COVID-19 Updates

We’re All In This Together!

A Message From
First National Title Insurance Company

First National Title Insurance Company is dedicated to assisting our agents continue business operations during these unprecedented times. Below is our most up-to-date FNTI related news and information related to the Corona Virus (Covid-19 Pandemic).

We’re all in this together so if you have any information you think is important to share, let us know! Let’s collaborate and help each other! As always should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact a FNTI team member.

Bulletins

Agency
Underwriting

Other Information

Small Business Assistance – Paycheck Protection Program

Courtesy of Guy. R Jackson, Chambers County Abstract

Friday April 3rd, starts the application period for the SBA PPP Forgivable Loans intended to help small businesses (under 500 employees) keep their employees on the payroll. This appears to be the simplest SBA loan paperwork that we have ever seen as it does not require SBA underwriting approval. It is estimated that some applicants could receive funds the same day they apply.

US Treasury SBA PPP FAQs and Loan Application

Q&A and FAQ’s

A: Yes, provided that:
1) the county clerk where the property is located will accept documents for erecording;
2) you use a statutorily compliant third party platform such as NOTARIZE©; and
3) you obtain consent by affidavit from all parties to the transaction for the use of RON, and consent to pass along charges on the CD if the agent is not covering the cost.

A: No. RON is governed by statute. The use of SKYPE, FACETIME or any other live social media or video platform other than that which is allowed under the RON statute arguably results in a defective notary acknowledgment, which in turn is fatal to the constructive notice of a recorded document. It is also an improper notarization and could jeopardize the notary license.

A: No, a different type of notary license is needed in addition the use of accredited software that processes a credential analysis and conducts an identity proofing process.

A: No. Use of RON in states where RON is not currently in effect results in a defective notary acknowledgment which in turn is fatal to the constructive notice of a recorded document. We are aware that other underwriters are allowing the use of RON in “non-RON” states. We will notify you if FNTI’s position changes.

A: Yes, in TEXAS, RON may not be used for Home Equity Loans, Power of Attorneys for home equity loans, and Reverse Mortgages, where the document are required to be executed at the office of the title company.

A. Yes, in FLORIDA, RON may not be used for a will nor a trust.

A. In New Mexico, Arizona, and Arkansas, RON may not be used at this time.

A: Yes. The following notice should be added to Schedule C for Texas and Schedule B-I in ALTA States:
“The Company reserves the right to make exceptions and requirements prior to and following closing for issuance of a title policy(ies) based upon the specifics of the transaction, the review of the closing documents, and changes in recording and title searching capabilities resulting from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and business and government office closures.”

A: If you receive notice that your county clerk is closing and not accepting any recordings, FNTI has agreed to continue to insure your closing under the conditions outlined in our bulletin:

1) All parties, including the lender, must execute an “Escrow Closing Affidavit”;
2) the lender must agree in its affidavit that its Loan Policy will not be issued until such time as you can: (a) obtain all necessary payoffs; and (b) the clerk resumes accepting recordings and you have recorded the necessary instruments;
3) the Seller and Borrower must execute a “Nothing Further Affidavit and Indemnity”;
4) the transaction is not a construction loan or interim to perm loan; and
5) the policy amount does not exceed $1 million dollars.

(See Bulletin 2020-02 for details and forms which can be found on the FNTI website https://www.fnti.com/agents/bulletins/underwriting-bulletins/ or https://www.fnti.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Underwriting-Bulletin-2020-02-All-StatesProcedures-during-COVID-3-18-2020.pdf )

A: So long as your plant can obtain title evidence that is no more than 30 days prior to the closing date, FNTI will insure your transaction.

A: Effectively, yes. However, the phrase “gap coverage” in this environment may have different meanings to different lenders. We have agreed, per above, that FNTI will insure a transition that closes in escrow, holding the recordable documents until such time as recordation is available, issuing the policy at the time of recordation. Under this scenario, FNTI is covering the “gap” between the Effective Date” on the last commitment provided to the lender and the Policy Date which should be the date on which the deed of trust is eventually recorded, provided that gap period does not exceed 30 days. To this end, it is imperative that while recordings capabilities are still available, you continue to update your commitment.

A: FNTI has agreed to allow you to escrow for these matters provided you withhold two times the face amount of the debt and obtain an escrow agreement signed by all parties evidencing their agreement to escrow and insure around the matter. If the face amount of the debt is $5,000 or less, an escrow of three times the face amount is required. It is the responsibility of the Agent to monitor these escrows, follow up on obtaining payoffs and remitting payment.

A: Presently, we know that Dallas County (Texas) will process e-recordings only between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday. Ector County (Texas) will only accept recordings via electronic submission and mail—no over the counter documents are being allowed. Many county courthouses in Texas are already closed to the public but documents placed in designated drop boxes that have been established at the courthouse doors or sent by US mail/FedEx/UPS are still being accepted. We expect to hear from more counties as the list of counties implementing “Shelter at Home” orders grows.

In Florida, Miami-Dade is only accepting recordings through on-line recording methods. At this time, all other counties are operating as usual.

RIN (Remote Ink Notarization) Q&A

A: Please note that a revised bulletin was issued which utilizes the date of April 27, 2020. (“This notarization involved the use of two-way audio-video communication pursuant to the suspension granted by the Office of the Governor on April 27, 2020, under Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code.”)

A: Obtaining a hard copy of ID ahead of time to compare to the ID held up by customer during RIN would help avoid any issues that could arise during the ID verification. The customer and notary should both verbally attest to being in Texas. The customer should verbally identify each document they are about to sign prior to signing. When using RIN for a jurat, the notary must administer the oath.

A:
1) Use a separate attachment with the correct language (obtain lender’s consent);
2) rubber stamp (with use of asterisk to connect to acknowledgment;
3) use a typewriter to add the required language.

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