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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- Diversity and Inclusion
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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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  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.
- PATRIOT Act Search
  ALTA members get access to the U.S. Treasury Blocked Persons List to search the Specially Designated Nationals List for blocked individuals.
- Find People + Services
  Whether you are looking for an ALTA Member to help with an issue or a vendor to automate your work flow, find them here.
- Operations
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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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  ALTA has something for everyone: We've included a variety of brands and price points as well as sizes, which range from XS to 4XL, depending on the item.
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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

Judge approves $93 million Homestore settlement

March 19, 2004

California teachers pension fund chief 'delighted' with outcome

Inman News

A federal court judge has given final approval to a $93 million settlement in a class-action shareholder lawsuit against Homestore, the public company that operates the Realtor.com Web site for the National Association of Realtors, among other businesses.

The settlement was announced today by the California State Teachers' Retirement System, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. The lawsuit accused Homestore of falsifying financial statements and engaging in accounting irregularities in 2000 and 2001, the pension fund said.

U.S. District Court Judge Marsha J. Pechman, in issuing her ruling March 16, also extended the deadline for class members to submit claim forms until May 31, 2004.

The settlement was announced in August 2003.

Pechman's ruling finalizes that settlement, which called for Homestore to reform its corporate policies, pay $13 million in cash to the class and turn over 20 million shares of stock, CalSTRS said. The stock closed today at $3.95 a share.

Homestore transferred $10 million in cash into an escrow account during the fourth quarter, with the additional $3 million in cash and 20 million shares of common stock due upon final judicial approval of the settlement. The $13 million, net of court-approved costs, and the 20 million shares of newly issued common stock will be distributed to the class, according to a Homestore statement.

CalSTRES CEO Jack Ehnes said the fund was delighted with the final approval.

"We are well on our way to our goal of recovering significant compensation for the members of the class. In addition, Homestore has agreed to unprecedented corporate governance protections for current stock holders," he said in a statement.

The settlement applies only to Homestore. Legal action is pending against other defendants in the case, including former CEO Stuart Wolff, former EVP Peter Tafeen, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accounting firm that audited Homestore's financial statements.

At $116 billion, CalSTRS is the third-largest public pension fund in the United States. It provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits to California's public school teachers from kindergarten through community college.

Copyright: Inman News Features

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