The annual National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) returns live in Naples, Fla. this year from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, 2021.  

Wednesday, Sept. 1’s keynote speaker will be Stan Middleman, founder and CEO of Freedom Mortgage Corp. Middleman will be sharing insights on how to lead through the inevitable change coming to the real estate transaction. Middleman also will describe the principles of good leadership and how to improve collaboration.

“I think it is incredibly exciting to look into the future and see what may be coming down the road,” Middleman said. “How consumer expectations and their current experience morphs into the next deliverable and the impact that has on our industries is very interesting. I hope we can go on a tour from what is to what should and could be in my NS3 keynote.  It is always fun to talk about what happens next.”

Following Middleman’s keynote speech, Brian Montgomery, Gate House Strategies partner and chairman and former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will share his experience and expertise. He will discuss issues such as what is facing the real estate industry as forbearance programs are lifted, whether the requirements for ensuring fair housing have expanded, and what is expected from the industry to ensure fair housing.  

“For starters, I’m excited to join NS3 again in person, to be part of what is one of the most valuable conferences of the year with an important dialogue for the industry,” Montgomery said. “What I hope people will take away is that we are working through a significant, rather historic time. With two million homeowners rolling out of forbearance in the coming months, the scrutiny will be high and the stakes even higher.  Troubled borrowers will need to be treated fairly and transparently. 

“I’ll address some of the similarities and differences with prior post-crisis periods, the important role of FHA [Federal Housing Administration] and HUD [U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development], and the dynamics of this housing market that are likely to affect our future course.”

Have questions about marketing service agreements, affiliated relationships, and other RESPA topics? Join Brian Levy, of counsel at Katten & Temple, LLP, and Mitch Kider, chairman and managing partner at Weiner Brodsky and Kider PC, Wednesday morning for these answers, and more, at the session titled, RESPA’s Frequently Asked Questions.

“As mortgage banking attorneys with combined experience of well over 50 years, Mitch and I have heard many of the same RESPA questions over and over,” Levy said. “It’s amazing how people in the industry still think that RESPA is a law that you need to ‘get around’ to develop referral relationships, instead of treating it as just another compliance obligation.

“Mitch and I are planning a fun and interactive session, where we will discuss many of these common issues and provide some concrete ways to think about RESPA to better manage compliance to enhance marketing efforts. Attendees might also benefit from Mitch’s unique insights on what is going on in Washington, DC with the CFPB [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau] and other government agencies.”

Redacting information on property records is well-intentioned but is causing difficulties in determining the chain of title. Alan Fields, senior vice president, director of underwriting at WFG National Title Insurance Co., and David Floyd, CEO of Property Sync Software Systems, LLC will explain how to respond when you come across these documents in Responding to Redaction, kicking off an afternoon of educational sessions after a networking lunch.

In today’s industry, cybersecurity may feel like an ever-increasing challenge. In the session titled, Cybersecurity: Staying Diligent, Tom Cronkright, CertifID CEO, and Steven Doughtery, cyber-enabled financial fraud investigator for the U.S. Secret Service Global Investigative Operations Center, will offer real life examples and vulnerabilities to cyberattacks.

“Cybersecurity is now the top issue in the industry and this session will dive deep into current threats, recent cyber incidents and how to protect companies and consumers from loss,” Cronkright said.

The second day of NS3 ends with an executive discussion on the current hot topics in underwriting. Panelists include Jeff Bluhm, executive vice president, Old Republic National Title Insurance Co.; Steven Day, president, National Agency Operations, The FNF Family of Companies; Mary O’Donnell, CEO and president, Westcor Land Title Insurance Co.; Tara Smith, group president, Agency Operations, Stewart; Patrick Stone, executive chairman and founder, WFG National Title Insurance Co.; and Evan Zanic, executive vice president, Division President Agency Division, First American Title Insurance Co.

“The panelists will provide insights on current market conditions, emerging trends, shifts in underwriting strategies and tools, and challenges facing our industry,” Smith said. “It will be an interactive discussion sharing opinions on the important relationship underwriters have with their independent agent customers.”

This year’s NS3 is not a year you want to miss. For more information on the 2021 NS3, 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.