The Federal Trade Commission is now accepting public comments on two amended applications by Fidelity National Financial Inc. [Amerititle | Old Republic] to sell Oregon real estate title plant assets, as required by the FTC order settling charges that Fidelity’s acquisition of Lender Processing Services, Inc. (LPS) was likely to harm competition.
On April 24, 2014, Fidelity filed an application seeking approval to divest title plants in six Oregon counties to AmeriTitle, Inc. and a second application seeking approval to divest its interest in the Portland title plant to Old Republic Title Company of Oregon to comply with the FTC’s order. Fidelity has now filed an amended application seeking approval to divest title plants in five Oregon counties to AmeriTitle, excluding the title plant in Polk County; and filed a second amended application seeking approval to divest the Polk County title plant to Old Republic instead of AmeriTitle.
In light of the amended applications received, the FTC has extended the public comment period by two weeks, until June 12, 2014. Written comments should be sent to: FTC Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Comments can also be submitted electronically on the proposed sale to both Old Republic Title Company of Oregon and AmeriTitle. Copies of the original and amended applications can be found on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release. (FTC File No. 131-0159; the staff contact is Naomi Licker, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2851)
The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., N.W., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20001. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.