The National Association of Realtors, National Association of Home Builders, Mortgage Bankers Association and American Land Title Association wrote a letter to the National Governor’s Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Counties, Council of State Governments, U.S. Conference of Mayors and State Government Affairs Council , urging them to take steps to ensure that the financial services and housing sectors can support the critical needs of homeowners and borrowers. Read on for more from the letter.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation March 24 removing the delayed effective date of and allowing for the new electronic notary services provisions authorized by Senate Bill 5641. Read on for more details.

The Florida Department of Financial Services has issued a directive waiving restrictions to allow customer representatives to perform their work at home, if necessary, through May 8, 2020. Read on for more details.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced his appointment of a new insurance commissioner. Read on for more about the new hire.

With their role in the financial services sector deemed “essential” by the Department of Homeland Security and Department of the Treasury, the title industry continues to adapt to ensure that the buying and selling of property and the ability to access credit remains available. A concern about whether they can continue to aid the transfer of property has arisen as counties, concerned about the spread of infection, have closed or limited the hours county recording offices remain open. Read on for more details.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac each put out bulletins providing temporary guidance on how to proceed in light of the rapidly evolving situation regarding COVID-19. Among other things, the bulletins address the use of electronic records and signatures and the closure of land recoding offices around the country. Read on for more details.

In an executive order issued March 19, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo allowed for performance of notarial acts via audio-video technology through April 18, 2020. Read on for more details.

New Hampshire Gov. Christopher Sununu issued an order authorizing the temporary authority to perform secure remote online notarization. Read on for more details.

Several industry associations, including the American Land Title Association, Mortgage Bankers Association and National Association of Realtors, wrote to the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service to help ensure liquidity in real estate markets by delaying deadlines applicable to like-kind exchanges that currently are underway. Read on for more details.