The Trusted Adviser
December 2013 | Volume 6 · Number 10

UPDATE FROM ATG ADMINISTRATION:

A Year-End Review of 2013

And a Glimpse of Good Things to Come

Peter J. Birnbaum photo

Dear Friend of ATG,

Happy holidays to you and your family! As this year comes to a close, I am happy to report that ATG continues to outperform the industry both in building a strong financial balance sheet and delivering improved levels of service throughout the ATG family of companies.

Additionally, over this past year, ATG successfully advocated on behalf of lawyers and their clients in a climate of significant emerging regulatory and marketplace changes. For example:

  • ALTA Best Practices | Today’s marketplace and regulatory climate is putting increased pressure on the title industry to significantly improve its accounting, privacy, and information technology controls. ALTA Best Practices is a response to these pressures. We are fully committed to providing you the support services you need to comply with ALTA Best Practices as well as increased lender demands. Be sure to check our ALTA Best Practices Information Center regularly, we update it often.
  • CFPB’s New Mortgage Disclosures | The much anticipated rule was released November 20, 2013. Working with the great legislative team at ALTA, ATG advocated for its members in Washington and we prevailed on most of the big issues. We thank you, as always, for your support and assure you that ATG will be ready---and you will be ready---when the new rule is implemented in August 2015.
  • HUD Buyer Select Pilot Program | We continue to advocate for ATG members on the problem of HUD selling REO properties without seller's counsel.

In 2013, ATG continued in its tradition of being a good corporate citizen. ATG was the primary underwriter for the Illinois State Bar’s Lawyers Feeding Illinois initiative, and through those efforts, ATG staff and members raised $25,397 dollars and 732 pounds of food. When every dollar raised equals five meals, ATG's financial contribution provided 126,985 meals---plus the 732 pounds of food! In total, the ISBA effort raised 1.4 million meals for Illinois’ food banks. See our wrap-up of this initiative. In 2013, we were also leading supporters of the Illinois Bar Foundation, the Chicago Bar Foundation, Mercy Housing, and the Jesse White Foundation, among others. Many ATG employees recently donated to tornado relief efforts in Gifford and Washington, Illinois. ATG matched those contributions.

Other 2013 highlights include:

Next year will be a year of celebration at ATG — our 50th anniversary, a milestone most companies never see. We have a lot in store for you:

  • 50th Anniversary Bash – July 10, 2014 | Save the date! Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago.
  • 10th Annual Harold I. Levine Real Estate Institute – July 10, 2014 | This much-anticipated program will take place during the day at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, followed by our Anniversary Bash.
  • Illini Tailgate – September 6, 2014 | Illinois vs. Western Kentucky, Champaign.
  • Three-Millionth Policy | We project that one of you lucky members will issue it during our 50th year! Nothing speaks better to the collective contribution you made to our success.

In addition to exciting events and quality CLE, we will also launch several new service initiatives in 2014:

  • ATG Member Forum | A useful spot on our website for lawyers to exchange information and ideas; open to ATG members and their employees, available first quarter.
  • Online Survey Ordering | A convenient, efficient way to order a property survey from ATG REsource, available in January.
  • ALTA Best Practices and CFPB Compliance | We will be on the forefront of giving you the tools you need to compete. ATG is your ongoing source for information and procedures, see our ALTA Best Practices Information Center (updated regularly) and our recent article on RESPA/TILA.

I am also excited that in 2014, my good friend and mentor, Ward McDonald will take the reins as the Chairman of the ATG Board. During his tenure as CEO from 1970-1983, Ward was the person most responsible for bringing ATG from a concept into a thriving business. It was his unique ability to promote the ATG mission that built ATG into a grassroots movement, and over time---a formidable force in the legal and real estate community. Working with Ward, I can promise you that ATG will continue to innovate and rise to the challenges facing your law practice.

Be sure to watch your email and visit www.atgf.com for information and updates on all of the above throughout 2014—it promises to be another exciting year. Happy Holidays from the ATG family.

Sincerely,

Peter J. Birnbaum
ATG President and Chief Executive Officer

[Last update: 12-16-13]

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