From underwriters and title companies to technology providers and industry partners, participants in the title space have deployed plans to protect employees and continue serving customers.
First American said it is closely monitoring coronavirus developments and has taken appropriate steps to limit potential impacts to our employees, customers and operations.
“First American has activated long-standing business continuity plans, which include following the appropriate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization,” the company said in a statement posted on its website.
“We have implemented social distancing practices across the company, including directing large numbers of our employees to work remotely by leveraging at-home workstations and secure network connections,” the company said. “While many of our people may be working from home, we remain focused on delivering the service and attention our customers have expected from us for over 130 years.”
Old Republic Title said it striving to maintain day-to-day operations while supporting and serving all those involved in its real estate and title insurance transactions.
“We have an internal Emergency Preparedness Team that continually reviews plans, evaluates impacts and communicates relevant updates with employees and stakeholders,” the company stated.
The company urged agents and customers to communicate with Old Republic Title offices to discuss potential service solutions such as remote online notarizations, eSigning and remote digital closings, as permitted by state law.
“We are maintaining communication with vendors and suppliers and continue monitoring their business continuity and disaster recovery planning, as well as availability for support at appropriate service levels,” the company said.
Stewart said its highest priority is protecting the health and safety of associates and loyal customers while ensuring continued ability to serve customers.
“Our well-planned approach includes extensive contingency and business continuity plans designed to ensure all areas of our organization are prepared to continue serving you with minimal disruption,” the company said. “Some of these solutions include the ability for our associates to work remotely to prepare for a closing and utilizing our digital technology to close.”
Technology provider Black Knight last week initiated a work-from-home option for employees on all of its campuses in the U.S. On Wednesday, March 18th, working remotely became mandatory for Black Knight employees.
“Black Knight is a family, and our first priority is the health and safety of our employees, clients and community,” CEO Anthony Jabbour said. “Throughout this unprecedented situation, we will support and look out for one another. Together, we will get through this and continue to provide our clients with the innovation and premier service they’ve come to expect from Black Knight.”
Industry partner Anderson Biro said it is working to ensure it continues to meet customers’ hiring needs during this period of extraordinary demand.
“Our dedicated team is well-prepared for this moment and have been working remote-based for several weeks,” Anderson Biro said. “This practice will likely continue into the near future. Thanks to the resources provided by our incredible technology partners, we have taken steps to ensure that our clients will not feel any difference in our commitment to serve.
“Furthermore, we are doing everything we can to help reduce the risk of exposure and prevent the spread of the virus among our team members, clients, and contacts,” Anderson Biro said. “To help minimize the risk of infection and community spread, we are encouraging all meetings and interviews during this time of uncertainty to be held by video or phone rather than in person. Like many of our partners, we have also instituted travel restrictions, eliminated non-essential group meetings, rescheduled face-to-face appointments with outside personnel, and are following other similar guidelines.”