Stewart Title of California Lowers Base Title Insurance Rates

New S.T.A.R.(TM) reduces previous discounted rates
SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
Effective immediately, Stewart Title of California, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Stewart Information Services Corp.
(NYSE:STC), has reduced its base title insurance rates. The new rates
have been approved by the California Department of Insurance and will
make purchasing a home more affordable for consumers. Escrow rates are
not affected by this filing and will continue to be determined on a
county-by-county basis.

The rate filing heralds the creation of the Stewart Title Absolute
Rate(TM) (S.T.A.R.). The S.T.A.R.(TM) is lower and simpler than the
previous bundled and short-term rates and offers significant savings
for refinance transactions that meet specific criteria. It is
available only when all title-related documents are conveyed
electronically to all involved parties. Stewart has already made
strides toward going paperless and can efficiently process electronic
transactions using the company's SureClose(R) online transaction
management system. "We continue to make progress with technology in
order to reduce our costs of marketing, production and delivery of
title insurance products," explains Brian Hurley, president of Stewart
Title of California.

Other changes to Stewart Title's rates include both a new, reduced
residential rate (for one-to-four family homes) and a lower basic rate
(for commercial, agricultural, industrial, and other related
properties). "Stewart constantly works to develop new solutions to
exceed our customers' needs and our new California title rates are no
exception," said Allan Wasserman, group president - western states for
Stewart Title Company. "We are always striving to meet the needs of
our customers the consumer, and these lowered rates will provide an
immediate benefit to consumers and businesses that are selling,
purchasing or refinancing California properties."

About Stewart

Stewart Title Company and Stewart Title of California, Inc. are
wholly owned subsidiaries of Stewart Information Services Corp., a
customer-oriented, technology-driven, strategically competitive, real
estate information and transaction management company. Stewart
provides title insurance and related information services required for
settlement by the real estate and mortgage industries throughout the
United States and international markets. Stewart also provides
post-closing lender services, mortgage default management solutions,
automated county clerk land records, property ownership mapping,
geographic information systems, property information reports, flood
certificates, document preparation, background checks and expertise in
tax-deferred exchanges. More information can be found at
http://www.stewart.com and http://www.stewartca.com.

Stewart Information Services Corp., Houston
Director-Investor Relations
Ted C. Jones, 713-625-8014
ted@stewart.com
http://www.stewart.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008