EXHIBIT (99)(a)

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Form 10-K of The First American Corporation (the “Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Parker S. Kennedy, chief executive officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1)    the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2)    the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/    PARKER S. KENNEDY

Parker S. Kennedy

President

Chief Executive Officer

March 31, 2003