Founded Jul 1889 as Orange County Title Company in Santa Ana CA by C.E. Parker; California land-rush era. Pioneers title insurance in California where Spanish land grants + Mexican-era titles created enormous legal complexity for real estate transactions. Becomes First American Title 1947, First American Corp 1968.

Orange County Title Co renamed First American Title Insurance Co 1947 — reflects national ambition beyond Orange County CA. Donald P. Kennedy joins early 1950s, eventually becomes CEO; transforms First American into national title insurance leader through 1980s-90s acquisitions.

First American Corp goes public 1968 on NASDAQ — Donald P. Kennedy CEO transforms it into nationwide title insurer. Stock listed under FAF; family-controlled by Kennedy family until 2000s. Becomes #1 US title insurer by market share in late 1990s.

Parker Kennedy becomes First American Corp CEO 2003 (succeeding father Donald P. Kennedy). Parker leads through 2008 housing crisis; title premium falls 50% 2007-2009. Diversifies into property data + analytics businesses (later CoreLogic spinoff Jun 2010).

First American Corp splits into First American Financial Corp (title insurance) + CoreLogic (data analytics) Jun 2010; spinoff returns FAF to pure-play title insurance. Stock independently lists NYSE. By 2020s FAF + Fidelity National Financial duopoly controls ~60% US title insurance market.

First American Financial massive data leak May 2019 — Brian Krebs reports 885M unencrypted financial documents (mortgage, bank account info) exposed since 2003. NY DFS fines FAF $0 (Mar 2021) — admins citing fines could undermine industry. Settles SEC charges Jun 2020 for $487K. Privacy regulatory precedent for title industry.

Ken DeGiorgio becomes First American Financial CEO Mar 2022 — replaces Dennis Gilmore (CEO 2010-2022). DeGiorgio joined FAF 1999; previous role General Counsel. Inherits Q1 2022 housing market freeze + title volume collapse. FAF stock falls from $80 (2021) to $50 (2023).

First American Financial Q4 2024 — Ken DeGiorgio CEO reports $5.8B revenue 2024; title order volume up modestly as housing market stabilizes. FAF + Fidelity National Financial duopoly continues dominating US title insurance with combined ~60% market share. Stock $60 (recovered from $50 lows 2023).

First American Financial Q4 2025 — Ken DeGiorgio CEO (since Mar 2022) reports title order volume up 8% YoY as US housing market thaws. FAF and FNF combined ~60% US title insurance market share. Stock $68 (recovered from $50 lows 2023 amid housing slowdown). Title insurance pricing inflexible — recession-resistant fee.