Fund News and Alerts

Email Hackers Update

Email hackers are changing wiring instructions in order to steal the seller's proceeds.

01/05/2016

Fake Check Scam Reminder

Over the past several years, we have published several alerts and spoken at Assembly and other seminars about the Fake Check Scam. It is time to publish a reminder.

11/13/2015

Email Hacks

Hackers sending emails to the closing agent directing a change to the disbursement instructions. 09/02/2015

TRID Effective Date has Moved!

The effective date is moved to October 3rd!

06/18/2015

Doral Bank of San Juan, Puerto Rico CLOSED

We have been advised that on Friday, February 27, 2015, Doral Bank, San Juan, Puerto Rico, was closed by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of Puerto Rico, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, to acquire the banking operations, including all the deposits, of Doral Bank.

02/27/2015

International Promissory Notes

We have been made aware of several completed and in-progress transactions where the funds to purchase the property were held by a third party and were in the form of an International Promissory Note (IPN) rather than cash. It is unclear at this time whether IPNs are legal tender. One of the sellers has filed suit to halt the transfer of the property after receiving no funds, but instead, an IPN.

02/13/2015

REVISED ALTA ENDORSEMENTS AND FORMS

On May 19, 2014, Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation ("OIR") approved certain revisions to the 2006 ALTA 9 and 14 endorsement series, the ALTA 10 Endorsement and minor revisions to the MF6, SF6 and USA Policy forms.  In addition, OIR approved the discontinued use of the 2006 ALTA 9.3 and 9.5 endorsements, as well as Florida's Assignment of Mortgage Endorsement and Florida's Form 9.1.  The foregoing revisions are discussed below.

08/08/2014

Valley Bank, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

We have been advised that on Friday, June 20, 2014, Valley Bank, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was closed by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Landmark Bank, National Association, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to assume all of the deposits of Valley Bank.

06/27/2014

Title Insurance Policy Surcharge Begins September 2, 2014 - Frequently Asked Questions

Beginning on September 2, 2014, all Florida title insurance agents must collect a surcharge of $3.28 per policy and remit it to the insurer.  Please see the Fund Alert dated June 11, 2014 for information on the purpose and authority for the surcharge.

06/13/2014

Title Insurance Policy Surcharge to Begin September 2, 2014

On June 4, 2014, the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) ordered that a surcharge totaling $3.28 per policy be charged to reimburse the receivers assigned to administer the receivership of two underwriters who have gone out of business – National Title Insurance Company ($.28) and K.E.L. Title Insurance Group, Inc. ($3.00).

06/11/2014