Lender issues settlement communication on June 1

Wells Fargo continues to update its settlement agents on a quarterly basis. South Carolina closing attorneys should pay close attention to these newsletters, which may highlight changes in closing processes and documentation. You can read the latest version here.

Significantly, the latest newsletter provides the following updated information:

• Closing Insight™ training has been completed within Wells Fargo internally, and use of this portal method for communicating about closing files will continue to expand in all geographic areas. Closing attorneys should expect to receive requests to use Closing Insight™.
• The numbers of “findings” are being reduced by RealEC, meaning some technicalities that were previously reported as closing file irregularities will now be eliminated. This change is good news for closing agents and applies not only to Wells Fargo, but to other lenders as well. An example is that file numbers will no longer trigger a “data mismatch” for dashes (-) if the rest of the file number matches. Another example is that differences in capitalization, formatting, common abbreviations and punctuation will no longer trigger findings.
• The Service Provider Verification of Identity (SPVI) form has been updated and will now allow all document signers to use one form. Also, the revised form no longer requires details on the method of identification, such as drivers’ license numbers of borrowers.
• The SPVI form for FHA loans must be send to the lender prior to disbursement. For all other loans, this form may be provided to the lender with the other executed loan documents.
• Settlement agents are not authorized to sign any documents on Wells Fargo’s behalf. Any documents requiring the lender’s signature should be sent to the loan processor or closer.
• Wells Fargo Tax Services will no longer provide services as an affiliate. Instead, the tax services will be provided by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The tax service fees previously disclosed in Section B or C of the Closing Disclosure will now be disclosed in Section A.

This blog will continue to attempt to keep closing attorneys updated on lender communications as they are distributed.