METROPOLITAN TITLE EXTENDS INTO NORTHWEST OHIO WITH OPENING OF TOLEDO BRANCH

HOWELL, MI  (January 2, 2001) -- Metropolitan Title Company, based in Howell, Mich., has announced the opening of a branch office in Toledo, Ohio. The new Metropolitan Title location marks the company's first official presence in the state of Ohio.

"This was a logical extension into a market that we were already familiar with," said Ken Lingenfelter, president of Metropolitan Title Company. "The new office and its partners will assist us in improving the existing relationships we have in the Toledo area while allowing us to expand our services to a broader segment of the market."

Lingenfelter added that Metropolitan Title has served clients in the southeast Michigan-northwest Ohio region since acquiring Monroe, Michigan-based Raisin Valley Title in March of this year.

"Of major benefit to this area is the fact that we are among a select group of title companies that are owned and operated locally — which means we are not controlled by underwriters located half a continent away," said Don Newman, one of three Toledo-area partners in the venture. "On the other hand, we have the backing and resources of a strong, nationally respected organization in Metropolitan Title. It's the best of both worlds."

Newman and partners Jo Marie deGroff and Pam Molnar bring over 34 years of experience in the title industry to Metropolitan Title. They have strategically located their branch on Executive Parkway in the West Toledo financial district.

In accordance with Metropolitan Title's service-oriented philosophy, Newman added that the branch is available to close loans off-site, in the evening or on the weekend, if necessary.

Metropolitan Title Company is the largest independent title agency in the state of Michigan and the second largest agency in the nation. Founded in 1979 by Lingenfelter, Metropolitan has a history of consistent growth. Key to its impressive 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 technological innovation for title agency customers. Such innovation has created a more efficient system for all customer real estate transaction needs — from professional real estate closing to 1031 tax deferred exchanges.

Headquartered in Howell, Michigan, Metropolitan Title also has regional centers in Rochester and Holland, Michigan; Mishawaka, Indiana, Carol Stream, Illinois and Lexington, Kentucky.