First American Financial Corp
For the period ended Mar 31, 2025. Filed Apr 25, 2025.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2025 · Filed Apr 25, 2025
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-10-25.
0000950170-24-117138
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-03-31; filed 2025-04-25.
0000950170-25-058211
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 74 previous paragraphs and 72 current paragraphs.
29 unchanged; 35 reworded; 7 added; 10 removed; 0 previous and 1 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 4 previous and 4 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (7)
Current report
Not meaningful
Current report
Information and other revenues were $236.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $18.8 million, or 8.7%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to an increase in demand for uninsured products and services in the Company's Canadian operations and demand for the Company’s information products.
Current report
Personnel costs were $484.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $32.3 million, or 7.1%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily attributable to higher incentive compensation expense due to higher revenue and profitability, and higher share-based compensation, salary and severance expenses.
Current report
Other operating expenses were $246.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $12.7 million, or 5.4%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to higher production expenses on higher volumes, increases in software expense, legal expense, travel expense and increases across various other operating expenses. These increases were partially offset by a credit related to the release of a $5.7 million acquisition-related incentive obligation in the current year and the non-recurrence of a prior year out-of-period adjustment that totaled $6.2 million.
Current report
Not meaningful
Current report
Interest expense totaled $15.2 million and $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to additional interest on the Company's $450.0 million 5.45% senior unsecured notes issued in September 2024, partially offset by a reduction in interest on the Company's $300.0 million 4.60% senior unsecured notes, repaid upon maturity, in November 2024.
Current report
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $74.8 million and $46.7 million, respectively. Net income attributable to the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $74.2 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, and $46.7 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, respectively.
Removed paragraphs (10)
Previous report
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company initiated a strategic investment portfolio rebalancing project. In connection with its rebalancing project, the Company sold certain debt securities in an unrealized loss position, which resulted in realized losses of $345.4 million and proceeds of $2.8 billion.
Previous report
Information and other revenues were $241.7 million and $699.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, an increase of $1.6 million, or 0.7%, and a decrease of $6.2 million, or 0.9%, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was due to an increase in demand for the Company’s information products. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due to the increased capture rate of title premiums from an affiliated title agent, which caused decreases in information and other revenues and comparable increases in direct premiums and escrow fees.
Previous report
Personnel costs were $491.7 million and $1.4 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, increases of $23.2 million, or 5.0%, and $17.5 million, or 1.2%, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. The increases for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2024, were primarily attributable to higher salary, incentive compensation, employee benefits, and payroll tax expense, partially offset by lower severance expense.
Previous report
Other operating expenses were $251.8 million and $729.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, increases of $8.6 million, or 3.5%, and $18.7 million, or 2.6%, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. The increases were primarily due to higher production and software expense. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was also due to higher legal expense and the impact of an out-of-period adjustment of $6.2 million recorded in the first quarter of 2024 to write-off certain uncollectible balances related to fees that should have been previously written off, partially offset by lower professional services expense.
Previous report
Net investment losses of $4.0 million and $34.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were primarily related to unrealized losses and impairment charges on non-marketable equity investments within the Company's venture investment portfolio and, also, included changes in the fair value of the Company's investment in Offerpad. Net investment losses of $147.3 million and $158.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, were primarily related to unrealized losses and impairment charges on non-marketable equity investments within the Company's venture investment portfolio and, also, included changes in the fair value of the Company's investment in Offerpad.
Previous report
Interest expense totaled $12.5 million and $37.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared with $12.5 million and $39.0 for the respective periods of the prior year. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to the repayment of the Company's $250 million 4.30% senior unsecured notes, upon maturity, in February 2023.
Previous report
Net (loss) income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $(103.4) million and $59.7 million, respectively, compared with $(1.2) million and $181.2 million for the respective periods of the prior year. Net (loss) income attributable to the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $(104.0) million, or $(1.00) per diluted share, and $58.7 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, respectively, compared with $(1.7) million, or $(0.02) per diluted share, and $182.7 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, for the respective periods of the prior year.
Previous report
The decreases in the Company’s cash and deposit liability balances at September 30, 2024 when compared to December 31, 2023, reflect the Company’s return to a normal allocation process for managing escrow deposits at its federal savings bank subsidiary in 2024. Due to the cybersecurity incident in late December 2023, the Company maintained a higher proportion of escrow deposits at its federal savings bank at December 31, 2023.
Previous report
Financing. In September 2024, the Company issued $450.0 million of 5.45% senior unsecured notes due in 2034. Interest is due semi-annually on March 30 and September 30, beginning March 30, 2025.
Previous report
The Company expects to repay its $300.0 million 4.60% senior unsecured notes due November 15, 2024, upon maturity, through proceeds from its bond offering in September 2024.
Reworded paragraphs (35)
Previous wording
The Company’s total revenues decreased $75.1 million, or 5.1%, in the third quarter of 2024 when compared with the third quarter of 2023. This decrease was primarily attributable to net investment losses of $311.5 million in the current quarter compared to $163.6 million in net investment losses recognized in the prior year. This decrease was partially offset by increases in direct premiums and escrow fees in the title insurance business of $42.5 million, or 8.6%, and agent premiums of $19.4 million, or 2.9%. In the title insurance and services segment, direct premiums and escrow fees from domestic commercial purchase and residential refinance transactions increased $30.2 million, or 18.9%, $6.4 million, or 2.6%, and $4.3 million, or 20.0%, respectively.
Current wording
The Company’s total revenues for the first quarter of 2025 were $1.6 billion, which reflected an increase of $157.7 million, or 11.1%, when compared with $1.4 billion for the first quarter of 2024. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in agent premiums of $90.8 million, or 16.1%, and direct premiums and escrow fees in the title insurance business of $56.4 million, or 14.0%. In the title insurance and services segment, direct premiums and escrow fees from domestic commercial, purchase and residential refinance transactions increased $40.9 million, or 28.7%, $2.8 million, or 1.4%, and $6.9 million, or 40.2%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2025 when compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Previous wording
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s September 23, 2024 Mortgage Finance Forecast (the “MBA Forecast”), residential mortgage originations in the United States (based on the total dollar value of the transactions) are forecasted to increase 21.3% in the third quarter of 2024 when compared with the third quarter of 2023. According to the MBA Forecast, the dollar amount of purchase originations are forecasted to increase 5.3% and refinance originations are forecasted to increase 117.9%. This volume of domestic residential mortgage origination activity contributed to an increase of 2.6% in direct premiums and escrow fees for the Company’s direct title operations from domestic residential purchase transactions and an increase of 20.0% from domestic refinance transactions in the third quarter of 2024 when compared with the third quarter of 2023.
Current wording
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s April 11, 2025 Mortgage Finance Forecast (the “MBA Forecast”), residential mortgage originations in the United States (based on the total dollar value of the transactions) are forecasted to increase 1.9% in the first quarter of 2025 when compared to the first quarter of 2024. According to the MBA Forecast, the dollar amount of purchase originations are forecasted to decrease 6.5% and refinance originations are forecasted to increase 30.2%. This volume of domestic residential mortgage origination activity contributed to an increase of 1.4% in direct premiums and escrow fees for the Company’s direct title operations from domestic residential purchase transactions and an increase of 40.2% from domestic refinance transactions in the first quarter of 2025 when compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Previous wording
During the third quarter of 2024, the level of domestic title orders opened per day by the Company’s direct title operations increased 3.9% when compared with the third quarter of 2023. Refinance opened orders per day increased 41.3%, while residential purchase and commercial opened orders per day decreased 2.3% and 0.3%, respectively, when compared with the third quarter of 2023.
Current wording
During the first quarter of 2025, the level of domestic title orders opened per day by the Company’s direct title operations increased 7.1% when compared with the first quarter of 2024. Refinance and commercial opened orders per day increased 45.7% and 4.8%, respectively, while residential purchase opened orders per day decreased 0.5% in the first quarter of 2025 when compared with the first quarter of 2024.
Previous wording
Direct premiums and escrow fees were $536.2 million and $1.5 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, increases of $42.5 million, or 8.6%, and $56.3 million, or 4.0%, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. The increases were due to increases in domestic average revenues per order. Domestic average revenues per order closed were $3,926 and $3,767 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, increases of 7.5% and 5.2% when compared with $3,653 and $3,581 for the respective periods of the prior year, which were due to increases in average revenues per order on commercial and purchase transactions. The Company’s direct title operations closed 121,600 and 349,000 domestic title orders during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, an increase of 1.3% and a decrease of 1.7% when compared with 120,000 and 354,900 domestic title orders closed during the respective periods of the prior year, which were generally consistent with the changes in residential mortgage origination activity in the United States as reported in the MBA Forecast. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, domestic residential refinance orders closed per day increased by 12.3% and 1.6%, respectively, and domestic residential purchase orders closed per day decreased by 1.8% and 0.3%, respectively, when compared to the respective periods of the prior year.
Current wording
Direct premiums and escrow fees were $459.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $56.4 million, or 14.0%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. The increase was due to increases in domestic average revenues per order and in the number of domestic title orders closed by the Company’s direct title operations. Domestic average revenues per order closed was $3,920 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of 11.5% when compared with $3,516 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which was primarily due to an increase in average revenues per order on commercial transactions. The Company’s direct title operations closed 105,400 domestic title orders during the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of 2.6% when compared with 102,700 domestic title orders closed during the same period of the prior year, which were generally consistent with the changes in residential mortgage origination activity in the United States as reported in the MBA Forecast. Domestic residential purchase and refinance orders closed per day decreased by 4.9% and increased by 30.6%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 when compared to the same period of the prior year.
Previous wording
Agent premiums were $683.9 million and $1.9 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, an increase of $19.4 million, or 2.9%, and a decrease of $15.6 million, or 0.8%, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. Agent premiums are recorded when notice of issuance is received from the agent, which is generally when cash payment is received by the Company. As a result, there is generally a delay between the agent’s issuance of a title policy and the Company’s recognition of agent premiums. Therefore, current quarter agent premiums typically reflect prior quarter mortgage origination activity. The increase in agent premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2024 is generally consistent with the 3.1% increase in the Company’s direct premiums and escrow fees in the second quarter of 2024 as compared with the second quarter of 2023.
Current wording
Agent premiums were $654.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $90.8 million, or 16.1%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. Agent premiums are recorded when notice of issuance is received from the agent, which is generally when cash payment is received by the Company. As a result, there is generally a delay between the agent’s issuance of a title policy and the Company’s recognition of agent premiums. Therefore, current quarter agent premiums typically reflect prior quarter mortgage origination activity. The increase in agent premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2025 is generally consistent with the 30.8% increase in the Company’s direct premiums and escrow fees in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.
Previous wording
Net investment income totaled $136.5 million and $378.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, decreases of $5.2 million, or 3.7%, and $29.3 million, or 7.2%, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. The decreases in investment income were primarily driven by declines in the Company’s escrow and tax-deferred property exchange balances, partially offset by an increase in interest income from the Company’s warehouse lending business.
Current wording
Net investment income totaled $137.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $21.0 million, or 18.0%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. The increase in investment income was primarily driven by an increase in interest income from the Company’s investment portfolio.
Previous wording
Net investment losses of $308.0 million and $283.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, were primarily attributable to losses realized from the Company’s investment portfolio rebalancing project discussed above, partially offset by a change in the fair values of marketable equity securities. Net investment losses of $15.6 million and $6.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, were primarily attributable to changes in the fair values of marketable equity securities and losses recognized on sales of debt securities. Net investment losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were also due to losses recognized on the sale of a title plant.
Current wording
Net investment gains/losses totaled losses of $3.5 million and gains of $18.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The losses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were primarily attributable to asset impairments. The gains for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were primarily attributable to changes in the fair values of marketable equity securities, partially offset by losses recognized on sales of debt securities.
Previous wording
Agents retained $546.7 million and $1.5 billion of title premiums generated by agency operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, which compares with $531.4 million and $1.5 billion for the respective periods of the prior year. The percentages of title premiums retained by agents were 79.9% and 79.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared to 80.0% and 79.6% for the respective periods of the prior year.
Current wording
Agents retained $525.5 million of title premiums generated by agency operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which compares with $447.8 million for the same period of the prior year. The percentage of title premiums retained by agents was 80.3% and 79.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Previous wording
The provision for policy losses and other claims, expressed as a percentage of title insurance premiums and escrow fees, was 3.0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 3.0% and 3.33% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The 3.0% loss provision rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 reflects an ultimate loss rate of 3.75% for the 2024 policy year and reserve releases of 0.75%, or $9.1 million and $25.0 million, respectively, for prior policy years, all based on title insurance premiums and escrow fees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The 3.0% and 3.33% loss provision rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, reflected an ultimate loss rate of 3.75% for the 2023 policy year and reserve releases of 0.75%, or $8.6 million and 0.42%, or $14.0 million, respectively, for prior policy years, all based on title insurance premiums and escrow fees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Current wording
The provision for policy losses and other claims, expressed as a percentage of title insurance premiums and escrow fees, was 3.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. The 3.0% loss provision rate for the three months ended March 31, 2025 reflects an ultimate loss rate of 3.75% for the 2025 policy year and reserve releases of 0.75%, or $8.4 million for prior policy years, all based on title insurance premiums and escrow fees for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The 3.0% loss provision rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 reflected an ultimate loss rate of 3.75% for the 2024 policy year and reserve releases of 0.75%, or $7.3 million for prior policy years, all based on title insurance premiums and escrow fees for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Previous wording
Depreciation and amortization expense was $51.9 million and $151.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, increases of $5.7 million, or 12.3%, and $16.4 million, or 12.1%, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. The increases were primarily due to higher amortization of capitalized software from recently deployed digital settlement products.
Current wording
Depreciation and amortization expense was $51.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $2.4 million, or 4.9%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to higher amortization of capitalized software from recently deployed digital settlement products.
Previous wording
Premium taxes were $17.8 million and $45.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, increases of $1.4 million, or 8.5%, and $0.8 million, or 1.8%, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. Premium taxes as a percentage of title insurance premiums and escrow fees were 1.5% and 1.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and 1.4% and 1.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
Current wording
Premium taxes were $16.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $3.4 million, or 26.4%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. Premium taxes as a percentage of title insurance premiums and escrow fees were 1.5% and 1.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Previous wording
Interest expense was $24.1 million and $69.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, increases of $0.5 million, or 2.1%, and $8.9 million, or 14.6%, respectively, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. The increases were primarily attributable to higher interest expense in the Company’s warehouse lending business.
Current wording
Interest expense was $20.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of $2.4 million, or 10.7%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower interest expense in the Company’s warehouse lending business.
Previous wording
Pretax margins for the title insurance business reflect the high cost of performing the essential services required before insuring title, whereas the corresponding revenues are subject to regulatory and competitive pricing restraints. Due to the relatively high proportion of fixed costs in the title insurance business, pretax margins generally improve as closed order volumes increase. Pretax margins for the segment are also impacted by (1) net investment income and net investment gains or losses, which may not move in the same direction as closed order volumes, (2) the composition (residential or commercial) and type (resale, refinancing or new construction) of real estate activity and (3) the percentage of title insurance premiums generated by agency operations as margins from direct operations are generally higher than from agency operations due primarily to the large portion of the premium that is retained by the agent. The title insurance and services segment recorded a pretax margin loss of (10.1)% and a pretax margin of 2.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared with pretax margins of 10.5% and 9.9% in the respective periods of the prior year.
Current wording
Pretax margins for the title insurance business reflect the high cost of performing the essential services required before insuring title, whereas the corresponding revenues are subject to regulatory and competitive pricing restraints. Due to the relatively high proportion of fixed costs in the title insurance business, pretax margins generally improve as closed order volumes increase. Pretax margins for the segment are also impacted by (1) net investment income and net investment gains or losses, which may not move in the same direction as closed order volumes, (2) the composition (residential or commercial) and type (resale, refinancing or new construction) of real estate activity and (3) the percentage of title insurance premiums generated by agency operations as margins from direct operations are generally higher than from agency operations due primarily to the large portion of the premium that is retained by the agent. The title insurance and services segment recorded pretax margins of 7.2% and 5.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Previous wording
Direct premiums were $103.5 million and $300.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, increases of $1.7 million, or 1.7%, and $3.9 million, or 1.3%, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. The increases were primarily attributable to an increase in the average price per policy.
Current wording
Direct premiums were $101.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $3.9 million, or 4.0%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the average price per policy.
Previous wording
Personnel costs and other operating expenses totaled $43.6 million and $127.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, increases of $3.1 million, or 7.7%, and $6.2 million, or 5.1%, when compared with the respective periods of the prior year. The increases were primarily attributable to higher advertising, postage and salary expense.
Current wording
Personnel costs and other operating expenses totaled $43.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $1.1 million, or 2.6%, when compared with the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily attributable to higher marketing and incentive compensation expense.
Previous wording
The provision for home warranty claims, expressed as a percentage of home warranty premiums, was 53.8% and 47.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared with 54.9% and 50.6% for the respective periods of the prior year. The decrease in the claims rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was primarily attributable to lower claims frequency, partially offset by higher severity. The decrease in the claims rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was due to lower severity, partially offset by higher frequency.
Current wording
The provision for home warranty claims, expressed as a percentage of home warranty premiums, was 37.1% and 41.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease in the claims rate was primarily attributable to lower claims severity and volume.
Previous wording
A large part of the revenues for the home warranty segment are generated by renewals and are not dependent on the level of real estate activity in the year of renewal. With the exception of the provision for losses, the majority of the expenses for this segment are variable in nature and, therefore, generally fluctuate with revenue. Accordingly, pretax margins (before provision for losses) are relatively constant, although, as a result of some fixed expenses, profit margins (before provision for losses) should nominally improve as premium revenues increase. Pretax margins are also impacted by net investment income and net investment gains or losses, which may not move in the same direction as premium revenues. The home warranty segment recorded pretax margins of 8.1% and 14.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared with 8.7% and 12.4% in the respective periods of the prior year.
Current wording
A large part of the revenues for the home warranty segment are generated by renewals and are not dependent on the level of real estate activity in the year of renewal. With the exception of the provision for losses, the majority of the expenses for this segment are variable in nature and, therefore, generally fluctuate with revenue. Accordingly, pretax margins (before loss expense) are relatively constant, although, as a result of some fixed expenses, profit margins (before loss expense) should nominally improve as premium revenues increase. Pretax margins are also impacted by net investment income and net investment gains or losses, which may not move in the same direction as premium revenues. The home warranty segment recorded pretax margins of 22.9% and 19.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Previous wording
Net investment income totaled $9.2 million and $23.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared with losses of $3.8 million and income of $11.7 million in the respective periods of the prior year. The changes in net investment income/losses were primarily attributable to fluctuations in earnings on investments associated with the Company’s deferred compensation plan.
Current wording
Net investment income/loss totaled losses of $3.4 million and income of $10.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The change in net investment income/loss was primarily attributable to fluctuations in earnings on investments associated with the Company’s deferred compensation plan.
Previous wording
Personnel costs and other operating expenses totaled $16.3 million and $53.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared with $7.4 million and $48.5 million for the respective periods of the prior year. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were primarily attributable to higher returns on participant investments within the Company’s deferred compensation plan, partially offset by a reinsurance credit related to the wind down of the property and casualty insurance business.
Current wording
Personnel costs and other operating expenses totaled $10.9 million and $22.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower returns on participant investments within the Company’s deferred compensation plan in the current year.
Previous wording
The Company’s inter-segment eliminations were not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Current wording
The Company’s inter-segment eliminations were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.
Previous wording
The Company’s effective income tax rates (income tax benefit/expense as a percentage of loss/income before income taxes) were 28.4% and 8.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared with 29.4% and 23.2% for the respective periods of the prior year. The differences in the effective tax rates are primarily due to the impact on pretax earnings from losses and impairments on investments and the impact on state income taxes resulting from the relative proportion of income derived from the Company’s insurance and non-insurance businesses. In addition, the effective income tax rates for 2024 reflect tax credits claimed in current and prior years.
Current wording
The Company’s effective income tax rates (income tax expense as a percentage of income before income taxes) were 22.6% and 19.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The differences in the effective tax rates are primarily due to the impact on state income taxes resulting from the relative proportion of income derived from the Company’s insurance and non-insurance businesses. In addition, the effective income tax rate for 2024 reflects tax benefits related to a state tax matter from prior years.
Previous wording
Cash requirements. The Company generates cash primarily from sales of its products and services and from investment income. The Company’s current cash requirements include operating expenses, taxes, payments of principal and interest on its debt, capital expenditures, dividends on its common stock, and may include business acquisitions, investments in private companies (primarily those in the venture-stage) and repurchases of its common stock. Management forecasts the cash needs of the holding company and its primary subsidiaries and regularly reviews their short-term and long-term projected sources and uses of funds, as well as the asset, liability, investment and cash flow assumptions underlying such forecasts. Based on the Company’s ability to generate cash flows from operations, its liquid-asset position and amounts available on its revolving credit facility, management believes that its resources are sufficient to satisfy its anticipated operational cash requirements and obligations for at least the next twelve months.
Current wording
Cash requirements. The Company generates cash primarily from sales of its products and services and from investment income. The Company’s current cash requirements include operating expenses, taxes, payments of principal and interest on its debt, capital expenditures, dividends on its common stock, and may include business acquisitions, investments and loans in private companies and repurchases of its common stock. Management forecasts the cash needs of the holding company and its primary subsidiaries and regularly reviews their short-term and long-term projected sources and uses of funds, as well as the asset, liability, investment and cash flow assumptions underlying such forecasts. Based on the Company’s ability to generate cash flows from operations, its liquid-asset position and amounts available on its revolving credit facility, management believes that its resources are sufficient to satisfy its anticipated operational cash requirements and obligations for at least the next twelve months.
Previous wording
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $572.9 million and $396.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, after claim payments, net of recoveries, of $295.9 million and $289.1 million, respectively. The principal nonoperating uses of cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were advances and repayments related to secured financing transactions, purchases of debt and equity securities, dividends to common stockholders, capital expenditures and repurchases of Company shares. Principal nonoperating uses of cash and cash equivalents also included decreases in deposits at the Company's banking operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and repayment of senior unsecured notes for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The principal nonoperating sources of cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were borrowings and collections related to secured financing transactions, and proceeds from the sales and maturities of debt and equity securities. Principal nonoperating sources of cash and cash equivalents also included net proceeds from issuance of unsecured senior notes for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and increases in the deposit balances at the Company’s banking operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The net effect of all activities on cash and cash equivalents was a decrease of $651.9 million and an increase of $355.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Current wording
Cash used for operating activities totaled $52.8 million and cash provided by operating activities totaled $69.3 million after claim payments, net of recoveries, of $76.3 million and $91.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The principal nonoperating uses of cash and cash equivalents for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were advances and repayments related to secured financing transactions, purchases of debt and equity securities, dividends to common stockholders and capital expenditures. Principal nonoperating uses of cash and cash equivalents also included repurchases of company common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and decreases in deposits at the Company's banking operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The principal nonoperating sources of cash and cash equivalents for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were borrowings and collections related to secured financing transactions, proceeds from the sales and maturities of debt and equity securities and, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, increases in the deposit balances at the Company’s banking operations. The net effect of all activities on cash and cash equivalents was an increase of $327.0 million and a decrease of $2.1 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Previous wording
The Company continually assesses its capital allocation strategy, including decisions relating to dividends, stock repurchases, capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments. In September 2024, the quarterly cash dividend was increased to 54 cents per common share, representing a 2% increase. The dividend increase was effective beginning with the September 2024 dividend. Management expects that the Company will continue to pay quarterly cash dividends at or above the current level. The timing, declaration and payment of future dividends, however, falls within the discretion of the Company’s board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s financial condition and earnings, the capital requirements of the Company’s businesses, restrictions imposed by applicable law and any other factors the board of directors deems relevant from time to time.
Current wording
The Company continually assesses its capital allocation strategy, including decisions relating to dividends, stock repurchases, capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments. In March 2025, the Company paid a first quarter cash dividend of 54 cents per common share. Management expects that the Company will continue to pay quarterly cash dividends at or above the current level. The timing, declaration and payment of future dividends, however, falls within the discretion of the Company’s board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s financial condition and earnings, the capital requirements of the Company’s businesses, restrictions imposed by applicable law and any other factors the board of directors deems relevant from time to time.
Previous wording
The Company maintains a stock repurchase plan with authorization up to $400.0 million, of which $153.5 million remained as of September 30, 2024. Purchases may be made from time to time by the Company in the open market at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company repurchased and retired 1.1 million shares of its common stock for a total purchase price of $60.3 million and, as of September 30, 2024, the Company has repurchased and retired 4.6 million shares of its common stock under the current authorization for a total purchase price of $246.5 million.
Current wording
The Company maintains a stock repurchase plan with authorization up to $400.0 million, of which $117.2 million remained as of March 31, 2025. Purchases may be made from time to time by the Company in the open market at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company repurchased and retired 0.4 million shares of its common stock for a total purchase price of $28.2 million and, as of March 31, 2025, the Company has repurchased and retired 5.2 million shares of its common stock under the current authorization for a total purchase price of $282.8 million.
Previous wording
Holding Company. First American Financial Corporation is a holding company that conducts all of its operations through its subsidiaries. The holding company’s current cash requirements include payments of principal and interest on its debt, taxes, payments in connection with employee benefit plans, dividends on its common stock and other expenses. The holding company is dependent upon dividends and other payments from its operating subsidiaries to meet its cash requirements. The Company’s target is to maintain a cash balance at the holding company equal to at least twelve months of estimated cash requirements. At certain points in time, the actual cash balance at the holding company may vary from this target due to, among other factors, the timing and amount of cash payments made and dividend payments received. Pursuant to insurance and other regulations under which the Company’s insurance subsidiaries operate, the amount of dividends, loans and advances available to the holding company is limited, principally for the protection of policyholders. As of September 30, 2024, under such regulations, the maximum amount available to the holding company from its insurance subsidiaries for the remainder of 2024, without prior approval from applicable regulators, was dividends of $525.1 million and loans and advances of $108.3 million. However, the timing and amount of dividends paid by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries to the holding company falls within the discretion of each insurance subsidiary’s board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including the level of total statutory capital and surplus required to support minimum financial strength ratings by certain rating agencies. Such restrictions have not had, nor are they expected to have, an impact on the holding company’s ability to meet its cash obligations.
Current wording
Holding Company. First American Financial Corporation is a holding company that conducts all of its operations through its subsidiaries. The holding company’s current cash requirements include payments of principal and interest on its debt, taxes, payments in connection with employee benefit plans, dividends on its common stock and other expenses. The holding company is dependent upon dividends and other payments from its operating subsidiaries to meet its cash requirements. The Company’s target is to maintain a cash balance at the holding company equal to at least twelve months of estimated cash requirements. At certain points in time, the actual cash balance at the holding company may vary from this target due to, among other factors, the timing and amount of cash payments made and dividend payments received. Pursuant to insurance and other regulations under which the Company’s insurance subsidiaries operate, the amount of dividends, loans and advances available to the holding company is limited, principally for the protection of policyholders. As of March 31, 2025, under such regulations, the maximum amount available to the holding company from its insurance subsidiaries for the remainder of 2025, without prior approval from applicable regulators, was dividends of $535.0 million and loans and advances of $114.2 million. However, the timing and amount of dividends paid by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries to the holding company falls within the discretion of each insurance subsidiary’s board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including the level of total statutory capital and surplus required to support minimum financial strength ratings by certain rating agencies. Such restrictions have not had, nor are they expected to have, an impact on the holding company’s ability to meet its cash obligations.
Previous wording
As of September 30, 2024, the holding company’s sources of liquidity included $568.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $900.0 million available on the Company’s revolving credit facility. Management believes that liquidity at the holding company is sufficient to satisfy anticipated cash requirements and obligations for at least the next twelve months.
Current wording
As of March 31, 2025, the holding company’s sources of liquidity included $101.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and $900.0 million available on the Company’s revolving credit facility. Management believes that liquidity at the holding company is sufficient to satisfy anticipated cash requirements and obligations for at least the next twelve months.
Previous wording
The Company maintains a senior unsecured credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto that provides for a $900.0 million revolving credit facility. The credit agreement includes an expansion option that permits the Company, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, to increase the revolving commitments and/or add term loan tranches in an aggregate amount not to exceed $450.0 million. The obligations of the Company under the credit agreement are neither secured nor guaranteed. Proceeds from borrowings made from time to time under the credit agreement may be used for general corporate purposes. Unless terminated earlier, the credit agreement will terminate on May 17, 2028. At September 30, 2024, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the facility.
Current wording
Financing. The Company maintains a senior unsecured credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto that provides for a $900.0 million revolving credit facility. The credit agreement includes an expansion option that permits the Company, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, to increase the revolving commitments and/or add term loan tranches in an aggregate amount not to exceed $450.0 million. The obligations of the Company under the credit agreement are neither secured nor guaranteed. Proceeds from borrowings made from time to time under the credit agreement may be used for general corporate purposes. Unless terminated earlier, the credit agreement will terminate on May 17, 2028. At March 31, 2025, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the facility.
Previous wording
FirstFunding, Inc., a specialized warehouse lender to correspondent mortgage lenders, maintains secured warehouse lending facilities with several banking institutions. At September 30, 2024, outstanding borrowings under these facilities totaled $878.2 million.
Current wording
FirstFunding, Inc., a specialized warehouse lender to correspondent mortgage lenders, maintains secured warehouse lending facilities with several banking institutions. At March 31, 2025, outstanding borrowings under these facilities totaled $735.8 million.
Previous wording
The Company’s debt to capitalization ratios were 34.8% and 28.6% at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company’s adjusted debt to capitalization ratio, excluding secured financings payable of $878.2 million and $553.3 million and accumulated other comprehensive loss of $290.5 million and $655.8 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, was 25.5% and 20.2%, respectively.
Current wording
The Company’s debt to capitalization ratios were 31.2% and 30.8% at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The Company’s adjusted debt to capitalization ratio, excluding secured financings payable of $735.8 million and $643.8 million and accumulated other comprehensive loss of $399.8 million and $496.4 million at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, was 22.1% and 22.2%, respectively.
Previous wording
Investment Portfolio. The Company maintains a high quality, liquid investment portfolio that is primarily held at its insurance and banking subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2024, 95% of the Company’s investment portfolio consisted of debt securities, of which 72% were either United States government-backed or rated AAA and 97% were either rated or classified as investment grade. Percentages are based on the estimated fair values of the securities. Credit ratings reflect published ratings obtained from globally recognized securities rating agencies. If a security was rated differently among the rating agencies, the lowest rating was selected. For further information on the credit quality of the Company’s debt securities portfolio at September 30, 2024, see Note 3 Debt Securities to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Current wording
Investment Portfolio. The Company maintains a high quality, liquid investment portfolio that is primarily held at its insurance and banking subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2025, 95% of the Company’s investment portfolio consisted of debt securities, of which 71% were either United States government-backed or rated AAA and 97% were either rated or classified as investment grade. Percentages are based on the estimated fair values of the securities. Credit ratings reflect published ratings obtained from globally recognized securities rating agencies. If a security was rated differently among the rating agencies, the lowest rating was selected. For further information on the credit quality of the Company’s debt securities portfolio at March 31, 2025, see Note 3 Debt Securities to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Previous wording
Off-balance sheet arrangements. The Company administers escrow deposits as a service to customers in its direct title operations. Escrow deposits totaled $9.0 billion and $10.6 billion at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, of which $4.6 billion and $6.3 billion, respectively, were held at FA Trust. The remaining deposits were held at third-party financial institutions. Escrow deposits held at third-party financial institutions are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are not included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. All such amounts are placed in deposit accounts insured, up to applicable limits, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company could be held contingently liable for the disposition of these assets.
Current wording
Off-balance sheet arrangements. The Company administers escrow deposits as a service to customers in its direct title operations. Escrow deposits totaled $9.8 billion and $8.9 billion at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, of which $4.3 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively, were held at FA Trust. The remaining deposits were held at third-party financial institutions. Escrow deposits held at third-party financial institutions are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are not included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. All such amounts are placed in deposit accounts insured, up to applicable limits, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company could be held contingently liable for the disposition of these assets.
Previous wording
Trust assets administered by FA Trust totaled $4.8 billion and $4.4 billion at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, of which $155.2 million and $197.1 million, respectively, were held at FA Trust. The remaining trust assets were held at third-party financial institutions. Trust assets administered by FA Trust and held at third-party institutions are fiduciary client assets. As such, these trust assets are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are not included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company could be held contingently liable if FA Trust were to breach any of its fiduciary duties.
Current wording
Trust assets administered by FA Trust totaled $4.9 billion and $4.8 billion at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, of which $193.2 million and $169.4 million, respectively, were held at FA Trust. The remaining trust assets were held at third-party financial institutions. Trust assets administered by FA Trust and held at third-party institutions are fiduciary client assets. As such, these trust assets are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are not included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company could be held contingently liable if FA Trust were to breach any of its fiduciary duties.
Previous wording
The Company facilitates tax-deferred property exchanges for customers pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code and tax-deferred reverse exchanges pursuant to Revenue Procedure 2000-37. As a facilitator and intermediary, the Company holds the proceeds from sales transactions and takes temporary title to property identified by the customer to be acquired with such proceeds. Upon the completion of each such exchange, the identified property is transferred to the customer or, if the exchange does not take place, an amount equal to the sales proceeds or, in the case of a reverse exchange, title to the property held by the Company is transferred to the customer. Like-kind exchange funds administered by the Company totaled $2.0 billion and $1.8 billion at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The like-kind exchange deposits are held at third-party financial institutions and, due to the structure utilized to facilitate these transactions, the proceeds and property are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are not included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. All such amounts are placed in deposit accounts insured, up to applicable limits, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company could be held contingently liable to the customer for the transfers of property, disbursements of proceeds and the returns on such proceeds.
Current wording
The Company facilitates tax-deferred property exchanges for customers pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code and tax-deferred reverse exchanges pursuant to Revenue Procedure 2000-37. As a facilitator and intermediary, the Company holds the proceeds from sales transactions and takes temporary title to property identified by the customer to be acquired with such proceeds. Upon the completion of each such exchange, the identified property is transferred to the customer or, if the exchange does not take place, an amount equal to the sales proceeds or, in the case of a reverse exchange, title to the property held by the Company is transferred to the customer. Like-kind exchange funds administered by the Company totaled $1.8 billion and $2.3 billion at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The like-kind exchange deposits are held at third-party financial institutions and, due to the structure utilized to facilitate these transactions, the proceeds and property are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are not included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. All such amounts are placed in deposit accounts insured, up to applicable limits, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company could be held contingently liable to the customer for the transfers of property, disbursements of proceeds and the returns on such proceeds.
Previous wording
In conducting its residential mortgage loan subservicing operations, the Company administers cash deposits on behalf of its clients. Cash deposits totaled $1.2 billion and $830.5 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, of which $882.7 million and $485.7 million, respectively, were held at FA Trust. The remaining deposits were held at third-party financial institutions. Cash deposits held at third-party financial institutions are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are not included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. All such amounts are placed in deposit accounts insured, up to applicable limits, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company could be held contingently liable for the disposition of these assets. In connection with certain accounts, the Company has ongoing programs for realizing economic benefits with various financial institutions whereby it earns economic benefits either as income or as a reduction in expense.
Current wording
In conducting its residential mortgage loan subservicing operations, the Company administers cash deposits on behalf of its clients. Cash deposits totaled $1.1 billion and $901.0 million at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, of which $764.7 million and $606.5 million, respectively, were held at FA Trust. The remaining deposits were held at third-party financial institutions. Cash deposits held at third-party financial institutions are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are not included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. All such amounts are placed in deposit accounts insured, up to applicable limits, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company could be held contingently liable for the disposition of these assets. In connection with certain accounts, the Company has ongoing programs for realizing economic benefits with various financial institutions whereby it earns economic benefits either as income or as a reduction in expense.
Rearranged current paragraphs (1)
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
Net investment losses of $6.5 million and $10.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, were primarily related to changes in the fair values of marketable equity securities.