For purposes of WAC 284-29-300 through 284-29-340:

(1) "Closing" means the process of completing a real estate transaction in accordance with the written escrow instructions of the principle parties during which: Deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, leases, and other required documents are either executed or delivered, or both; an accounting between the parties is made; the funds are disbursed; and the appropriate documents are recorded.

(2) "Escrow" has the meaning set forth in RCW 18.44.011(7).

(3) "Escrow agent" has the meaning set forth in RCW 18.44.011(8).

(4) "Escrow instructions" are the instructions, signed by the principal parties to the transaction, that identify the duties and responsibilities of the title insurance agent in carrying out the escrow, that identify the thing or things of value held by the title insurance agent, and the specified condition or set of conditions under which the thing or things of value are to be transferred.

(5) "Escrow trust account" means an account to hold funds in trust for third parties.

(6) "Federally insured financial institution" means a financial institution that has its deposits insured by an instrumentality of the federal government, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

(7) "Positive pay" or "reverse positive pay" means any system by which the authenticity of a check is determined before payment is made by the financial institution against which the check is drawn.

(8) "Trial balance" means a list of all open individual escrow ledger record balances at the end of the reconciliation period.

(9) "Three-way reconciliation" means a method for discovering shortages (intentional or otherwise), charges that must be reimbursed or any type of errors or omissions that must be corrected in relation to an escrow trust account.

(10) "Unclaimed fund" means any fund that is abandoned under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, chapter 63.29 RCW.