Waco Title Co.

Waco Title Co. has transformed during its long history from a local institution into a regional concern in the real estate title and insurance business. Founded in 1885 and once known as Washington County Abstract & Guaranty Co., the venture became a foundation for an expanding base of business.

Today, Waco Title operates with a staff of 160 working in 20 offices in northwest and central Arkansas and southwest Missouri. The firm, owned by Arvest Bank Group since 2000, strives to be the premier provider of innovative products and services in the title industry. The company has averaged increased annual revenue of about 7.9 percent since 2006, fueled by a combination of purchases and organic growth.

“We start with people first and train them,” said Patrick Curry, CEO of Waco Title. “We don’t hold back on technology. That’s what drives the growth, having the right people backed with good technology.”

Stops on the acquisition trail include Madison County Abstract in Huntsville (May 2005); Mosley Title & Abstract in Fort Smith (September 2006); Elk River Abstract in Pineville, Missouri (May 2008); Conway Title Services (July 2008); Lincoln Land Title in Springfield, Missouri (September 2010); McDonald County Title in Pineville, Missouri (May 2011); and The Title Place in Joplin, Carthage and Mount Vernon, Missouri (October 2013).

Waco innovations such as its online good faith estimate calculator have drawn national attention. The program, which generates numbers backed by the company’s guarantee, was hailed as a customer-friendly development that removed uncertainty from real estate closing statement fees. Providing no closing fees for tornado victims in the Conway and Joplin areas is among its good deeds.

Previous Honorees