- First American Adds Key Chicago Market to Nationwide Growth - DALLAS and CHICAGO, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First American Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc., a member of The First American Corporation (NYSE:FAF) family of companies, today announced that it has acquired Urban Appraisal, Inc., a Chicago-based consulting firm with nationwide clientele, further expanding First American's national commercial appraisal footprint in the key Chicago market. During the last 14 years, Urban Appraisal has built an exceptional reputation in both the local Chicago and national markets for expertise in the appraisal of multifamily properties, particularly those affected by affordable housing programs. Urban Appraisal's founder, William Farina, has 26 years of experience appraising residential, commercial and industrial properties across the United States. Farina will serve as vice president of First American Commercial Real Estate Services overseeing the company's Chicago office. "This teaming further expands First American's presence in the Chicago real estate market and provides us with a great opportunity to diversify our overall real estate endeavors," said S. Lewis Hill, president of First American Commercial Real Estate Services. "We are very pleased to bring Mr. Farina's expertise to our family." The new First American Commercial Real Estate Chicago office will continue its national work scope, while remaining strongly committed to the Chicago market. "Our great familiarity with the city's neighborhoods and their individual economic dynamics allows us to work efficiently in the Chicago market, while our simultaneous work on multi-family projects in other large metropolitan areas gives us a solid national perspective," said Farina. "Becoming part of First American allows us to draw upon its extensive real estate information and resources, and we believe this will further expand and diversify our clientele." About First American Commercial Real Estate Services First American Commercial Real Estate Services is a national provider of appraisals, collateral valuations, real and personal property tax consulting, tax department outsourcing, commercial flood and environmental risk assessments to the commercial real estate and financial industries. About The First American Corporation The First American Corporation (NYSE:FAF), a Fortune 500 company that traces its history to 1889, is the nation's largest data provider. First American combines advanced analytics with its vast data resources to supply businesses and consumers with valuable information products to support the major economic events of people's lives, such as getting a job, renting an apartment, buying a car or house, securing a mortgage and opening or buying a business. The First American Family of Companies, many of which command leading market share positions in their respective industries, operate within six primary business segments, including: Title Insurance and Services, Specialty Insurance, Mortgage Information, Property Information, Credit Information and Screening Information. With revenues of $6.72 billion in 2004, First American has approximately 2,000 offices throughout the United States and abroad. More information about the company and an archive of its press releases can be found at http://www.firstam.com/. Contact: David Schulz Corporate Communications The First American Corporation (714) 800-3298 DATASOURCE: The First American Corporation CONTACT: David Schulz, Corporate Communications of The First American Corporation, +1-714-800-3298, Web site: http://www.firstam.com/

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