First American Financial Has Record Quarter Amid Boom

First American Financial Corp., benefiting from booming home sales and a flurry of refinancing activity, said Tuesday that third-quarter profit and revenue reached the highest levels of any quarter in the company’s history.

The Santa Ana-based company, which provides real estate-related financial and information services, said net income more than doubled to $55.8 million, or 93 cents a share, from $20.6 million, or 39 cents a share, for the same period in 1997. Revenue climbed 50% to $753.3 million from $501.8 million.

With the real estate markets showing continued strength and interest rates at historic lows, First American also expects a strong fourth quarter, President Parker S. Kennedy said.