August 13, 2014

Basic Manual Review Task Force Meets in Austin

Several TDI staff members and more than 40 TLTA volunteers recently participated in a joint task force meeting to perform a comprehensive review of The Basic Manual for the Writing of Title Insurance in Texas. The task force is initially focused on the overall formatting and organization of the manual and will eventually develop recommended revisions to improve ease of use. The first meeting was a success and a subcommittee has been formed to continue working on ideas to report back to the full group. Commissioner Julia Rathgeber also visited the meeting and took a moment to introduce herself and thank the members for their service and willingness to spend the time necessary to improve the Basic Manual. If you'd like to assist with this project or have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 512.879.2891.

TDI Responds to Growth in Agent Licenses

Commissioner Julia Rathgeber | Texas Department of Insurance | August 7, 2014
Texas has the 12th largest insurance market in the world, with more than $123.4 billion in premiums paid by Texas businesses and consumers in 2013. So it’s no surprise that the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has seen record growth in insurance agent license applications filed with the Agent and Adjuster Licensing Office. Over the last decade the total filings processed by the Office has grown more than 50 percent, from 699,971 filings in FY 2004 to 1,076,325 filings in FY 2013. This year, the pace continues to grow. Read More »

FHA Commissioner Stepping Down for University of California Post

The Washington Post | August 11, 2014
Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Carol Galante said she will step down to take a professorship and lead a housing policy group at the University of California at Berkeley. Galante, who has led the FHA since taking the helm in an acting capacity in July 2011, will become the school’s I. Donald Terner Distinguished Professor in Affordable Housing and Urban Policy on Jan. 1, she told the agency’s staff in a memo Monday. She was confirmed as FHA commissioner on Dec. 30, 2012. Read More »

Fed Reserve to Host Webinar on New Integrated Disclosures

Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 1p.m. CDT — Register Here
On Tuesday, August 26 at 1 p.m. CDT, the Federal Reserve will host a webinar to address frequently asked questions about the CFPB's TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule. This webinar is part of a series of webinars to address the new rule as creditors, mortgage brokers, settlement agents, software developers and other stakeholders work to implement it over the next year. Learn more and sign up here. The first webinar was presented by the CFPB on June 17 and provided an overview of the final rule and the new disclosures. You can access a recording of that webinar here.