(logo) Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund Inc.

Update from ATG Administration

Year in Review and 2011 Forecast

On December 16, 2010, ATG® hosted a holiday party at Union Station in Chicago. It was our first holiday party in several years. It was attended by more than 500 ATG members, as well as leaders in the political, legal, business, and civic communities. The convivial, fraternal feeling that has been so critical to ATG's success was in evidence that night.

ATG will celebrate its 47th year in 2011. I am proud to say that in 2011 I will celebrate my 30th anniversary with ATG and my 20th year as President.

What a success story we have been!

• In 1964, revenues were $125,000; we had no office; part-time help.

 

• In 1970, revenues were $800,000; five employees.

 

• In 1980, revenues were $1,200,000; eighteen employees; two offices.

 

• In 1990, revenues were $8,500,000; one hundred fifty-six employees; three offices.

 

• In 2000, revenues were $19,386,000; two hundred eighteen employees; seven offices.

Revenues in 2010 will exceed $31,000,000. We have one hundred ninety-eight employees and thirteen offices in Illinois and Wisconsin. Our subsidiaries (The Judicial Sales Corporation, ATG Trust Company, ATG LegalServe, NLT Title, and ATG Legal Education) provide our members with a diverse mix of products and services.

Mission

Our mission is to be the premier lawyer service organization for the benefit of the profession and the public.

In fulfilling our mission we serve four constituencies: Our member attorneys, our employees, our customers, and the public.

Looking over the past year, how have we performed in relationship to this mission? Looking ahead, what will be our challenges and opportunities?

Great Results Despite Challenges

We continue to operate in a climate of unprecedented challenges and stress.

The housing market collapsed three years ago. By most accounts, the market will not improve for at least another two to three years. New construction is at an all time low and foreclosures at an all time high. "Foreclosure Gate" or "Robo-Signings" have had a dramatic impact on Judicial Sales and REO closings and some Realtors&® have become increasingly aggressive in their attempts to secure business for their title subsidiaries.

Despite these challenges, ATG has never been stronger from a financial or strategic point of view.

In 2009, we had one of our very best years with gross income of $26,735,500 and a net profit before taxes of $1,348,600.

Looking at 2010, projections are even better with anticipated revenues of $31,062,600, and a pretax profit of $2,700,000. That is remarkable in an industry that has seen the failure of four of the top ten underwriters in the last three years. Much of this financial success is owing to the fact that we made the decision almost twenty years ago to diversity into a much broader array of products and services.

Today, ATG provides a great variety of service. Our REO closings, by way of example, account for roughly 50% of our closing revenue and our regional company venture will add $800,000 in premiums and closing revenues.

Our subsidiaries, particularly The Judicial Sales Corporation and ATG Trust Company, have been major contributors to the financial success of the company.

Serving the Public

But success is about more than money.

Employees

Our turnover rate is very low (8% vs. 24%).

Our employee tenure is high. A significant percentage of staff has been here for more than twenty years.

A recent employee survey revealed that the vast majority of ATG employees understand our mission and feel they play an integral role in delivering on our mission.

We work hard to make sure that you know we support you. We give lawyers a home, a voice, and a level of advocacy that is unique. We provide a level of serve that is unprecedented. We are a financially strong company you can rely upon.

Civic Involvement

• Fix Your Mortgage Events

 

• Big Brothers/Big Sisters

 

• Jesse White Tumblers

 

• Illinois Bar Foundation

 

• Chicago Bar Foundation

 

• Mercy Housing

 

• Cara Program

 

• Chicago-Kent College of Law (Peter Birnbaum/Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. Scholarship)

 

• University of Illinois (Ward F. McDonald Scholarship)

Looking to 2011

We face many challenges: the economy; the foreclosure moratorium and its impact on Judicial Sales and REOs; Realtor&®-controlled business; sheriffs looking to take over Judicial Sales; cyber theft/financial crimes; and increased regulation. But the opportunities are incredible. In 2011, look for us to develop new lines of business that will be real game changers for ATG, our members, and the public. We will be on the forefront of delivering better technology and competitive tools to our members. We will fight in the courts, legislature, and media to protect consumers from the predators that engage in the unauthorized practice of law. We will fight to give consumers access to top-quality legal services.

It is a pleasure to serve you. We wish you peace, prosperity, and happiness in the coming year.

Very truly yours,

Peter J. Birnbaum
ATG President and CEO

THE TRUSTED ADVISER is published by Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 9136, Champaign, IL 61826-9136. Inquiries may be made directly to Mary Beth McCarthy, Corporate Communications Manager. ATG®, ATG® plus logo, are marks of Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. and are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The contents of the The Trusted Adviser © Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.

[Last update: 12-28-10]