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.
- Press Releases
- 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
  - Apply for NTP Designation
  - National Title Professional Directory
- Continuing Education
  - Online Course Catalog
  - Approved Courses and States
- Training + Webinars
- My Professional Development
  - 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.
  - Find or Create an ALTA Account
- My ALTA Membership
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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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  Find ALTA Members across the United States.
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- Membership Benefits
  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
  Engage with and view the industry surveys, studies and reports curated by ALTA’s research department.
- Marketing
  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

Fitch Downgrades LandAmerica's IFS to 'BBB+'; Outlook to Negative

August 28, 2008

CHICAGO -- Fitch Ratings has downgraded the Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) ratings of LandAmerica Financial Group's (LFG) insurance subsidiaries to 'BBB+' from 'A-'. Fitch also downgraded LFG's Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'BBB-' from 'BBB' and revised the Rating Outlook on all ratings to Negative from Stable. A complete list of ratings follows the end of the press release.

Fitch believes LFG's consolidated balance sheet fundamentals lag national peers at a time in the market cycle where risk-adjusted surplus, financial leverage and reserve redundancy are critical to financial strength ratings.

LFG's financial leverage is considered high for the rating category at slightly greater than 30% at June 30, 2008 after excluding FHLB borrowings at the thrift. LFG renegotiated covenants with its lenders, allowing a fixed charge coverage ratio less than 1.5 times (x) for the second- and third quarter-2008 (3Q'08) and stepping up to 1.5x at year-end (YE) 2008 and beyond.

At YE 2007, LandAmerica's RAC ratio, at 110%, was lower than industry averages of 140% and down significantly from the company's RAC in 2006 of 158%. The Fitch RAC formula quantitatively tests capital adequacy for several risks, including investment risks, reserve adequacy, exposure to large losses, expense leverage and agency risks.

LFG's statutory reserve release during 3Q'08 will effectively eliminate the redundancy between statutory reserves and the actuarial mid-point estimate that favorably impacts the RAC ratio. Further, Fitch expects no growth in statutory surplus during 2008, which when coupled with the impact of the reserve release could translate to a RAC ratio lower than the current 110%.

Fitch has downgraded the following ratings:

LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc.

--Long-term IDR to 'BBB-' from 'BBB';
--Senior debt to 'BB+' from 'BBB-'.

Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company
Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company of New Jersey
Land Title Insurance Company of Pasadena
Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation
Title Insurance Company of America
Transnation Title Insurance Company

--IFS to 'BBB+' from 'A-'.

Source: Fitch Ratings

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