Stewart Buys Nashville Firms

Stewart Title Co., Houston, has acquired First Data Systems Inc. and Cumberland Title Co., both of Nashville, Tenn., for an undisclosed amount, according to Stewart Title's parent company, Stewart Information Services Corp.Stewart Morris Jr., president of Stewart Title and president and co-chief executive officer of the parent company, said Stewart has had a long-term relationship with FDS, which he termed the largest distributor of Stewart's title production software, AIM for Windows. Cumberland is one of the largest real estate closing operations in Tennessee, providing title insurance, escrow, closing, and real estate information through seven offices in middle Tennessee, the company said. Patrick L. Vaden will remain as president of both FDS and Cumberland. "The addition of Stewart technology products -- in particular, its SureClose transaction management platform -- will enhance the services we provide to our customers," Mr. Vaden said. Stewart can be found online at http://www.stewart.com.