First American Financial Net Increases for Year, 4th Quarter

First American Financial Corp. said the improved real estate market nationwide bolstered earnings and revenue for the fourth quarter and full year last year.

The company, which provides real estate-related financial and informational services as well as title insurance, posted net income of $53.6 million, or $4.68 a share, for 1996, compared with $7.6 million, or 67 cents a share, for the previous year.

Revenue rose 23% to $1.6 billion from $1.3 billion. Net income for the fourth quarter increased 20% to $11.8 million, or $1.03 a share, from $9.8 million, or 87 cents a share, for the same period in 1995. Revenue advanced 17% to a record $425.5 million from $364.5 million.

The company said sales of existing homes and year-end commercial activity were particularly strong.