METROPOLITAN TITLE COMPANY MERGES
WITH CHICAGO AREA TITLE COMPANY

 HOWELL, MI.  February 1, 1999 -- Metropolitan Title Company, based in Howell, Michigan, has acquired Land Title Group, one of the largest full-service independent title companies in the Chicago area.  With this merger, which became official in December, Metropolitan Title now employs a staff of over 1,100 employees in 77 offices in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois.

 "We're very pleased to add the Chicago market to our strong foundation in the Great Lakes region," said Ken Lingenfelter, President/CEO, Metropolitan Title.  "As a company that is well-established in the Chicago area, Land Title is the partner we need to reach our growth potential in that market."

 Lingenfelter added that the merger with Land Title Group provides Metropolitan Title Company with its first presence in Illinois, noting that the agreement "ensures consumers will have continued access to competitively priced products and services that only a large independent title agent such as Land Title-Metropolitan Title Illinois, LLC can provide."

 Metropolitan Title Company, which was founded in 1979 by Lingenfelter, has a history of consistent growth,  Key to this growth over the last two decades is a dual emphasis on both human resources and advanced technology.  A hallmark of the Metropolitan Title Merges With Chicago Area Title Company

company has been progressive adaptation of technology for title agency customers.  These innovations have created "one-stop shopping" for all customer real estate transaction needs – from a professional real estate closing to a 1031 tax deferred exchange.

 Land Title Group – originally Land Title Company – was also formed 20 years ago.  In 1993, Land Title America, North American Title and Agents Title merged to become a single company with a combined total of 45 years experience.

 "Because of Metropolitan Title's advanced technological systems, Land Title will continue to provide the same attentive service, but now enhanced by the latest in technological advances," said Livio Valli, Land Title chairman.

 Heading Land Title-Metropolitan Title Illinois LLC, will be Ken Lingenfelter, President, Livio Valli, Jr.., Chief Operating Director and Director of Marketing; Gregory Bembinster, Operations Director, and Dennis Turek, CPA, Director of Finance.

 Headquartered in Howell, Michigan, Metropolitan Title also has regional centers in Holland and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, as well as South Bend, Indiana and Lombard, Illinois.