METROPOLITAN TITLE ESTABLISHES FIRST LAFAYETTE LOCATION FOLLOWING SHARP-MITCHELL ACQUISITION

Venerable Lafayette Firm Has Served Area for Nearly 100 Years

     HOWELL, MI. (January 23, 2002) - Metropolitan Title Company, based in Howell, Michigan, has announced the acquisition of Sharp-Mitchell Abstract Co., Inc. of Lafayette, Indiana. With the recent addition of three branch offices in the Fort Wayne, Indiana, area, Metropolitan Title now has 14 locations throughout Indiana - making it the largest title agency in the state. Metropolitan is already considered the largest title agency in the country.

     "As a major metropolitan city in the state, Lafayette represents a key strategic area for us," said Ken Lingenfelter, president of Metropolitan Title Company. "We're also pleased that our expansion into Lafayette is through the addition of Sharp-Mitchell - a well known and respected company which we feel has great growth potential."

     Although known as Sharp-Mitchell Abstract Co. for the last 35 years, the framework of the organization can be traced back to 1903 when James Sharp Sr. started providing abstract and title services with William (Billy) Mitchell, a local attorney, at the Mitchell Title Insurance and Abstract Co. In 1971 Robert M. Sharp, the current president of the company, joined the family business and was instrumental in Sharp-Mitchell's shift from abstracts to title insurance.

     "After 31 years in this business, trying to do the best job that I could, providing the best services available, it is now time to move this business to another level and that is very exciting to me," said Robert Sharp. "Being associated with Metropolitan Title will give us more tools to better serve our customers, and to reach new customers with innovative ideas, while keeping the same level of professionalism and accuracy that our customers expect and I demand."

     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.