EXHIBIT 99.1
                                                                   ------------

                       Craig I. DeRoy Named President of
                         The First American Corporation


SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 6, 2004 - The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF),
the nation's largest data provider, today announced that Craig I. DeRoy has been
promoted to president in recognition of his expanding involvement in the overall
strategy and operations of the holding company. DeRoy, who most recently served
as senior executive vice president, assumes the role formerly held by Parker S.
Kennedy, who will continue as chairman and chief executive officer for the
corporation.

     DeRoy has been instrumental in launching some of First American's most
significant initiatives, including bundling of the company's full line of
settlement services. Under his leadership, First American has created business
partnerships and joint ventures with many of its customers, providing an
opportunity to directly understand market needs and bring a unique array of
products and services to meet those needs.

     "This promotion recognizes the key role that Craig has played in the
strategic direction of our company," stated Kennedy. "Craig has a keen
understanding of the company, the marketplace and the needs of our customers;
and his dedication and vision will be instrumental as First American continues
to execute on its present and future strategies. It's a pleasure to announce the
appointment of Craig as president of The First American Corporation, and I am
confident that he will continue to do a great job for our company and our
shareholders."

     According to DeRoy, the mortgage and real estate industries are poised for
a real revolution in the way they approach their business. "The key to our
success is understanding the business strategies of each of our customers as
well as we understand our own," DeRoy stated. "It is a given that we will
continue to provide the highest quality products and services, but we must now
look to design and integrate those offerings into solutions that assist our
customers in creating the most effective work flow and process for their
business objectives.

     "First American's extensive property and information databases provide a
unique ability to create innovative, new products to help our customers move
transactions, manage risk and meet the demands of their business environment
faster and more cost effectively than ever before," DeRoy

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continued. "We will work with our customers collaboratively to bring agility and
responsiveness in a rapidly moving marketplace. First American is uniquely
positioned to lead this market movement. This is our time."

     With nearly 25 years of legal and management experience, DeRoy is a
published authority on corporate and environmental risk management. Following a
career as a trial attorney and a 3-year appointment as a deputy chief with the
U.S. Attorney's Office, DeRoy formed First Environmental Review Insurance
Company where he pioneered a new form of real estate insurance covering certain
forms of environmental risk. His relationship with First American began in 1992
as a consultant on regulatory issues, and a year later he joined First American
and was named vice president-general counsel for both The First American
Corporation and its largest subsidiary, First American Title Insurance Company.
In 1996, he was promoted to executive vice president of the corporation, then to
senior executive vice president in 2002.

     DeRoy is a graduate of the University of Southern California and Loyola
University School of Law and also holds a master of laws degree in taxation from
the University of San Diego School of Law. He and his wife, Loren, reside in
Rolling Hills, Calif., with their two sons.

     The First American Corporation is a Fortune 500 company that traces its
history to 1889. As the nation's largest data provider, the company supplies
businesses and consumers with information resources in connection with the major
economic events of people's lives, such as getting a job; renting an apartment;
buying a car, house, boat or airplane; securing a mortgage; opening or buying a
business; and planning for retirement. 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
$6.21 billion in 2003, First American has 29,000 employees in approximately
1,800 offices throughout the United States and abroad. More information about
the company and an archive of its press releases can be found at
www.firstam.com.

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