Steve Bartlett, a senior advisor with Treliant Risk Advisors and former Congressman, will discuss how the political landscape over the next 12-24 months may affect compliance issues in the title and settlement services industry at the 2015 National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) in Atlanta, June 8-10.
Speaking for the first time at NS3, Barlett will explore the possible changes to the Dodd-Frank Act that may occur during this congressional session, saying he expects any legislative changes from this session to be somewhat invisible to the settlement services industry, such as changes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) governance model.
Bartlett has more than 30 years of experience in financial services, business strategy, corporate governance, ethics and compliance and public policy, serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983-1991 and as the mayor of Dallas from 1991-1995. Bartlett became the president and CEO of the Financial Services Roundtable in Washington, D.C. from 1999-2012.
Although President Barack Obama has pledged to veto legislation that aims to reform the Dodd-Frank Act, Bartlett emphasized that people shouldn’t let that deter them from advocating for changes.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport,” Bartlett said. “Legislative change takes a long time. You have to prove your case. The people who speak up get heard, and the people who don’t, don’t.”
As long as those seeking changes do not get too greedy, Bartlett envisions modest adjustments to happen down the road.
Bartlett also will discuss the TILA/RESPA integrated disclosure rules that become effective Aug. 1.
“In my view the RESPA origination and RESPA enforcement will be the next big mortgage challenge to hit us, and I have a fear that the industry in not prepared for the size or the scope of the change,” Bartlett said.
To get more information on the 2015 National Settlement Services Summit in Atlanta June 8-10, including the agenda and a list of speakers, click here. You can register for NS3 online or click here to get information on how to register via mail, fax or phone.