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Posted By Robert Treuber,
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Updated: Tuesday, August 30, 2022
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The New York State Land Title Association (NYSLTA) today announced its newly elected Officers for the 2022-2023 membership year. The election was held at the Association’s annual meeting and convention held in Newport RI, August 21-24. Eric Swarthout of Thoroughbred Title Services is the newly elected President, having previously served as President-elect and Treasurer. Mr. Swarthout succeeds James Thanasules of AmTrust Title who proceeds to the Office of Immediate Past-president. “I am honored by the confidence that my colleagues have extended to me,” said Swarthout. “We navigated the challenges of conducting business under the constraints of the pandemic and we now find ourselves adapting to a post-pandemic world. Enhanced cybersecurity standards, data privacy issues and the introduction of remote notarization are but a few of the challenges we will tackle as an industry.” Joining Swarthout as officers are Catherine Canino, of Security Title Guarantee Corporation of Baltimore as President-elect and Mark d’Addona, Principal of Home Abstract Corp as Treasurer. The Title Insurance Section will be chaired by Robin Schwartzman of Westcor Land Title Insurance Corporation with Elizabeth Alonso of Old Republic Title Insurance Company as Vice-chair. The Abstracter and Agent Section chair is Richard Giliotti of The Judicial Title Insurance Agency; vice-chair is DeAnna Stancanelli of National Granite Title Insurance Agency. The Officers were sworn in at a ceremony officiated by Jack Rattikin, President & CEO of Rattikin Title Company of Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Rattikin is the president-elect of the American Land Title Association (ALTA). Formed in 1921, NYSLTA and its board affords membership to title insurance companies licensed in New York State, abstract companies, title insurance agents, law firms, individual attorneys, surveyors, and others actively engaged in the real estate finance community. The NYSLTA represents a statewide network of 11 insurance corporations and 300+ small businesses, employing more than 8,0000 people in New York. For additional information about the NYSLTA visit our website: www.nyslta.org and follow us on Twitter @NYSLTA.
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Posted By Robert Treuber,
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Updated: Thursday, August 27, 2020
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On August 25th, the Land Title Association held the annual election of officers, under special conditions dictated by social distancing and pandemic safety protocols. President - Jean Partridge, Benchmark Title Agency President-elect - James Thanasules, AmTrust Title Treasurer - Eric Swarthout, Thoroughbred Title Services Title Section Chair - Steve Vincini, First American Title Insurance Title Section Vice-chair - Robin Schwartzman, WFG Title Insurance Agent Section Chair - Richard Giliotti, Judicial Title Agency Agent Section Vice-chair - DeAnna Stancanelli, National Granite Title Agency Past-president - Dawn Pereyo, Westcor Land Title Insurance Co. The election and induction was held outdoors in Rye Brook, NY. ALTA President Mary O'Donnell joined via Zoom to conduct the oath of office.
New President, Jean Partridge, made the following statement as her first official act. Annual Meeting 2020 - A Word from NYSLTA President Jean Partridge
So, 2020, it’s been….a challenging year.
Just as Dylan’s anthem embodied the shifting American societal landscape during that turbulent decade, the title industry (like the rest of the world) is undergoing its own turbulent era of change amidst the 21st century and the corona virus pandemic. My message today is one of optimism. There is no doubt that the coming year will be full of hurdles; however, I am confident that we will persevere and overcome the obstacles placed before us with the dedicated slate of professionals who have just been sworn in as your officers. Nevertheless, as the saying goes “I have a tough act to follow”. First and foremost, I would like to thank Dawn for an incredible job in successfully leading the Association through uncharted territory in what may have been the most unstable year of our professional, and personal, lifetime. Those with children are all too familiar with the saying “are we there yet” when taking long car rides. I think at this juncture, we all may be experiencing that same feeling. Are we DONE yet? Is it OVER yet? Well, not really. Clearly, we have not yet overcome this extraordinary historical moment of the pandemic, but we have been able to survive, and more importantly, are poised to effect positive change in our industry. We have many goals to strive for: I believe our primary goals should be to continue to ADVOCATE for our industry and EDUCATE our members. Additional goals include; - Prepare for the ever-changing technological capabilities – more specifically;
- Electronic/digital closings. Understand, compare RON/RIN/ Rulona.
- Increase awareness, educate and inform our members and consumers alike regarding the ever-increasing wire fraud and mortgage closing scams.
- Engage and COMMUNICATE effectively with our regulators.
- Expand and increase membership, get more diverse members – large and small agents alike from both zone 1 and zone 2.
We need to remember that diversity breeds success and there is strength in numbers! I understand most of us spend most of our time running our business. As business owners, your voice in the NYSLTA provides leadership to our industry. I encourage you and your colleagues and your staff to become involved with the Association, we need your ideas and energy. A final important goal is to increase awareness of what we do, how we do it and most importantly, the GOOD that we do. We have made some small strides in changing the media and public perceptions of the title insurance industry through recent publications placed by our media communications firm. However, there is more work that needs to be done. We need to spread the message that the system that allows land to be freely bought, sold, and transferred in the United States depends on the work WE do! We are important and vital to stimulating the economy as ALTA so poignantly states. We provide proof that people own their real property and because of this people can use their real estate capital to grow their assets, which stimulates the economy. And because our work gives lenders the confidence to provide mortgage loans, we’re the backbone of the real estate economy, which is, in turn, the backbone of the nation’s economy. Without the work we do, people’s rights to their property could be jeopardized, their collateral and equity lost, and our economy badly impacted. We need to convey this message, and no one can tell it better than we can. It is with great pride, honor and humbleness that I commence my term as President of NYSLTA, particularly as we celebrate our 100th year anniversary, which, coincidentally, is also the 100th year anniversary of the enactment of the 19th amendment to the constitution granting women the right to vote. For the first time in our long history, we have had three consecutive woman Presidents and I am extremely proud to be one of them. I am also honored to have been sworn in today by the esteemed Mary O’Donnell, a very impressive woman in her own right and the current President of ALTA. I know that with your help we can see the title industry weather this storm and we will come out stronger. We are all competitors, yet we are a cohesive organization that supports each other as we support the American dream of real property ownership. We need to work hard, work together and remember that “optimism is the faith that leads to achievement” - Helen Keller. In closing, I hope my message of unity and optimism will stay with you throughout the year. And to reiterate, we are NOT done yet but with optimism, forward thinking, cohesiveness and diligence things will get easier and brighter…. As the lyrics say in the song “Oh, Oh Child” by Five Stairsteps.
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Annual Meeting
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Posted By Tim Su - SJ Carroll Jr, Inc,
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
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As a first time attendee to the NYSLTA Annual Convention I wasn’t sure what to expect walking in the front door of The Sagamore. However, the immediate warm greetings from familiar and not-so-familiar faces was a good indicator to what the convention would be like.
Starting with registration to the catered meals, you could tell that everything was well planned and thought out. The location was beautiful. Walking straight through the double doors in the back of the lobby, you had a gorgeous landscape view overlooking Lake George. The information sessions and CE that the NYSLTA had slated was, as always, informative and relevant.
I still find it a bit daunting to enter a room of people who know each other, but don’t know you. However, from the bonfires on the first night to the last song at the gala, there were individuals who made it a point to come up to me, the "new kid", and introduce themselves, their families and their colleagues. This was not just an isolated incident but a prevailing attitude of most that attended. The true character of those that comprise the New York title industry showed especially through the generous donations, bids and fundraising during the charity night.
Thanks Bob and Regina for hosting a great convention. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next one!
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Posted By Robert Treuber,
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Updated: Tuesday, May 23, 2017
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[This is a revised version of a broadly distributed email sent on May 22, 2017]
Will you stand?
Will you speak?
Will you act?
The proposed DFS regulations have the potential to turn the title industry upside down. But together, we can do something about it.
Scroll down to see what the NYSLTA is doing to provide you with the tools and opportunities that will keep the people and companies in the title insurance business a vital part of the real estate finance economy in New York State.
Ring the alarm. Put out the fire.
It is not enough to complain and bring grievances to light. No one knows title insurance better than we do and every time we talk about the problems in these regulations, we will be asked, "What do you want to do about it?"
A vigorous discussion is going on the title industry and the Association is working on releasing a statement that meets the needs of underwriters, agents, abstractrers, attorneys, closers and consumers.
Get off your seat.
We are asking our Members to take the lead and we invite all title professionals to join us in taking action.
First - Sign up for lobby day. The linked page will explain about meeting in your legislators' local office, how we will schedule the meeting for you and prepare you with Talking Points. This is super important.
And if are not a member of the Title Action Network (TAN) you should sign up today.
Next - If you can possibly make it, attend the Town Hall meeting on Long Island at 10 AM on June 7. This event is free to everyone but we ask that you pre-register. We are also planning a live webcast Town Hall later in June.
Best - Attend the annul meeting and convention in Syracuse August 20-23. We have more that unites us than opposition to wrong-headed regulations. Meet with your peers, build your network and learn how to make your business stronger.
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DFS
lobbying
Long Island
Reg 206
Reg 208
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Posted By Robert Treuber,
Monday, August 31, 2015
Updated: Monday, August 31, 2015
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NYSLTA issued a news release today announcing the election of the 2015-2016 Officers. Click the attached file to see the complete news release.
Quoting the release:
"Newly elected president, Marianne Mathieu, of Fidelity National Title, previously served as president-elect, working closely on the Executive Committee with outgoing president Rafael Castellanos, of Expert Title Insurance Agency. ...
Joining Mathieu and Castellanos as officers are Bill Collins, of Frontier Abstract and Research as president-elect and John Martinico of Security Title Guarantee Corporation of Baltimore as Treasurer. The title section will be chaired by Marvin Bagwell of Old Republic Title Insurance Company with Mary Jane Keyse of Fidelity National Title Group as Vice-chair. The abstracter and agent section chair is Richard Giliotti of The Judicial Title Insurance Company; vice-chair is DeAnna Stancanelli of National Granite Title Insurance Agency. "
 Download File (DOCX)
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Assoc Officers
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Election
Executive Committee
public relations
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Posted By Robert Treuber,
Friday, August 28, 2015
Updated: Friday, August 28, 2015
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Our Annual Meetings are renown for the good fellowship and social amity that pervades the event. We also provide valuable professional information, which justifies the time away from the office.
I have been asked to provide two of the presentations for download and you will find them on this Members Web site.
Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae economist presented a dazzling array of data about the economy in general and the factors driving the housing market. Go to GOVERNMENT>FEDERAL using the top navigation or click this link: http://nyslta.site-ym.com/?page=GoveFederal and scroll down .
Bill Burding of Orange Coast Title and a Member of the ALTA Board of Governors gave us the latest on how ALTA is viewing and addressing the challenges of CFPB and TRID. Go to RESOURCES>COMPLIANCE SUPPORT or click this link: https://nyslta.site-ym.com/?page=Compliance
Both of these presentations have timely information, which means as the weeks and months roll on the accuracy will diminish. We intend to remove these links in a few months so if you need the slides and cannot download them, call the NYSLTAStaff at 212-964-3701.
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ALTA
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Fannie Mae
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Posted By Robert Treuber,
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Updated: Tuesday, August 25, 2015
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We held our annual meeting last week and a very significant change in our By-laws was approved by both the Title Insurance Section and the Agents Section in their respective Section Meetings.
It concerns the Executive Committee voting requirements to approve a motion. In simple terms, a two-thirds majority of the EC Members present in person or by proxy decides the outcome of a vote. There are exceptions for issues which raise anti-trust concerns but that's it in a nutshell.
This is a significant step towards parity between the Sections. The Title Insurance Section voted to relinquish their ability to defeat a motion with only a handful of Title Section votes, a power not available to the Agents Section.
The Underwriters and the Agents bring different things to the title insurance marketplace and there is no denying the split is a "zero-sum game". Neither can we ignore the competitive tensions within each section. That's Ok. You knew this when you got into this business.
As the Association Executive Director, I have the advantage of stepping back from the daily fray of commerce and from this perspective I see good things happening.
The change in the voting structure is a sign of this Association's maturity and growth toward speaking with one voice in the common interests of the title industry.
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EC
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