What American Escrow Association does

The American Escrow Association (AEA) is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation organized under Colorado state law, founded in 1980, that serves as the national trade association for escrow and settlement professionals in the United States. Its core offerings include an Associate Membership program priced at $180 per year, live and on-demand webinars on regulatory and compliance topics (standard $75, member $35, certification holder $30), the National Certification Program awarding ASIP and SASIP designations, an annual education conference (currently in its 46th year), and the Arthur E. Davis III Educational Assistance Grant ("Artie Grant") launched in 2025. The association generates revenue through five streams: membership dues, webinar and course fees, tiered education partner sponsorships ($2,000–$6,000 annually), website advertising ($600–$1,000), and conference exhibitor and sponsorship fees ($500–$5,000). Membership is acquired through direct outreach to state escrow associations, conferences, and the organization website, with the association also operating a policy advocacy function through a dedicated Policy Advisor who monitors federal legislative and regulatory matters for the eight chartered state associations and individual members across all 50 states.

AEA has no proprietary technology platform; its service delivery is built around digital distribution via the a-e-a.org website, online shop, member portal, email newsletters, and an in-person annual conference, with no mobile applications, public APIs, or software integrations disclosed. The association maintains relationships with allied industry partners including ALTA, CFPB, FinCEN, MBA, MISMO, NAR, NNA, and RESPRO, and relies on a roster of enterprise education partners (Stewart Title, Liberty Bank, Five Star Bank, Fidelity National Financial, Axos Bank, Exeter 1031, Accruit, Rexera, and others) for sponsorship revenue. Leadership transitioned in 2025–2026 with Chris Kaumo replacing Arthur E. Davis III as Policy Advisor and Colleen Graves scheduled to assume the presidency on August 1, 2026.

Name

American Escrow Association

Legal name

American Escrow Association

Website

https://a-e-a.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The American Escrow Association is a Colorado-based non-profit trade association founded in 1980 that provides education, certification (ASIP/SASIP), and federal policy advocacy for escrow and settlement professionals across the United States, funded primarily through membership dues, sponsorships, and conference fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Escrow Services (BPAJAOAD)

Keywords

• Escrow association services
• Settlement industry education
• Professional certification programs
• Escrow industry advocacy
• Real estate settlement training

Headquarters

HQ city

Loveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from associate members at $180 per year, providing access to education, resources, and industry representation.
2. Webinar and Course Fees: Revenue from live webinars and on-demand courses. Standard registration at $75, discounted to $35 for members and $30 for national certification holders.
3. Education Partner Sponsorships: Annual sponsorship programs at Platinum ($6,000), Gold ($3,500), and Silver ($2,000) levels, providing national recognition and advertising benefits.
4. Website Advertising: Banner advertising on the AEA website with pricing tiers: 12 months with quarterly updates at $1,000, 12 months at $800, and 6 months at $600.
5. Conference Exhibitor and Sponsorship Fees: Revenue from exhibitor booth fees (starting at $1,600-$2,000), conference sponsorships (Premier Hospitality at $5,000, Supporting at $1,000, Community at $500), and exhibitor experience packages at $2,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The American Escrow Association is a non-profit mutual benefit trade association that provides membership, education, professional certification, and industry advocacy services to escrow and settlement professionals across the United States. Its core offerings include associate membership ($180/year), live and on-demand webinars, the National Certification Program (ASIP and SASIP designations), and an annual in-person education conference.

Product overview

The American Escrow Association operates a membership-based professional association offering a unified portfolio of member services centered on education, certification, and professional development for the escrow and settlement industry. The core offering combines Associate Membership (at $180/year) with live and OnDemand webinars, the National Certification Program (ASIP and SASIP designations), the Annual Education Conference, the Arthur E. Davis III Educational Assistance Grant, and the Growing Your Career free workshop series. These products work together to provide a comprehensive professional development pathway from initial membership through national certification, supplemented by financial grants and ongoing educational content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AEA Associate Membership Associate membership program priced at $180 per year providing industry education, networking, legislative updates, and professional development for escrow and settlement professionals in states without chartered state associations.
• Live Training and OnDemand Webinars Live Zoom webinars and on-demand recorded courses covering escrow industry topics including FinCEN AML rules, wire fraud, 1031 exchanges, AI in title and escrow, and more. Offered at tiered pricing for members and non-members.
• National Certification Program (ASIP/SASIP) A national professional certification program for settlement and escrow professionals offering two designations: American Settlement Industry Professional (ASIP) and Senior American Settlement Industry Professional (SASIP). Requires e-Learning module completion with 80% pass rate, state certification, and verified industry experience (minimum 5 years for ASIP, 7 years for SASIP).
• Annual Education Conference The AEA Annual Business Meeting and Education Conference, a three-day in-person industry event featuring education sessions, networking, committee meetings, a trade show exhibitor hall, and the annual business meeting for the settlement and escrow industry.
• Arthur E. Davis III Educational Assistance Grant (Artie) Financial grant program providing up to $500 per fiscal year to AEA members to cover costs of attending escrow-related educational events, membership fees, and professional certification fees. Funded through the Leadership Funds restricted account and managed by the Advisory of Past Presidents Committee.
• Growing Your Career Series A free workshop series for AEA members covering professional development topics such as escrow value promotion, public speaking, and career advancement strategies.

Quantifiable outcome

• National certification requires 80% passing score on 100-question exam covering federal regulations and industry standards
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Land Title Association (ALTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1907 and headquartered in Washington D.C., ALTA is the national trade association for title insurance agents, abstracters, and underwriters. AEA collaborates with ALTA on legislative and regulatory issues, best practices development, and industry education. ALTA provides updates on title regulations affecting settlement professionals.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerA U.S. government agency dedicated to consumer financial protection. AEA directs members to CFPB resources for compliance information, education, and regulation enforcement related to real estate transactions.
• Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerA bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. FinCEN's mission is to safeguard the financial system from illicit use and combat money laundering. AEA provides members with updates on FinCEN regulations including the Bank Secrecy Act and USA Patriot Act requirements affecting settlement agents.
• Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe leading advocate for the real estate finance industry. MBA represents and serves its members through comprehensive capabilities in advocacy, education, and policy. AEA collaborates with MBA on industry standards and provides members access to MBA educational opportunities.
• Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMISMO enables the real estate finance industry to innovate and prosper by creating essential standards and best practices. AEA participates in MISMO workgroups to develop standards that help accelerate digital mortgage processes and improve efficiency in settlement services.
• National Association of Realtors (NAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerica's largest trade association representing 1.5 million+ members including NAR institutes, societies, and councils involved in residential and commercial real estate. AEA works with NAR on advocacy and policy matters affecting the settlement industry.
• National Notary Association (NNA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe leading authority on the American Notary office, NNA is committed to serving Notaries and their employers throughout the United States by imparting knowledge, building community, and promoting sound professional standards. AEA provides members with information on notary requirements.
• Real Estate Service Providers, Inc. (RESPRO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national non-profit trade association uniting real estate broker-owners, mortgage lenders and brokers, title insurers and agents, homebuilders, and other settlement service providers. AEA collaborates with RESPRO on regulatory matters under RESPA, Dodd-Frank, and state laws affecting the industry.
• Liberty Bank, N.A.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerA $550 million OCC-chartered bank headquartered in Irvine, California. Gold Education Partner sponsor for 2024-2025, providing financial support for AEA educational programs and webinars.
• Stewart Title CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Education Partner sponsor for 2024-2025 and Premier Hospitality Sponsor for 2026 conference. Provides comprehensive real estate services backed by local experts. Supports AEA educational initiatives and annual conferences.
• Five Star BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner2026-2027 Gold Education Partner sponsor. Provides educational sponsorship to AEA for webinars, publications, and newsletters with national recognition on the AEA website.
• Fidelity National Financial (FNF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Education Partner for 2025-2026. FNF Family of Companies includes title insurance and settlement services companies. Supports AEA educational programs and conference activities.
• Axos BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExhibitor sponsor at the 2026 Annual Conference providing commercial banking services to the title and escrow industry.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Realtors (NAR): America's largest trade association representing 1.5M+ members across residential and commercial real estate. A much larger industry umbrella that encompasses AEA's narrower escrow/settlement niche, and one of AEA's core collaborative partners.

Others

• Consumer Bankers Association (CBA): Trade association for retail banks and consumer finance providers. Comparable as a member-driven association focused on regulatory advocacy and education in adjacent financial services, though not directly serving escrow professionals.
• Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA): National trade association representing community banks. Several community bank partners (e.g., Liberty Bank, Five Star Bank, Axos Bank) sponsor AEA programs, making ICBA a thematically adjacent association with overlapping institutional members.
• TitleTap: Technology and marketing provider for title and escrow companies. Representative of the proptech vendor ecosystem that exhibits and sponsors AEA's annual conference, and a leading example of how digital vendors are reshaping the settlement services space AEA serves.

Direct peers

• American Land Title Association (ALTA): National trade association for title insurance agents, abstracters, and underwriters, founded in 1907. Closely aligned with AEA as both represent adjacent segments of the real estate settlement ecosystem and collaborate on legislative and regulatory issues affecting settlement professionals.
• Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA): The leading trade association for the real estate finance industry. Directly comparable to AEA as a national membership organization providing advocacy, education, and standards for professionals in the mortgage and settlement value chain.
• National Notary Association (NNA): Leading authority on the American Notary office, serving notaries and their employers across the United States. A natural peer to AEA given the overlap between escrow signing agents and notaries in the real estate closing process.
• Real Estate Service Providers Council (RESPRO): National non-profit trade association uniting real estate broker-owners, mortgage lenders, title insurers and agents, homebuilders, and settlement service providers. AEA lists RESPRO as a core partner, indicating closely overlapping membership and advocacy agendas.

Regional players

• Arizona Escrow & Title Association: Chartered state association providing education and advocacy for escrow and title professionals in Arizona. Comparable model to AEA at the state level, serving as the primary registration channel for Arizona members in lieu of direct AEA membership.
• California Escrow Association: One of AEA's chartered state associations representing escrow professionals in California. Operates a similar education and advocacy mission at the state level and is the mandatory registration channel for California escrow professionals who would otherwise join AEA directly.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanEscrowAssociation
• Instagraminstagram.com/americanescrowassoc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Escrow Association