March 2008

CENTENNIAL KICK-OFF WEEKEND A HUGE SUCCESS

TLTA officially kicked off its centennial year with a series of events held in Austin on January 25-26, 2008. The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum was the setting for a spectacular Gala on Saturday evening with over 225 in attendance. Guests at this Lone Star Extravaganza enjoyed Texas-themed food and entertainment from across the state while celebrating the Association's past and toasting its future. Other events during the weekend included an open house at the association headquarters on Friday afternoon and a Saturday morning Centennial Classic golf tournament at Barton Creek Country Club. 

Centennial festivities will continue at the Annual Conference in San Antonio, June 5-7, 2008. Register and make your hotel reservations now for the "Celebration of the Century."
The Centennial kick-off weekend events were sponsored by a group of TLTA member companies. We salute them for their support and thank them for their generosity in making this event possible.

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CALL FOR RETIRED MEMBERS

We're planning the Celebration of the Century at TLTA's Annual Conference in San Antonio and hope to make it a real title industry homecoming. Help us locate our title friends who are retired from the industry so we can invite them to celebrate our history. Please forward any contact information you may have for them to [email protected]

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CENTENNIAL TRIVIA

These volunteers have been serving TLTA for over a quarter century.
Do you recognize them? 
BUSINESS TOOLS & INDUSTRY NEWS

TLTA SUPPORTS ALTA TITLE INDUSTRY CONSUMER INITIATIVE

The American Land Title Association has launched a multi-pronged Title Industry Consumer Initiative and the TLTA Board of Directors has voted to officially support them in this effort.
Listed below are links to the components of the initiative and we urge you to take the time to review them. The special consumer Web site, www.homeclosing101.org, will be available via a link on the TLTA Web site.  Please note that some information on this site may not be applicable to Texas regulations and TLTA recommends that consumers contact a TLTA member company in their area to answer specific questions. We also urge you to evaluate the ALTA Principles of Fair Conduct and consider adopting them in your business as a way to support this important effort to enhance the professionalism of our industry and better serve the consumer.

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EEOC PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON LAWFUL EMPLOYEE TESTING AND SCREENING OF APPLICANTS

by James Kizziar, Bracewell & Guiliani
On December 3, 2007, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance for employers regarding the use of employment tests and other selection procedures in the screening and hiring process. The purpose of the guidance is to assist employers in complying with EEOC-enforced federal statutes that prohibit the use of such screening procedures in a discriminatory manner. The following is a summary of information provided in the EEOC guidance. 
IN MEMORIAM
ROBERT C. SNEED, 1923-2008
Longtime TLTA General Counsel Robert C. Sneed passed away on January 13 at the age of 84. Robert served TLTA with great distinction for 34 years, from 1973 until his retirement in June 2007, and his contributions to TLTA and the title industry are too numerous to name. He was held in the highest esteem for his outstanding service to the industry, particularly in the legislative and regulatory arenas. Robert was much loved by all his TLTA friends and colleagues and will be greatly missed.
Funeral services were held on his birthday, January 17, with many TLTA members in attendance. Memorial contributions may be made to:
Robert C. Sneed Endowed Scholarship
Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship Fund
100 Decker Lake Road
Austin, Texas 78724
Notes of condolence may be sent to the family in care of the Sneed, Vine and Perry law firm at P.O. Box 1409, Austin, Texas 78767. Read Obituary
MARKET NEWS
New Housing Nearing Bottom, Says NAHB EconomistØ No Better Time Than Present for RefinancingØ North Texas Existing Home Sales DownØ AG Press Release: Three Indicated in $3 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme in Four NE Texas CountiesØ ALTA: Mortgage Application PlummetsØ Subprime Loans Defaulting Even Before ResetsØ Wall St. May Pay Big for Real-Estate BustØ New Loan Rates Up In the Air for Those Trying to Refinance
WHAT'S NEW WITH OUR MEMBERS?

SHERI ASBELL JOINS WESTCOR LAND TITLE

Current TLTA President Sheri Asbell has accepted a position with underwriter Westcor Land Title Company. Sheri will serve as Vice President, Texas State Manager for the company. Please make note of her new contact information:
16 Nottingham Lane
Boerne, Texas 78006
210.643.9177 cell
210.426 6247 work
[email protected]
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BOYER HONORED AS NEW BRAUNFELS' OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
TLTA Immediate Past President, AmeriPoint Title New Braunfels President and city Mayor Bruce Boyer received some well deserved recognition from his hometown on January 24, 2008.
From the Herald-Zeitung
On a night when around 900 wide-eyed New Braunfelsers caught their first glimpse of the New Braunfels Kongresshalle Civic Center, Mayor Bruce Boyer brought down the house. 
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STEWART TITLE NAMES SCOTT MCBEE CHIEF CLAIMS COUNSEL
Scott McBee has been named Senior Vice President, Chief Claims Counsel for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. "I appreciate the great work that Scott has done for Stewart Title," said Michael B. Skalka, President, Stewart Title Guaranty Co. "Stewart and the title industry as a whole are fortunate to have the quality of individual and the skill set that Scott brings to this position as chief claims counsel."
McBee has been with Stewart since 1989, most recently serving as national claims counsel. His background includes various functions related to claims and litigation.
A Texas native, McBee graduated with honors from St. Mary's School of Law in San Antonio and received his undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.
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JAN FISHER JOINS GUARANTY BANK
Guaranty Bank has named Jan Fisher as Senior Vice President and Manager of Title & Exchange Banking, which provides banking products and services exclusively to companies in the title and exchange industry.
"Jan is among the top banking professionals in this key strategic market segment and we are absolutely thrilled to have her as part of our organization," said Kevin Hanigan, Guaranty Retail Bank President. "Title and exchange related companies are an excellent strategic fit for us and to have this group led by one of the industry's best-known talents is a huge step forward for Guaranty Bank."
Fisher, formerly with Comerica, is based in Houston and will oversee all of the bank's efforts in the title and exchange industry with emphasis on companies headquartered in Texas and California.
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VALLEY LAND TITLE COMPANY CELEBRATES 25- AND 35-YEAR EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Valley Land Title Company employees celebrating milestones. Imogene Filkin, Vice President and Policy Manager, celebrated 35 years of employment and Danny Gonzalez, Assistant Chief Examiner, celebrated 25 years of employment. 
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT TLTA?
CHANGES TO BASIC MANUAL COMING SOON
As reported in the February 27 Breaking News, all parties to the 2006 Biennial Rate Hearing have agreed to a consent order that provides that there will be no change in the title insurance rates. However, the settlement did include some other agenda item changes. It is important to note that the rule hearing order is still pending with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). Once the order is issued and an effective date is finalized, TLTA will send out Basic Manual order forms. Changes to the Basic Manual regarding the business of personal property title insurance will be included in a separate book and referred to as Section 8 and it will be offered as an optional purchase. We will also make it available online as soon as possible.
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TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
We would like to welcome our newest members to TLTA. 
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LOSING TIME TRYING TO TRACK DOWN A MEMBER?
The 2008 Centennial Edition Membership Directory is now available! The new and improved format is sure to help you find a member quickly and is full of important information. Each company should have already received their complimentary copies. 
Please note the following corrections:
Page 134 - Grayson County
Security Title, Inc.
Lee Ann Summers
[email protected]
Branch Offices: Out of County Orders, 903.892.9749
Page 78 – Brazos County
University Title Company
Add CTI (Chicago Title Insurance Company) as an Underwriter
Page 77 – Brazoria County, Page 127 – Fort Bend County, Page 131 – Galveston County,
Page 148 – Harris County, Page 188 – Montgomery County
Texas American Title Company
Add CTI (Chicago Title Insurance Company) as an Underwriter
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Right Rules Program March 18-19
Are you using the correct procedural and rate rules for your transactions? Learn how to avoid common rate calculation errors from these knowledgeable presenters using real life case studies. Get a better understanding and working knowledge of the many rules and regulations governing Texas title insurance in this in-depth program. March 18-19, 2008. 8 hours CE credit. 
Policy Seminar Coming to South Padre and Tyler
Designed for policy department and closing personnel, this workshop will take you through the process, beginning with an in-depth look at forms and coverages, leading to the issuance of the policy. April 4 and 16. 
TITLE PLANT SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE - PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Burnet County Title Plant Subscription Services with complimentary integrated document images now available. Professionally maintained by the same company that provides expert plant services to over 45 title companies in Travis, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop Counties. For information call 1-800-388-2738 ext 309 or email [email protected].