Innovation, Loss And Legal Battles: The Year In Title And Escrow

From groundbreaking technology pilots to high-profile legal battles and the loss of respected industry leaders, 2025 has been a pivotal year for the title and escrow industry.

Fannie Mae’s title waiver pilot showed potential savings for homeowners, while Qualia’s acquisition of RamQuest and E-Closing signaled continued consolidation and digitization.

Meanwhile, regulatory and operational pressures — from remote online notarization oversight to government shutdown disruptions — tested lenders, insurers and homeowners alike.

Read on for full details on HousingWire’s top title and escrow stories of 2025.

Fannie Mae title pilot could save homeowners up to $1,692 per refi

Jan. 23 — Fannie Mae’s title waiver pilot could save refinancing borrowers up to $2.19 billion, according to a according to a study released by Legal Economics’ Andrew Rodrigo Nigrinis and Todd Zywicki of the George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia School of Law. Researchers say automated title reviews lower costs, boost transparency and increase competition. Critics, including state attorneys general and ALTA, argue the program shifts risk to Fannie Mae and relies on flawed assumptions.

FBI warns of home title theft surge

April 15 — A home title theft uptick was reported across New England, with scammers forging quit claim deeds to steal and sell properties without owners’ knowledge. The FBI reported millions in losses and urged vigilance citing pandemic-driven digital vulnerabilities.

First American CEO Kenneth DeGiorgio choked barefoot man on cruise ship, FBI says

April 3 — Kenneth DeGiorgio, then-CEO of First American, was charged with misdemeanor assault after allegedly choking a man aboard a Virgin Voyages cruise ship following an exchange involving his wife. Surveillance video reportedly corroborated the victim’s account. DeGiorgio denied wrongdoing through his attorneys.

Westcor CEO Mary O’Donnell dies

Sept. 5 — Mary O’Donnell, longtime president and CEO of Westcor Land Title Insurance Company, died after a brief illness. A respected industry innovator and former ALTA president, she grew Westcor into a national leader and founded the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation.

Fannie Mae’s title waiver pilot program, one year later

March 24 — United Wholesale Mortgage and Better Mortgage reported strong results from Fannie Mae’s title waiver pilot, saving borrowers $1,000–$1,500 per refinance by using automated title reviews instead of traditional insurance. The pilot operates in multiple states, with lenders citing efficiency and consumer savings, while industry groups warn of risks and regulatory overreach.

Qualia acquires RamQuest, E-Closing from Old Republic

Jan. 29 — Qualia acquired RamQuest and E-Closing from Old Republic Title, expanding its real estate closing and back-office technology offerings. Under the partnership, Old Republic migrated most of its direct title operations to Qualia’s platform — aiming to streamline workflows, leverage automation and AI, and enhance efficiency.

Fidelity sues FinCEN, Bessent over all-cash transaction reporting requirements

May 21 — Fidelity National Financial (FNF) sued the U.S. Treasury and FinCEN to block a new rule requiring extensive reporting on all-cash home purchases. FNF argued the rule is overly broad, costly, violates privacy and constitutional rights and exceeds FinCEN’s authority. Implementation of the rule was later delayed from December to next March.

Housing market faces major risks from government shutdown

Oct. 1 — The federal government shutdown suspended the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), potentially derailing 1,400 home sales daily across 22,000 communities at the time. ALTA and NAR warned of canceled closings and market disruptions, with NAR research showing NFIP supporting 500,000 annual home sales — generating 1 million jobs and $70 billion for the U.S. economy.

What comes next for remote online notarization oversight?

March 4 — Remote online notarization (RON) has become a key innovation in real estate, enabling faster, largely virtual closings. While federal SECURE Act legislation stalled, most states and Washington, D.C., have implemented RON laws, providing a functional framework. Industry experts highlight advanced identity verification, recording and model regulations as key safeguards, though fraud prevention and state-specific compliance remain critical.

Bowe Digital CEO Wayne Stanley dies at 38

May 6 — Wayne Stanley, 38, founder and CEO of Bowe Digital, passed away suddenly. A marketing innovator and ALTA alum, he built Bowe Digital into a trusted real estate marketing firm. Remembered for mentorship, creativity, and industry leadership, colleagues said Stanley’s legacy continues through his work and values he instilled in others.