June 20, 2014

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TDI Commissioner Julia Rathgeber Addresses TLTA Annual Conference

Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Commissioner Julia Rabethger gave a keynote address at TLTA's Annual Conference and Business Meeting earlier this week at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. She provided an update on several structural and process improvements at the Department. 

The Commissioner also discussed her enthusiasm for continuing to develop a cooperative relationship with TLTA, title agents and underwriters. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy industry while protecting consumers.

More than 350 industry members attended the conference, learning more from experts about several hot topics including, the CFPB's new rules, how software will work with the new closing disclosures and the latest lender requirements.

At Tuesday's Terry Grantham Memorial PAC Breakfast, Texas Tribune Editor Evan Smith shared his thoughts and insider information about Texas government and how he thinks upcoming elections will shape up. You can sign up for the Texas Tribune's regular news updates here.

At Wednesday's closing PAC Breakfast, New York Times best-selling author James Bradley shared the inspirational story of the soldiers who raised the famous flag on Iwo Jima, and stuck around after his presentation to talk to members and autograph books and DVDs

Stay tuned for a full update and photos from the Conference in next week's Downdate newsletter!

CFPB Charges Stonebridge Title Services for RESPA Violation 

HousingWire | June 12, 2014
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ordered New Jersey-based Stonebridge Title Services to pay $30,000 for paying illegal kickbacks for referrals. The CFPB charged that the company paid commissions to more than 20 independent salespeople who referred title insurance business to Stonebridge. Stonebridge solicited people to provide it with referrals of title insurance business, offering to pay commissions of up to 40% of the title insurance premiums Stonebridge itself received. In doing so, the company violated Section 8 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and is required to pay a civil penalty. Read More »

Bert Massey Classic Golf Tournament a Huge Success! 

The 6th Annual Bert Massey Classic Golf Tournament held in conjunction with the Annual Conference & Business was a huge success, with 94 golfers raising more than $19,000 for the TLTAPAC. Golfers enjoyed a cool (by Texas summer standards), morning of golf followed by an award's luncheon sponsored by First American Title Insurance Company. Congratulations to all of our winners below, and stay tuned to TLTA's Facebook page for more photos from the tournament.

WFG National Title Insurance Company Flight
Chris Drumm, Mike Koloski, Bill Tinsley
 
AVS Tax Service LLC Flight
Erik Barnard, Jason Bragg, Barrie Bates, Celia Flowers, Mark Scott
 
WINDWARD Consulting | Software (ResWare)
Todd Rasco, Jim Johnson, Louis Williams, Robert Jordan
 
Cloudstar Flight
Kris Luckert, Kolter Luckert, JR Cook, Ashley Cook
 
Specialty Holes
Closest to the Pin
Men - Jayme McCall
Women - Mindy Carr
 
Longest Drive
Men - Charlie Valdes
Women - Janie Burnett
Golfing Photos!

Congrats TLTAPAC Live Auction Winners!

TLTA would like to thank the individuals and donors below for their participation in the TLTAPAC Live Auction at the Annual Conference & Business Meeting last week in Austin. A special thanks is also in order for auctioneer-extraordinaire Jeff Copeland, First American Title Insurance Company, who once again provided some great entertainment and a lot of laughs. Stay tuned for a message from TLTA announcing this year's TLTAPAC grand total.

Winners:  
Daniel Foster
Providence Title Company
Jack Wolff
Texas Title Assurance, LLC
Todd Rasco
Chicago Title of Texas, LLC
Mary Ann Howard
Alliant National Title Insurance Company
Guy Robert Jackson
Chambers County Abstract Co., Inc.
Terry Carter
Old Republic National Title Insurance
Sandra Kachmar Mid-Coast Title Company, Inc.
Michelle Hulse First Republic Title, LLC
Laurie Hines Ford Fidelity National Title Agency, Inc.
Carolyn Monroe Old Republic National Title Insurance Company
Snapper Carr Focused Advocacy, LLC
Randy Pittman West Texas Abstract & Title Company
   
Donors:  
Jim Johnson Charter Title Company
Alex & Polly Harris Bay Area Title Services, LLC
Jim Bowen Ranger Title Company
Bill James Fidelity National Title Group
Todd Rasco Chicago Title of Texas, LLC
Gayle Brand Chicago Title of Texas, LLC
Randy & Cindy Pittman West Texas Abstract & Title Company
Omni Hotels & Resorts
 
If you haven't yet donated this year, it's not too late to be included - make a donation here!

Upcoming Hot Topic Webinar!

Get Familiar with Texas Endorsements
Tuesday, June 24 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Presented by:
Janet S. Minke, CTIA, Alliant National Title Insurance Company
Live Version | On-Demand Version