Santa Ana, CA-based First American Title is one of the largest title insurance companies in the nation and is part of The First American Corporation family of companies. Escrow Partners was formed in 1996 by Mike Stevens and Debbie Stevens, both of whom have accepted employment with The Talon Group and will continue to oversee day-to-day operations. The purchase price was not released by the parties involved and was not otherwise available.

Escrow Partners provides closing services and does not perform title services directly; however, it does have the ability to channel significant business to underwriters, largely due to its in-house, Web-based transaction management platform, according to First American. First American President Gary Kermott says Escrow Partners provides a firm foundation for its Talon division in the Seattle area because Escrow Partners' platform will easily integrate with the backbone processing platform for all First American and Talon Group operations.

First American also recently folded Michigan-based Midstate Title Company into its Talon Group operations. Talon is currently operating in key markets such as Washington D.C., Chicago, Baltimore, Michigan, Ohio, Utah and Florida.