Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, Cuesta Title Co. has over 10 branches and 70 employees.The company had been founded in 1965 by local real estate investors and purchased four years ago by its current CEO Thomas A. Murrell. "This move will create an even closer affiliation with Stewart, which has been Cuesta Title's primary insurance underwriter for many years," says Murrell. Other benefits of the acquisition include secure financial backing, Stewart Title's national reputation and Stewart's technological capabilities, he says.

Murrell and other key management staff have been retained to continue management of the company. In addition to title insurance, global real estate information company Stewart Information Services Corp., provides real estate information technology and connectivity, including electronic delivery of title reports, flood determinations, propertyappraisals, document preparation, credit reports and other real estate information.