Bulletin Index

Bulletin 2008-4

Topics Covered
High Risk Transactions – Management Approval
Transactions We Do NOT Handle
Policy Discounts (Arizona Only)
Opening "Pre-Escrow" Transactions
Housing Authority - City of LA - Right of First Refusal (CA
      Only)
Communication with Customers
New FIRPTA Qualified Substitute (Housing Bill of 08)
Escrow Number on Deposited Checks
Spotlight on Our Escrow Audits
Claims Alert - Be aware!

MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
(Unless otherwise noted, the information is applicable for Arizona, Nevada and California)

Additional charges - prohibited and limited (California Only) 
Customer Service Tips 
Death during escrow 
Double escrows  
Escrow Audit Information 
Escrow Procedures Around the United States 
File Order:  AZ   Northern CA   Southern CA   NV 
FIRPTA Chart 
LAU - Learning in Process Notification 
Los Angeles - Report of Residential Property Records 
Life of an Escrow 
New California Notary Law for 1/1/08 
Notice of Default - Bulletin 
Red Flags of Escrow 
Rescission Calendar 
Short Sale Negotiators - Bulletin 
Third Party Disbursements 
Trust Accounting Red Flags 
Trust Account Signer Memo 
Types of Transactions 

Bulletin 2008-3

Topics Covered
Accommodation Instructions & The Dangers
Deposit of Funds - No Contract Yet
Customer Deposits - Are they insured by the FDIC?
Signing Trust Account Checks - Are you related?
Same Sex Marriages - Vestings
Deeds With/Without Collection
Where is My File? File Tracking
Arizona Vacant Land Purchase Contract (AZ Only)
City of Los Angeles Reports (CA Only)
California Withholding Instructions (CA Only)
FHA & VA Allowable Charges
Spotlight on Escrow Audits
Claims Alert - Be Aware!

Bulletin 2008-2

Topics Covered
Paying Commissions "Up Front"
Cayman Island
Returning Loan Documents/Lenders Instructions
Down Payment Assistance Programs
Signing Disbursement Register
Loan Care (Account Servicing) Seller Carry-Back
Supplemental Tax Phrase
Recording Instructions
Negative Supplement Assessment Bills
Spotlight on Our Escrow Audits
CLAIMS ALERT – Be aware!

Bulletin 2008-1

Topics Covered
1099 Filings for Exchanges
FTB – 2008 Update (CA Only)
Short Form vs. Long Form Deeds of Trust (CA Only)
Good Funds - REMINDER
Impact, iClose, AWI Software Assistance
Updated Demands
Official Checks
Conflict of Interest
Don’t Be Fooled – BAD Transaction
Spotlight on Our Sox Audits

Bulletin 2007-4

Topics Covered
Dormant Funds Department
Safety First
Cash Reporting - Form 8300
Local City Requirements
Subpoena/Search Warrants
Ability to Identify Someone
Excessive Real Estate Commission
General Escrow Questions/Tips
Spotlight on Our Sox Audits

Bulletin 2007-3

Topics Covered
Good Funds
Unsecured U.S. Mail Boxes
Estimated Closing Statements
Non-Borrower Record Owner
Checking Licenses for National Banks
Third Party Disbursements (!!)
Financial Elder Abuse
FTB (California) Domestic Partners
Spotlight on Our General Provisions

Bulletin 2007-2

Topics Covered
Conversation Logs/Emails
Short Sales
HUD Statements
Real Estate Transaction Coordinators
Release of Escrow Ledger
Receipts for Deposits
Purchase Contract/Joint Escrow Instructions
Spotlight on Our Sox Audits

Bulletin 2007-1

Topics Covered
Mortgage Fraud Alert
For Sale By Owner Clause
Disbursement of Seller's/Borrower's Proceeds
1099S IRS Form Update
Customer Deposits Endorsed
Americans with Disabilities Act
Notary Public - Reminder
Wiring of Funds
Real Estate Commissions
Personal Information on Deposited Items
Taking Fees Prior to Closing
CA Franchise Tax Board - Masking Numbers
Subprime Lenders
Confidentiality Statement in Email
Spotlight on our General Provisions

Bulletin 2006-4

Topics Covered
Employee Theft
Electronic Signature on Contracts
Payment of Fees to Mortgage Brokers
Matricula Consular Card
Lender's Instructions Stickers
Cashier's Check Alert
International Transactions
Americans with Disabilities Act
Need to Find a Bank?
Spotlight on Our General Provisions/Terms & Conditions

Bulletin 2006-3

Topics Covered
Verifying Clearance of Personal Check
Deposit of Cash
Disbursements Require Instructions
Resignation as Escrow Holder

Bulletin 2006-2

Topics Covered
Wiring Funds
Transfer of Funds
Destruction of Escrow Files
Non-English Speaking Customers
Equity Credit Line Payoffs
Income Codes used for Fees
Cancellation Fees - Out of State
California Franchise Tax Board Audits

Bulletin 2006-1

Topics Covered
Real Estate Broker Requesting 1099
Verification of Borrowers Tax ID Number
Working From Home
Closing Protection Letters
Bank of America Wire Information
Power of Attorney for Trustees
Lender's Instructions
Issuing Receipts Without Having Funds 

Bulletin 2005-4

Topics covered:
Document Signing Company
Escrow Signing Lenders Instructions
No title Insurance
Payment to Individual from Mortgage Broker Fees
Updated Demands
Closing Escrow
Loan Documents Signed Outside of Escrow
Conflict of Interest
Red Flags (Part 2)

Bulletin 2005-3

Topics covered:
1099 Reporting (Additional Information)
Escrow Audits (Sarbanes Oxley - SOX)
Red Flags of Escrow (Part 1)
Courtesy Recordings
Accommodations
Verification of Brokers' Licenses
Tax Checks
SDN List (Specially Designated Nationals)

Bulletin 2005-2

Topics covered:
Trusts
Bills/Debts Paid Through Escrow
Funds Held After Close of Escrow
Checks (2-Party, Dual Signatures, 3rd-Party Deposits)
Federal Taxes (1000-S Reporting)
Customer Request for Copy of E&O Insurance

Bulletin 2005-01 

Topics covered:
Conflict of Interest
Signed Estimated Closing Costs
Social Security Numbers
1099 - Tax ID Numbers
Double Escrows
Out of State Transactions
HUD Statements - Secondary Financing
CAR Contracts (CA only)