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President Profile: Building on ALTA’s Legacy of Leadership, Integrity and Innovation
Richard Welshons grew up in Hastings, Minn., the same town where his dad and grandmother were born and raised. His father, Paul, and grandfather, Amos, formed Dakota County Abstract Co. (DCA) in 1957. Welshons is ready to take the industry to new heights serving as ALTA’s president for the 2024-2025 association year. With more than 40 years of experience in the title insurance industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the role. Read on to learn more about Welshons and his priorities for 2025.
ALTA Foundation Donates $10K Toward Los Angeles Fire Relief
The ALTA Good Deeds Foundation awarded a $10,000 emergency grant to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Foundation to help support local firefighters during the massive fires across Los Angeles County that started on Jan. 7. The LAFD Foundation supports the 3,500 firefighters, paramedics and sworn personnel who risk their lives to keep Los Angeles safe.
RTP Payments Volume Jumps 94% in 2024
The Clearing House reported its RTP network reached $246 billion in 2024. On Feb. 9, the individual transaction limit on the network will increase to $10 million from $1 million.
Utah Regulator Fines Title Companies for Closing Deals Without Lender’s Policies
The Utah Insurance Department in November took regulatory action against three title companies for violating state law by closing transactions without issuing lender’s title insurance policies.
CertifID Acquires Paymints.io
With the addition of digital payments via its acquisition of Paymints.io, CertifID extends the protection it provides customers in combatting cybercrime and delivering safe closing experiences for clients.
ALTA Updates Several TIRS State Compliance Guides
Gain exclusive access to the most comprehensive collection of regulatory information and practices available in the title industry! The TIRS State Compliance Guides will save you valuable time while providing you with the support you need to be compliant. ALTA recently updated the guides for Florida, Georgia, Illlinois and New York.
Stewart Promotes Kightlinger to Chief Underwriting Counsel
In this role, Wilhelmina Kightlinger will focus on strengthening the company’s corporate underwriting capacity and growing Stewart’s footprint in underrepresented markets. As Kightlinger steps into her new role, Jeremy Poetker has been promoted to chief underwriter for Stewart's National Commercial Services (NCS) division.
AmTrust Title Appoints Florida State Counsel
AmTrust Title Insurance Co. appointed Steven Presley as Florida state counsel to support the underwriter’s continued expansion in the state.
Unlocking the Potential: Practical Uses of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved beyond the realm of science fiction and academic research to become a key player in the modern business landscape. Title companies, among other industries, are beginning to recognize the transformative potential of AI. Read on to learn practical ways title companies are using AI and how this technology is driving efficiency and improving customer service.
Volly Launches Marketing Automation Suite
Volly, a subsidiary of Williston Financial Group (WFG), released a new marketing automation suite to support collaborations between loan officers and real estate professionals.
Room Block Closing for ALTA Commercial Network
Designed exclusively for commercial title professionals, the ALTA Commercial Network, being held Feb. 16-18, at The DeSoto Hotel in Savannah, Ga., delivers tailored education, peer-led discussions and invaluable connections that will help you stay ahead in the new year. The room block closes Jan. 16.
First American Partners With Simplex 3D to Offer 3D Platform for NYC Metro
Through the strategic relationship, First American will leverage the Simplex 3D platform to augment automation efforts and accelerate informed analysis, forecasting and decision-making.
From Vision to Reality: Inspiring Change Management in the Age of AI
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET | Monday, Feb. 10 | Register Today
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is changing our personal lives and how we conduct business. To keep pace, leaders in the title industry should focus on strategies and techniques for guiding an organization through a significant change in its leadership approach or overall direction. Register for this CertifID-sponsored ALTA Insights webinar to get a better understanding of human behavior and the strategic steps necessary to adopt AI effectively.
Old Republic Forms Cyber and Tech Company
Old Republic Cyber Inc. will focus on providing specialized cyber- and technology-related coverage. The company will be led by CJ Pruzinsky as president and Kevin McGowan as executive vice president and chief underwriting officer.
The Docket: Arizona Appeals Court Affirms Responsibilities of Closing Agents
Michael R. O’Donnell, co-managing partner of the law firm Riker Danzig LLP, and Shelley Wu, an associate with the firm, provided today’s review of a decision by an Arizona Appeals Court that affirmed the dismissal of negligence and breach of duty claims against a settlement/escrow agent. Read on to learn why this ruling is important to the title industry.
ALTA Policy Forms Update
The ALTA Board of Governors in October approved a recommendation to adopt revisions to the 2021 ALTA Forms Collection, as well as the approval of two new Collateral Assignment endorsements. The forms are now final and went into effect Jan. 2 after going through a comment period.
ALTA Congratulates Latest NTP Designees
Thomas Hamauei of Bayou Title Inc. in Shreveport, La., and Thomas Imperiale of Agents National Title Insurance Co., join the list of title professionals who have earned their national title professional designation (NTP).
Community Title Network Acquires Competitor
Maryland-based Community Title Network LLC recently made its eighth acquisition with the purchase of Apex Settlement Services LLC.
Is Google Calendar the New Phishing Playground?
Many title professionals rely on Google Calendar for scheduling, reminders and staying organized in their personal lives. Unfortunately, cybercriminals have discovered a clever method to exploit this popular tool though phishing Google Calendar invites. Genady Vishnevetsky, chief info security officer for Stewart Title Guaranty Co. and chair of ALTA's Information Security Work Group, details how this attack is carried out.
Open Holdings Invests in First Title and Escrow
Staffing and recruiting company Open Holdings LLC recently made an investment in Maryland-based First Title & Escrow. First Title & Escrow will continue to be managed by its longstanding president, Stephen Papermaster, and Chief Operating Officer Pamela Gibbons.