Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Acquires LandAmerica two Major Underwiters
December 23, 2008
ACKSONVILLE, Fla., -- Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF - News) has closed on the acquisition of LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc.'s two principal title insurance underwriters, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company ("Commonwealth") and Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation ("Lawyers"), as well as United Capital Title Insurance Company ("United").
The total purchase price for Commonwealth and Lawyers was approximately $235 million. Chicago Title Insurance Company ("Chicago Title") and Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ("Fidelity National Title") paid a total of approximately $135 million in cash to LFG. Additionally, FNF paid LFG a total consideration of approximately $100 million consisting of a $50 million subordinated note due in 2013, with an interest rate of 2.36 percent, and approximately $50 million in FNF common stock.
"The acquisition of these established title insurance franchises is an historic opportunity for FNF," said Chairman William P. Foley, II. "This combination creates the largest title insurer in the United States, with pro forma 2007 market share of approximately 46% and dominant positions in both the residential and commercial markets. We will have an unrivaled balance sheet, including an investment portfolio of approximately $5.5 billion and reserve for claim losses that will exceed $2.3 billion. We are thrilled to welcome these underwriters and their employees, agents and customers into the FNF title insurance family and are confident that Commonwealth, Lawyers and United will provide significant contributions to our ongoing goal of continually creating value for our shareholders."
Source: Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
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