Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Electronic Title Processing in Wisconsin


The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles has offered different types of electronic transactions for lenders even before beginning their Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program in 2012. 

Since July 1, 2010 the WI DMV requires lenders to electronically process lien add transactions. There are exemptions for individuals and lenders who normally file very few liens. Lenders who are not exempt and do not file electronically are assessed an additional $25 transaction fee. For details about exemptions and fees please see the WI DMV Financial Institutions page. DDI works with the WI e-MV Agent program to integrate electronic lien filing into Premier eTitleLien®.

Two changes were made to the title / lien program in 2012.  They became, in their words, a "title to lienholder state" and an "electronic title state". Previously, Wisconsin sent titles with liens to the vehicle owner once the lien had been recorded. (States with such programs are sometimes referred to as title holding states.) Most other states have lienholders store the vehicle title until the loan is satisfied.

Wisconsin also began offering electronic titles to lienholders through their Electronic Lien and Title Program (ELT). The program is currently optional: "lien holders are encouraged to receive titles electronically via electronic service provider." The Wisconsin DMV has discussed requiring participation but are not currently planning to do so.  Since launching the ELT program, WI has made steady improvements, adding additional ELT program transactions.

The combination of the electronic transactions offered through the e-MV Agent program and the ELT program brings together a number of valuable services for lenders:
  • Vehicle Title Information and lien verification
  • Immediate lien notation
  • Immediate lien release
  • Paperless lien transactions
For more information about Premier eTitleLien®, please visit www.etitlelien.com.  For more information about the Wisconsin ELT program, check out www.WIELT.com.

Image above is 350 Kayak Formation Wisconsin, USA. "Huge 350 made by kayakers on the water in Washburn, Wisconsin in June, 2009."

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Decision Dynamics Endorsed ELT Vendor for NC Bankers


Decision Dynamics, Inc. is very pleased to announce that we have been selected as the endorsed Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) vendor by Community Bank Services (CBS) for members of the North Carolina Bankers Association. Read the full press release here.

North Carolina passed legislation requiring the Division of Motor Vehicles to implement an ELT system by July 1, 2014.  DDI is looking forward to working with the DMV and NC Banks and other lenders to provide ELT services.

For more information about Premier eTitleLien®, please visit www.etitlelien.com. For more information about the North Carolina ELT program, visit www.ncelt.com.

Image above is Bodie Island Lighthouse under repairs on the North Carolina Outer Banks.

Monday, October 28, 2013

All About ELT in South Dakota


The South Dakota Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles Division (MVD) offers an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program with a number of helpful features for lenders.
  • Participation is not required.  However, the state stopped printed titles with liens when it implemented the ELT program on 10/1/2012.  Notification of lien placement is part of the ELT program.
  • Registering is simple.  There is no cost to enroll and approval and go-live is quick.  Only a short application is required.  See details here.
  • Title Status can be verified prior to issuing a loan.  SDCars.org has a Vin Check option which includes vehicle, title, and lien information. 
Premier eTitleLien™ supports these features and adds additional workflow enhancements, including generating MV-608 and other forms within the application.

For more information on the SD ELT program, visit SDELT.com.

Image above is of a South Dakota road and titled The Road Less Traveled (is usually the one I pick for my road trips) by Eric Peterson.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Meeting with Nevada DMV


DDI recently had the privilege of meeting with the Nevada DMV to provide feedback about our experiences with the ELT programs of other states.  Nevada is required to implement an ELT system and was meeting with us to talk about our ELT system, implementation timelines, communication protocols, and other electronic lien and title system details.

We discussed with them some of the pros and cons of different message formats, and message exchange.  We noted some of the best features of some state ELT programs (much of which is listed on our AllAboutTitles.com site) and highlighted four considerations sometimes overlooked when designing a new ELT program:
  • Allow electronic notation of lien
  • Require ELTs to be released electronically
  • Allow electronic payment of fees
  • Provide a simple enrollment form and process
Nevada's program will require lenders to participate in the ELT program in order to file a lien. DDI is looking forward to providing ELT service to Nevada lenders and lenders whose customers are Nevada residents.

Image above is playa car ("There is a rusted hulk of a car out on a playa near Winnemucca, NV that I visit every time I am in the area") by Brian Perttu.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

CU Times: Title Fraud Makes Case for ELT


Back in April 2013, the Credit Union Times published an article entitled "Digital Title Fraud Fight Makes Case for ELT" by . The article begins by discussing a vehicle title fraud incident: "If ever there was a case for moving from paper vehicle titles to an electronic system, advocates might point to a recent occurrence in Michigan."

Trying to reduce fraud has been a key part of our Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) solution, Premier eTitleLien™ from the initial design in 2005.  We've seen evidence of that with our customers, as the article quotes DDI's president, Glenn Thames.
Thames recalled how one credit union in South Carolina was able to uncover fraudulent title activity at a dealership. While the dealer was charged and ended up going to jail, the credit union lost $50,000 and another was bilked out of $200,000.

In the roughly 20 states that allow it, Decision Dynamics provides VIN inquiry access to its customers, Thames said. The company also does lien alerts so that pending lien holder notifications in a credit union’s system are flagged. Financial institutions can tell if scammers are trying to make the rounds to obtain loans.
For more information about Lien Alerts, Title Inquiries, and other fraud prevention measures in Premier eTitleLien™, please contact DDI.

Image above is a 1918 photo of Bobby the French Bulldog riding in an automobile.

Monday, October 7, 2013

New Jersey ELT Survey Results


New Jersey posted the results of their Electronic Lien and Titling Survey results on their website.
A comprehensive stakeholder survey was administered in order to establish the needs of lenders and dealerships on this topic. The survey was administered via Survey Monkey, between July 16, 2012 and August 6, 2012 to New Jersey Coalition of Automobile Retailers (NJCAR), New Jersey Credit Union League (NJCUL), New Jersey Independent Automobile Dealership Association (NJIADA), and New Jersey Bankers' Association (NJBA) in order to solicit their input regarding an ELT Program in NJ. View the survey results [pdf] 
The Motor Vehicle Commission continues to work toward an Electronic Lien and Title program. We're looking forward to offering NJ ELT services to our customers.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Ohio Owners: "How do I get my title?"


As an ELT Service Provider, our customers are lenders (banks, credit unions, dealers, and others). We provide services for our customers, including an interface to each state DMV's Electronic Lien and Title program.

Occasionally we have a vehicle owner contact us directly instead of their lender or the state DMV and we like to assist if possible. One question came recently from an Ohio owner needing their title:
When I paid off my car, I got a letter from the bank saying I had an e-title. I am in Ohio. How do I find out if you have my title? I am selling my car.

Please let me know.
Thanks.
Our customer support responded:
Thank you for visiting our Premier eTitleLien™ website. Our company provides electronic lien and title services to lienholders.

To obtain a printed title for a private sale, take your lien release statement from your lienholder to your county Title Office and request a replacement title.

If you are selling your vehicle to a dealer, then a paper title is not required. The dealer can complete a BMV 3772 form.

Visit http://bmv.ohio.gov/faq_vehicle_titling.stm#tog for additional information.
For more information on the ELT program in Ohio, please visit OHELT.com.

Image above is titled Cars around town #6 of model cars at the Medina OH County Fair by Rick Post.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Arizona: ELT Program Distinctives


There are a number of features of the Arizona Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program that help make the program effective for lenders and their customers (vehicle owners):
  • All titles with liens are electronic titles.  This helps prevent incorrectly receiving paper titles - a problem that can occur in states that offer both ELTs and paper titles with liens.
  • Immediate lien release. Lenders have the option of sending a transaction outside of the daily process to promptly remove their lien and allow the vehicle owner to pick up a clear title (no lien) from an MVD office. Owners do not have to wait the normal 3-5 business days for the title to arrive in the mail.
  • Repossession process does not require a paper title.  Often, states require that an ELT be printed for any change to a title, including applying for a repossession title.  Arizona does not require that an ELT be printed to accompany an Affidavit of Repossession.

The Arizona Electronic Lien and Title program has been in place since 2003.  The Arizona MVD began requiring participation on May 31, 2010, and DDI has been providing ELT services in Arizona since then.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Washington ELT Program

We recently updated our Washington ELT information site, WAelt.com, with information about the Washington ELT program, the second state to establish such a program.  The following are a couple FAQs from that site.

Can ELTs be released using a paper lien release document? If so, does the state send notice?
Yes with an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest. WA does not send a lien release notification. From the March 2008 ELT System Guide:
When a customer pays off their loan and cannot wait for the electronic title release transaction to be processed, the financial institution or their service bureau may issue a “system” produced ALOT ["Affidavit in Lieu of Title"] on their official letterhead which must be signed by a representative of the financial institution but does not need to be notarized. By signing off on an ALOT the financial institution releases all interest in the vehicle, however this will not remove their name from DOL’s database until another transfer transaction takes place. There is no cost to the financial institution for an ALOT.
How can I get a vehicle title record?
The WA DOL IVIPS program offers a "Vehicle/Vessel Inquiry" service that provides title history information. An account is required. DDI includes this inquiry in Premier eTitleLien™.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Florida Title History


The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles offers a number of different ways to find out information about a vehicle title.
Image above is "Florida Coast" from Florida's History Lives on the Internet.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

California 2013 deadline


This is your one week warning.

Thursday, September 5 marks the last day the California DMV will accept new applications to enroll in the California Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program before 2014. Participation in the CA ELT program has been mandatory since January 1, 2012, though the DMV has not enforced that requirement.

California only enrolls new participants once a quarter. Applications for the next enrollment period are required approximately 4 months prior to the go live date. The DMV reviews all applications and, once approved, sends a copy of the ELT contract to each participant (lender) which must be signed and returned to the state.

For additional assistance in enrolling and a copy of the ELT application form, please see www.etitlelien.com.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Customer Service


Customer Service is very important to us. We work hard to make sure Premier eTitleLien™ is a fantastic product that is a pleasure to work with. But a significant part of what makes DDI successful is the assistance we provide to resolve lien and title issues.

We've recently received a number of great comments from our customers:

From a comment on a customer support survey:
Any time I need to contact the company I always feel that I am helped above and beyond normal customer service. One reason why [this Credit Union] will remain a customer. Thank you!
An unsolicited note from one of our partners:
Hi Ann. [DDI's CIO]

I just wanted to take a minute to let you know how incredibly helpful the DDI team always is for us. Specifically Caitlin Huddle, Dillon Dorn, Taylor Page, and Jason Pfaehler. These team members definitely deserve the "Going Above and Beyond" award for all their hard work. I know that a lot of what they do every day may seem like routine processes, but they help us immensely. I extend my emphatic "Thank You!" to these and all the other team members at DDI.

Have a great day.
From a live chat support session with a customer:
Taylor (DDI): Is there anything else I can help you with today Cynthia?
Customer: You have a nice day. You folks always respond and have always help me no matter what.
Customer: No I am good.
Taylor (DDI): We like to hear that! Thank you very much. I hope you have a great day as well!
Image above is titled Young child wearing knitted cap, driving toy car by BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

ELT in New Jersey


An ELT program may be coming soon to the state of New Jersey.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission considered an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program several years ago, but decided not to proceed with a program at that time. Recently the MVC has been meeting with other states that offer ELT (including Pennsylvania and Florida), conducting surveys of key stakeholders (64% of NJ lienholders already participate in an ELT program), and evaluating key requirements for a successful program.

The legislature is also considering requiring the NJ MVC to implement an ELT program and require participation. NJ SB 1853 and AB 3129 is still pending legislation.

Updated information can be found at www.NJELT.com.

Image above is cropped from a 1930s postcard entitled Scenic roadway along the Garden State Parkway of New Jersey in Cape May County posted by Boston Public Library.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Michigan Developing ELT


The Michigan Department of State (which oversees vehicle and title issues) is actively working on an ELT program. There are a number of considerations for Michigan, including changing from owner-title-holding to lienholder-title-holding. (Currently owner's keep the vehicle title even when a lien is placed. Several states handle titles in this fashion.)

DDI maintains informational sites about the Electronic Lien and Title program in each state, including states like Michigan that are still in process of implementing ELT. Our application, Premier eTitleLien, handles titles from all states and jurisdictions and works exceptionally well with states that offer ELT programs.

Image above is of Detroit, Michigan by Top Rank Auto Transport.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Alabama Requiring ETAPS


In a March 4, 2013 Memo, the Alabama Department of Revenue directed that all "entities (i.e. pawnshops, title loan/pawn lenders, etc.) involved with the filing of liens on motor vehicle certificates of titles, with places of business in Alabama" are required to file liens electronically using the Electronic Title Application Processing System (ETAPS).

It is DDI's understanding that this requirement does not apply to traditional lenders (banks and credit unions) located outside of Alabama.  All entities that qualify to be a Designated Agent are required to participate.

Image above is from Signs by Andrea in Hoover, AL.

Monday, August 5, 2013

ELT Program Recommendations


Decision Dynamics, Inc. is very interested in seeing each US State implement an Electronic Lien and Title program.  We monitor active ELT programs, states working on developing ELT (such as Iowa, Indiana, and Maryland), and changes to state laws to allow ELT (as in Colorado), implement a new program (as we mentioned about Nevada and North Carolina), or make changes to their existing ELT program (such as Texas).

We have experience in joining ELT programs, working with states as they bring on a new ELT program, and trying to meet our customers' needs in ELT states and non-ELT states through the DDI Title Center.  Whenever we can, we present details from our experiences to the states (as we did with South Dakota).

AllAboutTitles.com is designed to gather that kind of state-relevant information about Electronic Liens and Titles.  We recently updated our Best Practices for ELT Programs document which contains a number of brief suggestions and feedback (pros and cons) about existing state programs.

Image above is State Greetings (a collection of post cards from the 50 US States) by Hoch Sollst Du Leben.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

North Carolina ELT Bill Signed


July 23, 2013 - Raleigh, NC

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed legislation requiring the NC Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles to implement an "electronic lien system to process the notification and release of security interests and certificate of title data."  The bill includes a deadline that the new Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system be implemented by July 1, 2014.

The bill clarifies the legal status of an electronic title for odometer disclosure compliance as well as any legal evidence for the existence of a lien.  It also grants the DMV options for developing or contracting the new system.  The DMV is required to report progress to the legislative oversight committee by October 1, 2013.

Participation in the program will be mandatory beginning July 1, 2015.  All individuals and lenders who normally finance motor vehicles will be required to participate in the NC ELT program.  The only exception is for those who perform less than five transactions each year.

DDI will post updates to our North Carolina Electronic Lien and Title site at NCELT.com.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Colorado Legislation Enables ELT


On June 5, 2013 Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed HB 1289 into law, giving the Colorado Department of Revenue authority to "allow the electronic transmission of registration, lien, and titling information for motor vehicles." Other changes were made to existing regulations to ensure that the Division of Motor Vehicles would be able to adopt procedures to handle electronic lien and title (ELT) and electronic vehicle registion (EVR) transactions.

The bill also grants authority to the DOR to mandate participation in the ELT program for lenders doing 50 transactions or more per year. Interestingly, the bill specifically words it as "requiring lien and title documents to be filed electronicaly" allowing both typical Electronic Lien and Title transactions as well as title applications (lien notations) to be required as a paperless transaction. The DOR is not compelled to require participation.

For updates on the Colorado ELT program, visit COeTitleLien.com.

Image above is Interstate 70, Glenwood Springs, CO from The world’s most spectacular roads, vol. 2.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Texas ELT Deadlines for 2013


The next deadline to apply to participate in the Texas ELT program is one week away. Lenders need to complete the State of Texas DMV Electronic Lien and Title Program Service Level Agreement available from our website at http://www.etitlelien.com/texas.

The Texas DMV only enrolls lenders once a quarter. To begin participating in September 2013, the SLA must be submitted by Thursday, August 1, 2013.

The last deadline to begin participating in 2013 is November 1, 2013. Lenders who submit applications by that date will become active in the program on November 30, 2013.

Image above is of the Texas Star from the Texas House of Representatives site.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Nevada Legislation Requires ELT

June 11, 2013 - Carson City, Nevada

Governor Brian Sandoval approved Assembly Bill 309 directing the Nevada DMV to "establish, implement and operate, in lieu of the issuance and maintenance of paper documents otherwise required by this chapter, an electronic lien system to process the notification and release of security interests through electronic batch file transfers". This will mean the creation of an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system for Nevada.

The bill also requires almost all lienholders to participate in the ELT program.
Except for persons who are not normally engaged in the business or practice of financing vehicles, all lienholders are required to participate in the electronic lien system.
This does not provide exceptions for out of state lenders or lenders who only process a small number of loans. The DMV is not granted authority in the bill to extend exceptions to lenders.  The bill does provide for a staggered implementation of the requirement, with lienholders who execute "26 or fewer liens in a calendar year" exempt from the mandatory participation requirement until 24 months after the ELT system is implemented.

The bill requires the DMV to "submit a report on or before February 1, 2015, to the 78th Session of the Legislature concerning the implementation of the electronic lien system." This allows Nevada time to assess their systems and develop a plan.

For details on the Nevada ELT program (as they become available), please visit NVeTitleLien.com.

Image above is Boulder City Nevada - old cars fascinate me by Laura Grace Bordeaux.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Indiana ELT target: June 2014

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is continuing to progress in their plans for an Electronic Lien and Title program for Indiana. DDI participated in a recent call with BMV representatives during which they provided a brief update on their plans for ELT.

Initial specifications are scheduled for distribution this fall (2013), with the program beginning to pilot in June 2014.  The pilot phase is expected to take 1 to 2 months, allowing additional lenders to enroll in the fall of 2014.

The BMV is working to make the new Indiana ELT program compatible with all title and registration processes, including the existing Electronic Vehicle Registration system.  They are also working to consolidate lienholder records to make the transition to electronic liens simpler for lenders.

There are no plans at this time to make the program mandatory.  The BMV is not opposed to requiring participation, but will wait for enacted legislation to do so.

Image above is a 1985 Indiana license plate "Wander" for sale by Deer Run Mercantile: "Vintage License Plates from the 50 States".

Friday, July 19, 2013

What is ELT?

An ELT program (Electronic Liens and Titles) allows messages related to titles with liens to be exchanged electronically, reducing filing and mailing costs. For instance, instead of mailing a paper title to a lender with lien information, the state sends an electronic message - the electronic title or ELT - with the vehicle, title, owner, and lien information. Once a loan is repaid, the lender sends an electronic message to the state indicating they are releasing the lien.

There is an immediate appeal to a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), who no longer have to print and mail as many paper titles.  Handling the current "status" of a title also becomes easier, since there are fewer pieces of paper that now must be considered obsolete.

Both large and small lenders benefit from reduced filing and handling of titles. Receiving an electronic title from a DMV allows lenders to compare the title data with their lien application to ensure accuracy.

Perfected titles arrive much quicker and mailing clean titles to customers after a lien is released is handled by most DMVs automatically.

Currently, DDI works with 18 state ELT programs: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. We are also actively working with a number of other states who will begin offering ELT in 2013 and 2014.

Each state implements their ELT program differently depending on state laws. Several states, including FL, OH, and VA no longer automatically print paper titles for vehicle owners, preferring to leave titles in "electronic" format until a paper title is needed.

Updated from our inaugural blog post What is ELT?

Image above is Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S. by Nam June Paik.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Maryland implementing ELT program

On April 3, 2013 the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to "to facilitate the exchange of lien information between the MVA and lien holders while reducing the cost to the MVA."  This was the first step toward developing an ELT program for the state.

The Electronic Lien Services (ELS) program, as it is being called in Maryland, is scheduled for September 1, 2013.  DDI's expectation is that this would be the point at which we begin interfacing with Maryland MVA and that lenders would be able to enroll in the program later in 2013 or early 2014.

The Maryland ELS program specifications are not yet published, but it looks like this will be a full-featured Electronic Lien and Title program, including lien notifications, releases, title correction notices, etc. There is also some indication that an electronic vehicle record inquiry (title inquiry) may be part of the ELT program. Maryland does not plan to require participation in ELS at this time.

For more information, visit our Maryland ELT site. As soon as it is available, we'll post enrollment information for lenders on www.etitlelien.com.

Image above is Route 70 at Turf Valley Road in Maryland by Maryland Motorcyclist Best Roads.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Pennsylvania Mulls Eliminating Registration Stickers

A recent article on CBS Philly entitled "Pennsylvania Mulls Eliminating Registration Stickers" adds an interesting perspective to the trend to make vehicle documentation services (titles and registration) electronic.

PennDOT is working with the state legislature and law enforcement to eliminate the need for physical registration stickers on PA license plates. This would cut down on mailing and printing costs for the state. The last line of the article makes the key point:
[Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch] says if PennDOT doesn't have to mail out stickers, motorists would be able to renew registrations entirely online.
Electronic services such as Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) programs and online (paperless) vehicle registration improve efficiencies for the state, lenders, dealers, and vehicle owners. For more details on Pennsylvania's ELT program, visit PAELT.com.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Iowa ELT program progress

Iowa began testing their new ELT (Electronic Lien and Title) system in June 2013 with a single pilot lender. The pilot phase has not yet concluded but is progressing well, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. DDI is ready whenever the pilot phase is opened to additional participants.

Some details about the program:

Who is affected by the ELT process?
"The ELT process implements a new avenue of communication between the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), participating lenders, Iowa’s 99 county treasurers and vehicle owners. Vehicle owners should expect the same high standard of service from this process."

Why is ELT being implemented?
"Iowa Senate File 2273, 83rd General Assembly, approved on April 7, 2010 established a study committee regarding the implementation of electronic registration and titling of vehicles. This committee published the results of their findings on December 1, 2010, and recommended a phased approach to implementation of electronic transactions for titling and registration. Phase one consists of facilitating electronic communication between the DOT and lenders for lien notations and releases. The Iowa ELT program is anticipated to result in faster notification of lien notations and releases, reduce fraud, reduce costs for mailing of paper titles, improve data accuracy, and reduce administrative burdens for all."

Who is required to participate?
Participation in the program is optional, though encouraged.

When will the program be opened to lenders?
DDI will include Iowa ELTs in Premier eTitleLien™ as soon as we are allowed to do so. At this point, the state is estimating that the earliest possible date would be October 2013. DDI is expecting general enrollment to begin in January 2014.

Are there any costs from IA DOT for enrolling or participating in ELT?
Iowa charges no fee associated with signing up for ELT, and no additional fees for receiving an ELT instead of paper title or releasing a lien interest through the ELT system. Standard title application fees charged by the county treasurer's office will still apply.

How do I request a motor vehicle record?
Currently requests for vehicle title record information can be made in writing only. Requirements and Fees are on the IA DOT website.

For more information, visit our Iowa ELT site. As soon as it is available, we'll post enrollment information for lenders on www.etitlelien.com.

Quotes above are taken from the Iowa ELT Implementation Guide, which is still preliminary as of this writing.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Texas ELT Stakeholders Meeting

On July 8 we were privileged to participate in an ELT Stakeholders Meeting about proposed changes desired by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to the ELT program. We represented our customers and were joined by other ELT service providers, the Texas Bankers Association, the Texas Automobile Dealers Association and Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association, and the Texas Credit Union Associates (part of Cornerstone Credit Union League).

The focus of the event was to present their overall goal of keeping titles electronic. Currently, the TX DMV supports electronic titles both through the ELT (Electronic Liens and Titles) program and titles for vehicles without liens. The DMV would like to further promote electronic titles and wanted to hear concerns from stakeholders.
  • What business situations still require a paper title?
  • What incentives can be provided to encourage titles to remain electronic? The DMV is considering imposing a fee for paper titles or requiring participation in the ELT program.
  • What other issues need to be addressed to make an all electronic title system successful?
The DMV's goals for electronic titles were generally well received. We appreciated the involvement of representatives from lenders and dealers at this stage of their planning and look forward to working further with Texas and serving our customers with Texas titles.

Image above is The Road to Sundown by Lindy C Severns from the blog Wanderings of An Artist In Far West Texas.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

DDI Grows Into New Office Space


As DDI reaches its 2,500 customer, it is packing up and moving into a newly renovated, state-of-the-art building for electronic titling services at 1324 North Lake Drive in Lexington, S.C. on June 24.

Customers, what does this move mean for you?
  • Continued data security: firewalls, fire-proof vaults, and a fire-suppression system will keep your paper and electronic documents secure.
  • Seamless customer support transition: even though we are moving our location, your customer service will continue. Contact information and email addresses will remain the same.
  • Additional space: when you visit us, you’ll discover larger meeting and conference rooms to suit your needs.
As a valued customer, you are our highest priority. If you have questions about the move, your data, or communication, please contact us at 803-808-0117.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

DDI Reaches 2,500-Customer Mark


In less than one year, Premier eTitleLien™ has grown from 2,000 to 2,500 customers. Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) would like to thank its faithful supporters and welcome the newest members of the Premier eTitleLien™ family who will now enjoy the many benefits of title management.

Could you be the 2,501th customer? To learn more about Premier eTitleLien™ and the benefits of Electronic Lien and Title services, visit www.etitlelien.com.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

NY, OH, and WI lenders can electronically notate liens


If you are a lender in New York, Ohio, or Wisconsin, you have the opportunity to electronically notate liens, saving time and paper-associated costs.

While most states require title application forms to be submitted in a hard-copy, paper format, Ohio, Wisconsin, and New York allow lenders the opportunity to add liens electronically. DDI completely supports this process in Premier eTitleLien™.

To learn more about Premier eTitleLien™, visit etitlelien.com.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Georgia Lenders: Second ELT Deadline Approaching


Georgia completes its second phases of staggered electronic lien and title rollout on July 1. At that time, lenders who processed 250 or more titles in 2012 will need to have an electronic lien and title system to be in compliance with state law.

As the deadline rapidly approaches, Decision Dynamics, Inc. continues to enroll Georgia lenders in its easy-to-use Premier eTitleLien™ system. If you are interested in the program, its benefits, or want to learn more about the quality customer-service DDI provides, go to dditechnology.com.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

New Florida ELT Law Can Save You Money

If you are a lienholder in Florida, your liens will now be recorded through a progressive new program required by your state:  ELT. If your institution does not currently enjoy the benefits of this exciting new program, Decision Dynamics, Inc. has the right tools for you.
 
Founded in 1998, Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) is a leading national software company offering a secure and reliable electronic title and lien software service. Using the latest technology, DDI offers personalized customer service and always has with the lender’s best interest in mind.
 
Although the Florida legislature now requires lienholder participation in an ELT program, signing up for ELT with DDI can save time and money.
 
“The ELT process can also help lienholders by reducing fraud with other outstanding liens and streamline workload,” Glenn Thames, president and CEO of DDI, says. “But, finding the right vendor is key. You want to find a vendor, like DDI, that charges only the transactions you process with the DMV.”
 
To learn more about DDI and ELT, visit etitlelien.com. DDI is happy to answer any questions as you discover the benefits of ELT.
Image from National Register Agents Inc.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

ELT and You

If you live in a state that has an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program, benefits abound. Keeping track of a paper title or applying for a duplicate title to replace one that was lost is now an activity of the past.

Lienholders joining an ELT program will benefit from:
  • Cost savings as the electronic records will not require the same handling, storage, and mailing as paper titles
  • Reduced administrative burden for processing and filing paper titles
  • Improved data accuracy
  • Improved timeliness of data exchange
  • Improved data and forms security
  • Better customer service 
Learn more about the cost-saving benefits of Premier eTitlelien, Decision Dynamics Inc.'s (DDI) ELT system, at etitlelien.com.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

All About ELT


For the next month, follow DDI’s new blog series, “All About ELT,” to learn more about this cost-saving trend in vehicle title management.
 
What is ELT?
ELT stands for electronic lien and title, a paperless method that allows a DMV and a financial institution or lienholder to exchange vehicle title information electronically. To exchange this information in a secure manner, these institutions will contract with service providers like DDI.
These electronic titles are created and held by departments of motor vehicles in states’ motor vehicle databases. However, not all states have fully implemented ELT programs. Currently 18 states offer full ELT services, and ELT is growing.
 
 
States encourage ELT because it allows them to increase the speed at which liens are placed on title vehicles—benefiting lienholders and lenders. Lenders are able to reduce back-office operations up to 50%, and the consumer receives a clear copy of the paper title.
Learn more about ELT benefits in the next post in the series, “ELT and You.” Until then, visit etitlelien.com to discover the cost-saving benefits of Premier eTitle Lien™, Decision Dynamics, Inc.’s (DDI) ELT system.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

ELT Users: Paying the TAVT

 
 

Many DDI ELT participants have asked questions on how a lender will pay the new Georgia tax.  You will find helpful details below:
 
 
Vehicle Owners
A vehicle owner can submit payment to the county in which he or she registers the vehicle and applies for a title and registration.
 
Dealers
If a vehicle is purchased at a dealership, the dealer will accept the application for the title and TAVT payment on the purchaser’s behalf and deliver the title application and TAVT payment to the county tag agent.
 
The dealer has 10 days from the date of purchase to remit the title application and TAVT payment to the county agent. If the payment is sent later than 10 days from the date of purchase, the dealer is liable for 5% of the TAVT owned plus an additional 5% for each month the payment the payment was not remitted. If the payment is not sent within 30 days of purchase, a second penalty applies.
 
Non-Dealer Sales
 
For casual vehicle purchases, the buyer must remit the application for the title and the TAVT payment within 30 days of the purchase of the vehicle. If the buyer does not pay within 30 days, a penalty of 10% of the amount of the TAVT owed plus an additional 1% per month for every month the payment is late will be owed.

Friday, February 22, 2013

New Vehicle Tax for Georgia Residents



On March 1, 2013, a new method of taxation for certain motor vehicles in Georgia will go into effect, according to Georgia House Bill 386. This vehicle tax, the TAVT, will replace the state sales, use, and annual ad valorem taxes with a one-time tax imposed on the fair market value of each vehicle.
 
Owners who purchased motor vehicles on or after March 1, 2013 and titled them in Georgia will be eligible to pay this tax. However, if a vehicle was purchased between January 1, 2012 and March 1, 2013 and titled in Georgia, the owner is also eligible to opt in to the new system and pay the TAVT.
 
Please note that this new tax will not apply to:
·         Corrected titles
·         Replacement titles
·         Titles issued to the same owner
·         Vehicles acquired by veterans who would receive an exemption from the ad valorem tax
 
To learn more, visit the Georgia Department of Revenue at http://onlinemvd.dor.ga.gov/Tap/faqs.aspx.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Easy Transition to ELT in Georgia with DDI's Help

It can take time to implement new programs in the workplace, but Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) makes its customers' transitions to Premier eTitlelien™ simple and easy.

As the New Year began, DDI once again smoothly transitioned customers to its electronic lien and title program (ELT) in Georgia, Florida, and California in accordance with their new state laws.

Even more Georgia lenders will discover the benefits of electronic lien and title programs by July 1 of this year. At that time, lenders with 200 or more security interests or liens must have an ELT program in place according to Georgia law. By January 1, 2014, lenders with five or more security interests will also need to be enrolled in an ELT program.

To learn more about what DDI, ELT, and its Premier eTitlelien™ program can do for your business, go to etitlelien.com.