Portland, OR June 17, 2013     Williston Financial Group (“WFG”), the parent company of WFG National Title Insurance Company, has acquired Community Title Services of Nevada. The WFG family is licensed to provide title insurance in 41 states nationwide. The Williston Financial Group family is a full service provider of title insurance and real estate settlement services for lender, commercial and residential transactions, nationwide.

Based in Las Vegas, Community Title Services of Nevada will now operate as WFG National Title Company of Nevada. Alan Maynor will oversee the local operation as Division President, and will be charged with growing the company’s footprint in the market while maintaining relationships with existing clients.

“This acquisition is consistent with the steady, strategic pace WFG has set for its growth,” said WFG President and CEO, Patrick Stone. “We are looking forward to extending our presence with an established direct operation in one of the nation’s critical real estate markets.”

“We have been presented with a strong opportunity to extend the WFG brand in Nevada,” said Maynor. “We have long operated under the philosophy that our customers are the sole reason for our existence, which is central to WFG’s brand as well. Our customers will benefit from the combination of resources under a client-friendly focus.”

For more information, go to www.wfgnationaltitle.com, or contact Maynor at (702) 948 – 5400 or amaynor@wfgnationaltitle.com.

About Williston Financial Group

Williston Financial Group is the Portland, Oregon-based parent company of several national title insurance and settlement services providers, including WFG Lender Services and WFG National Title Insurance Company. It is the fastest growing national title insurance and settlement services provider in the mortgage and real estate services industry.

WFG National Title Insurance Company is a national provider of premium title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industry. The company also delivers a wide variety of residential and commercial mortgage lender services, including default and real estate owned transactions. The company enjoys a Financial Stability Rating of A’ (A prime) as assigned by Demotech, Inc. WFG Lender Services is a provider of premium title, closing and settlement services in all 50 states for mortgage lenders of all sizes. The company fields national processing offices in Texas and California, and delivers a wide variety of residential and commercial mortgage lender services, including title insurance, closing, escrow and more.

Built around the directive to “communicate, collaborate, coexist,” Williston Financial Group is committed to applying a new philosophy to the traditional mortgage and real estate industry, working to meet the changing needs of its clients, agents and associates. For more information, please go to www.WFGNationalTitle.com or www.WFGLS.com.

Santa Barbara, CA June 11, 2013WFG National Title Insurance Company (“WFG National Title”) Executive Vice President Joseph Drum, Esq. was announced as the recipient of October Research’s prestigious Joe Casa Leadership Award today. October Research is the publisher of several mortgage and real estate focused publications, including The Title Report and Dodd Frank Update. WFG National Title is a full service provider of title insurance and real estate settlement services for commercial and residential transactions nationwide.

The Joe Casa Awards for Leadership, Innovation and Philanthropy were named after the late founder of October Research Corporation. The awards are intended to recognize the highest standard of professional achievement in the title insurance and settlement services industries, and were presented today during the National Settlement Services & Compliance Summit in Cleveland, Ohio.

Drum was selected from a number of industry nominees on the basis of the following criteria:

• Length of career and positions held; integrity.
• Unsurpassed demonstration of leadership throughout the course of his career
• Clear and beneficial impact of his leadership on the industry throughout his career

Drum currently sits on the executive committee for Williston Financial Group, and oversees the agency division for WFG National Title Insurance Company. In its first three years, the business has grown to be the 8^th largest title underwriter in the nation. His career in the title insurance industry spans 39 years.

Prior to joining WFG National Title, Drum was President of United General Title Insurance Company and EVP at First American Title Insurance Company and Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, where he was in charge of all agency operations and strategic initiatives for several brands. 

Drum is the co-author of three books: Understanding RESPA (Library of Congress No. 94-78352), Understanding Reg X, and Mortgage Financing. He has also been elected a Fellow of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (“ACMA”), a national honorary organization that recognizes outstanding lawyers specializing in the field of real estate mortgage lending and related activities. He is a member of The Boston Bar Association, The Massachusetts Conveyancers Association, The Connecticut Bar Association, New England Corporate Counsel Association, past Chairman of the Real Estate Committee of the Westchester and Fairfield County American Corporate Counsel Association, and past President of The New England Land Title Association.

Among the acts of leadership cited in the presentation of the award was Drum’s role in battling the rise of alternative title insurance products which many felt posed risks to consumers and the industry alike. In the late 1990’s, a number of non-title insurers began offering various “mortgage impairment” products culminating in a product offered by Radian as an alternative to traditional title insurance.  Working behind the scenes, Drum mobilized his employers and the industry trade association to actively fight these attempts to insure only the very low risk loans and leave the traditional title insurance industry with the higher risk loans.  The effort culminated in a ruling by the California Insurance Commissioner in 2003 that the Radian product was, in fact, title insurance and that only a licensed title insurer could provide such coverage. Shortly thereafter, a large number of states nationwide followed suit, effectively ending the groundswell toward the alternative product.

“Joe has been one of the preeminent champions for the title industry for decades,” said Patrick Stone, President and CEO of Williston Financial Group. “His leadership has helped guide the industry through challenging times, and he has been the consummate spokesman in communicating the value of title insurance to consumers, regulators and clients alike.”

About WFG National Title Insurance Company

WFG National Title Insurance Company, a Williston Financial Group Company, is a national provider of premium title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industry. The fastest growing national title underwriter, the WFG family was the nation’s eighth largest provider of title insurance at the end of the third quarter in 2012, less than three years after its entry to the market. (Based upon market share. Source: American Land Title Association http://www.alta.org/industry/financial.cfm). WFG National Title also delivers a wide variety of residential and commercial mortgage lender services, including default and real estate owned transactions. The company enjoys a Financial Stability Rating of A’ (A prime) as assigned by Demotech, Inc. Built around the directive to “communicate, collaborate, coexist,” WFG National Title Insurance Company is committed to applying a new philosophy to the traditional mortgage and real estate industry, working to meet the changing needs of its clients, agents and associates. For more information, please go to www.WFGNationalTitle.com.

Segment 2: Economic expert Patrick Stone speaks with Brian Bushlach about the state of the Real Estate market, supply and demand, shadow inventory, and a prediction for the years to come. Listen Now!

Everett to be SVP, Compliance and Licensing 

Portland, OR  May 15, 2013     WFG National Title Insurance Company (“WFG National Title”) has named Deborah Everett as Senior Vice President, Compliance and Licensing. WFG National Title is a full service provider of title insurance and real estate settlement services for lender, commercial and residential transactions nationwide.

Everett will be charged with ensuring that WFG National Title maintains full compliance with state mandated licensing and registration necessary to conduct title, settlement and appraisal management business at the state level.  She will also develop comprehensive audit programs to address the new and evolving regulatory requirements at both the federal and state levels. Everett will manage a comprehensive licensing database for all lines of business in the company as well.

Everett comes to WFG National Title with twenty-six years experience in the real estate and lending industries.   She has served as Director of Title Underwriting, Risk and Compliance with Premium Title Insurance Company.  She was also Senior Vice President and Counsel for one of the nation’s largest underwriters; Chief Compliance Officer with another of the nation’s largest underwriters, and Vice President and General Counsel for a regional bank in Texas.  Prior to working in the title insurance industry, Everett was an attorney in private practice focusing on real estate, probate and contracts.

She is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and the Eastern and Northern Federal District Courts of Texas.  Everett is a certified mediator and holds title agent licenses in thirty states.  She has also served on various committees for the Texas Land Title Association.

“Compliance has become one of the top priorities for the mortgage and settlement services industry, and WFG is leading the charge to stay on top of the many changes in the regulatory framework,” said Donald O’Neill, Chief Compliance Officer for WFG National Title. “Deborah will be a resource not only to WFG, but to our clients and partners as well.  Her distinguished background only begins to convey her extensive understanding of the major compliance issues and, more important, her drive to serve her clients.”

Everett will be based in Plano, Texas.  She may be contacted at deverett@wfgnationaltitle.com or 903.269.8864.

About WFG National Title Insurance Company

WFG National Title Insurance Company, a Williston Financial Group Company, is a national provider of premium title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industry.  The fastest growing national title underwriter, the WFG family was the nation’s eighth largest provider of title insurance at the end of the third quarter in 2012, less than three years after its entry to the market.  (Based upon market share.  Source:  American Land Title Association http://www.alta.org/industry/financial.cfm).  WFG National Title also delivers a wide variety of residential and commercial mortgage lender services, including default and real estate owned transactions.  The company enjoys a Financial Stability Rating of A’ (A prime) as assigned by Demotech, Inc.  Built around the directive to “communicate, collaborate, coexist,” WFG National Title Insurance Company is committed to applying a new philosophy to the traditional mortgage and real estate industry, working to meet the changing needs of its clients, agents and associates.  For more information, please go to www.WFGNationalTitle.com.

Segment 2: Economic expert Patrick Stone speaks with Brian Bushlach about the economy, national recovery, Q1 results, and the proposed online sales tax. Listen Now!

Segment 3: Patrick Stone, President and CEO of Williston Financial Group (WFG) and WFG National Title Insurance Company, and Brian Bushlach discuss the local real estate market and the outlook.Listen now!

Addition of national vendor management firm and platform will increase geographic coverage for lending clients.

Westlake Village, CA—April 15, 2013          WFG Lender Services (“WFGLS”) has acquired Valutrust Solutions, LLC (“Valutrust”), a national mortgage services and technology development business based in Overland Park, Kansas.  WFGLS is a national, full service provider of title insurance and real estate settlement services for lender real estate transactions.

The acquisition of Valutrust expands WFGLS’ product offerings in two ways.  First, it extends the company’s menu of services to include appraisal management in all 50 states.  Secondly, the Valutrust technology platform gives lenders the capability to manage all mortgage related services. The proprietary technology integrates with clients’ loan origination systems, allowing lenders to manage third party lending activity such as appraisal management, collateral review, flood certifications, 4506 tax returns, title and closing services.

“We are delighted to have Valutrust affiliated with WFG,” said Patrick Stone, President and CEO of WFGLS parent company Williston Financial Group. “This transaction will provide our loan originators the most elegant and efficient platform for ordering and tracking appraisals, title and other components of the mortgage transaction.  Our lending client will now be able to order and track all phases of the entire loan process using what we believe to be the nation’s most comprehensive platform for appraisal and title transaction management.”

“The addition of Valutrust expands the resources WFGLS provides for mortgage lenders throughout the country, growing our product offering to include appraisal products and a top-flight technology,” said Bill Moody, Executive Vice President overseeing WFGLS.  “For our clients, this means more products from which to choose and improved efficiency.”

Lance Melber, Co Founder and CEO of Valutrust, sees a natural fit between WFGLS and Valutrust, “Both companies have long operated with the same core philosophy:  Without the client, we simply do not exist.  Everything we do is for the customer.  The Valutrust Portal drives efficiencies for our clients, saving them time and money. In combining our resources with WFGLS, we look forward to building an even stronger experience for our clients.”

For more information about WFGLS, go to wfgls.com.  For more information about Valutrust, go to valutrust.com.

About WFG Lender Services

WFG Lender Services, a Williston Financial Group company, is based in Westlake Village, California, and provides premium title, closing and settlement services in all 50 states for mortgage lenders of all sizes.    The company fields national processing offices in Texas and California, and delivers a wide variety of residential and commercial mortgage lender services, including title insurance, closing, escrow and more.  WFG Lender Services makes use of top-end technology, industry experience and an organizational focus on customer service to deliver its products effectively, cost-efficiently and quickly.  Built around the directive to “communicate, collaborate, co-exist,”  WFG Lender Services is committed to applying a new philosophy to the traditional mortgage and real estate industry, taking the time and cost out of real estate transactions in order to best meet the changing needs of its clients, agents and associates.  For more information, please go to wfgls.com.

 Fenske to be SVP, Compliance and National Training Officer

Portland, OR  April 22, 2013    WFG National Title Insurance Company (“WFG National Title”) has added Lee Ann Fenske to serve as Senior Vice President, Compliance and National Training Officer. WFG National Title is a full service provider of title insurance and real estate settlement services for lender, commercial and residential transactions nationwide.

With WFG National Title, Fenske will be responsible for compliance audits as well as employee and WFG agent training. She will be involved with internal and agent communications regarding compliance, including the management of an online repository for all WFG National Title policies, procedures and training materials.

Fenske has 30 years of experience in the title insurance industry. Prior to joining WFG National Title, she was Group Vice-President for one of the industry’s largest title underwriters, where she managed the owned operations in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Alaska and Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington.  She had also served as District Manager for the same underwriter.  In that role, she managed the owned operations and also the agency network in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.  During Fenske’s 24 years with that company, she was involved in both the title and escrow side of the operation; assisted with underwriting and claims and took part in training associates and agents in her territories.

Fenske was also appointed by the Montana State Auditor to serve as the only title ambassador on the Montana Insurance Continuing Education Advisory Council for 12 years for the Montana Department of Insurance.  She also has served on the Legislative and Continuing Education Committees for the Montana Land Title Association.

“WFG believes that the changing compliance environment presents a real opportunity for settlement services firms to demonstrate their relevance to clients as educational resources,” said Donald O’Neill, Chief Compliance Officer for WFG National Title. “Lee Ann is the ideal person for this role. Her broad experience with all aspects of the transaction and her penchant for clear, effective communication will make her a key part of sharing this viewpoint with our agents and customers.”

Fenske will be based in Portland, Oregon.  She may be contacted at 509.688.7759 or lafenske@wfgnationaltitle.com.

About WFG National Title Insurance Company

WFG National Title Insurance Company, a Williston Financial Group Company, is a national provider of premium title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industry.  The fastest growing national title underwriter, the WFG family was the nation’s eighth largest provider of title insurance at the end of the third quarter in 2012, less than three years after its entry to the market.  (Based upon market share.  Source:  American Land Title Association http://www.alta.org/industry/financial.cfm).  WFG National Title also delivers a wide variety of residential and commercial mortgage lender services, including default and real estate owned transactions.  The company enjoys a Financial Stability Rating of A’ (A prime) as assigned by Demotech, Inc.  Built around the directive to “communicate, collaborate, coexist,” WFG National Title Insurance Company is committed to applying a new philosophy to the traditional mortgage and real estate industry, working to meet the changing needs of its clients, agents and associates.  For more information, please go to www.WFGNationalTitle.com.

Williston Financial Group (“WFG”), the parent company of WFG Lender Services and WFG National Title Insurance Company, has named Donald O’Neill as its Chief Compliance Officer. O’Neill will continue to serve as Executive Vice President of Institutional Services.  The Williston Financial Group family is a full service provider of title insurance and real estate settlement services for lender, commercial and residential transactions, nationwide.

As WFG’s Chief Compliance Officer, O’Neill will oversee WFG’s compliance programs.  He is charged with expanding WFG’s current compliance programs to meet the stricter demands of today’s compliance environment. Included in his duties will be implementation of improved employee and title agent training, licensing, audit and programs designed to update and track adherence to the Company’s policies and procedures.   The position will include an emphasis on actively collaborating and communicating with customers, lenders and agents faced with new compliance requirements of the Dodd Frank Act and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

O’Neill came to WFG in June, 2012 with 30 years of experience in mortgage and real estate services most recently as Chief Operating Officer and Associate General Counsel for Altisource’s Premium Title.   Prior to that O’Neill held senior management positions with national settlement services companies and for over ten years he  served as Group President and CEO for the Real Estate Information Group at one of the industry’s largest title insurance underwriters.  O’Neill is licensed to practice law in Washington State and Utah and is a member of the United State Supreme Court Bar – Washington D.C.  He received his Juris Doctorate and MBA from Gonzaga University.

“WFG is extremely fortunate to have Don O’Neill, who has extensive industry and legal experience, assume the role of Chief Compliance Officer,” said WFG President and CEO Patrick Stone.  “We are acutely aware that our clients and their customers look to us for assurances that the settlement services business is conducted in a manner fully in accord with consumer finance law.   Don will provide direction, oversight, education and auditing of our operations, while extending access to those programs to agents writing WFG policies.”

“My emphasis during 2013 will be to develop programs and implement controls which enable WFG to proactively identify and mitigate risk,” said O’Neill.  “The regulatory environment our industry faces today demands an aggressive approach to compliance, and we are in a unique position to assist our customers, agents and partners in this regard as well.”

Donald O’Neill can be reached at (916) 300 – 1817 or doneill@wfgnationaltitle.com

About Williston Financial Group

Williston Financial Group is the Portland, Oregon-based parent company of several national title insurance and settlement services providers, including WFG Lender Services and WFG National Title Insurance Company.  It is one of the fastest growing national title insurance and settlement services providers in the mortgage and real estate services industry.

WFG National Title Insurance Company is a national provider of premium title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industry.  The company also delivers a wide variety of residential and commercial mortgage lender services, including default and real estate owned transactions.  The company enjoys a Financial Stability Rating of A’ (A prime) as assigned by Demotech, Inc.  WFG Lender Services is a provider of premium title, closing and settlement services in all 50 states for mortgage lenders of all sizes.    The company fields national processing offices in Texas and California, and delivers a wide variety of residential and commercial mortgage lender services, including title insurance, closing, escrow and more.

Built around the directive to “communicate, collaborate, coexist,” Williston Financial Group is committed to applying a new philosophy to the traditional mortgage and real estate industry, working to meet the changing needs of its clients, agents and associates.  For more information, please go to www.WFGNationalTitle.com  or www.WFGLS.com.

Segment 2: Economic expert Patrick Stone speaks with Brian Bushlach about the residential market, prices, rates and a looming housing shortage. Listen now!

WFG National Title Insurance Company (“WFG National Title”) has added Rick Diamond to serve as its Vice President of Information Technology, Agency Operations.  WFG National Title is a full service provider of title insurance and real estate settlement services for commercial and residential transactions nationwide.

Diamond will oversee all IT initiatives in the company’s agency operations nationwide, and he will be based in the Massachusetts office.   As part of his position, Diamond will maintain dialogue with agents throughout the country about technology, I.T. trends and ways to use technology to assist in title processing.  Diamond will also assist with agency sales as well.  He comes to WFG National Title with 24 years of experience in the industry, all of them with one of the nation’s largest underwriters.  Most recently, he was VP, Division IT Director for 22 years.  Before that, he served as VP and State Manager.  He has been a former board member and remains actively involved with the Room to Dream Foundation, a children’s charity which donates renovation and home improvement services to chronically ill children in the greater Boston area.

“Rick is well-known throughout the title industry for his dedication, knowledge and creativity,” said WFG National Title’s Executive Vice President, Joseph Drum, Esq.  “He has been a staunch advocate for a great number of agents across the country, and has a well-deserved reputation for putting his clients ahead of all else.  He will be an outstanding addition to our agency team.”

Diamond may be contacted at (781) 587-0172 or Rdiamond@WFGNationalTitle.com.

About WFG National Title Insurance Company

WFG National Title Insurance Company, a Williston Financial Group Company, is a national provider of premium title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industry.  The company also delivers a wide variety of residential and commercial mortgage lender services, including default and real estate owned transactions.  The company enjoys a Financial Stability Rating of A’ (A prime) as assigned by Demotech, Inc.  Built around the directive to “communicate, collaborate, coexist,” WFG National Title Insurance Company is committed to applying a new philosophy to the traditional mortgage and real estate industry, working to meet the changing needs of its clients, agents and associates.  For more information, please go to www.WFGNationalTitle.com.

Segment 2: Economic expert Patrick Stone speaks with Brian Bushlach about the housing shortages, and foreclosures’ impact on this market. Listen now!

Segment 2: Economic expert Patrick Stone speaks with Brian Bushlach about the odds of recession in 2013 and the housing market.  Listen now!

Segment 2: Economic expert Patrick Stone speaks with Brian Bushlach about Fannie and Freddie, past, present and future as well as the current state of the housing market.  Listen now!

Segment 3: Patrick Stone gives Brian Bushlach discuss the “Financial Cliff,” and predictions for the market.  Listen now!

Segment 2: Economic expert Patrick Stone speaks with Brian Bushlach about the bottom of the mortgage industry, bonds and securities, and the European market. Listen now!

Segment 2: Economic expert Patrick Stone speaks with Brian Bushlach about housing demand and inventory levels.  Listen now!

Segment 2: Economic expert Patrick Stone speaks with Brian Bushlach about Lender caution and the “Fiscal Cliff”. Listen now!

Segment 2: Economic expert Patrick Stone speaks with Brian Bushlach about asset bubbles and consumer borrowing. Listen now!