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4 TheFiveStar.com | CoalitionConnection McCurdy and Candler Secures ALTA Nod I ts newly nabbed Best Practices Certification also signifies compli- ance with the CFPB's rules and regs. Atlanta-based lender services law firm McCurdy and Candler, LLC, received its Best Practices Certifica- tion from the American Land Title Association (ALTA), the company recently announced. ALTA's Best Practices closely align with the Consumer Finan- cial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) laws and regulations for mortgage settlement operations. "Certification that we comply with ALTA best practices and CFPB laws helps minimize any risk to our real estate settlement services clients," said Michael Dugan, partner at McCurdy & Candler. "It reinforces that we understand the rigorous regulations that impact our clients' businesses." To receive certification, Mc- Curdy & Candler tapped its exten- sive experience representing lenders and mortgage servicers to develop and implement detailed policies and procedures designed to protect clients and their customers. "is, coupled with compliance policies, procedures, and safeguards the firm has had in place already for several years, positions McCurdy & Candler to provide the best service and safety possible. ""e CFPB is focused on creat- ing a safe financial environment for consumers. We support those goals as a third-party vendor to lenders and title companies by demon- strating through certification that we have incorporated the ALTA and CFPB recommendations and regulations," said Sid Gelernter, McCurdy & Candler managing partner. McCurdy & Candler, LLC is an Atlanta, Georgia law firm that provides comprehensive lender representation in Georgia and Tennessee. "e firm also offers tra- ditional legal services that include civil litigation, corporate law, estate planning/probate, domestic rela- tions, and business transactions. Florida Based Title Companies are Preparing to Stay Compliant with the Latest Proposed Changes in Florida Statutes. By JONATHAN SAWYER F lorida based title agency, Albertelli Law, reports that Section 627.782 of the Florida statutes was revised during the 2012 Legislative session. "e firm adds: Each title insurance agency licensed to do business in this state shall maintain and submit information, including revenue, loss, and expense data, to assist in the analysis of title insurance premium rates, title search costs, and the condition of the title insurance industry in this state. "is information must be transmitted to the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) annually by March 31 of the year after the reporting year. "e com- mission shall adopt rules regarding the collection and analysis of the data from the title insurance industry. "e Department of Financial Service—OIR is proposing to amend the current language of Section 627.782 with new language that implements a form, labeled "OIR-EO-2087 Title Insurance Experience Reporting Agents and Florida Retail Offices of Direct–Writing Title Insurance Underwriters." Each agency will be required to submit this form electronically to comply with the new reporting requirements. While the latest revisions are expected to have a direct impact on the market in excess of $200,000 this will be a relatively small cost per agency when divided out amongst the current number of Florida based agencies. "e most dramatic impact will be on the small title businesses by requiring all title agencies to invest an initial $1,000 in software upgrades that could total approximately $2,000 annually, according to the Department of Financial Services statistics. Albertelli Law believes this is the Department of Financial Service's best attempt at re-engaging the marketplace and more properly analyzing the condition of the title industry. "e firm urges its colleagues within the Florida title industry to further investigate the proposed changes to properly prepare for the likely approval of the amendment. "e full notice of revision can be found at flrules.org. Albertelli Law urges its colleagues within the Florida title industry to investigate proposed changes from the Legislature.

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