METROPOLITAN TITLE MERGES
WITH CHICAGO TITLE AGENCY OF ROCKFORD, INC. .

HOWELL, MI. (March 15, 1999) -- Metropolitan Title Company, based in Howell, Michigan, has acquired Chicago Title Agency of Rockford, Inc., one of the largest full service title companies in northern Illinois.  With this merger, 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 Rockford market to our strong foundation in the Great Lakes region," said Ken Lingenfelter, President, Metropolitan Title.  "As a leading title company in northern Illinois, Chicago Title Agency is the partner we need to serve this large population base and reach our growth potential in that market."

 Lingenfelter added that the merger with Chicago Title Agency of Rockford, Inc. enables Metropolitan Title Company to solidify its presence in Illinois having just acquired the Land Title Group of Chicago earlier this year.  Chicago Title Agency operated three offices in Rockford and Belvidere.

 Linda Bennehoff, President of Chicago Title Agency, said selling her 17 year-old firm was a well-though-out decision based on the best interests of the company, its customers and employees and the community.  "Metropolitan Title," Bennehoff said, "is a much larger organization with a strong growth orientation and a mix of exceptional products and services that will enable us to serve our customers better than ever before.  We were very impressed by Metropolitan's business ethics, professionalism and management skills."

 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 company has been progressive adaptation of technology for title agency customers.  Metropolitan Title Merges With Chicago Title Agency

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.

 Chicago Title Agency of Rockford, Inc. was founded in 1982 when Bennehoff purchased the Rockford branch of the Chicago Title Insurance Company.  It is a member of the prestigious President's Agents Council of Chicago Title Insurance Company, which includes the top five percent of agents in the country.  It is also a member of the Illinois and American Land Title Associations.

 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