By William B. Webb, Jr.

In this topsy-turvey world of title insurance, we all are looking for that crystal ball telling us where we are headed and what we will be doing in a couple of years. Will everything be controlled by strategic alliances (one speaker at the ALTA Annual Convention estimates that less than 5% of strategic alliances will be successful); will title insurance be issued solely through banks; will Fannie Mae not even require title insurance? There are many questions and few answers.

At the recent ALTA Annual Convention, the atmosphere was charged with the winds of change. No one knows what will happen but everyone acknowledged that change is happening. One very simple but very good book on change that I would recommend is Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. In this delightful book, four mice are faced with having to deal with their cheese having been moved. The author shows us different ways in which to deal with the change. We learn that change happens, it is in fact inevitable. In order to survive we need to anticipate it, monitor it, and be prepared to adapt to it quickly. If we do, we can be successful. If we don't we most likely will wither and be left behind. I would highly recommend the book to all.

Your association is busier than we have been in the past few years. We are actively working together on issues involving the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and manufactured housing legislation. Separate articles on these initiatives appear elsewhere in this newsletter. We will closely monitor the upcoming legislative session for matters involving the title industry.

One more reminder about our Annual Convention in Charleston. The dates are August 9-11 and the program will be outstanding based upon the preliminary list of speakers and topics submitted by Convention Chair Nancy Ferguson. Please mark your calendars. This affords us one great opportunity to put aside competitive pressures and socialize with others. I look forward to seeing all of you there.

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