Commitment Matters: Recent Episodes

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with attorney David Friend, who has two decades of experience including TILA and RESPA regulation at the CFPB and HUD. You can contact David via email.

During their conversation, David or Mary mentioned:

• Listen to Part One of Mary’s conversation with David here.
• The CFPB website has links and resources to recent rules and regulation.
• David explains the breakdown of title insurance calculations. View examples of these and the TRID Title Insurance Disclosures here.
• Here is the CFPB’s explanation of APR tolerances as part of Regulation Z.
• Mary and David bring up this property rights case out of Minnesota, which is now being reviewed by the Supreme Court.
• Listen to our previous episode of Commitment Matters with Rich Horn, another attorney who discusses the CFPB v. Townstone Financial, Inc. case.
• Mary and David refer to this recent court case involving fisheries that questions Chevron deference.

You can now reach the Commitment Matters Podcast via phone! Got a topic or guest idea you want featured? Leave us a voice message at 214.377.1807 or email us at podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Clark Fosler, Team Principal at M2 Analysis and Consulting. Visit M2’s website or email Clark.

During their conversation, Clark or Mary mentioned:

• Clark started in the title business and moved into commercial real estate, but eventually ended up in consulting and analysis for small businesses. Read about his work history here.
• When advising a business, Clark often suggests re-evaluating the positioning of employees for things like productivity, efficacy and optimization. Some employees might find more success in other areas of your company.
• High unemployment rates have caused employees to become frustrated, being overworked and forced to change processes.
• Clark offers a high-level overview of the business consulting process including thorough questioning, organization and analysis. You can find a list of his services here.
• According to Clark, the title and settlement industry is seeing a lot of exhaustion, since many owners and managers have been in the business for a long time and haven’t been able to keep up the technological demands the pandemic enforced.
• The Silver Tsunami refers to the older generation of workers. Many of which are now looking to work fewer hours, to hand over their business to younger employees or to even sell.
• Compensation is critical to retaining employees, especially since there are so many competitive jobs on the market. Here are some ways to help determine fair compensation for your employees.
• As a business owner or manager, check in with your employees regularly, evaluating their happiness and motivators.
• Clark details what you should consider when looking to hire a business consultant. He says overall, a consultant’s job is to ask the right questions and offer guidance that aligns with your company’s goals.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Steve Tjaden, Senior Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer at Old Republic Title Insurance Company. View Steve’s LinkedIn profile here. Learn more at oldrepublictitle.com.

During their conversation, Steve or Mary mentioned:

• Steve points out that consumer privacy and data is constantly evolving. Protecting personal data is just as important as protecting title data.
• California was the first to enact Privacy laws at the state level. Steve says ideally, there should be more federal laws.
• Now, Virginia and Colorado have privacy laws, which Steve says are critical to the title industry. Utah also recently passed new privacy legislation.
• Steve mentions the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), which requires financial institutions to disclose how they use customer information.
• Within the last month, 30 states have introduced some type of privacy legislation.
• The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) requires businesses to provide several different privacy notices, this could include a preliminary privacy report or certain privacy notices on their website.
• When issuing a title policy, it’s important for lenders to be thoughtful about the consumer’s data. Steve says to use the “Common Sense” data sharing rule. It’s the idea that people should manage others’ data the same way you would want your data handled.
• Encryption is a basic tool for critical for keeping your data and the data of those you correspond with safe.
• Steve says to be mindful when working with third parties. Watch for their data procedure and read through their data agreements, noticing how they are using your data.
• Review your company’s GLBA Privacy notice every year. Note changes within how and who you share information. If your website doesn’t have a Privacy notice, Steve says you need one!
• ALTA provides a number of resources that outline various state’s data privacy legislation.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Dr. Ted Jones, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President at Stewart Title Guaranty Company. If you’d like to learn more about the company, check out Stewart.com. You can reach Ted by email at tejones@stewart.com, read his blog at blog.stewart.com or follow him on Twitter.

During their conversation, Ted or Mary mentioned:

• The pandemic accelerated moving rates out of California and the New England states and into the Pacific Northwest, Southwest and Southern states.
• It’s been more than two years (700+ days) since the pandemic shut everything down and people started to work from home. Ted says that it takes about 66 days of repeating an action to make it a habit, so now working remotely has become a lifestyle.
• From July 2020-July 2021, The U.S. population grew 0.01%. The top growing states were Idaho (1.9%), Utah (1.7%), Montana (1.7%), Arizona (1.4%), South Carolina (1.2%), Delaware (1.2%).
• Texas grew 1.3%, but gained the most in total population (more than 300,000). Florida was second, gaining 200,000 people.
• Ted points out that Washington, D.C. had the biggest population percentage loss (2.9%). He notes that’s probably because of high taxes. California, New York, Illinois and Hawaii are other high tax states that many people have moved from.
• Check out TurboTax’s list of states with highest and lowest tax rates.
• In 2014, the U.S. produced 8.8 million barrels of oil per day with 525,000 workers. Oil prices were $93 per barrel. In 2020, the U.S. produced 30% more oil (nearly 13 million barrels per day) with 40% fewer workers. Oil prices dropped 60%.
• Ted says the U.S. currently produces oil with 76% fewer drilling rigs because of how technology has impacted business. Here’s the latest Drilling Productivity Report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
• In February 2020-May 2020, the U.S. lost 24 million jobs (14.7% of the workforce). Currently, several states have higher levels of job growth than ever before; Utah, Idaho, Texas and Arizona.
• Ted says the hospitality industry will take a long time to recover since people are invested in their new homes and are working from home. The hardest hit states are Nevada (4.7% short) and Hawaii (12.4% short).
• Ted describes the 380 Metropolitan statistical areas, which are smaller cities that have a population of 50,000 or more. These areas are succeeding more in job growth and job recovery from the pandemic.
• United Van Lines shared its most popular inbound and outbound states by percentage during 2021.
• In the service industry, Ted points out the differences that the addition of drive-thrus, drive-up windows and curbside pickup can make on a business. He used the example of Chipotle adding drive-thru windows and saw store sales increase by 15%.
• Ted describes omnichannel marketing as the best way to sell to reach customers of all demographics and markets.
• Ted talks about an over-valued stock market, using Tesla as an example. Tesla sold 1.2% of the 70 million cars sold worldwide last year, however, the company is worth $1.1 trillion, which is equal to the combined market cap of nine carmakers who sold 57 million cars in 2021.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Dr. Ted Jones, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President at Stewart Title Guaranty Company. If you’d like to learn more about the company, check out Stewart.com. You can reach Ted by email at tejones@stewart.com, read his blog or follow him on Twitter. 


During their conversation, Ted or Mary mentioned:

• Ted says the biggest economic concern right now is inflation, with the consumer level at around 7.5% and wholesale level at 9.7%. On average, Americans are making only about 5% more than a year ago.
• Ted believes the American Rescue Plan, passed in 2021, is contributing to higher rates and could have very long-term effects.
• In the last decade (2010-2019), the U.S. added more than 22 million net new jobs and 10.5 million net new dwelling units, which averages 2.11 new jobs per dwelling unit (Ted says ideally, you want 1.25-1.5 new jobs per unit). The U.S. entered 2020 between only 4.2 and 7.2 million dwellings.
• Mary and Ted discuss the difficulties of keeping up with supply and demand, as seen in many industries right now: energy, lumber, home improvement, appliances and housing.
• The Zonda Index is a quarterly report that calculates the affordability of building a new home in any given city.
• After housing, energy is consumers’ highest cost. Between inflation and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, gas prices are at an all-time high, an even bigger influx than seen in 2008.
• Ted estimates that consumers have $2.7 trillion saved up during the pandemic.
• Freddie Mac announced 30-year conventional fixed rate mortgages have dropped 3.76%, about a full percentage from this same time last year (note: the rates are updated weekly).
• The federal debt is at $30 trillion. Ted expresses concerns for rising interest rates, which could set the government back another $1 trillion per year.
• Stagflation is a term used to describe high inflation combined with high unemployment. Ted relates the term in commercial real estate to owning vacant properties during a stagnant economy.
• In a survey, 46% of Americans said they would take a pay cut to continue working from home. Additionally, 35% said if they were forced to go back into the office, they would find a new job. For a full report on remote work stats, click here.
• Last week, two of the top ten metro cities (Austin,TX and Houston,TX) had at least 50% of workers in their office buildings. The other metro areas saw around 30%, which means there’s a lot of empty office space. Ted gives the example of how Amazon, Google and even hospitals are repurposing empty shopping malls to help with their growth.
• The Build Back Better Framework would increase corporate taxes and income taxes on high income individuals to provide funding for various proposed programs. Ted says it may encourage the government to continue to offshore manufacturing.
• Housing prices are at an all-time high, causing a rise in renters and a decline in homeowners. In a survey conducted by Redfin, 52% of millennials and Gen Z first-time homebuyers said they paid for their home with savings of their paycheck. 24% got it from their stimulus payments.
• According to a survey from Mizuho Securities, nearly 10% of stimulus checks went toward buying cryptocurrency or stocks.
• In 70% of U.S. cities, it is cheaper to rent than to own a home, as opposed to three years ago, when it was cheaper to buy.
• Last year, more total commercial real estate was sold in the U.S. than ever before, worth nearly $790 billion. More than $300 billion of that was spent on apartments.
• In a survey of more than 200,000 apartment dwellers, 25% said they would move this year. Of those, 49% wanted a more affordable apartment; 29% wanted more amenities; and 28% wanted more space.
• U-Haul reported Texas as its top inbound destination for movers last year. United Van Lines shows their top ten inbound and outbound states from 2021.
• Ted mentions a new hybrid mortgage from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It has fixed interest rates for five, seven or ten years and can only go up or down 1% per year maximum.
• Ted details an investment opportunity that currently yields 7%. The Series I Savings Bond from Treasury Direct is repriced based on inflation every six months.
• Working in the title industry, Ted warns of cryptocurrency like NFTs, as they are high-risk investments and title companies are in the business of eliminating risk.
• On average, RON transactions are saving lenders $444 per transaction, and saving title companies $100.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Gina Touche, Client Relations Manager at Notary Loop. You can contact Gina at: gina@notaryloop.com.

During their conversation, Gina or Mary mentioned:

• NotaryLoop bridges the connection between title companies and vendors by integrating with title companies to seamlessly guide customers through the closing process. Notary Loop is integrated with RamQuest's Closing Market along with many other title and settlement providers.
• The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a 547 percent increase (in 2020) in RON transactions and digital closings. This helps those buying real estate in other states; it helps title companies produce more closings and anyone wanting to perform their signings remotely.
• Gina says a common issue for agents is not having a mobile signing vendor during a closing. ALTA has several resources for RON certification and implementation.
• NotaryLoop is expanding into TitleLoop, which will contain more integrations with other lenders’ products.
• Mary encourages those in the title and real estate industry to explore the idea of providing remote notary transactions if they haven’t already.
• Mary mentions how stressful or intimidating the housing market and closings can be right now, but it’s important to continually give yourself and your clients grace. She attributes this FaceBook post as a great example of how to prioritize customers.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with the Co-founders of ShortTrack, Steve Hargraves and Chris Hacker. If you’d like to learn more about the company, check out shorttrack.io.

During their conversation, Steve, Chris, or Mary mentioned:

ShortTrack offers security and automation for title agencies. The software delivers documents, digital orders, e-signing capabilities from your customers right into your software.

The companies that have been most successful during the pandemic were those that adapted and accelerated their technology. You can modernize your title operations with e-closings, electronic signatures, email and text communication, and more.

Innovation should come from products and opportunities that provide value, efficiencies, and security. Your new products and services should answer your customers’ questions and provide a solution.

Chris uses millennials as an example of innovation for ShortTrack. He says 63% of first-time homebuyers are millennials, so they looked at streamlining communication methods, and upping the digital services they offer to appeal to the demographic.

Middleware provides communication between software platforms, so communication is consistent through your business. With middleware, data and documents can be shared and updated almost instantly.

The more application communication you have, the better security you have. Since middleware is the connectivity between software applications, it’s sure to keep data more secure by eliminating external communications, which is how ransomware attacks and phishing emails get to you.

Steve and Chris say businesses who don’t adapt their technology could get left behind, especially in the case of another pandemic or other world event.

Customer portals provide security, while bridging communication between vendors’ software platforms. Each company can operate on its own system, while still tracking shared customer data.

This year, the National Association of Realtors is no longer providing digital forms to members. They are now being handled at the state/local level. Chris suggests checking with your local real estate association and monitoring your software to see how this would impact your business.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Linda Aparo, National Director of Sales & Business Development at reQuire. If you’d like to learn more about her company, check out gorequire.com. Linda can be reached via email at: laparo@gorequire.com.

During their conversation, Linda or Mary mentioned:

• Linda is a certified Master Gardener! Click here to read about what it means be a master gardener. This picture shows some of the volunteer work Linda’s done to receive her certification.
• Linda’s been in the real estate business for decades and started her own release tracking company, Final Trac, out of Connecticut in 2006. reQuire acquired it in 2014.
• Linda says 20% of closing files are inaccurately released and can take agents up to 107 hours to find and correct. reQuire eliminates the errors from the start, providing proper release tracking and reporting, document services, and title curative services to customers in all 50 states.
• Title curative provides a fix for defective titles. Linda provides several instances when you need title curative services.
• It’s important to understand first lien position. Linda says a lot of errors come along when lenders get liens mixed up. This video provides a basic explanation of first liens.
• Linda’s e-book Life of a Mortgage Loan Playbook can be an instructional resource to take you through the post-closing process.
• The pandemic’s impact on the job market has highlighted a greater need to outsource release tracking. Linda says solutions like reQuire can lower operational costs, reduce training time, and minimize the number of necessary hires at a title and settlement operation.
• Insurance underwriters should be aware of unreleased home equity lines of credit. Lenders should be sure to close them out and follow up to avoid a claim down the road.
• Check out ALTA’s Best Practices on how to protect and maintain customers’ trust and business.
• Linda gives an example of how fraud happens when releases aren’t tracked and recorded. This document from ALTA explains different types of fraud within real estate transactions and the steps to take to prevent them from happening to you.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Weston Conway, COO of ClosingLock. If you’d like to learn more about the company, check out ClosingLock.com Weston can be reached via email at: weston@closinglock.com

During their conversation, Weston or Mary mentioned:

• Email encryption is more secure and the most common solution people take to prevent wire fraud, but there are risks that come. It can complicate the registry process and even confuse recipients, which can lead to spoofing, a tactic used in fraud.
• Weston says real estate and title businesses also run the risk in using snail mail and phone calls. Fraudsters can impersonate companies by simply obtaining a client’s address or phone number.
• Weston points out that the real estate industry can be especially vulnerable to fraud because it processes bigger transactions
• The average loss per email compromise event is $96,000, according to Weston. In 2019, the real estate industry faced $221 Million in wire fraud.
• The real estate industry also involves multiple points of contact with each transaction, offering fraudsters more opportunities to strike. Read the story of a family who experienced this while buying a home.
• The Covid-19 pandemic prompted a spike in scams. This article breaks down the statistics of real estate wire fraud during the last few years.
• This checklist has more suggestions on how to implement safe real estate transactions.
• ClosingLock specializes in securely sending and receiving wire instructions.
• ClosingLock’s e-signature capabilities allow you to process all the paperwork online. All your partnerships can to pull documents safely and easily.
• Weston shares an example of a fraudster who posed as a bank to receive a payoff, but ClosingLock’s Instant Payoff Verification service enabled them to detect and verify account information before any payment was made.
• Processes and procedures changed during the pandemic. Weston suggests looking at updates in software and technology that can help adapt to those changes and prevent fraud. He says reviewing your tech can help you grow business, retain a competitive advantage, and even retain your staff.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Jim Kellison, Technical Talent and Resource Manager at Old Republic Title. During their conversation, Jim or Mary mentioned:

Recruiting in the title and settlement industry can be difficult because it’s hard to sell people on a field that is unknown or uncommon.

How to have difficult conversations as a recruiter.

Jim says most of the time when people leave a job, they aren’t leaving their occupation or company, they’re leaving their boss.

Jim recommends that managers avoid hiring for “culture fit,” but for accurately portraying the position and the work-life balance. Then work to find the best person for the position with a focus on candidates’ attitude and aptitude.

Here’s a list of best interview questions for recruiters. Jim says avoid questions like these.

This article details a way to answer the most common initial interview question: Tell me about yourself.

Jim emphasizes why you shouldn’t wait until the end of an interview to share pay expectations or have negotiations.

The Great Resignation is causing headaches for hiring managers, especially in the title and settlement industry. Here are some ways to adapt your recruiting and retention strategies to the current job market. Jim’s solution is to broaden the recruiting reach, even all the way down to high school students.

This quote from Richard Branson illustrates the Employee Value Proposition.

The pandemic prompted a shift in the job market; now many companies are understaffed and can’t find people to fill empty positions.

Discussing a promotion or raise can be intimidating. Here are some ways you can handle the conversation.

A survey from TriNet shows that 74% of millennials in the workplace are unaware of how they are performing on the job. Jim says the younger generations prefer more frequent feedback about their work from managers and peers.

Being a mentor or mentee has many benefits in the workplace.

Jim says 80% of people who quit their job have decided to quit within the first six months. This website offers some suggestions for employee retention.

Here are some additional retention-related statistics.

According to Jim, 50% of the Fortune 500 companies that existed in the year 2000 no longer exist: this article explains why.

Jim says recruiters should encourage diversity. Race, age or gender identity is important, but don’t forget what diverse experience can add to your company.

Candidate control is about understanding candidates’ motivations.

Mary and Jim talk about the importance of doing research before every interview. Remember, this is also an interview for the recruiter!

What value do you provide for your company? Get feedback from managers and supervisors.

Overall, Jim suggests recruiters invest in the right people in the right positions within your company.

Jim suggests checking out AIHR Academy, ATAP and Human Capital Institute as some recruiting resources.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

We love to see when and how you’re listening. Share our posts, or create your own and tag them: #CommitmentMattersPodcast

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Jill Bunch, Owner & President of Columbia Title. Jill can be reached at jill@columbiatitlegroup.com.

During their conversation, Jill or Mary mentioned:

• Columbia Title is based out of Indiana and has been around for 35 years.
• Jill mentioned moving her company’s data onto a hosted solution. We highlight many questions and answers about cloud solutions here.
• ALTA’s best practices (#3) mention data protection and using cloud technology.
• What is a ransomware attack? Here’s a basic explanation.
• Jill details the moment she realized her company’s involvement in the attack based on computer and software changes.
• Transitioning documents from files to the cloud can be very beneficial, but make sure you’ve done your research on cloud hosts and document management providers.
• Cloud storage vs. hard copy paper files.
• Between 50 and 75 percent of ransomware victims are small businesses.
• Jill breaks down the steps she took to prevent any further damage or loss. This guide also includes best practices and effective responses to ransomware.
• Jill says during an attack it’s critical to communicate with employees and clients about what’s happening.
• She also suggests reaching out to partners or other groups you might already share data with if you need immediate access.
• Statistics show that 57 percent of businesses are successful in retrieving their data after an attack. 32 percent of ransomware victims pay the ransom, but only get 65 percent of data back.
• Here’s a resource for business bank account protection against cybercriminals. Positive pay is a feature that can help—and it’s a topic we’ve covered in depth before.
• Jill advises to make sure you have third party and cyber security coverage and be sure it covers ransomware attacks. Plus, make sure you know the difference between broad, restricted and third-party coverages to get the right protection policy.
• This article tells you what to look for in cyber insurance coverage.
• Columbia Title used outside legal counsel to guide them through the process. Read an attorney’s perspective on cyberattacks.
• Check out these resources and coping mechanisms that your employees and coworkers can utilize during this stressful time.
• Columbia Title still hasn’t recovered all of their data. Some companies can recover their data in days, but for others, it can take weeks.
• Ransomware attacks can still happen despite taking all safety measures.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Matt Reass, Executive Vice President of Rynoh. Matt can be reached via email at: matthew.reass@rynoh.com.

During their conversation, Matt or Mary mentioned:

• Meet the Rynoh staff, including the pets that keep the team in line!
• Read more about Frank Abagnale Jr. and how he went from committing fraud to catching those who committed similar crimes. His story is the basis of the movie Catch Me if You Can. You can also read “Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake”, which was written by Frank.
• Matt’s dad, Dick, started Rynoh with the intention of automating the Positive Pay process.
• Matt stresses the importance of escrow account reconciliation.
• Matt says it’s critical to keep a paper trail of all documents and transactions. Document management systems can make all the difference.
• The Rynoh Morning Report provides a daily summary of your financials and points out any discrepancies or mistakes that need fixed.
• Rynoh also has services for escheatment reviews, auditor oversight and wire notifications. Need to learn more about escheatment or auditor oversight?
• Preparing your title or escrow company’s audit can be overwhelming, but one auditor shares some tips on how to get started.
• The Department of Treasury collects hundreds of thousands of dollars in unclaimed property every year. That includes everything from life insurance policies to gift cards. This website shows you how to find what’s yours.
• Don’t forget the small things! All the little checks can add up quick. Matt highlights Rynoh’s Trax tool, which allows you to set up time-specific alerts around your transactions, whether it’s a mortgage payment, real estate taxes or insurance remittances.
• Mary recommends you check with your bank to see how long they honor stop pay requests.
• Matt highlights ALTA’s Best Practices as well as general fiduciary best practices and the importance they play in your business’ day to day operations. Here's more on creating a clean desk policy, ensuring you utilize secure email and how to know your customer policies.
• Make sure you know the ins and outs of cyber security and consider a cybersecurity business checklist.
• Matt uses this example of how one person’s doctored bank statements made a massive impact on the entire firm and cost them millions of dollars.
• Fraud is becoming more common and the tactics are evolving.
• Beware of catfishing and other online deception tactics!
• Ransomware and malware attacks are happening more frequently. Here’s some recommended first steps if your company is hit with one.
• This blog analyzes homeowner tenure patterns.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Wayne Stanley, Owner & Chief Inspiration Officer of Bowe Digital. Wayne can be reached via email at: wayne@bowedigital.com

During their conversation, Wayne or Mary mentioned:

• How do you fulfill the expectations of your legacy customers and prospects? The biggest challenge in marketing is the constant need to evolve. Find out how to keep your brand consistency while adapting to the changing world of marketing.
• Avoid making assumptions about your customers’ wants and needs. Get feedback from them. Ask questions to better understand your value to them.
• Learn more about marketing campaigns here and which types suit your business best.
• Wayne mentions your company website shouldn’t be a digital billboard anymore, but rather a digital welcome mat. Here’s how you can create a killer site!
• Wondering if your website is working? Ask your front desk what questions they’re asked the most. Those questions are the ones you’re not answering well now. Here’s some examples of how big brands are handling FAQs.
• Videos can bump your website up on web searches using search engine optimization (SEO).
• Looking to attract a target market or demographic? Start building new customer outreach with these steps.
• Charter Title and Escrow Nebraska illustrates matching the personality of your business with your employees.
• Just like a health check-up, your marketing often needs a tune-up. Bowe Digital can help.
• According to Wayne, Twitter has become a big waste of time for marketers. Read more about it’s algorithm and how your content may be missed.
• Here’s some of the biggest opportunities to better your marketing right now: For Real Estate companies, use Instagram stories. For Lenders, use LinkedIn. For all business owners, try TikTok.
• Hootsuite, a social media planning company, breaks down all you need to know about influencer marketing, here.
• Still sending text-heavy marketing emails? Here’s how you can create engaging emails!
• With the market being so busy right now, many ask why they should even bother with campaigns. Wayne says right now is the best time to work with your budget! Take advantage while you have the resources. Make plans now!
• How does RESPA interfere in my marketing services? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers some helpful hints on compliance.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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• In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Diane Tomb, CEO of ALTA. Diane can be reached via email at: dtomb@alta.org

During their conversation, Diane or Mary mentioned:

• ALTA quickly worked to ensure Title and Settlement was designated as an essential business when the pandemic hit.
• Shortly after the pandemic shut down, Diane and her team were able to present an aggregation of COVID resources and build out an informational library for Remote Online Notarization and eClosings.
• Simultaneously, ALTA was developing the SECURE Notarization Act.
• Diane mentions it’s important to tell our story well. Here’s more on that initiative.
• In fact, ALTA’s Advocacy program was a topic of conversation throughout the interview. Check out ALTA’s Advocacy page to learn more.
• Introverts or not…ALTA Members are plentiful. Check out the Member Database.
• Are you up to speed on the Safe Banking Act and 1031 Exchanges? Both are critical legislative conversations right now.
• Diane is a member of the International Women’s Forum of Washington DC and once worked for the National Association of Women Business Owners. For more on the topic, Mary loves this memorable article on women in the workplace.
• Mentoring is important to Diane and Mary…but how can you find a mentor? Plus, joining ALTA and networking through its committees and events is a great way to find a mentor (and build your peer network).
• ALTA ONE offers a virtual option this year…if you can’t make it to New Orleans, you can still be part of the experience.
• Mary noted the conference schedule is robust with many timely topics. Review the schedule here.
• ALTA Education opportunities abound. Do you know about all the resources available to your business?
• ALTA ONE will be held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside – and the staff can’t wait to see everyone.
• The ALTA Good Deeds Foundation is just over a year old! Learn more about it here, and apply for a charitable grant for your business!
• Mary mentioned a previous episode of Commitment Matters with ALTA’s General Counsel, Steve Gottheim.
• Diane noted Representatives Madeline Dean and Kelly Armstrong introduced the ALTA SECURE Notarization Act on the House Floor. And, Senators Mark Warner and Kevin Kramer introduced the companion bill.
• Want to check in on the Reconciliation Bill Diane and Mary mentioned?
• Mary pointed out Diane’s unique background – read her ATLA bio.
• Here’s more on the Appropriations Restrictions.
• The ALTA ONE conference kicks off Oct 12th in New Orleans.
• As Diane noted, ALTA is dedicated to doing all they can to present a COVID-safe experience. Learn more about their protocols.
• If you need help preparing a pitch to attend a professional conference, check out this article and put this template to use!

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Kevin Nincehelser, COO at Premier One. Kevin can be reached via email at: KevinN@premier-one.com

During their conversation, Kevin or Mary mentioned:

• The dilemma: hosting provider vs facilitator…on premises vs cloud…or hybrid? Here’s a quick article to highlight the options.
• Then, there’s the Private Cloud vs Public Cloud debate.
• Premier One is a facilitator that allows its customers to take advantage of industry giants, like Microsoft and Amazon Data Centers.
• Were you surprised to hear Kevin mention “The Cloud” is not more secure?
• Is migrating to the cloud a cost-savings option? The answer is “sometimes.”
• You need a Disaster Recovery Plan. Here’s an overview to help you get started.
• Kevin mentioned knowing the difference between a switch and a fire wall. In case you wanted to know, here’s the answer!
• Fraudsters are becoming more and more sophisticated in their approach. To learn more about protecting your business, listen to this podcast episode from season one featuring Tyler Adams of CertifID.
• Want a 101 on SOC Compliance?
• Kevin mentions that businesses are experiencing far more frequent cyber-attack than most of us realize. These statistics support his statement.
• Nobody likes Mutli-Factor Authentication (MFA). Here’s why you need to use it.
• Are VPN solutions good, bad, situational?
• Kevin admits, everyone wants email, and it can be a good component for your business’s communication but there’s a security concern with it being your only option. Plus, here’s more on how AI bolsters secure communication.
• Cyber Security Insurance Policies aren’t all the same! What should you look for in one?
• Tech Terms Defined: Backup systems, Active Directory, Air Gapping, DR Testing.
• Ready to learn more about Premier One’s services and take advantage of their knowledge? Check out their Tech Exec podcast!

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Erica Meyer, Owner and Publisher of October Research. Erica can be reached via email at: emeyer@octoberresearch.com

During their conversation, Erica or Mary mentioned:

• The Title Industry has been slow to adopt technology but the pandemic has spurred it forward. What’s next for Real Estate technology?
• The National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) is an annual gathering, hosted by October Research, of all parties in the real estate transaction to learn from each other and collaborate.
• The Summit features two main tracks, one focused on innovation and the other on compliance.
• With more than sixty presenters, Erica highlighted this year’s keynote speakers: Brian Montgomery, Chairman & Founding Partner of Gate House Strategies LLC, Kathy Kraninger, VP Regulatory Affairs for Solidus Labs and Former Director of the CFPB, Gino Blefari CEO of HomeServices of America, and Stanley C. Middleman CEO of Freedom Mortgage.
• Mary and Erica spoke highly of the Summit’s recurring Regulator Panel and the desire attending regulatory leaders have to engage with title agents in order to understand the impact of upcoming legislation. Susan Apel leads this year’s session.
• Cannabis is still big news for the Title Industry, so one NS3 session will dive into how states are moving forward with medical and recreational allowances – and all the confusion this creates. Richard Brahmel and Art Davis lead this session.
• This year’s Summit will include a round table, Women in Business breakfast. Topics will include work life balance, overcoming fears with confidence, and how to better support one another.
• Erica mentioned her love for the book Lean In Sheryl Sandberg.
• It’s true…there are more jobs open than applicants right now, leaving title companies challenged to entice candidates into the industry.
• Erica mentioned the current popularity of mergers and acquisitions in our industry. Here’s more on that. And, as noted, business loans are abundant right now. Here’s insight from Newsweek on the topic.
• Cyber Security, Data Privacy and Wire fraud remain hot topics. Check out what recent podcast guest Chuck Cain offers on the matter, or our Tyler Adams episode to learn practical tactics to better protect your company from fraud.
• Last month, Colorado became the third state to pass comprehensive Consumer Privacy Legislation. Erica and her team vow to keep you updated as more states do the same.
• We can’t go an episode without touching on RON and RIN. This was no exception as Erica noted the minute-by-minute updates to its surrounding legislation.
• Fair Lending will be much discussed at NS3 – as it is throughout the industry.
• We’re still awaiting the confirmation of Rohit Chopra – and what the CFPB will be like once he’s in office, but NS3 attendees will learn more in the closing keynote. And, podcast listeners may remember Steve Gottheim’s insights on the matter.
• Want to submit a story or idea for October Research? If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Tish Bush, principal at TDB Advisors: a boutique consulting firm specializing in operations management. Tish can be reached via email at: tish@tishdbush.com.

During their conversation, Tish or Mary mentioned:

• How startups are poised to disrupt the Title Industry and why everyone thinks it’s easy to do so. Even Forbes weighs in on FinTech’s entry into the Title and Settlement Industry.
• Tish spoke about Realtor.com and how it changed the decades-old model of multiple-listing agents, and standard 6% commission. Here’s an article on more ways the internet has changed real estate forever.
• Realty One joined the industry in 2005 and created a standard administration fee for their business model.
• Zilliow was founded in 2006 and is considered a tipping point of change for the industry. Learn more about the former Microsoft executives who started the company and its business model.
• Property and Casualty (P&C) operating models average higher claims ratios than Title and Settlement industry does – misleading some venture capitalists into thinking there is higher profit margin than really exists.
• It’s no secret automation is a buzz word for the Title and Settlement industry. ALTA offers this insight on the topic.
• Here’s a primer on Data Monetization in business and a look at it in the real estate sector.
• As noted, remote online notarization regulations vary from state to state. We always recommend you check out ALTA’s Digital Closing Resources for updates.
• What is Business intelligence (BI)?
• Mary wished for a photo of the old MLS books from the 1980’s…well, here it is!
• Tish mentioned several disruptors including iBuyer, which launched in 1996, Opendoor, Offerpad, HomeLight, and RedFin. After the interview was recorded Tish added a new disruptor to this list: Tempo Title.
• Mary added some thoughts about how Quicken’s Rocket Mortgage and Sophi, along with loanDepot, has changed the landscape for loan brokers and neighborhood banks.
• Pacaso.com touts fractional ownership as the modern way to own a second home.
• If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary speaks with Steve Gottheim, General Counsel for ALTA, whom you can contact via email at steve@alta.org. As a reminder, as with all our podcast episodes, this interview should not be considered as legal advice.

During their conversation, Steve or Mary mentioned:

In May of 2020, ALTA conducted a survey covering various digital closing options and adoption. Here is a recap of their findings. Plus, this November, 2019 ALTA survey indicates a growing interest in offering digital closings throughout the industry.

Steve mentioned his article unpacking why you can’t “just slap an eSignature on a pdf…”

Remember back when the CFPB first debuted the idea of a “whack the stack” initiative?

ALTA offers an informational pdf on the Secure Notarization Act and here is its official summary on the Congress website. Several articles, like this one from DLA Piper and JDUSPRA, offer more on its reintroduction in 2021.

Steve and Mary touched on how creative title agencies had to become to conduct closings in the early days of COVID-19. Here are two great episodes from agents on the front line about this very thing; listen to Erin Tracy Jenner and Brad Jones tell of their experiences back in season one!

Check out this industry brief from Docusign to learn more about its benefits.

Freddie Mac has created this helpful checklist to implement eClosing and Fannie Mae has developed this learning center on the topic. Plus, as Steve and Mary noted, the GSE’s have issued new guidance on RON.

The ALTA Title and Settlement Agent Registry now offers a RON-ready self-identifier icon for agents!

Mary and Steve reminisced on the readiness of the title industry during the run up to TRID. Were you active in the ALTA TRID Forum?

Keep an eye out here for future ALTA Advocacy Summit information.

Steve speaks of two goals playing in tension with the new administration: a desire for bipartisanship versus a democratic, progressive push. This article indicates most voters believe Biden wants bipartisanship but there’s some question as to how it’s defined.

Meet Marcia L. Fudge, the newest United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Janet Yellen, United States Secretary of the Treasury.

Here is a bit more on President Biden’s initial remarks on the bipartisan infrastructure deal. The White House also offers these fact sheets on the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan.

Steve mentioned the National Defense Authorization Act “always passes” in a bipartisan move. Here’s a quick overview of this series of laws. And, here’s a look at the latest authorization of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021.

The LA Times offers this look at the “tight rope act” for the widely-varied democratic caucus.

Steve and Mary talk about the possible elimination or capping of 1031 Exchanges. To learn more about this issue, check out our episode with Ted C. Jones, Chief Economist – Senior Vice President at Stewart Title Guaranty Company, plus this article originally linked in that episode’s show notes.

As noted, after a 50/50 vote, the confirmation of current director nominee, Rohit Chopra to the CFPB was first stalled because of an FTC vacancy and then due to allegations of partisan employment practices.

Steve noted the Supreme Court ruled last June the structure of the CFPB was unconstitutional.

Want to read what ranking Senate member, Patrick Toomy asked in his letter to Rohit Chopra?

The acting CFPB director, David Uejio outlined priorities and announced plans for more aggressive enforcement and supervision.

Here’s more on the outlook of fair homeownership opportunities for all.

Steve quotes this forecast from the Pew Research Center, which states there will not be ethnic majority in US by 2055.

Steve notes block chain can’t replace Title Agents. This Bisnow.com article agrees!

Get to know Chief Justice John Roberts, whom Steve praises for his institutional concern against partisan ruling.

Here’s more on the Supreme Court’s ruling of No Concrete Harm, No Standing and the two cases mentioned in this episode: Spokeo, Inc. v Robins and TransUnion LLC v Ramirez.

Read up on OFAC Sanctions.

Former CFPB Director, Kathy Kraninger is credited for creating these RESPA FAQs.

Join the Title Action Network (TAN) to participate in ALTA’s advocacy actions.

Learn more about the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation!

Steve recommends connecting with ALTA’s SVP of Public Affairs Christopher Morton, or VP of Government Affairs Elizabeth Blosser and ALTA’s Director of Grassroots and Political Affairs, Leah Shimp Vass for industry political actions.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary chats with Loretta Salzano, President at Franzen and Salzano, P.C. Visit Loretta’s website or connect with her via email at lsalzano@franzen-salzano.com. As a reminder, as with all our podcast episodes, this interview should not be considered as legal advice.

During their conversation, Loretta or Mary mentioned:

• Here’s an overview from RESPA News regarding the resurgence of joint ventures. For a deeper dive into ABAs check out this article detailing their evolution.
• Loretta mentions the importance of a culture of compliance.
• Here’s a look at the three requirements for safe harbor under the law and a glimpse at how the CFPB is widening its RESPA enforcement.
• Lorretta mentioned HUD’s Ten Factor Test for Controlled Business Arrangements in the HUD Statement of Policy 1996-2.
• RESPA News gives us the Do’s and Don’t’s of MSAs and the CFPB’s definition of them.
• Loretta mentions co-marketing regulations, as well. Here’s what the National Association of Realtors suggests.
• This article highlights the ebb and flow of “cozy marketing arrangements” in the mortgage industry.
• The CFPB ordered Lighthouse Title to pay $200,000 for illegal quid pro quo referral agreements in an effort to take action against mortgage kickback agreements.
• The CFPB created this downloadable version of its RESPA FAQs, released in October of 2020.
• MLinc Solutions can advise and evaluate the fair market value of sponsorships and promotions.
• Here’s a bit more about Pass Through Leases.
• Loretta talks about Grant Mitchell, who was knowns a Mr. RESPA. She also mentions Mick Mulvaney and Kathy Kraninger – both of whom have led the CFPB in the past.
• As noted, the acting CFPB director, David Uejio outlined priorities and announced plans for more aggressive enforcement and supervision.
• MSAs and other arrangements are under FDIC scrutiny.
• Here’s more on the “mini” CFPBs developing in some states.
• The CFPB is hiring!
• Mary asked about seasonal gifts. Here’s what the CFPB says about RESPA Section 8 and gifts.
• Learn more about Section 9 of RESPA.
• You can also watch this RESPA News webinar which explains the differences between sections 8 and 9, where section 9 applies, and expands on the term, “required use.”
• Here’s a look back at a Stewart Title Guaranty Company’s blog, offering insights on social media and referrals.
• Mary and Loretta mention UDAP. Here’s the FTC’s handbook on the matter.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary catches up with Chuck Cain, Senior Vice President - National Agency for the FNF Family of Companies. You can reach Chuck via email at charles.cain@fnf.com or listen to him on the FNF Unplugged podcast.

During their conversation, Chuck or Mary mentioned:

• The real estate industry is evolving in how it conducts business. Check out this article to learn more about what is disrupting the traditional business model and learn about upcoming trends will further impact it.
• Here’s a breakdown of how the RedFin model works.
• Chuck mentioned a report from the Inman Headline, noting how teams are also becoming more important to the Real Estate industry. Here is Inman’s Essential Guide to Real Estate Teams.
• It’s said there’s an 80/20 rule regarding how many agents produce the bulk of business. This article with statistics ranging from 2017-2019 sheds more light.
• RIN, RON, and AVON…Capital Title Insurance Agency drafted this quick-reference to all things electronic closing.
• Get up to speed on iBuyers and SPACs. As Chuck noted, such companies are expanding into smaller communities, not just urban settings. In 2020, Forbes offered a look at the top ten cities for potential iBuyer growth.
• Mary says, “nope;” would you buy a car from a vending machine?
• Redfin reported more and more buyers are closing on a home without seeing the property.
• The National Association of Realtors (NAR) offers this advice in creating a social media usage policy and Inman offers this insight on avoiding legal landmines with social media.
• Chuck mentions co-marketing regulations, as well. Here’s what the NAR suggests.
• Here are the CFPB FAQs regarding RESPA Section 8.
• Check out this overview of how the CFPB may shift under President Biden.
• Side By Side is a guide on Fair Lending from the FDIC. Plus, the National Fair Lending Alliance’s website is filled with resources.
• The CFPB versus Townstone Financial Inc.: get the scoop on how the “Feds say radio statements by Townstone Financial reps amount to ‘redlining’ Townstone says it’s an attempt to ‘cancel’ silence free speech.”
• Chuck mentions The New Urban Crisis by Richard Florida.
• Organized Cyber Crime is real. It’s no longer a single hacker targeting businesses, it’s a whole team.
• Tom Cronkright of CertifID highlights a rise in cybercrime, sourced from the FBI’s 2020 Internet Crimes Report.
• As Chuck mentions, congress is increasing its focusing on the protection of personal information. Here’s a look at the expansion of DC’s law, California Privacy Act, and New York’s pending legislation.
• Risk Management: third Party providers must also be considered when it comes to NPI.
• Here’s more on a need for lenders to consider real-time quality assurance.
• Chuck quotes Shoshana Zuboff’s book, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism.
• Deep dive into the details of privacy disclosure do’s and don’ts.
• Here are resources and templates for the ever-important (if not frequently read) Master Closing Instructions and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• As noted, mortgage lenders experienced an increase in profit margins with the refinance boom of 2020, but looking forward, expect them to shrink.
• Learn more about Business Intelligence (BI).
• Technology and automation are driving US Banks to cut as many as 200,000 employees in the next decade.
• Here’s a bit more on Warehouse Lending and how digital mortgages are reducing lag time.
• Remember Blockchain? You can also learn more about the Torrens System.
• MBA’s website offers several compliance resources.
• Learn more about fourth party compliance issues.
• Catch up on the decade-long fight over the CFPB’s existence, plus read an update since the episode was recorded: the Supreme Court ruled on the FHFA leadership; President Biden responded.
• Have you read Acting Director Dave Uejio’s statement of priorities, including COVID-19 related hardship?
• It seems the days of $1 CFPB fines are over.
• Chuck mentions the CFPB’s case against PHH, which was dismissed in 2018. Read more.
• The CFPB is hiring!
• Mary and Chuck discussed the Positive Pay system - its benefits and shortcomings.
• Here’s a primer on all thing mortgage fraud and an overview of how AI enhances the consumer experience even as it evolves to aid in fraud protection.
• Chuck mentioned hearing Garth Graham of the Strathmor Group speak at an MBA conference about the cost and usage of technology. Here’s an in-depth article he wrote on this digital transformation.
• You can deep-dive into all things SOC 2 related here.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

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In this super-sized episode of Commitment Matters, Mary (assisted by Grace and Shelby) speaks with Dr. Ted C. Jones, Chief Economist – Senior Vice President at Stewart Title Guaranty Company. You can reach Ted by email at TEJONES@stewart.com, read his blog at Blog.Stewart.com or follow him on Twitter where his handle is @DrTCJ.

During their conversation, Mary or Ted mentioned:

• “History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes,” is a quote commonly attributed to Mark Twain. Here’s more on that mystery.
• Ted accurately forecasted an increase in home sales in 2020 based on how society reacted after 9/11.
• Through the pandemic, we saw the lowest interest rates in history.
• Meet Ted’s heroes: Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell.
• Here’s an overview of the 2008 housing bubble which burst, partly due to liar loans.
• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac offered extended forbearance options to those affected by COVID-19.
• The median home price increased by 19.1% last year.
• Ted mentions the Small Business Paycheck Protection Plan.
• In just two months of the pandemic, Americans lost 22.4 million jobs in 2020 in contrast to the 8 million lost over 24 months during the recession of the early 2000’s. Here’s the most recent report on employment from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Ted offered an overview of GDP forecasts from a number of trusted sources, including Wells Fargo, The Conference Board, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Kiplinger, Federal Reserve Bank, and Fannie Mae.
• COVID-19 Federal Unemployment Benefits has led to a lack of willing workers to fill the 8.1 million open jobs which has caused a number of states to opt out of the funding.
• RedFin reports bidding competitions on 63% of housing transactions.
• Supply chain issues and shortages have indeed led to buy-back programs and higher-priced used cars. Sounds like Ted’s dad isn’t alone in receiving an offer from his dealer!
• Ted mentions reviewing President Biden’s plan to raise taxes.
• Here’s more on the rise in gasoline prices.
• 2019 interest rates on Treasury Bonds sat at 0.52% in August of 2019 but have risen to 1.62%, a 200% increase on new debt. Still, it’s nowhere near the 30-year residential mortgage rates from the early 1980’s.
• Ted mentions his blog article forecasting population growth.
• Need a refresher on Rip Van Winkle?
• Fannie Mae and MBA forecast existing home sales and median prices to rise.
• Here’s the article from the National Association of Home Builders breaking down the skyrocketing costs of materials and its effect on new home costs. Plus, the shortage of electricians is resulting in tremendous salary increases for the profession.
• Speaking of shortages…have you tried to purchase an appliance lately?
• Read more about Biden’s Capital Gains Tax plan and the Net Investment Income Tax. Then, The Washington Post offers this insight into the ability to apply this increase retroactively.
• Wondering which states don’t have state income tax?
• Retail and Office Space vacancy rates are soaring.
• Here’s more on the Salesforce Tower and its new work from home policy.
• Ted cites a survey by S&P500 staffing firm Robert Half stating 1 in 3 people would rather look for a new job than return to the office full time, and he mentions in the episode that employers are considering leveling remote worker salaries.
• Mary and Ted discussed the volatility of the oil industry. For more on this, check out this 70 Year Historical Chart of Crude Oil Prices and this chart of Oil Production.
• During their discussion, Mary briefly mentioned driverless tractor trailers taking to the road.
• Want to learn more about Universal Basic Income?
• Ted mentioned living in New Zealand in 1981. Learn more about its money and taxation. Plus, you can read about employer redundancy payments too.
• Here’s Ted’s tweet about converting office buildings to condos.
• This April 15, 2021 Wall Street Journal article expands on the subject of housing shortages.
• As Ted mentioned, Amazon is snapping up regional shopping centers to convert them into industrial distribution centers.
• Here’s an update on bipartisanship regarding infrastructure plans.
• Read about the effects of a $15 minimum wage.
• It seems self-service restaurant kiosks are taking over at more and more airports.
• Mary mentioned lucrative bonuses and incentives for typically low-wage jobs in rural Illinois. Here’s an article on the struggle to fill open positions.
• As Ted mentions, supply and demand determine price and quantity.
• Read about how the U.S. is experiencing the lowest foreclosure rates in decades.
• Want to learn more about real estate and other undervalued stocks for 2021.
• “Are we in a housing bubble?” Mary asked. Ted (and Forbes) say no.
• Here’s more on Mary’s Keynesian approach to economics.
• It was definitely news worthy when the Houston Association of Realtors created the first consumer-facing website.
• Ted mentions the elimination of 1031 Exchanges affecting real estate investments.
• Here’s are specifics on the Green New Deal.
• Want to read more about the Australian study on the earth’s axis?
• Read more about the benefits of hydropower, and the environmental impacts of natural gas. Plus, here’s an opinion on what it would take to beat the Paris climate targets.
• Get to know the Manhattan Institute and read its report on the “New Energy Economy.”
• Here’s more information on Albert Betz, the German physicist for whom Betz’s law is named. And, here’s more on the Shockley-Quiesser limit, also mentioned in this episode.
• Ted encourages all title professionals to join their state land title association and ALTA.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

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In this episode of Commitment Matters, Mary learns the ins and outs of E&O policies from expert, Vicki Crowe, Senior Vice President & TIAC Program Manager with B. F. Saul Insurance, Inc. You can reach Vicki by email at Vicki.Crowe@bfsaul.com. She also kindly provided a “What to look for in E&O Insurance” guide you can download here.

During their conversation, Mary or Vicki mentioned:

• ALTA offers educational resources regarding E&O Insurance.
• Vicki explained a bit about claims-made policies.
• She also briefly mentions D&O liability. Here's more on that.
• Mary and Vicki recounted an occasion when a notary mistakenly assumed their insurance was sufficient when working as a Title Agent. Here's a look at notary E&O insurance from the National Notary Association.
• Have you ever visited the website for Lloyds of London?
• Vicki repeatedly mentions the importance of reporting a claim, or completing an incident report, at the right time. Here is more advice on claims reporting for E&O insurance.
• Here's a sample of a warranty statement.
• Vicki walked Mary through the difference between Asset Purchase vs Stock Purchase of a business. Here's a bit more on that.
• Did you know about Eroding Limits of Liability?
• Mary asked about Cyber Liability with regards to E&O Insurance. Check out what B. F. Saul Insurance, Inc. offers on the topic.
• Vicki mentions underwriting for TIAC, the only company wholly owned and governed by title professionals.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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In the inaugural episode of Commitment Matters, Mary catches up with Ruth Dilligham, Esq. NTP and owner of Dillingham Consulting LLC. You can reach Ruth by email at rdillingham@dillinghamconsultingllc.com - be sure to sign up for her newsletter!

During their conversation, Mary and Ruth discuss:

• Now is the time to ensure you're a member of your state's LTA or Bar Association and confirm your ALTA membership is current.
• Here's a resource to help you spot the red flags of Elder Financial Abuse and information on guardianship in the Real Estate transaction.
• With the uptick in RON and RIN closings, due to the pandemic, it's important to follow legal challenges that arise. Make sure you keep an eye on ALTA's Digital Closings library to stay up to date.
• Ruth notes as bankruptcies rise, we face a possible economic downturn that will affect our industry. Read more about this and learn more about the electronic chip shortage for car manufacturing she also mentioned. Mary added concern for the K-shaped recovery graph, which you can explore further in this article.
• Working from home has increased concerns for proper handling of NPPI and other Best Practice policies. Still, many employees hope to continue working from home and many firms plan to continue remote work. Here's an interesting look at the Lenders view on the topic.
• Mary and Ruth touch on Economic Fairness in Lending.
• The New GSE Borrower Guidelines were discussed. Read more about that here and stay up to date with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac here.
• There are proposed changes to the Capital Gains Tax Exemption. You'll want to be aware of what this means for cash buyers.

If you’d like to contact the Commitment Matters podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/podcast to download the latest episode.

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Guests highlighted in this episode include:

Bill Svboda, Co-Founder of CloseSimple: bill@closesimple.com

Brooks Yeager, President RamQuest and Pavaso: byeager@pavaso.com

Jay Hollis, Vice President of Product Strategy at Pavaso, Inc.: jhollis@pavaso.com

Tyler Adams, Co-founder, President and COO at CertifID: tadams@certifid.com

Brad Jones, President of Secured Title of Kansas City and Missouri Secured Title: bjones@securedtitlekc.com

Some links from today’s conversations:

• Nelsons Ice Cream has been serving mammoth portions of ice cream since 1923.
• Want to know more about RamQuest’s ready2close? Here you go.
• Pavaso has a number of handy resources for you to explore.
• Don’t forget to download Tyler Adams’s and Jay Hollis’s digital downloads.
• If you are considering Electrostatic Cleaning , this is a good place to start.
• And, in case you want to picture Brad in his hazmat suit…here’s what 3M protective gear looks like.

If you’d like to review all the episodes of Pandemic Practices in one place, here’s a link to them for your use.

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode, Mary talks with Jay Hollis, Vice President of Product Strategy Pavaso, Inc. They dive into eClosing with a focused look on how title companies can best implement new technology for success both today and in the future. You can reach Jay via email at jhollis@pavaso.com.

During the interview, Jay or Mary mentioned the following:

• eClosing, eNote, remote notarization, RON/RIN - and everything in between - here's a great resource Pavaso prepared to help you define all the options available today. In addition, RON versus RIN is defined in this article and this one includes more on hybrid closings.
• Catch an overview of Pavaso’s eClosing platform and its benefit for all stakeholders.
• ALTA has developed a Digital Closing Readiness Checklist.
• Check out the Data Privacy library ALTA has cultivated.
• With RamQuest, you own your data. Unlike some cloud providers, RamQuest will never use your data for our purposes. Here’s a look at RamQuest’s cloud-based hosting solution.
• Read more about ID Validation.
• RamQuest has a number of Remote Online Notarization (RON) and Remote Ink Signed Notarization (RIN) resources available. To see more, visit RamQuest.com/Resources and use the topic filter tools.
• Pavaso offers an overview of multi-device closings available through their platform.
• There's no denying remote work has increased due to the pandemic. Jay mentions some growth is expected to be permanent. Forbes magazine offers more insights on this topic.
• Mary and Jay wrap up their talk by looking forward at the possibilities ahead for the title industry and its embrace of technology. Check out this SPECIAL REPORT episode of Pandemic Practices featuring Mark Lowery of October Research, and their State of of the Industry report for more on the horizon, or this article from DS News on the topic.
• If you found this episode to be of interest, you may want to explore Mary's interview with Jeb Hart of SIGNiX or her chat with Brooks Yeager for more content on the topic of, newly termed as "e-ifying," by Mary herself.

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

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In this SPECIAL EDITION episode, Mark Lowery, Editorial Director at October Research is back with Mary to lend his expertise in unpacking their 11th Annual Voice of the Title Agent special report. As a free download, the report offers key insight from agents about how they view things like business opportunities and concerns, compliance, security, technology and more. You can reach Mark via email at mlowery@octoberresearch.com.

During the interview, Mary and Mark talk about:

• October Research’s 11th Annual Voice of the Title Agent special report.
• Mark mentions an increased number of acquisitions in our industry in the past year, highlighting this recent mutli-office acquisition.
• October Research’s iBuyers report was briefly discussed during the interview.
• As noted in the interview, smaller and middle-sized Title Companies can struggle to maintain sufficient security standards but there aren’t many resources to help you check your E & O policy. Here’s a great resource from Title Industry Assurance Company to help review your coverage.
• As Mary and Mark mentioned, emergency legislature may soon expire in your area. To learn more, be sure to check ALTA’s Digital Closing resources.
• Mark tells of a story about a Floridian Title Company’s customer falling victim to fraud during the closing process. Here’s an overview of stories just like this from the Florida Bar Review. He also notes the FBI has prioritized a financial limit when pursuing fraudsters because it is so rampant. Look at this long list of articles the FBI has published related to Mortgage Fraud.
• States Title and their work on machine learning was also noted during the interview.

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode, Mary talks with Jeb Hart, SIGNiX Director of Strategic Partnerships. Jeb offers insight about the ramped-up adoption of electronic and digital closings in recent months and the impacts of this acceleration on the process and takes a closer look at both the risks and rewards of what is, unquestionably, becoming the new norm for real estate closings. You can reach Jeb via email at jhart@signix.com

During the interview, Jeb or Mary mentioned the following:

• SIGNiX explains the differences between electronic and digital signatures.
• Here's a quick description of PKI-based digital signatures.
• RON versus RIN is defined in this article and this one includes more on hybrid closings.
• ALTA can help you find states with RON or RIN legislation.
• This American Banker article expands Jeb's thoughts on whether or not RON will be widely adopted.
• Wikipedia describes cryptographic hashes.
• Here's an overview of how the CFPB initially supported a "Wack the Stack" initiative.
• ALTA supported the March 2020 Federal RON bill.
• Need help finding an approved vendor list for your state? Try ALTA Marketplace.
• RamQuest has a number of Remote Online Notarization (RON) and Remote Ink Signed Notarization (RIN) resources available. To see more, visit RamQuest.com/Resources and use the topic filter tools.

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

Lastly, we love to see when and how you’re listening. Share our posts, or create your own and tag them: #PandemicPracticesPodcast

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In this episode, Mary talks with Brooks Yeager, President of RamQuest and Pavsao, Senior Vice President of ORNTIC and Director of Business Development for the Central Title Division. Together, Mary and Brooks look back at the early days of electronic closing technology through present day and even forecasting future possibilities. You can reach Brooks via email at byeager@pavaso.com

During the interview, Brooks or Mary mentioned the following:

• See all of Kansas from atop the Joy Land rollercoaster and the haunted ride that rattled Brooks as a child.
• Catch an overview of Pavaso’s eClosing platform and its benefit for all stakeholders.
• RON versus RIN is defined in this article and this one includes more on hybrid closings.
• Want to see a DocuPad? Here’s a video of one in use.
• Here’s a primer on MERS (Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems).
• Read more about ID Validation.
• Here’s a look at an updated Executive Order for Georgia that now lists additional vendors.
• With RamQuest, you own your data. Unlike some cloud providers, RamQuest will never use your data for our purposes. Here’s a look at RamQuest’s cloud-based hosting solution.
• RamQuest has a number of Remote Online Notarization (RON) and Remote Ink Signed Notarization (RIN) resources available. To see more, visit RamQuest.com/Resources and use the topic filter tools.

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

Lastly, we love to see when and how you’re listening. Share our posts, or create your own and tag them: #PandemicPracticesPodcast

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In this episode, Mary talks with Erin Jenner, ITP, IEP - who is the SVP of Production Operations and Director of Training at Greater Illinois Title Company Group of Companies. Erin offers insight to successfully navigating a number of challenges as she shares her company's experiences with curb-side closings, deploying workers to their homes, and the fallout from a major county's recording office extended closure. You can reach Erin via email at erin.jenner@gitc.com

During the interview, Erin mentioned the following:

• The April, 2020 Illinois Executive Order to shelter at home.
• Page seventeen of the March, 2020 San Francisco Public Health Orders declared title company employees to be essential workers.
• This article from ALTA also outlines how Title and Settlement professionals are considered essential workers.
• You can download this NSA Health Screening Form, which lists the questions Erin mentions asking before closings.
• You can read more about the effects of the Cook County Recording Office closure. Pages about the initial closure and slow re-start have been removed from the Cook County website but this notation highlights the reassignment of duty which Erin mentions.
• You can learn more about the micr toner Erin uses to print checks from her home office.
• Erin explains how she deployed her employees to work from home, detailing how she helped them plan for success. Here's a great article from FlexJobs about how to set up a home office.
• RamQuest has a number of Remote Online Notarization (RON) and Remote Ink Signed Notarization (RIN) resources available. To see more, visit RamQuest.com/Resources and use the topic filter tools.
• Mary and Erin discuss the CLOSINGCORP/STRATMOR SURVEY regarding loan closings.
• ALTA has released insight and resources to help companies develop a Disaster Recovery Plan.
• The Greater Illinois Title Company Group of Companies website presents their COVID-19 Office Protocols and informs website visitors of their curbside closing options.

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

Lastly, we love to see when and how you’re listening. Share our posts, or create your own and tag them: #PandemicPracticesPodcast

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In this episode, Mary talks with Brad Jones, MTP, NTP - who is the president or Secured Title of Kansas City and Missouri Secured Title. He shares his experiences navigating COVID-19 in the workplace and offers insight about the lessons he's learned the hard way. Brad helps any owner or manager prepare for the unexpected possibilities of our current reality. You can reach Brad via email at bjones@securedtitlekc.com

During the interview, Brad mentioned the following:

• ALTA's article outlining how Title and Settlement professionals are considered essential workers under shelter-in-place orders.
• As part of Title Midwest Inc., Brad mentions a number of the COVID-19 office practices outlined in this letter to customers.
• You can download this NSA Health Screening Form, which lists the questions Brad mentions asking before closings.
• The CDC has created a Vaccine Information page with details on who should be
• Title Midwest, and a number of other companies, issued essential worker letters similar to this CLTA letter template.
• The CDC has developed a number of Workplace Vaccine Protocols.
• This article delivers information on the vaccine and a state-by-state guide to registering for it.
• Ticketmaster has clarified its current COVID screening requirements.
• ALTA has released insight and resources to help companies develop a Disaster Recovery Plan.

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

Lastly, we love to see when and how you’re listening. Share our posts, or create your own and tag them: #PandemicPracticesPodcast

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In this SPECIAL EDITION episode, Mary talks with Mark Lowery, Editorial Director at October Research, who lends his expertise in unpacking their 2021 State of the Industry report. This free download offers key insight about what 2021’s story will be. You can reach Mark via email at mlowery@octoberresearch.com.

During the interview, Mary and Mark mention:

• October Research recently published their 2021 State of the Industry report.
• Industry underwriters, Old Republic Title, Fidelity National Title Group, and First American Title recently published their earnings reports.
• The newly appointed, but not yet confirmed, CFPB director is expected to be Rohit Chopra. Read more about him in this article.
• The CFPB filed a lawsuit against Townstone Financial Inc., a Chicago-based nonbank retail-mortgage creditor.
• RON and RIN are key points of interest in this year's report. ALTA has created a Digital Closing Resource Library, including information on Federal and State legislation. You'll also want to check out this eClosing article from RamQuest!
• The Federal Housing Finance Agency released an eMortgages Report in September of 2020.
• Data Privacy is a major industry topic. Mark mentions the California Consumer Privacy Act, which you can read about in this article.
• Mark highlighted October Research's RESPA News publication.
• If you're following student loan reform, like Mark, here's a recent article on the subject.
• Redfin recently reported a record 52% of homes are under contract within 2 weeks.
• On the topic of forbearance and foreclosure, Mark mentions reading they are at an all time low. Here's an article confirming the same and this report from the FHFA speaks to the impact of pandemic-relate Forbearance and Foreclosure relief for single-family mortgages.
• Mary and Mark discuss the CLOSINGCORP/STRATMOR SURVEY regarding pandemic-period remote loan closings.
• Mark references a report that HUD is working to reallocate commercial real estate for residential space. This article offers an overview of this adaptive concept.
• Mark and Mary talk briefly about the Detroit Home Mortgage project, launched after the early aught recession, as a collaborative effort of local and national banks, foundations, and nonprofit groups. Read more about that here.

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

Lastly, we love to see when and how you’re listening. Share our posts, or create your own and tag them: #PandemicPracticesPodcast

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In this episode, Mary talks with Tyler Adams, Co-founder, President and COO at CertifID who lends his expertise to a candid discussion about who fraudsters are targeting, how they further manipulate an already stressful environment for gain and how to identify potential areas of vulnerability. You can reach Tyler via email at tadams@certifid.com

During the interview, Tyler mentioned the following:

• Learn more about CertifID's $1,000,000 guarantee when you use their "trip insurance for your wire."
• CertifID offers a free Security Analysis - start here.
• Phishing Scams for Business Email - read an article Tyler wrote.
• The SolarWinds Hack explained. 60 Minutes recently presented this video on the subject, too.
• CertifID is integrated with a number of tile and settlement software production solutions. You can also read more about their integration through RamQuest's Closing Market.

You can also download this infographic highlighting Tyler's interview insights as a companion piece for the episode.

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

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In this episode, Mary talks with Angela Saiz, Capital Bank MD’s Vice President, Fiduciary Banking, who can be reached at asaiz@capitalbankmd.com. Learn more about Capital Bank MD!

During the interview, Angela mentioned the following:

• Capital Bank is a no fee bank for title company customers. Fees may apply to other account types.
• The Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP Loans – second draw loans are available through March 31, 2021.
• titlesupport@capitalbankmd.com – the dedicated email address for customers to reach the entire Capital Bank MD Title team.

We also found this recent article, shared by ALTA, to be of interest on the topic of digital banking.

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

Lastly, we love to see when and how you’re listening. Share our posts, or create your own and tag them: #make

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In this episode, Mary talks with Bill Svboda, the Co-Founder of CloseSimple, who can be reached at bill@closesimple.com. With CloseSimple, you can streamline your Closing Communication with professional, branded Email and Text Messages sent directly from your Closing or Escrow Staff to Buyer, Seller, Realtors and Lenders. Learn more here!

During the interview, Bill mentioned the following resources:

• Chris Voss authored Never Split the Difference, “a riveting, indispensable handbook of negotiation principles culled and perfected from Chris Voss's remarkable career as a hostage negotiator and later as an award-winning teacher in the world's most prestigious business schools.”
• Kings College in the UK developed a productivity study which was commissioned by Hewlett Packard and carried out by TNS Research. While the actual study has not been made available to the public and the original 2005 press release from Hewlett Packard announcing the results has since been archived, many news article featuring the findings, like this one from CNN, remain online.
• Tim Ferriss authored The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, live Anywhere, and Join The New Rich, “a new way of solving a very old problem: just how can we work to live and prevent our lives from being all about work.” (Mary loves his podcast: The Tim Ferriss Show.)

If you’d like to contact the Pandemic Podcast, email podcasts@ramquest.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Or, you can visit RamQuest.com/pandemicpodcast to download the latest episode.

Lastly, we love to see when and how you’re listening. Share RamQuest's posts or create your own and tag them with #PandemicPracticesPodcast

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Together, let's look at the many changes our industry has been forced to quickly implement during the pandemic. Hear from industry leaders and peers who are facing the same challenges you are, every day. Walk away with new insights, tips and even tools to improve your operation. Consider the way communication with all parties on a file has changed, what processes technology has improved or maybe impeded, and how integrations have helped title and settlement businesses continue to succeed despite unprecedented challenges.

Subscribe on any podcast platform, or at RamQuest.com/PandemicPodcast