News + Publications
News + Publications

ALTA’s publications and news center brings the latest information affecting the title and settlement services industry to ALTA members. Whether you are looking for industry news, practical insights on issues affecting title insurance or our suite of legal and regulatory publications we have the news you need.
- TitleNews Magazine
  The industry's essential news magazine contains vital information and analysis for industry professionals.
- Industry News
  Twice a week, the top stories impacting the title insurance industry.
- Legal + Regulatory Publications
  Practical legal analysis of claims and court decisions related to the title insurance industry.
- Title Protects
  Members of the title insurance industry work daily to assist consumers in purchasing new homes and enhancing their communities.
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- Consumers: What to Expect at Closing
  HomeClosing101.org
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Advocacy
Advocacy

ALTA represents its members on a national and state level by working closely with members of Congress, state legislatures and regulators to advocate on behalf of the land title industry.
- Advocacy Issues
- Title Insurance Political Action Committee (TIPAC)
  TIPAC is the only PAC that directly represents the interest of the title industry in our nation's political system.
- Title Action Network (TAN)
  TAN is the premier grassroots organization promoting the value of the land title insurance industry.
- State Legislation Tracking Map
Events
Events

ALTA, along with affiliated land title associations, organizes dozens of world-class meetings each year. Each event is an opportunity for you to learn from industry experts, meet industry vendors and network with your peers.
Career + Learning
Career + Learning

Since 1971 ALTA has been the source of practical knowledge and skill-based training solutions for the title insurance industry. ALTA is dedicated to providing cutting edge educational solutions to our members through several options.
- National Title Professional Designation
  The National Title Professional (NTP) Designation is designed to recognize land title professionals
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  - Title Producer & Attorney Credentials
Membership
Membership

ALTA is committed to your professional development. By becoming a member of ALTA, not only do you strengthen the industry’s future, you gain access to valuable resources to help your company differentiate itself in the market.
- Become an ALTA Member
  Gain access to valuable resources to help your company differentiate itself in the market.
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  You must be the primary or secondary contact for your company.
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- Leadership + Engagement Groups
  On this page, you can find information on engagement groups, their members and responsibilities.
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  You will NOT receive member benefits. ALTA is no longer utilizing an occasional use waiver as a part of the Policy Forms Licensing structure for 2024 and going forward. The Policy Forms License for limited use can be acquired for $50.
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  As an ALTA member you join a family of dedicated professionals working to improve the land title industry. On this page you will find a list of the many items available to you as an ALTA Member.
- Frequently Asked Questions
  Interested in becoming a member of ALTA? Get answers to some of the questions we are often asked.
Business Ops
Business Ops

ALTA’s primary purpose is to help our title industry members succeed professionally. ALTA has cultivated several tools to help ALTA members measure, improve and grow their business. ALTA’s suite of tools can help you at any stage of your business venture.
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- Research Initiatives & Resources
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  ALTA provides members with tools to easily communicate the benefits of what you do.
Policies + Standards
Policies + Standards

One of ALTA’s main reasons for existing is to provide the title and settlement industry with industry-specific policy forms and standards that help the industry stay compliant with current regulations.
- Policy Forms
  This site provides access to the ALTA® collection of forms and related documents to ALTA Members, Licensees, and Subscribers.
- Best Practices
  Resources and tools for implementing the ALTA Best Practices standards.
About
About

Founded in 1907 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ALTA is the national trade association and voice of title insurance agents, abstracters* and underwriters are Active Members, ranging from small, one-county operations, to large national title insurers in the united states.
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Topics
Topics

In our topics collection, you can stay up to speed on the most relevant issues in our industry—and learn how ALTA is engaged. Visit a topic page to find all the information ALTA has on that subject—from a summary to relevant events, educational resources, consumer and client-facing materials, business resources, and advocacy information.
- Title Waiver Pilot
  The Biden Administration released a plan aimed at lowering housing costs that includes a pilot to waive the requirement for lender’s title insurance on certain refinances. ALTA called the announcement a political gesture offering a false promise of savings for homeowners while exposing consumers, lenders and taxpayers to greater financial risk.
- Digital Closings
  ALTA strives to help members identify the benefits and risks associated with digital closings in order to put the industry in the best position to solve problems and inspire innovative ideas. ALTA is your source for tools and education about digital closings.
- Artificial Intelligence
  Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the title insurance and settlement services sector, providing a diverse array of capabilities to enhance both efficiency and productivity.
- Cybersecurity
  Cybersecurity is a critical topic for the land title insurance and settlement industry and an ongoing threat to every title operation regardless of size, location or years in business.
- Wire Fraud
  Wire fraud is one of the biggest threats in the title industry. ALTA members must be aware of this threat and of the resources available to fight the fraud. This page includes many resources, tools and articles to help protect your company and customers from fraud.
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
  The proposed rule by U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will require title and settlement companies nationwide to report information about all-cash residential transactions nationwide involving legal entities and trusts.

Industry News

Fitch Affirms Ratings Of Old Republic Title Group At 'AA-'

January 25, 2002

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fitch has affirmed the 'AA-' insurer financial strength ratings of the Old Republic Title Group (ORT), which consists of the following title insurance companies: Old Republic National Title Insurance Co., Old Republic General Title Insurance Corp., Mississippi Valley Title Insurance Co. and American Guaranty Title Co. The Rating Outlook is Stable.

ORT's ratings are supported by its position as a national title insurer, and conservative capital position as measured by Fitch's risk-adjusted capital (RAC) ratio. ORT is owned by Old Republic International Corp. (NYSE: ORI - news), a publicly traded insurance organization, with interests in property/casualty, title, mortgage guaranty, and life insurance. The support and financial flexibility that ORI provides ORT is factored into the ratings. ORI reported consolidated GAAP assets of $7.8 billion and stockholders' equity of $2.7 billion at Sept. 30, 2001. ORT has maintained its market share, but as the smallest of the national title insurers, it is continually challenged to retain its competitive position and grow market share.

ORT's consolidated GAAP revenue and fees for the first nine months of 2001 were $466 million, up from $384 million in the comparable period in 2000. Pretax operating income over the same period was $52.8 million, which already exceeds the figure for full-year 2000. Title insurance in general benefited from a declining interest rate environment during 2001, which triggered a refinancing boom. However, industry results are expected to decline in 2002 as the real estate market is negatively impacted by the economic recession.

Fitch uses its own risk-adjusted capital ratio to measure the capital adequacy of title insurance companies. ORT's risk-adjusted capital ratio was the highest of the national title insurers at 265%, and contributes to its insurer financial strength ratings.

Entity/Issue/Type	Action	Rating/Outlook
Old Republic National Title Ins. Co.	IFS Affirmed	'AA-'/Stable
Old Republic General Title Ins. Corp.	IFS Affirmed	'AA-'/Stable
Mississippi Valley Title Ins. Co.	IFS Affirmed	'AA-'/Stable
American Guaranty Title Ins. Co.	IFS Affirmed	'AA-'/Stable

Source: Fitch

Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].