Title Insurance Firms Merge, Create New Entity

NEW YORK CITY-Title insurance companies, Kensington National Land Services and Vanguard Title Agency have merged to create Kensington Vanguard National Land Services LLC. The 70-person firm is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan at 39 W. 37th St., a spokeswoman confirms to GlobeSt.com.

“At a time when many in our industry are cutting back, we feel now is the time to combine resources and invest in the creation and growth of KV National Land, a superior platform to support an ever-expanding roster of the most prestigious local and national clients,” says Jarett Fein, co-CEO and principal of Kensington Vanguard National Land Services. Fein tells GlobeSt.com that the firm’s main attraction towards each other is that they are two very aggressive companies, and are both similar in size, but with many different strategies. “Vanguard focused on the New York commercial and high-end residential, where as Kensington had a vast national platform that was able to service high-volume residential business in every state in addition to also New York commercial and residential,” he says. “It was the perfect complement to put the two together to build a uniquely-diversified, perfectly-balanced company that could handle any type of transaction, for any type of client, anywhere in the country.”

Fein tells GlobeSt.com that there were no other firms being looked at for this merger, however the firm is “continuing to aggressively pursue strategic acquisitions such as sales teams, personnel and additional council.” When asked how the merger better helps them to compete, he tells GlobeSt.com that “we can better service our clients, which is always a top priority. We have the best personnel in town and we are continuing to grow our staff which includes some of the most renowned names and counsel in the business.” He explains that 50-year veteran title underwriting counsel Joseph Friedman, for example, is considered the dean of title insurance. Friedman will serve as senior EVP and chief underwriting counsel for the new firm.