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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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.
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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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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.
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  This site provides access to the ALTA® collection of forms and related documents to ALTA Members, Licensees, and Subscribers.
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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

RESPA changes pulled

March 22, 2004

More comments needed from industry, consumer groups, HUD chief says

Inman News

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has withdrawn its proposal for changes to the Federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and plans to review public and industry comments before resubmitting the rule, acting HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced Monday morning.

"I believe that it would be prudent for HUD to reexamine the RESPA rule before it is made final," Jackson said. "I plan to revise the rule, if necessary, and to re-propose the rule, requesting additional comments, after I have had an opportunity to brief members of Congress and to meet with affected consumer and industry groups. After the rule has been completely vetted, I will send it back to OMB for review."

Jackson would not give a timetable for the new process.

HUD submitted its RESPA proposal to the White House Office of Management and Budget for its review in December 2003, nearly a year and a half after the department first proposed it. But HUD kept secret what exactly it sent to OMB, so know one knew whether it was the same as the original proposal or incorporated changes.

The original proposal netted an unprecedented 45,000 comments during the public comment portion in 2002. Many of those came from within the real estate industry in opposition to the changes.

The original proposal would have changed the disclosure requirements for mortgage broker fees, including the controversial yield spread premiums, simplify the good faith estimate form and permit the sale of guaranteed-price bundled packages of mortgages and mortgage-related services.

Jackson would not discuss the proposal sent to OMB, saying, "We're limited to what we can say about the substance of rule." He said OMB's comments, along with concerns of industry and consumer groups and members of Congress, factored into his decision to pull the rule and review it again.

He said he intends to re-propose the rule after getting comments from those groups. The original rule spurred thousands of comments, but those were from the rule proposed two years ago, Jackson said.

He said the common thread he heard from all groups was a concern they hadn't had a chance to see the rule before it was sent to OMB.

Jackson said HUD is still committed to revising RESPA.

Copyright: Inman News Features

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