Real Estate/Midland Loan Services top the list. Read on to see who else makes an appearance.
|
|
|
Louisiana opens its doors to eRecording
Posted Date: Thursday, August 21, 2014
In a state that has been historically resistant to eRecording, Louisiana’s Jefferson Parish is now accepting the technology with Simplifile.
|
|
|
|
Data security high on priority list of global firms, survey finds
Posted Date: Monday, August 25, 2014
A recent survey commissioned by a global information technology (IT) security vendor finds that preventing data leaks and preserving continuity of business systems during interruptions rank high on the list of many global businesses.
The survey, “Global IT Security Risks Survey 2014-Virtualization,” by global firm Kaspersky Lab, polled nearly 4,000 representatives in 27 countries who work at mid-sized to “very large” firms about the obstacles their management and IT teams face, specifically when building and maintaining a reliable, smooth-running IT infrastructure.
|
|
|
Stewart debuts enhanced underwriting website
Posted Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Stewart released its newest version of Virtual Underwriter system. This tool provides databases, manuals, forms and real estate practices that streamline the process. Keep reading to learn more about this updated technology.
|
|
|
|
Carrington opens offices, names leaders
Posted Date: Thursday, August 21, 2014
A residential retail and wholesale lender will expand into four new markets to extend a wide range of product offerings underserved borrowers. Read on for more details.
|
|
|
Greater Maryland Title appoints manager, processor
Posted Date: Monday, August 25, 2014
Greater Maryland Title, a title insurance agency joint venture of Title Alliance Ltd., announced the appointment of a new manager and processor. Read on to see who.
|
|
|
Two Miamians plead guilty to mortgage fraud
Posted Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Luis Michael Mendez, 44, and Wilkie Perez, 39, each plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Darrin Gayles in the Southern District of Florida.
|
|
|
Case-Shiller report points to ‘more normal housing sector’
Posted Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2014
The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price report said the data through June shows a sustained slowdown in price increases. Committee Chairman David Blitzer said this data, combined with other indicators, points to a more normal housing sector.
|
|
|
Fitch: Title Insurers show improved loss ratio
Posted Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2014
The U.S. title insurance industry reported declines in title operating revenues and profits for the first half of 2014 as the industry continued to deal with lower mortgage refinancing volumes. Harsh winter weather and higher interest rates in the first quarter also contributed to lower mortgage and real estate market activity over the first six months of 2014, according to Fitch Ratings.
Fitch’s Glombicki analyzes the big four
|
|
|
Commercial transaction volume healthy, according to report
Posted Date: Thursday, August 21, 2014
Commercial real estate transaction metrics are trending in a positive direction, with deal volume and pricing shifting upward as cap rate and risk premiums decline according to Auction.com’s Q2 2014 Commercial Real Estate Market Monitor Report.
“The picture continues to brighten for the commercial real estate market, as more investors take advantage of the current low-interest rate environment and drive transaction volume and pricing upward across all of the major sectors,” said Auction.com Executive Vice President Rick Sharga.
|
|
|
|
Refinances see a boost
Posted Date: Monday, August 25, 2014
The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported the total volume of mortgage refinances increased slightly in June as mortgage rates decreased from May. Keep reading to learn more.
|
|
|
All-cash share of home sales pulls back
Posted Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2014
All-cash sales accounted were down from a three-year high in the second quarter according to RealtyTrac’s Q2 2014 U.S. Institutional Investor and Cash Sales Report. Institutional investors also are down from the previous quarter. Keep reading for more analysis of these niche sales in the industry.
|
|
|
|
Zacks names Fidelity National a Strong Sell
Posted Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Zacks Rank, a stock-rating system, downgraded Fidelity National Financial Inc. a notch to Rank 5, Strong Sell. According to Zacks, FNF has been experiencing a downward estimate revision because of sluggish second quarter 2013 results and a weak outlook for the upcoming quarters.
|
|
|
County recorder wants to increase eRecording of documents
Posted Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Larry Burtness, Washoe County Recorder and vice president of the Property Records Industry Association (PRIA) said he is electronically recording 55 percent of the total volume of documents that come through his office. He expects to increase that to 80 percent.
There are currently more than 1,140 of 3,600 recording jurisdictions in the country eRecording including Hawaii and Alaska.
|
|
|
The true cost of recorded documents
Posted Date: Thursday, August 21, 2014
The cost of recorded documents has been the subject of much debate, including at this year’s Association for Title Information Management’s (ATIM) 29th Annual Conference in Portland, Ore. October Research, LLC attended the event to learn more about this segment of the industry.
The session, “The Answer’s Money; So, What’s the Question? – A Clerk and Recorder Round Table” was moderated by Jim Harper, president and co-founder of PFA Inc., a high technology company specializing in migrating and preserving real property records. Included in the round table were Bill Burgess, Marion County Clerk in Oregon; Christine Walker, Jackson County Clerk in Oregon; Dianne Wilson, Fort Bend County Clerk in Texas and Joyce Mascena, Town of Glastonbury Clerk in Connecticut.
|
|
|
RynohLive offers six steps to escrow security
Posted Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2014
RynohLive released a new whitepaper focusing on the safekeeping of escrow accounts, entitled “Six Steps to Total Escrow Security.” Here experts from the company outline how agents can use technology to prevent fraud, embezzlement, defalcation and errors.
“One of the main areas of risk for the title insurance industry right now is escrow accounts,” said Dick Reass, president and founder of RynohLive.
|
|
|
FHFA to seek input on single security
Posted Date: Friday, August 15, 2014
The Federal Housing Finance Agency published a request for input on the proposed structure for a single security that would be issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
|
|
|
TitleExpress integrates with TrustLink
Posted Date: Friday, August 15, 2014
TSS Software, a technology solutions provider, announced the integration of Title Express with First American SMS’ TrustLink platform. Keep reading to learn more.
|
|
|
Charlotte mortgage fraudsters sentenced to prison
Posted Date: Friday, August 15, 2014
Two defendants involved in a mortgage fraud conspiracy that targeted Charlotte-area homes were sentenced to prison according to the Charlotte Division of the FBI. Keep reading to learn more.
|
|
|