Fidelity National, FHFA announce collaboration on ‘innovative title solutions’

Fidelity National Financial (FNF) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) have agreed to collaborate on “innovative title insurance solutions,” news that was first shared on social media by FHFA Director Bill Pulte.

“I had great conversations with industry today, including the CEO of Fidelity National Title,” Pulte wrote in a July 11 post on X. “We will be collaborating with Fidelity, as we do with all willing industry participants.”

Neither Pulte nor FNF offered further details on what new joint initiatives will look like. But in a statement provided to HousingWire, FNF clarified it does not involve the company being part of Fannie Mae‘s insurance waiver pilot program.

“Fidelity National Financial has a long history of working with the GSEs and FHFA in protecting homeownership and property rights,” FNF stated. “While we are not part of the FHFA Waiver Program, we look forward to collaborating with the GSEs and FHFA on innovative title insurance solutions that protect consumers and lenders while ensuring secure and efficient real estate transactions.”

Michael Rubin, president of Shaddock National Holdings, said he and other title industry members will be watching developments closely.

“One thing is clear, [FHFA] certainly wants FNF and the other members of the Big 4 (underwriters) at the table,” Rubin wrote on LinkedIn. “I implore them to stand strong. Do not degrade our product or our value. Independent agents will be watching and we will vote with our remittances!”

Last week, Westcor Land Title Insurance Co. became the second title vendor to take part in Fannie Mae’s title insurance waiver pilot program. 

The waiver pilot, relaunched in March 2024, allows approved mortgage lenders to use an automated title review process to assess title risk during loan manufacturing and prior to loan purchase.

The pilot is limited to certain refinance loans with loan-to-value ratios of less than 80% in certain geographic areas. Doma was the first title insurance firm to join the program.