METROPOLITAN TITLE EXPANDS INTO NORTHEAST INDIANA

Acquisition of Columbia Land Title Improves Coverage Area of the State

     HOWELL, MI. (January 23, 2002) - Metropolitan Title Company, based in Howell, Michigan, has announced the acquisition of Fort Wayne, Indiana's Columbia Land Title. With the acquisition of Columbia's branch offices in nearby Angola and Columbia City as well, Metropolitan Title now has 13 locations throughout Indiana. The acquisition, which was officially completed earlier this month, makes Metropolitan Title - already the largest title agency in the nation - the largest title agency in the state of Indiana.

     "We feel we've added the premier title company in the Fort Wayne area to our family and are excited about Margaret Sklenar (president, Columbia Land Title) and her staff joining our group," said Ken Lingenfelter, president of Metropolitan Title Company. "I believe that Metropolitan and Columbia's combined effort will create a wider range of services and resources for our customers in the Fort Wayne region. For Metropolitan, this gives us an opportunity to expand to a region that is a critical part of our strategic plan for growth in Indiana."

     Columbia Land Title Company, Inc. was formed in Fort Wayne in 1988 and, since then, has grown to include two satellite offices and over 40 employees. With a commitment to customer service, Columbia Land Title opened their first satellite office in Angola in 1997 and a second satellite office in Columbia City in 1999.

     "This was just an incredible opportunity for us to be part of the largest title agency in the nation," said Sklenar, who will remain with Metropolitan in a management position. "This just opens the door of opportunity in many ways for us and our customers."

     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, Mich., Metropolitan Title also has regional centers in Rochester and Holland, Mich.; Mishawaka, Ind.; Carol Stream, Ill.; Lexington, Ky., and Westlake, Ohio.