Mission Statement

The American Escrow Association (AEA) exists to promote and support the settlement profession and its practitioners in all types of transactions.

Vision

The American Escrow Association is dedicated to delivering on its mission to promote and support the settlement profession.  AEA’s vision is to fulfill this promise through the education of its members, improving escrow and closing services, disseminating information, promoting uniformity, increasing public knowledge and understanding of the industry, and coordinating legislative and regulatory efforts throughout the United States.

 Pledge

We the members of the American Escrow Association pledge to:

Abide by all laws and regulations governing the processing, handling, and general operation of all real estate and loan closing transactions. Recognize the principles of the professional trust and confidence placed on those in our profession and maintain the confidential nature of all settlement transactions.
Continuously acquire and maintain a sufficient professional knowledge of the Escrow/Settlement industry so our responsibilities are completed with integrity and bring honor to our chosen profession.
Uphold the integrity, dignity, and worthiness of our vocation by industrious application so we may merit a reputation for a high quality of service to our employer, customer, and fellow Escrow/Settlement agent. 
Be loyal to our Association and its ideals.

Bylaws

Bylaws of the Association – approved June 6, 2025- click here.

History

The American Escrow Association was formed in May 1980, with five states: Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.  In 1982, New Mexico joined and in 1983 Colorado became a member.  Idaho became the eighth member state in 1984, followed by Hawaii and Montana in 1987, Alaska in 1991, and Nebraska in 1993.

The purpose of the American Escrow Association is embodied in the Bylaws of the Association:  “The specific and primary purposes are to enhance the education of the escrow/settlement professional, to improve escrow and closing services, to disseminate information as to the differences in such services between the states; to promote more uniformity in such services, to increase the public knowledge and understanding of such services; and to collaborate and coordinate legislative efforts throughout these United States.”

The Board of Directors consists of the President, President-Elect, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Third Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, and one Director from each state.

The annual conference is held in May.  The inaugural organizational meeting was held in San Mateo, California (1980).  Thereafter conferences were held in:

1981 – Las Vegas, Nevada 1982 – Phoenix, Arizona 1983 – Reno, Nevada
1984 – San Diego, California 1985 – Portland, Oregon 1986 – Seattle, Washington
1987 – Sparks, Nevada 1988 – Tucson, Arizona 1989 – Colorado Springs, Colorado
1990 – Las Vegas, Nevada 1991 – Reno, Nevada 1992 – Eugene, Oregon
1993 – Seattle, Washington 1994 – Anchorage, Alaska 1995 – Sparks, Nevada
1996 – San Francisco, California 1997 – Colorado Springs, Colorado 1998 – Tucson, Arizona
1999 – Portland, Oregon 2000 – Seattle, Washington 2001 – Long Beach, California
2002 – Reno, Nevada 2003 – Anchorage, Alaska 2004 – Kona, Hawaii
2005 – Omaha, Nebraska 2006 – Sparks, Nevada 2007 – Sparks, Nevada
2008 – Washington D.C. 2009 – Sparks, Nevada 2010 – Seattle, Washington
2011 – Las Vegas, Nevada 2012 – Las Vegas, Nevada 2013 – Las Vegas, Nevada
2014 – Denver, Colorado    2015 – Albuquerque, New Mexico
   2016 – Tempe, Arizona
2017 – Bellevue, Washington   2018 – Kansas City, Missouri    2019 – Long Beach, California 
2020 – Zoom meeting   2021 – Paradise Valley, Arizona   2022 – Paradise Valley, Arizona
2023 – Las Vegas, Nevada 2024 – Las Vegas, Nevada 2025 – Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Historical Logos

 

1980                1986          1987           

1991           1992               2000