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.
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  Twice a week, the top stories impacting the title insurance industry.
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  Practical legal analysis of claims and court decisions related to the title insurance industry.
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  Members of the title insurance industry work daily to assist consumers in purchasing new homes and enhancing their communities.
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  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.
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- 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.
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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.
- Policy Forms
  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

Arizona launches real estate title insurance investigation

May 5, 2005

Follows in footsteps of Colorado, other states

Inman News

Arizona's five largest title companies are under scrutiny as the Department of Insurance launches an investigation into their activities, following the example of Colorado, California and a number of other states.

The department is now looking at "the activities of the top five title insurance companies by market share," said Erin Klug, a spokeswoman for Arizona's Insurance Department. Those companies include First American Title, Fidelity National Title, Chicago Title Insurance Co., Lawyers Title Insurance Corp. and Ticor Title Insurance Co.

The investigation was prompted by a Colorado investigation of alleged kickbacks in the title industry that began in February, setting off probes nationwide. As a result, First American Title Insurance Co., one of the companies under investigation, admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to pay $24 million to home buyers in eight states.

California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi is currently investigating the industry for illegal kickbacks paid to captive reinsurance companies controlled by developers, lenders, builders and real estate firms. In April, Garamendi fined Stewart Title of California $750,000 for involvement in the alleged schemes. Also, California's state legislature is currently considering an anti-kickback bill.

"We are reviewing specific allegations that have been investigated in other states to see if those same activities have occurred in Arizona and if they break any laws," Klug said.

Calls from "folks in the title industry" who had concerns about "level playing fields" also helped spark Arizona's investigation, Klug said. She said the calls from insiders came within days of the news of Colorado's investigation.

Title insurance is required by lenders to protect themselves and home buyers in case of property-ownership disputes. Colorado officials have alleged that insurance companies were paying kickbacks for business that was funneled to them by builders and others.

Copyright 2005 Inman News

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