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RamQuest forms strategic partnership with LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. and Old Republic National Title Insurance Company

2005.03.14 - Plano, TX - RamQuest Software, Inc., a recognized leader in the land title software industry, announced the formation of a strategic partnership with LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. and Old Republic National Title Insurance Company.

This partnership combines the technological expertise of RamQuest with the strategic insights and knowledge of LandAmerica and Old Republic Title. The dynamic of a collaborative leadership team will provide for a competitive standard for setting policies and the long-term direction of real estate settlement software.

The terms of the partnership include the purchase of minority equity interests in RamQuest by LandAmerica and Old Republic Title, with the current RamQuest management team retaining a significant equity interest.

Key members of the RamQuest management team, including Mark R. McElroy, CEO, Neil E. Syken, COO, and Steven P. Terry, CFO, will remain with the company. No changes are anticipated in the general operations of the company. RamQuest's vision and philosophy of software development, processes, and procedures will remain unchanged, as will its agreements and commitments to the RamQuest User Group.

"This partnership is exactly what the industry needs to propel itself into the future through technology," says RamQuest CEO Mark R. McElroy. "This industry needs a strong, innovative software developer that understands the realities of technology, designs new and creative approaches, and is effective across the industry. This partnership provides the foundation to achieve those realities."

LandAmerica EVP of Operation Resources Melissa Hill comments, "As a service-driven company, LandAmerica's overall strategy is to do what's best for our customers. RamQuest's ability to provide innovative technology solutions delivered with consistently superior service, coupled with collaboration with land title industry leaders like Old Republic Title, make this partnership a big win for LandAmerica customers and for the industry as a whole."

"When you combine the respective skill and expertise of high-caliber companies like RamQuest, LandAmerica, and Old Republic Title, the opportunities for all to benefit are limitless," says Rob Chapman, Sr. Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Old Republic Title. "We look forward to setting the standard for the industry."

About LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company
Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. is a leading provider of real estate transaction services and on Fortune magazine's 2004 list of most admired companies. Through its many subsidiaries, LandAmerica serves residential and commercial customers with more than 800 offices and a network of 10,000 active agents throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe. For more information, visit www.landam.com.

About Old Republic Title Insurance Group
The Old Republic Title Insurance Group is one of the nation's largest title insurance groups, operating in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, through a network of Company-owned offices, subsidiaries, authorized agents and approved attorneys. Since 1978, the company has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Old Republic International Corporation, a Chicago based, multi-line insurance holding company consisting of specialized insurance lines in major segments of the industry. Old Republic International has total assets of approximately $10.4 billion, with capitalization totaling approximately $4 billion. For more information, visit www.oldrepublictitle.com.

About RamQuest
Headquartered in Plano Texas, RamQuest is currently being utilized for Title Closings in all 50 states. The company was founded in 1991 with the sole purpose of developing complete solutions for the Land Title Industry. RamQuest was recently rated number 1 in Ease of Use, Ease of Learning, Tasks Performed and Overall Value of Investment by the Title Technology Survey 2000, and recipient of the 2002 Discovery Award for Technology. For more information on RamQuest, visit www.ramquest.com.