Question 1

What is First American Trust?

Accepted Answer

First American Trust is a federally regulated savings bank specializing in wealth management and commercial banking services. With over $7.9 billion in assets, the bank operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF), one of the nation's largest title insurance and settlement services companies.

The bank serves two primary markets: wealth management clients seeking fiduciary trust services and investment advice, and title and escrow companies requiring specialized banking solutions. First American Trust has built a reputation for delivering personalized service backed by institutional strength and over six decades of fiduciary experience.

Question 2

When was First American Trust founded?

Accepted Answer

First American Trust traces its origins to 1889, when Orange County, California split from Los Angeles County and two firms opened to handle title matters in the newly formed county. In 1894, businessman Charles Edward Parker merged these competitors to form Orange County Title Company, the predecessor to today's First American Financial Corporation.

The trust business formally emerged in 1968 when the company restructured and created First American Trust Company to conduct trust operations alongside the title insurance business. The bank evolved from Orange County Title Company (1894-1960) to First American Title Insurance (1960-1968) before establishing the separate trust entity that operates today as an OCC-regulated Federal Savings Bank.

Question 3

Where is First American Trust headquartered?

Accepted Answer

First American Trust is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, located in Orange County. The bank maintains its headquarters at the same location where its predecessor company, Orange County Title Company, was founded over 130 years ago.

Question 4

Where does First American Trust operate?

Accepted Answer

First American Trust operates nationwide through 10 bank branches and 5 wealth management offices strategically located across multiple states. The bank's commercial banking division focuses primarily on serving title and escrow companies throughout the real estate settlement services industry.

The wealth management division serves high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutional clients across the country. With $2.7 billion in assets under management, the bank provides services to clients in all U.S. regions while maintaining its strong presence in California and other key markets.

Question 5

What services does First American Trust offer?

Accepted Answer

First American Trust operates two distinct divisions offering specialized financial services:

Wealth Management Services include personalized investment advice, fiduciary trust services, wealth planning, trust administration, estate settlement, special needs trusts, and institutional services for endowments, foundations, and pension plans. The bank serves as a corporate trustee for various trust types including revocable and irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, and charitable trusts.

Commercial Banking Services cater specifically to the title and escrow industry, providing commercial deposit accounts, wire transfer services, and positive pay solutions. The bank offers seamless integrations with leading title and escrow software platforms, allowing clients to conduct banking activities directly within their production systems. These integrations streamline operations for escrow processing, wire management, and trust accounting.

The bank also provides online banking platforms and mobile banking capabilities, enabling clients to manage accounts, transfer funds, and access real-time transaction information with enhanced security features.

Question 6

What makes First American Trust unique?

Accepted Answer

First American Trust stands out for its specialized focus on two distinct niches: fiduciary wealth management and title and escrow banking. This dual specialization allows the bank to deliver deep expertise in both markets rather than attempting to be all things to all customers.

The bank's integration capabilities with title and escrow software platforms like SoftPro represent a significant competitive advantage, enabling title companies to process wires, update positive pay items, and access banking information directly within their workflow. This reduces errors, saves time, and improves operational efficiency for real estate settlement professionals.

With over 60 years of wealth management experience and $597 million in bank regulatory capital, First American Trust combines the personal service of a specialized institution with the financial strength and stability of being part of a publicly traded Fortune 500 parent company. The bank's long-standing commitment to fiduciary excellence and its roots dating back to 1889 provide clients with confidence in its institutional longevity.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is First American Trust?

Accepted Answer

First American Trust is a Federal Savings Bank regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). As a federal savings bank, it operates under federal banking regulations and maintains FDIC insurance for deposit accounts.

The institution functions as a specialized bank focusing on trust and fiduciary services rather than traditional retail banking. This classification allows First American Trust to provide comprehensive wealth management, trust administration, and commercial banking services while maintaining the regulatory oversight and consumer protections associated with federally chartered banks. The bank's federal charter enables it to serve clients nationwide and operate across state lines without the limitations that might apply to state-chartered institutions.

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About First American Trust in the United States