2014 BT E-NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES

December 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• Four Things I Wish I Had Known in 1994
• Build a Plan, Reach Your Goal
• Providing Purpose for Bank Customers
• Investors Title Announces YTD Performance
• 5 Answers to Critical Homebuyer Questions That Prove You’re a Rock-Star Agent
• Diversification In Your Bank’s Loan Portfolio That Makes a Difference
• 6 Principles of Human-Centric Leadership

November 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• Leadership in the Shadow of Crisis
• VTC Devotes Veterans Day to Giving Back to the Community
• The Midterms are Over, But the Community Bank Battle Continues
• Why Bank Boards Should Take a Hard Look in the Mirror
• Build Your Real Estate Plan — Escape From Tomorrowland Today
• Title Tip: A Friendly Reminder Regarding Construction Loan Policies and Affirmative Mechanic’s Lien Coverage
• Study: Most First-Time Homebuyers Confused About Mortgage Process
• Simple Segmentation for Improved Sales
• Consumer Comfort in US Advances to Second-Highest Since 2008

October 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• Bold Regulatory Reforms Can Help Small Banks Survive
• Have Community Banks Changed Enough?
• 4 VTC Teammates Recognized for Milestone Anniversaries
• Mel Watt and Julian Castro Announce Housing Policy Changes
• CFPB Releases Updated Rules Readiness Guide
• Title Tip – Quitclaim Deeds 101: What You Need to Know About These Property Transfer Documents
• More than 80% of U.S. Homeowners Have Regrets About Their Purchase
• Video: Do You Know What Consumers Want from a Real Estate Agent?
• Here’s How Much Americans Owe on Mortgages in Every State
• Successful Relationship Managers Are Partners to Their Clients
• 28 Inspiring Quotes on Leadership in Business

September 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• Mortgage-Heavy Banks Fight for Higher Stock Valuations
• Financially Healthy Employees Good for Business, Bureau Says
• US Income Gap Widened During Economic Recovery: Federal Reserve
• Closing Costs are Rising…Here’s Why
• REALTORS Expect Modest Price Growth in Next 12 Months
• Great Leaders Dig Into the Heart of Innovation
• Your Place to Call Home: Title insurance protect you from the past
• Title Insurance premium volume in 2Q dropped 16.6% YOY
• Spotlight on Settlement: Keys to Success Part I – Communication
• The Lost Art of the Hand Written Thank you Note
• Giving Back to Build a Better Community – Feeding America Southwest Virginia
• Grammar Tips: 26 Words That Can Leave the Wrong Impression if Used Incorrectly

August 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• VTC launches new tag line and purpose statement.
• Replay available of Loan Modifications and Your title Policy Webinar
• Commercial Lending Drives Loan Growth for U.S. Regional Banks
• The (High) cost of Mortgage Lending
• The Future of Banking is Responsive
• What Your Clients Should Know About Easements
• How to Take Care of Your Team So They Take Care of You
• Why You Should Always Recommend an Owner’s Title Policy – The Only Sure Things in Life are Death and Taxes
• Spotlight on Settlement: Don’t be scared of the commercial closing
• Title Tip: What Liens do NOT get wiped out upon foreclosure?
• Five Tips for Feedback That Makes a Difference
• The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge (Skill & Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo)
• What value did you bring your customer today?
• Giving Back to Build a Better Community: Carilion Clinic Children’s Hospital Golf Tournament and Party on the Lawn
• Grammar Tips: Every day or everyday?

July 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• FREE Webinar: Loan Modifications and Your Title Policy – July 22, 2014 at 10 a.m
• Why Some Banks Are Measuring Mortgages Wrong
• Ten Critical Risk Management Services Your Credit Migration Model Should Provide
• Virginia Establishes Savings Plan for First-Time Home Buyers
• Report on 2014 Legislation Affecting Banking
• Millennials May be About to Move Out
• 4 Trends in Real Estate Right Now
• In Home Loans, Subprime Fades as a Dirty Word
• Why You Should ALWAYS Recommend an Owner’s title Policy to Your Clients – No Way to Get There
• Did You Know…About the Automatic Release Provision for Federal Tax Liens?
• Better Protection by Spreading the Risk
• Spotlight on Settlement
• Title Tip: Change in Mobile Home Exceptions
• What Does the Supreme Court’s Recess Appointment Decision Mean for the CFPB?
• Lenders Could Be On Hot Seat if Borrowers Withdraw Application
• It’s What Your Loan Officers Say That Matters
• ABA to Present Three Briefings and Webcasts in July
• 10 Grammar Mistakes Even Smart People Make
• 10 Things Really Amazing Employees Do

June 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• FREE Webinar: Loan Modifications and Your Title Policy – July 22, 2014 at 10 a.m.
• Investors Title Distinguished for Excellence
• Transferring Appraisals: Helping Lenders and Brokers Understand How Standards and Rules Intersect
• Indie Bankers’ Profit-Per-Loan Down NEarly $1,000 Year-Over-Year in 2013
• OCC to Loosen the Oversight Leash on Big Banks
• The Real Reason Community Banks are Closing
• Compliance and Risk Management Options That are Cost Effective
• Why You Should ALWAYS Recommend an Owner’s Title Policy to Your Clients:  Dig a LIttle Deeper
• Title Defects Can Haunt Transactions
• Spotlight on Settlement: Getting Settlemed Before Mortgage Settlement Will Make the Process Go More Smoothly
• 2014 Virginia Legislation Affecting Real Estate Industry
• CFPB Mandates Top List of Concerns in Compliance Survey
• Summers Admits to Mistakes in Handling of Housing Crisis
• ABA Praises CFPB Mortgage Cure Proposal, Seeks Longer Window
• 4 Housing Bills That Could Make Mortgage Lending Much Easier
• Lost Generation Casts Shadow Over Housing Market
• Grammar Tips:  Top 10 Business Writing Mistakes That Cost You Money
• 10 Life Lessons From a Navy Seal

May 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• Best Practices Boot Camp: Data, Documents  Dollars!
• Clearing Up Ideas on Title Insurance
• Here’s a Solid 3-Point Plan for Put-Back Reform
• All-Cash Home Purchases on the Rise
• Investors Title Company Announces First Quarter 2014 Financial Results
• Mortgage Application Activity Rebounds, Up 5.3%
• Why You Should Always Recommend an Owner’s Title Policy – the Mechanic’s Lien
• ALTA Best Practice #7
• Attention Loan Officers — VTC Eliminated PO Box
• The Next Banking Crisis is Already in the Making
• Mortgage Lead Generator will Pay $225,000 to Settle FTC Charges That it Deceptively Advertised Mortgage Rates
• Should You Lend in Areas of Fracking?
• Title Tip: ALTA Expanded Homeowner’s Policy vs. ALTA Owner’s Policy
• Mortgage Rates Hit a 2014 Low
• CFPB Updates
• How a Popular Two-Letter Word is Undermining Your Credibility
• Client Testimonial – Katie Cury – First Bank & Trust
• Grammar Tip: 30 Incorrectly Used Words that Can Make You Look Bad
• 13 Most Commonly Asked Twitter Questions

April 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• Did you miss the April Webinar – Consumer Protection: Owner’s Title Insurance?
• Title Insurance Helps Bring Peace of Mind
• Karen DesRoches to Lead VBA Multi-Bank Title Agencies
• Senior Days Ahead in Housing, Freddie Says
• CFPB Publishes Small Entity Compliance Guide
• Incomplete Description of Collateral In the Financing Statement May Negatively Impact Priority and Bankruptcy Rights
• Why You Should Always Recommend an Owner’s Title Policy to Your Clients
• ALTA Best Practice #6 – Just Because “Stuff Happens”
• 7 Bold Commercial Real Estate Predictions
• Increased Compliance Squeezing Out Community Banks
• Did You Know? VTC Has Eliminated its PO Box in Roanoke!
• Use of Tourism Development Financing Program on the Rise in Virginia
• Pre-Existing Business Relationships and Affiliate Marketing
• Spotlight on Settlement: FHA Changes Requirement to Collect a Full Month’s Interest from Sellers at Closing
• Title Tip: Southern Title Insurance Corp. is headed for liquidation. What does this mean for holders of STIC policies?
• Client Testimonial – Ann Harrington, C&F Mortgage Corporation
• 3 Moments that Can Make or Break a Banking Customer’s Experience
• 10 Annoying Email Habits to Break Today
• The Best Investment? Your People.
• VTC Teammate Feature: Patti Dickerson, Director of Marketing & Communications
• Grammar Tips: American Rules for Punctuation with Quotation Marks
• How to Get Honest Feedback When You’re the Boss

March 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• FREE Webinar on April 8, 2014: Consumer Protection: Owners Title Insurance – Lenders Get It … Don’t Forget the Owner.
• Attorney General Warns of Home Deed Solicitations
• Real Life Example: Why You Should ALWAYS Recommend an Owner’s Title Policy to Your Clients – We Own Half Your Property!
• Wells Fargo Endorses ALTA Best Practices
• ALTA Best Practice #5 – It Ain’t Over ‘Till It’s Over
• US Housing Sector is in Big Trouble
• Is Private Mortgage Insurance Making a Comeback?
• Investors Title – Investors Relations News
• Spotlight on Settlement: Helpful Hints for Smoother Setttlements
• Title Tip: Simple Tips to Utilize When Placing an Order for Title Search, Title Insurance, and Settlement Services
• The Financial and Emotional Benefits of Fully Engaged Bank Customers
• Will Housing Bloom Again This Spring?
• Bet You Didn’t Know These 10 Things About St. Patrick and Ireland
• Goodby tolerances, hello variations.
• US Housing Subcommittee Studies Ways to Boost Personal Data Security
• Rethink the Loan presentation: The business model method to understanding lending opportunities
• UST Deadline Looms: Another Step Taken Toward Nationwide Licensing
• The 5 Traits of a Company’s ‘Top Talent’
• VTC Teammate Feature: Vicki Tyree, Office Assistant/Search Coordinator
• Did You Know? – The VTC Website Provides You Access to Great Industry Related Resources?
• Grammar Tips: What is the Difference Between Affect and Effect?
• Lifehack Your Lunch: 8 Scientifically Proven Ways to Maximize Your Mid-Day Break

February 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• Surviving New Mortgage Rules Year 1
• FREE Webinar:  Consumer Protection: Owners Title Insurance – April 8, 2014
• US Credit Quality Continues to Inch Forward
• Real Life Example: Why You Should ALWAYS Recommend an Owner’s Title Policy to Your Clients – SOLD…and the Seller Kept Spending!
• CoreLogic Report: Home Prices Have Increased for 22 Months Straight
• Spotlight on Settlement: Preparing for changes under the new mortgage disclosures
• How Gen Y are coming to dominate the workforce and new customer base
• Could You Find Your Title Insurance Policy?
• 5 Ways to Improve Team Engagement
• Conference Call Funny!
• Title Tip: What is a “Current Owner Search” and how does it differ from a “Full Search”?
• VTC Teammate Feature – Lori Messer, Settlement Coordinator and Post Closer
• Grammar Tip – When to use ‘Less’ or ‘Fewer’?

January 2014 Title Notes E-Blast

• Virginia Title Center Expands its Social Media Presence
• Community banks: You must sell or you will die
• Top 8 Financial Marketing Resolutions for a Successful 2014
• ALTA Best Practice #4 – Do it on time and do it right
• Real Life Example: Why You Should Always Recommend an Owner’s Title Policy to Your Clients – The Case of the Missing Titles
• Important New FHA Loan Limit Changes Effective January 1, 2014
• “I Want my Money Now!” Constructive Receipt Issues in a 1031 Exchange
• Spotlight on Settlement: CFPB Wants your Thoughts on Mortgage Closing Process
• 10 Leadership Resolutions to Make It a Very Good Year
• 2014 Marks the Beginning of a New Era for the US Housing Market
• How Some Small Banks Thrive in a Tough Environment
• Title Tip: The Ins and Outs of ALTA Residential Limited Coverage Junior Loan Policies
• VTC Teammate Feature – Pam Blake, Title Underwriter
• Grammar Tips:  “I” vs “me” – one of the easiest grammar rules to learn (and one of the most misused in daily conversation)
• Did You Know?