The First American Corporation expands Title Operations In Poland
June 21, 2006
SANTA ANA, Calif.The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF), the largest provider of business information in United States and a leading provider of title insurance services internationally, today announced the launch of operations in Poland. First Title Poland, a limited liability company, will offer title insurance solutions for lenders, investors and developers.
Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004, and is currently the leading Central European nation in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). In 2005, the value of FDI to Poland amounted to $7.7 billion (U.S.), of which a record figure of nearly $3 billion was invested in the Polish real estate sector. Direct FDI from the United States into Poland amounted to more than $1.5 billion in 2005, a 50 percent increase over 2004. Market indicators point toward 2006 and 2007 to repeat and surpass 2005 values in terms of Polish real estate investment and total FDI.
As real estate transactions increase in volume and sophistication, a number of title uncertainties exist in Poland that may slow or complicate those transactions. Particularly, time delays related to registering mortgages, filing restitution claims and land status issues have proven frustrating to lenders, investors and developers. First Title’s insurance policies have been tailored to address title issues unique to Poland, and will help simplify, quicken and standardize real estate transactions throughout the country.
“The availability of title insurance will foster new and significant real estate activity in Poland by developers, purchasers and lenders,” said Phillip Oldcorn, chief executive officer of First Title Insurance, plc, the underwriter of First Title Poland and principal subsidiary of First Title, plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of The First American Corporation. “Given our tract-record of successfully introducing title insurance in numerous countries including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and most recently Turkey, we have every expectation that we can deliver the benefits of this essential form of property protection to Poland’s real estate community.”
Rob Schweizer, an associate with Merrill Lynch Financial and expert on European real estate investment, said: “although we haven’t yet used First Title in Poland, we have used their title insurance products in other European countries. We believe that the availability of title insurance in Poland should create further sophistication in the Polish real estate market, allowing for more transactions to close successfully.”
“While the Polish real estate market is booming in all aspects, we are happy to see more and more American investors active here,” said Dorota Dabrowska, executive director of The American Chamber of Commerce in Poland, of which First Title is a member organization. Importantly, U.S. companies are bringing in sophisticated products and services that will help develop the market—title insurance being one great example. The know-how of the American experience helps make our members leaders across industries, including real estate.”
First Title Poland was formed by the association of First Title Insurance, plc, and First Title CEE. The establishment of First Title Poland represents another step in implementing international practices in Poland and First American’s international title expansion strategy. With more than 1,700 title employees in Canada, Australia, Europe and Asia, First American continues to grow beyond the United States by adapting its product offerings to meet the regulatory guidelines and land conveyancing policies of international markets.
Source: First American
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