METROPOLITAN TITLE ACQUIRES TWO MICHIGAN FIRMS

 Howell, Michigan.  (July 26, 1999) – Metropolitan Title Company, based in Howell, Michigan, has acquired Emmet County Abstract & Title Company Inc. of Petoskey, Michigan and Huron County Abstract Company Inc. in Bad Axe, Michigan.  With these acquisitions, Metropolitan Title now employs a staff of over 1,100 employees in 82 offices in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois.

 "We're very pleased to add these markets to our strong foundation in the state of Michigan," said Ken Lingenfelter, President of Metropolitan Title.  "The acquisition of Emmet County Abstract & Title Company is our first venture into northern Michigan and will allow us to build a northern region customer base.  Huron County Abstract is also a wonderful compliment to our current Michigan operation and provides us with an office in another truly beautiful part of the state," he added.

 Tom Leavitt, President of Emmet County Abstract & Title Company, said the sale of the 92 year-old company will bring his firm to a more sophisticated level.  "Metropolitan Title," Leavitt said, "is very advanced in terms of its services and technology and has an excellent reputation in the state of Michigan.  This means we will now be able to provide a stronger mix of products and services to all of our clients."

 According to Charles Morden, President of Huron County Abstract & Title, the sale of Huron County Abstract will allow the firm to keep up with the changing responsibilities of the industry.  "Metropolitan Title," Morden noted, "provides us with the ability to better meet the needs of all of our customers, which has expanded to include such groups as mortgage brokers and the banking industry.  Metropolitan Title brings the up-to-date technology systems we need, as well as a complete package of services which will benefit our customers."

 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.  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.

 Huron County Abstract was founded in 1947 as an abstract company by Morden's father and mother.  It is the only complete title plant for Huron County.  The company employs five people.

 Emmet County Abstract & Title Company, with 20 employees, was founded in 1907.  The company was purchased in 1988 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wolverine Corporate Holding Company of which Leavitt is an owner.  The firm specializes in escrow closings, new construction and commercial and residential real estate.

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