January 15, 2026

In This Issue:

Refinances Pose Growing Fraud Threat to Lenders, Study Shows
Countdown to FinCEN Reporting Rule Implementation: Only 45 Days Remain Before New Residential Real Estate Reporting Requirements for Settlement Agents Are Scheduled To Be Effective. Are You Ready?
Compliance Reminder: Guaranty Fee Reports Due Feb. 1
ALTA: Housing Supply and Affordability Study
ICYMI: TDI Announces Commissioner Brown Retiring. Gov. Abbott Appoints Crawford to Replace Her Beginning Feb. 2
TLTA ADVISORY: New USPS Rule Changes Postmark Process, Which May Impact Determination of When Taxes Are Considered Paid, When Notice Is Deemed Given Under a Contract

Refinances Pose Growing Fraud Threat to Lenders, Study Shows

ALTA President David Townsend | Jan. 14, 2026

New data dispels the notion that refinance transactions are risk free. A recent study by Milliman, Inc.—commissioned by the American Land Title Association (ALTA)—analyzed nearly 162,000 claims reported over the past decade and found that refinance transactions increasingly carry substantial risk for lenders, driven by fraud, forgery and title defects that go undetected in the public record.

Milliman’s analysis revealed that fraud and forgery now make up more than 40% of all losses and expenses related to refinancing, making them the single largest category of risk in these transactions. Even more concerning is the financial impact. The average fraud or forgery claim on a refinance totals more than $207,000, nearly seven times higher than the average of all other refinance-related claims, which still exceeds $30,000.

“This study underscores that refinances are by no means risk-free,” said ALTA C EO C hris Morton. “Fraud and forgery, which cannot be detected through a public records search, are actually more common and more costly in refinance transactions compared to purchase transactions.”

Read More »
Review the Millman Study »

Countdown to FinCEN Reporting Rule Implementation: Only 45 Days Remain Before New Residential Real Estate Reporting Requirements for Settlement Agents Are Scheduled To Be Effective. Are You Ready?

Register for TLTA's Compliance Clinic Today to Stay Ahead of These New Requirements for Settlement Agents
TLTA | Jan. 15, 2026

FinCEN's GTO reporting is being expanded to all markets nationwide, requiring new reporting for certain all-cash residential real estate transfers. The new reporting requirements are scheduled to be implemented March 1. Learn more here.

Only 45 Days to Go. Are You Ready?

TLTA is hosting a 2-hour compliance clinic that builds on prior TLTA training and focuses on applying the new rule using the most current FinCEN materials. Presenters will walk through how to identify reportable transactions, confirm the reporting person, and complete the Real Estate Report using real-world examples. The session will also address common exemptions and exclusions, operational decision points, and updated guidance affecting workflows, data collection, and reporting timelines.

This clinic is designed for title professionals who want clarity and confidence heading into March—whether you are finalizing internal procedures, training staff, or pressure-testing how the rule will impact day-to-day closings.

FinCEN Real Estate Reporting Rule: Final Prep Before March 1 Effective Date
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
CE: 2 hours Escrow/MCLE

ICYMI: TREC's Broker-Lawyer Committee Adopted Standard Contract Changes Related to New FinCEN Reporting Rule As Recommended by TLTA

TLTA's Vice President of Government Relations and Counsel Aaron Day attended a recent meeting of the Texas Real Estate Commission Broker-Lawyer Committee to discuss the commission's proposed changes to TREC's Standard Contract related to new FinCEN reporting rules.

TLTA had previously submitted a letter to the TREC committee when their deliberations on this change began. Since that first letter, TLTA proposed additional language changes, which the committee has now incorporated and will include in their recommendations for the Commissioners for adoption.

Compliance Reminder: Guaranty Fee Reports Due Feb. 1 - Failure to Submit Could Lead to TDI Enforcement

TLTA | Jan. 14, 2026

Guaranty Fee reports for the fourth quarter of 2025 are due to TTIGA Feb. 1. Failure to submit reports could result in enforcement action from TDI.

Remittance Forms and Other Guaranty Fee Info »

TLTA Editor's Note: TLTA's Compliance Checklist and Reporting Calendar for title agents was recently updated. And, we will be hosting a new compliance clinic next week, Jan. 22: The Title Agent Compliance Checklist: Reporting Deadlines, Requirements, and Audit Readiness.

ALTA: Housing Supply and Affordability Study

ALTA | Jan. 13, 2026

As policymakers and stakeholders search for solutions to housing supply and affordability challenges, it is essential that those solutions are practical, workable, and informed by real-world experience.

Your insight as an ALTA member helps ensure proposed approaches reflect the realities of our industry. This brief survey is an opportunity to share what works, what doesn’t, and where the title industry can meaningfully contribute.

Complete ALTA's Survey »

ICYMI: TDI Announces Commissioner Brown Retiring. Gov. Abbott Appoints Crawford to Replace Her Beginning Feb. 2

TLTA | Jan. 8, 2026

After more than four years of leading the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), Commissioner Cassie Brown will retire on Feb. 2, 2026. We thank Commissioner Brown for her service to the State of Texas and wish her well in her future endeavors.

Learn More About Commissioner Brown's Retirement »

Gov. Abbott announced that Amanda Crawford will serve as the new commissioner of TDI beginning Feb. 2. Crawford is currently executive director of the Department of Information Resources and the State of Texas’ Chief Information Officer. We welcome incoming Commissioner Crawford and look forward to working with her on behalf of the Texas consumers we all serve.

Read More About Incoming Commissioner Crawford »

TLTA ADVISORY: New USPS Rule Changes Postmark Process, Which May Impact Determination of When Taxes Are Considered Paid, When Notice Is Deemed Given Under a Contract

TLTA | Jan. 8, 2026

A new USPS rule effective Dec. 24, 2025 changes the postmark process and may impact the determination of when taxes are considered paid or when notice is deemed given under a contract, as well as other deadlines that rely on a postmark date for a presumption of timeliness. Previously, it was the practice and understanding of the public that a postmark would be placed on the letter or parcel the day it was picked up by the USPS or deposited in a USPS mailbox. However, according to the new rule in effect, mail is now stamped as of the date of processing, not deposit.

According to USPS, because most postmarks are applied at processing facilities, they do not necessarily represent either the place at which, or the date on which, the Postal Service first accepted possession of the mailpiece. Due to this, the date inscribed by a postmark applied at a processing facility may be later than the date that the mailpiece was first accepted by the Postal Service.

The USPS advises customers to request a postmark at a retail location if they want to ensure that their mailpiece receives a postmark containing a date that aligns with the date of deposit. They advise further that, “Customers who wish to retain a record or proof of the date on which the Postal Service first accepted possession of their mailpiece(s) may purchase a Certificate of Mailing.”

Review Full Text of the New Adopted Rule In the Federal Register »