Title Searches Off 1.4%

The AFS Title Search Index fell 1.4% to 217.5 for the week ended July 17 from 220.5 for the previous week, according to Advance Factor Service.A year ago, the index stood at 168.7, 77.6% of the current level. American General To Buy Warehouse LenderAmerican General Finance Inc., Houston, has agreed to purchase Residential Mortgage Services of Texas Inc., a warehouse lender based in Houston, for $25 million. RMST, now a subsidiary of Houston Savings Bank, is the 18th largest mortgage warehouse lender in the nation. A statement from American General Finance said the acquisition is consistent with the company's strategy to expand its network of third-party residential mortgage originators and to introduce new services to its existing origination network.