EXHIBIT 99



                    THE FIRST AMERICAN CORPORATION Announces
                          WorldCom, Inc. Bond Exposure


SANTA ANA, Calif., July 12, 2002 - The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF),
the nation's leading, diversified provider of business information and related
products and services, announced today that the company will take a $13.6
million pretax, or $8.0 million after-tax, charge against earnings in the
quarter ended June 30, 2002, to reflect exposure related to the decline in value
and collectability of WorldCom bonds in the principal amount of $16.5 million.
       The First American Corporation is a Fortune 500 company that traces its
history to 1889. As the nation's leading, diversified provider of business
information, the company supplies businesses and consumers with the information
resources that affect 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 seven primary
business segments including: Title Insurance and Services, Specialty Insurance,
Trust and Other Services, Mortgage Information, Property Information, Credit
Information and Screening Information. With revenues of $3.75 billion in 2001,
First American has more than 22,500 employees in approximately 1,300 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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