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November 2017
Title Notes E-News

Holiday Schedules, Office and Courthouse Closures
  • VTC Main Office Relocation: Friday, November 3 - No phones or computer systems for the day
  • Professional Development: VTC will close at Noon on Thursday, November 9, and will be closed all day on November 10 for our team to participate in a professional development event
  • Veteran's Day: Friday, November 10 - Courthouses Closed
  • Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 23 and Friday November 24 VTC and Courthouses Closed. Courthouses will also close at Noon on Wednesday, November 22 with recording hours restricted to 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
MBA Economists: Here's What Mortgage Rates Are Going To Do in 2018 and Beyond
What to expect in mortgage lending in the next few years
by Sarah Wheeler

On a whole, mortgage interest rates  moved lower throughout 2017 after rising above 4% in January.

But what's going to happen in the next few years?  According to the top economists at the Mortgage Bankers Association , mortgage rates will rise in the next few years, past 4% and even past 5%.  Click HERE to learn more.
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Here are additional articles related to Mortgage Lending you may enjoy: 
Virginia Title Center to Relocate Main Office November 3, 2017

Virginia Title Center is pleased to announce that we will be relocating our main office to The Shoppes at West Village at 3565 Electric Road, Suite J, Roanoke, VA 24018 effective November 3, 2017. 

This new space will provide a more convenient, pleasant and professional atmosphere for our clients, as well as create greater efficiencies for our team.

NOTE: Our offices, phones and computer systems will be down on Friday, November 3rd in order to complete the move. We will be back up and running on Monday, November 6th. We appreciate your patience during this exciting transition.
Fighting Insecurity Over Cybersecurity
by Howard Altman

Community Banks know the growing peril of cybercrime. But they can fight it effectively -- even if they lack (or think they lack) the right resources  Click HERE to read on.
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5 Ways to Improve Your Professional Reputation
by Gina Belli

Cultivating a positive professional reputation is about more than just tidying up your online image. Here are a few tips for building and maintaining a solid reputation, online and in real life. 
  1. Trust yourself
  2. Demonstrate uncompromising integrity
  3. Keep learning
  4. Continue to network
  5. Manage your online presence

Click HERE to learn more.

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The Role of SMB Lending At Community Banks is Changing
by PYMNTS

Small business (SMB) lending is big business for community banks, which are a popular destination for small business borrowers, thanks to strong approval rates on loan applications. But new analysis from the Federal Reserve has identified a reversal in community banks' position in the small business lending market.

According to the report, small business lending at community banks dropped by 2.2 percent in 2016 down to $269 billion. That decline is contrasted by the 5.1 percent increase in SMB lending among large banks. Click HERE to learn more about this report.
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How to Create a GREAT Business Development Plan
by Joe Micallef

About this time each year front line banking staff who are responsible for developing new business for the bank are generally required to compile an annual budget/target for what they expect to achieve next year.

Most generally budget for a moderate percentage increase that could be reasonably achieved based on the current level of activity they undertook this year.

Alternatively, the community bank leaders may simply decree that the bank has a specific target for next year and expects the business development team to rally behind it with no specific activity plan.

But is that what the banker - or the bank - really wants?   Click HERE to read on.

 

**Remember to offer your borrowers Owner's Coverage on their most valuable investment. It's a one time premium with a lifetime of security. In addition, they will receive a reduced premium rate when they obtain it simultaneously with your Lender's Coverage.**

WANTED: YOUR FEEDBACK
What Topics Are On Your Mind?

Virginia Title Center wants to provide you with pertinent information in future E-Blasts and Webinars. What questions are on your mind regarding the real estate and mortgage lending industry? What topics would you like addressed in future E-blasts?  Send Patti your thoughts.
Past issues of the Virginia Title Center E-News are archived on our website HERE
Patti L. Dickerson                                      

Give us a call and let us know how we can better serve you and your team!

Director of Operations & Marketing
Virginia Title Center, LLC
Integrity. Security. Excellence.

 

Virginia Title Center is committed to serve you with unmatched expertise, exceptional customer service and a comprehensive selection of title and settlement solutions to help you grow and succeed. 

 

 Our professionalism, technical knowledge and experience provide security as we insure protection for your most valued investment.