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June 2016
Title Notes E-News

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Finding Your Formula For Leading Others
by Jeff Smith, Founder and CEO, Voltage Leadership Consulting

Congratulations:  you are a leader who sets the course for your organization.  Wow, that's fantastic, but do you feel that you are the only one who cares about the organization?  Why do others look like they are just doing a job?  Fear not!  We have ideas on how to provide a SPARK! for others to become more motivated and engaged in your organization.

S - See It and Say It
You must know where you are going for others to buy into your dream.  Joel Barker says, "Vision with action is a dream.  Action without vision is simply passing the time.  Action with Vision is making a positive difference."

Click HERE to enjoy Jeff's ideas to SPARK some new ways of thinking for you and help you provide a jolt of energy into your organization.
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Six Leadership Obstacles to Team Success
by Lee Ellis, Freedom Star Media

The plane had drifted off course by 200 miles, but the pilot didn't know how it got there! He started out with the proper heading and course, and began the journey confident that he was ready to fly. Now he's thinking, "If only I had a co-pilot or voice guidance system alerting me along the way, I would've saved a lot of time and fuel (money)."

For many leaders, this scenario makes perfect sense, yet the need for an accountability culture at work is not always accepted. We want the positive elements of success-achievement, notoriety, money, and excellence for clients and customers. But we're unwilling to do the right things to get there.

Click HERE to read Lee's insights into the  6 Obstacles to Courageous Accountability -- then r eflect on these 6 obstacles, and see if you can identify your weak spots.
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VTC Introduces Liz Rotenberry, Settlement Processor

Virginia Title Center is pleased to introduce Liz Rotenberry as the latest addition to the Settlement Team. 

Liz joined the VTC team in May 2016. Liz brings seven years of mortgage industry knowledge and professional experience working with Realtors throughout the Roanoke Valley. Liz is responsible for coordinating and performing all aspects of residential and commercial closings. 

She grew up in Roanoke County and now resides in Salem with her husband, Brian, and her son. Liz enjoys watching her son play football and spending time with her family. 

Send Liz an e-mail to welcome her! Click HERE to meet the rest of the VTC Team.
Industry Hot Topic: (TRID)  TILA/RESPA Integrated Disclosures -  PART XV

A few recent articles for your reference:



Investors Title Recognized as Top 25 Best-Run NC Public Companies

Investors Title is ranked as one of the top 25 best-run public companies in North Carolina by the Triangle Business Journal. To determine the list, a team of Triangle Business Journal researchers and the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC Chapel Hill evaluated several factors including stock return, employee growth, operational efficiency, and revenue growth. In stock return, for example, the Company ranked 10th overall and 3rd in the Triangle area with a 37.89% increase in stock price from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2015. Compared to Triangle area performers, Investors Title ranked 11th overall and placed 3rd and 6th in return on assets and return on equity, respectively.

Virginia Title Center is proud to underwrite exclusively through Investors Title.
What Do Community Banks and a Renaissance Politician Have in Common?
by Damien Hayes, Saylent Technologies

Niccolo Machiavelli once wrote, "Never waste the opportunity offered by a good crisis." He was, of course, talking about early 1500's politics and not community banks. That said, perhaps there is some applicable wisdom that we can glean from those words.

As you may have heard, the financial markets have absolutely no idea when rates will rise. Back in February the Federal Reserve didn't raise rates and announced they wanted their annual stress tests to include negative rates on the 3-month bill for a prolonged amount of time. This lead a lot of folks to speculate that it may be a long stretch before rates rise. However, now there is speculation of a hike in June. Who knows?

And if that's not enough to make you grab a second cup of coffee, the CFPB has spent the last few months wagging their finger at banks and credit unions regarding overdrafts. The message: Start offering lower-risk deposit products to help consumers avoid overdrafts or... or... Or else!

Click HERE to learn about The Good News, The Bad News and The Opportunity.
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Here are additional articles related to Community Banking you may enjoy: 
Next Major Issue Lenders Need to Tackle: Cybersecurity
Mortgage lending presents a ripe target for cyber attackers
by Brena Swanson

First-time parents trying to finally find a place to call their own, young Millennials looking to make their first big investment or grandparents wanting to finally relax after working hard for years - all these people are entrusting you with their personal data.
Don't take this responsibility lightly.

If you're looking at your information security team right now and thinking, "That's okay, I've got my bases covered," you don't.

Click HERE to read more.
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Here are additional articles related to Mortgage Lending you may enjoy: 
Join Us at 1 of 3 Convenient Seminars!

Wednesday, June 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
at the New River Valley Association of REALTORS - 125 Ponderosa Drive in Christiansburg, VA.

Thursday, June 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS - 4358 Starkey Road in Roanoke, VA

Presented by Carol Hayden, Executive Vice President - Investors Title Exchange Corporation. Sponsored by Virginia Title Center, LLC.

Click HERE for a flyer and to learn how to register. Seminar offers 2 CE/PL Credits.
Small Business Lending: 
Partnering Your Way To The Top
by Brian Graham

Small business (SB) lending is a large and yet still underserved market in which community banks are generally well positioned to compete ...... the lending market is undergoing a transformation driven by technology and new competition that is rapidly increasing the investment and scale necessary to compete.......since many community banks lack the resources to build or buy a technology platform on their own, the emergence of fintech lenders who can partner with community banks provides a new and attractive option for community banks to serve these important SB customers and to gain market share...... community banks should assess the extent to which a collaborative approach may offer benefits of collective scale, expertise and efficiency in a controlled and compliant manner. They may just find that the benefits readily outweigh the risks, and that fintech offers a powerful opportunity for community banks to regain share in a number of product lines that have come to be dominated by the largest banks Click HERE read the entire article.
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Here are additional articles related to Commercial Lending you may enjoy: 
How to beat out other homebuyers when there is no inventory
Here's how to stand out

It's an extremely tough market out there for potential homebuyers right now. The hand dealt to you contains very  little inventory, outrageous  home prices and tight  access to credit.

Given these circumstances, every little thing that you can do to push your name to the top of the seller's list is pivotal.

Lisa Ford, Secretary of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association, provided a very thorough list for how buyers can beat the competition, especially when there is barely any inventory.

She breaks the tips into three categories: Preparation, making the offer and standing out. Click HERE to read the details.
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Here are additional articles related to Realtors® and Real Estate Trends you may enjoy:

 

**Remember to offer your borrowers Owner's Coverage on their most valuable investment. It's a one time premium with a lifetime of security. In addition, they will receive a reduced premium rate when they obtain it simultaneously with your Lender's Coverage.**
WANTED: YOUR FEEDBACK
What Topics Are On Your Mind?

Virginia Title Center wants to provide you with pertinent information in future E-Blasts and Webinars. What questions are on your mind regarding the real estate and mortgage lending industry? What topics would you like addressed in future E-blasts?  Send Patti your thoughts.
Past issues of the Virginia Title Center E-News are archived on our website HERE
Patti L. Dickerson                                      

Give us a call and let us know how we can better serve you and your team!

Director of Operations & Marketing
Virginia Title Center, LLC
Integrity. Security. Excellence.

 

Virginia Title Center is committed to serve you with unmatched expertise, exceptional customer service and a comprehensive selection of title and settlement solutions to help you grow and succeed. 

 

 Our professionalism, technical knowledge and experience provide security as we insure protection for your most valued investment.