STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Entitle Direct Group, Inc., the country’s first direct-to-consumer title
insurance company providing 35% savings, announced today that David
Verklin, a veteran advertising executive, has been named to its Board of
Directors. Verklin is the CEO of Canoe Ventures, LLC, a joint venture
founded in 2008 by the country’s leading cable operators. The company
focuses on enabling advanced advertising technologies and making them
easier to buy, use and measure. Prior to Canoe Ventures, Verklin was the
CEO of Aegis Media Americas. He was recently named to Mediaweek’s
Watch List 2009 and has been recognized as one of the industry’s most
influential people on the CableFAX 100. He was also
inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2009.

“Entitle Direct Group has accomplished a great deal in the last year
since launching ENTITLE DIRECT, and I look forward to adding support and
being a part of the team as it continues to grow”

Entitle Direct Group founder and CEO Timothy Dwyer says, “We are excited
and eager to add David Verklin to the board. His accomplishments and
extensive background in marketing and advertising over 25 years will
guide Entitle Direct Group in taking advantage of a range of new growth
opportunities and will be invaluable to our future.”

Verklin joins as the sixth member of Entitle Direct Group’s Board of
Directors. The other board members are Entitle Direct Group Chairman and
CEO Timothy Dwyer, David Elliot, Robert Deutsch, Hanley Clark and Keith
Carter.

“Entitle Direct Group has accomplished a great deal in the last year
since launching ENTITLE DIRECT, and I look forward to adding support and
being a part of the team as it continues to grow,” says Verklin. “We
will continue to advocate for a consumer’s right to shop for title
insurance and we will lead the way in saving money on title insurance
premiums.”

ENTITLE DIRECT was created for consumers by consumers to address the
high cost of title insurance and a real estate closing process that
keeps people in the dark. ENTITLE DIRECT offers title insurance direct
to consumers at savings of up to 35% or more compared to traditional
title providers. Its unique digital platform educates and empowers
consumers to monitor their home closings and save on their title
insurance. ENTITLE DIRECT’s industry-first Control Panel has a
patent pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Unlike any
technology previously available, the Control Panel provides
dynamic, interactive tools such as the ability to upload and store
closing documents, as well as download a HUD-1 Settlement Statement, and
manage other aspects of the closing.

For more information about ENTITLE DIRECT, please visit www.entitledirect.com.

About ENTITLE DIRECT:

Entitle Direct Group, based in Stamford, Connecticut, is the parent
company of EnTitle Insurance Company, the country’s first
direct-to-consumer title insurance company offering significant savings.
The ENTITLE DIRECT website is the direct-to-consumer distribution
channel and an operating division of EnTitle Insurance Company.

EnTitle Insurance Company was founded in 1978 in Cleveland, Ohio, where
it remains headquartered today. EnTitle Insurance is regulated by the
Ohio Department of Insurance and is approved to issue title insurance by
the Departments of Insurance in every state where its policies are
offered. EnTitle Insurance Company is a member of the American Land
Title Association, and only issues policy forms approved by the American
Land Title Association and other state associations, where applicable.

Timothy Dwyer and David Verklin are available for interview.

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Effective immediately, Stewart Title of California, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Stewart Information Services Corp. (NYSE:STC), has reduced
its base title insurance rates. The new rates have been approved by the
California Department of Insurance and will make purchasing a home more
affordable for consumers. Escrow rates are not affected by this filing
and will continue to be determined on a county-by-county basis.

“We
are always striving to meet the needs of our customers the consumer, and
these lowered rates will provide an immediate benefit to consumers and
businesses that are selling, purchasing or refinancing California
properties.”

The rate filing heralds the creation of the Stewart Title Absolute Rate™
(S.T.A.R.). The S.T.A.R.™ is lower and simpler
than the previous bundled and short-term rates and offers significant
savings for refinance transactions that meet specific criteria. It is
available only when all title-related documents are conveyed
electronically to all involved parties. Stewart has already made strides
toward going paperless and can efficiently process electronic
transactions using the company’s SureClose^®
online transaction management system. “We
continue to make progress with technology in order to reduce our costs
of marketing, production and delivery of title insurance products,”
explains Brian Hurley, president of Stewart Title of California.

Other changes to Stewart Title’s rates include
both a new, reduced residential rate (for one-to-four family homes) and
a lower basic rate (for commercial, agricultural, industrial, and other
related properties). “Stewart constantly works
to develop new solutions to exceed our customers’
needs and our new California title rates are no exception,”
said Allan Wasserman, group president –
western states for Stewart Title Company. “We
are always striving to meet the needs of our customers the consumer, and
these lowered rates will provide an immediate benefit to consumers and
businesses that are selling, purchasing or refinancing California
properties.”

About Stewart

Stewart Title Company and Stewart Title of California, Inc. are wholly
owned subsidiaries of Stewart Information Services Corp., a
customer-oriented, technology-driven, strategically competitive, real
estate information and transaction management company. Stewart provides
title insurance and related information services required for settlement
by the real estate and mortgage industries throughout the United States
and international markets. Stewart also provides post-closing lender
services, mortgage default management solutions, automated county clerk
land records, property ownership mapping, geographic information
systems, property information reports, flood certificates, document
preparation, background checks and expertise in tax-deferred exchanges.
More information can be found at http://www.stewart.com
and http://www.stewartca.com.

WINTER PARK, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Westcor
Land Title Insurance Company, a leading independent underwriter,
continues to maintain a Financial Stability Rating^® (FSR) of
A′ (A Prime), Unsurpassed, from Demotech, Inc., an actuarial
consulting and financial analysis firm located in Columbus, OH.
“Westcor’s ability to maintain a strong, conservative balance sheet
despite the challenging operating environment reflects their financial
stability and commitment to solvency,” explains Barry Koestler, Chief
Ratings Officer of Demotech.

“It is their commitment to perform
with a consistent standard of excellence that reflects this positive
result.”

Additionally, Westcor has been upgraded by LACE Financial Corp. LACE
is one of a list of ten credit rating agencies approved by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to determine financial
soundness and creditworthiness. The recent upgrade is a clear indication
of Westcor’s financial stability and strength.

Westcor’s improvements are positive statements of a strong financial
position. This optimistic affirmation is impressive especially during
fluctuating market conditions. The new standing provides Westcor with
greater financial leverage and financial flexibility to continue their
forward growth cycle.

A balance of competitive positioning, quality leadership and selective
national growth has served Westcor well in 2009. While many other
title underwriters weather loss and downgrades, Westcor’s business
sustains and improves. “We thank our agents for their ongoing commitment
to quality and service explains,” Mary O’Donnell, CEO and President of
Westcor Land Title Insurance Company. “It is their commitment to perform
with a consistent standard of excellence that reflects this positive
result.”

About Westcor Land Title Insurance Company

Westcor Land Title Insurance Company is a leading independent provider
of title insurance. As one of the largest
independent underwriters, Westcor is dedicated to the support and
development of quality independent title agencies. Westcor will not
compete against its agents. We are committed to promote stability,
growth and continued autonomy of independent title agencies. Our success
is defined by our agents’ success.

Westcor has a Financial Stability Rating^® (FSR) of A′ (A
Prime), Unsurpassed, from Demotech, Inc. To learn more about
Westcor and how you can join the independent movement, visit www.wltic.com,
or call 866–629–5842.

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The American Land Title Association reported title insurance premiums
written during the third quarter of 2009 increased for the first time in
more than three years when compared to equivalent prior year quarters.

“While well short of a recovery, we are getting a clear signal that
market conditions are beginning to improve”

According to ALTA’s preliminary Third-Quarter Market Share Report, the
title insurance industry generated $2.51 billion in premiums during the
quarter. This is a 1.4 percent increase compared to the $2.48 billion
generated during the third quarter of 2008. The industry had endured 13
consecutive quarters in which title premiums written declined from the
prior year’s equivalent quarter.

“While well short of a recovery, we are getting a clear signal that
market conditions are beginning to improve,” said Kurt Pfotenhauer,
chief executive officer of ALTA. “Congress’ temporary tax incentives and
the Federal Reserve’s efforts to keep mortgage interest rates low have
brought more homebuyers to the table. We are hopeful that the extension
and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit will keep this momentum going
through 2010 and begin to drive activity beyond the first-time buyer
market.”

During the third quarter, 32 states experienced increases in title
insurance premiums, compared to the same period last year. In the
quarter, California generated the most title insurance premiums with
$396.3 million, compared to $349.6 million during the third quarter of
2008. Other top producing states include Texas ($270.7 million, down 9.9
percent from the same period a year ago); Florida ($178.5 million, down
16 percent); New York ($148.7 million, down 26.1 percent); and
Pennsylvania ($112.7 million, up 5.1 percent).

States in several regions of the country experienced significant
increases in title insurance premiums. Alaska enjoyed a 77 percent spike
as premiums improved to $11.6 million during the third quarter of this
year, compared to $6.6 million during the same quarter last year. On the
East Coast, Rhode Island and New Jersey each experienced large
increases. New Jersey’s title insurance premiums improved 36 percent to
$90 million during the third quarter of 2009 compared to last year’s
third quarter, while Rhode Island experienced a 57 percent increase to
$8.5 million. In the Great Plains, Colorado’s title insurance premiums
increased 40 percent to $54 million from third-quarter 2008 to
third-quarter 2009, while North Dakota improved 31 percent to $2.5
million.

“The scattered improvements illustrate real estate is still local. Each
market performs differently depending on local economic conditions,”
Pfotenhauer said. “The cyclicality of the industry is something
legislators and regulators must keep in mind when considering changes to
the title insurance industry, including new regulations, laws and rate
structures.”

About ALTA

The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, is a national
trade association representing more than 3,000 title insurance
companies, title agents, independent abstracters, title searchers, and
attorneys. With more than 8,000 offices throughout the United States,
ALTA members conduct title searches, examinations, closings, and issue
title insurance that protects real property owners and mortgage lenders
against losses from defects in titles. ALTA member companies employ well
over 100,000 individuals and operate in every county in the U.S., and
several countries around the world.

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The American Land Title Association commends Congress on the passage of
an amendment that clarifies the oversight of the Consumer Financial
Protection Agency over the title insurance industry.

“Congress recognized that title insurance is best regulated by a
comprehensive, well-established state regulatory system”

Introduced during a markup session of H.R. 3126 by U.S. Reps. Gwen Moore
(D-Wis.) and Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.), the amendment was passed during a
voice vote by the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee
on Oct. 21.

“Congress recognized that title insurance is best regulated by a
comprehensive, well-established state regulatory system,” said Kurt
Pfotenhauer, CEO of ALTA. “We are grateful for the leadership of Rep.
Gwen Moore and Rep. Erik Paulsen in recognizing that title insurance is
provided according to state and county laws and customs governing the
sale, purchase and transfer of real estate in 3,600 separate local
jurisdictions.”

Title insurance providers will continue to be subject to existing
federal consumer laws – primarily RESPA – which are designed to protect
consumers in the mortgage transaction. Authority to regulate title
insurance under RESPA will be transferred from HUD to the CFPA.
Excluding title insurance from the CFPA definition of “financial
activities” means that the title industry will not be subject to the new
regulatory regimes intended for banks and other financial institutions.

“Giving the CFPA authority over state regulated industries that were not
the cause of the problems in the mortgage and capital markets would have
done nothing to advance the bill’s purposes,” Pfotenhauer said. “Without
this amendment, the CFPA would have created a whole new federal
regulatory regime that would have conflicted with existing state
regulation. Fortunately, we have been able to avoid that confusion.”

About ALTA

The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, is a national
trade association representing more than 3,000 title insurance
companies, title agents, independent abstracters, title searchers, and
attorneys. With more than 8,000 offices throughout the United States,
ALTA members conduct title searches, examinations, closings, and issue
title insurance that protects real property owners and mortgage lenders
against losses from defects in titles. ALTA member companies employ well
over 100,000 individuals and operate in every county in the U.S., and
several countries around the world.