METROPOLITAN TITLE ACQUIRES WISCONSIN OFFICES

(Howell, Michigan – June, 2001)  Metropolitan Title Company, headquartered in Howell, Michigan, announces the acquisition of All American Land Services, Inc. of Wisconsin, the Brookfield office of Old Republic Title, and Badger Abstract & Title Corporation of Madison, Wisconsin. Metropolitan Title’s entry into Wisconsin, its sixth Midwestern state, brings its total number of offices to 101, making it the largest independent title agency in the nation.

These acquisitions, which signal the opening of Metropolitan Title’s first branch offices in Wisconsin, will produce customer service improvements for clients of both former agencies.  These include: fully-staffed services at all six office locations (Appleton, Brookfield, Elkhorn, Madison, Racine and West Bend); the addition of Old Republic’s underwriting skills; and the inclusion of in-house functions such as appraisal and flood plain service, as well as new construction inspection service for both former and new clients.  Not to mention the addition of Metropolitan Title’s progressive technology for title customers, 1031 tax-deferred exchanges, and National Services available to customers nation-wide.

“This new alliance will consolidate the unique strengths of two well-known and respected companies to help improve the level of services and benefits they can extend to their customers, said Metropolitan Title Company President/CEO, Ken Lingenfelter.  “We also want to assure former All American, Old Republic and Badger Abstract & Title customers that, aside from the name on the door, very little will change regarding the personal service they’ve come to expect from these fine companies over the years.”

Founded in 1979 by Lingenfelter, Metropolitan Title 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 for the company has been its innovated approach to technology and customer services as they strive to be, The Midwest’s Premier Real Estate Resource.

In addition to the new location in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Metropolitan Title has regional centers in Rochester and Holland, Michigan; Mishawaka, Indiana; Lexington, Kentucky and Carol Stream, Illinois.