First American Financial Corporation

First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF) is a provider of title insurance, settlement services and risk solutions for real estate transactions. First American traces its history to 1889 and describes itself as having held an unwavering belief in its people since that year. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker FAF.

Through First American Title, the company offers title insurance protection and professional settlement services for real estate purchases, refinances and equity loans. Its Direct division provides comprehensive title insurance protection and professional settlement services directly to consumers and partners in the residential real estate space, working with escrow and underwriter partners to support closing transactions.

First American’s National Production Services division provides global title and escrow production support across all channels within First American Title, including the Mortgage Services, Commercial, Direct and Agency divisions. Commercial title operations support large-scale real estate transactions, from single properties to multi-property portfolios, through title examination, ownership verification and title commitment preparation.

The company’s Agency Division supports policy-issuing agents with resources, services and underwriting guidance. Title officers and examiners across these divisions analyze public records such as deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, easements and property surveys to determine ownership and legal restrictions, and to resolve issues affecting title insurability before closing.

First American also operates a technology and innovation dimension to its business: job postings describe partnerships between title examiners and technology development teams to test and improve title examination platforms, and an information security function that operates cloud security platforms and manages cloud attack surface risk. The company also produces the REconomy Podcast, an economic podcast examining forces that influence real estate, housing and affordability, featuring Chief Economist Mark Fleming, Ph.D. and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi.

On culture, First American frames its approach as a “People First” philosophy, stating that its people are the foundation of the company’s success. The company says it fosters an inclusive environment where employees feel welcome, supported and empowered to be innovative, and it notes recognition including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list for eleven consecutive years, along with awards as a best place to work for women, diversity and LGBTQ+ employees and inclusion on more than 50 regional best places to work lists. It also states it is an equal opportunity employer and offers a benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO and an employee stock purchase plan.