Surety Bond News

Texas recently enacted HB 4338, which requires title insurers to maintain “unencumbered assets� to provide a secure reserve for “contingencies�. Acceptable forms of security to fulfill this new requirement are surety bonds, cash/cash equivalents, assets (without a lien), real estate, in excess of any encumbrances; investments, certificates of deposit, stocks/bonds, or a letter of credit. The population of the county which the insurer’s principal office is established will determine the amount of assets to be maintained; this can range from $25,000 to $150,000.