Our head researcher worked for Founders Title Company which became Old Republic Title Company as their recording desk and searcher employee for 7 and a half years from 1992 to 1999 in Northern California.  He reports that they are a strong firm and later contracted with him for his services for a number of more years.  During the 1990's, in  a field of 10 title companies, they consistently lead the county market shares in San Mateo County each and every month.  However, in current times, they are near the bottom of a field of 7 remaining companies in the same market, fighting for biggest loser position month to month. 

  They are an international firm with large holdings in the overall insurance market, but their capital reserves have, much like many other large (mismanaged?) firms taken a hit, shrinking as the global economy has retreated. 

  They will likely be a "last man standing" in a final shakeout as firms fold, but they may be the bottom player of a "Big 3" in the end, and not the one on top of the dog pile.