Posted by Claudine Osborne on 10/30/13 1:49pm
Msg #490491

Certified Signing Specialists..this gets better..

Oh boy..Now xyz says we are going to be called Certified Signing Specialists..according to their new standards..
They have also changed the price of the background screening to $ 65.00..includes exam for the CSS designation..Oh boy! Not sure yet if we have to be members to get this..details coming in form of an email a few mins ago..

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 10/30/13 1:57pm
Msg #490495

Re: Certified Signing Specialists..this gets better..update

Just spoke to xyz..You do not have to be a member to get the screening or to be a CSS..

Reply by jba/fl on 10/30/13 1:58pm
Msg #490497

Who cares? Why is everyone up in arms over this? Breathe.

Write your own game, your own policies, your own life.

Get out of the "pack" mentality. Try being an individual with your own unique stamp.

There is a life without these people.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/30/13 2:53pm
Msg #490513

I agree, Jules. This whole thing has blown way out of

proportion (like the NNA is so famous for).
I AM NOT going to be forced into a position to join an organization that I don't want to be affiliated with in any way, shape or form.
Sad part is that many us are true professionals, and far exceed the requirements being touted as the "standard".

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 10/30/13 3:03pm
Msg #490521

Well put, Julianne. n/m

Reply by Notarysigner on 10/30/13 1:58pm
Msg #490498

I read somewhere it will go up Jan 2014 to $99 which includes a wonderful membership.

Reply by HSH/WA on 10/30/13 2:15pm
Msg #490504

Re: Eventually we will need Certified Signing Specialists

designation to satisfy certain SS/TCs. Down the road it will be something else. They have a real grip on this industry.

Reply by BobbiCT on 10/30/13 2:25pm
Msg #490507

"Specialists" not in CT

I am not concerned until this all gets work out state-by-state, lender-by-lender, title insurance company by title insurance company, and STATE agency/AG smell tests.

CT has some very specific requirements about who can call him/herself a "specialist." For example, CT real estate attorneys who have been doing this for the past 40 years are NOT allowed to call themselves a "real estate specialist."

What makes a "signing specialist" and what are you state requirements to call yourself a "specialist" of [what ... signatures? Signatures specific to medical documents or loan applications, signatures on Affidavits]? Notaries public have specific state laws they must follow regarding notarizing signatures. What makes a "signing specialist" more powerful and competent than a notary public to notarize a document? Or is a signing specialist only certified for "specialty" in connection with documents not requiring notarization?

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/30/13 6:42pm
Msg #490565

Re: "Specialists" not in CT

Plus, after looking over the script, it seems like they're again setting a pretty low bar! They don't want to make it too difficult so that anyone willing to pay up can qualify. So it seems clear to me that this is just one more attempt to sell a designation that only they are providing. In many ways, it's just a replay of what they did before with the Loan Signing Agent Certification they started giving out a decade or so ago.

Reply by garland/CA on 10/30/13 2:36pm
Msg #490509

Where did you hear the price was changed? n/m

Reply by Darlin_AL on 10/30/13 2:56pm
Msg #490516

Call me a rebel, but I see this designation as a plus for us

who are serious about doing loan signings. Of course there's some extra hoops & $ involved, but in the long run, I see it as a way to sift out the notaries who do not have what it takes to be professional and consistent in performing all the tasks involved in loan signings. This forum's members are but a teensy part of the volume of "notary signers" and since we get those silly instructions about how to conduct ourselves w/the borrower (e.g. don't wear thongs, shorts, halter tops, ask to smoke--whatever) from our hiring parties & from the lenders also--it tells us that a good number of people they've hired for signings either have no idea, or do not want to take the trouble to do more than 1.accept a signing 2. print the pkg 3 show up & watch the borrower sign and 4. ship it back--- oh, and complain when they weren't paid, even though they forgot about 5. the part where the notary has to follow-up w/the pesky invoicing process.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/30/13 2:59pm
Msg #490518

I agree with you about that & am all in favor to the point

of being forced to join the NNA when I don't want to be affiliated with them.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/30/13 3:03pm
Msg #490520

Like many here, I've spent years building a business

based on a reputation for high quality work. No "certification" speaks to a persons work ethics, etc.
BTW, I had joined NNA in the beginning of my NSA career because I felt pressured to do that. I had problems with the bgc done through them (LexisNexis) and was awarded $1,000 settlement. Also, I had purchased a "VA Notary Law Primer" that I found to contain a lot of incorrect info. All this from the same co. that wants to establish themselves as the leader and the one who sets the standards. Gimmmme a break!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/30/13 3:05pm
Msg #490523

I would - and WILL - agree with you....IF the process

works to get rid of those who are clueless AND those who know what they're doing are paid a fee commensurate with their expertise that they bring to the table.

And you know that's not gonna happen.

Reply by jnew on 10/30/13 3:12pm
Msg #490524

Re: I would - and WILL - agree with you....IF the process

The email I received said nothing about having to join the XYZ. The lenders will honor the designations that were set up by the panel and give their business only to those who qualify as Certified Signing Specialists. The designation was to prevent the inference that we are acting as closing agents or as title agents. I am not aware that this letter precluded an authority not within the purview of XYZ such as one from Notary Rotary or the other forums. I guess we need to find out how or if we can gain the new designation without membership in XYZ

Reply by MW/VA on 10/30/13 3:20pm
Msg #490527

In order to get a bgc through them, you have to take their

certification exam. In order to take the certification exam you first have to be a member.
Most of us can see right through all this bs.!!!
Remember, I'm speaking from experience--I went that route a few years ago.

Reply by jnew on 10/30/13 3:26pm
Msg #490529

I believe this is a new certification announced today.

This will be a new designation requiring an additional exam with minimum background requirements and minimum notary E & O requirements.

Reply by Darlin_AL on 10/30/13 3:33pm
Msg #490530

jnew-the XXX bulliten describes OTHER vendors may offer

the certification---it appears this could be a NR product, if management is interested. I guess it will boil down to what entrepreneurs want to put a hat in the ring.

Reply by jnew on 10/30/13 3:43pm
Msg #490533

Re: jnew-the XXX bulliten describes OTHER vendors may offer

"A special committee called the Signing Professionals Workgroup (SPW) comprised of executives from major lenders and title companies, developed the Standards. The National Notary Association was asked to serve as an expert advisor. In that role, we helped the Workgroup understand the scope of your responsibilities and the challenges you face."

I guess I am really confused now. If this SPW an actual authority or is it just part of the the XYZ ?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/30/13 3:48pm
Msg #490534

go read that earlier post with the link to the information -

NNA is very instrumental in this ...

Reply by jnew on 10/30/13 3:49pm
Msg #490536

Re: jnew-the XXX bulliten describes OTHER vendors may offer

http://www.mortgageorb.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.14552

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/30/13 3:34pm
Msg #490531

Have you considered this...

If they're forming this "workgroup" and only their so-called Certified Specialists, certified according to THEIR criteria, can get work from them....then why are they requiring $25,000 E&O - cover us under an umbrella policy.

Also, like I said before - it's a new designation developed by WHO? And it's another designation/certification that doesn't mean a hill of beans.

Sheeples

Reply by janCA on 10/30/13 3:38pm
Msg #490532

Loan document signing specialist is what I am.

It's on my website and has been for years, because this is what I specialize in. Don't care about the certification classification. I was certified through the Signing Registry many years ago, which was a very comprehensive program at the time because after I did the whole XYZ certification program, I still knew diddly squat about the loan signing process. I still don't use the title of Certified Notary Signing Agent, because it really means nothing to the majority of companies I do signings for.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/30/13 8:35pm
Msg #490588

Yes, the training through the Signing Registry was far

superior to anything else at the time. I missed out on that, because as I joined that site it shut down for over a year (she was writing a book, I understand). PAW was also involved in that site.