Press Release

Lighthouse Title Announces Merger with Lakeshore Land and Title

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Robert Wuerfel, President of Lighthouse Title, Inc., which is headquartered in Holland, Michigan, announced finalization of a merger agreement between Lighthouse Title, Inc. and Lakeshore Land and Title, Inc.

Lighthouse Title, which started with an office in Holland in May of 2001, has expanded extensively over the past few years, opening or acquiring offices in Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Muskegon and Saugatuck/Douglas. With the addition of the Lakeshore Land and Title family, the Lighthouse Title network consists of 10 locations and over 50 employees stretching from Manistee down to Saugatuck/Douglas and over to Grand Rapids.

"We are pleased to add the entire experienced Lakeshore Land and Title staff and operations to our team," said Wuerfel. "Lakeshore Land and Title share a similar culture and business approach to that of the Lighthouse Title network. The two agencies fill a common niche, servicing residential and commercial transactions through local, personal handling of the entire title process."

Lakeshore Land and Title, with offices in Ludington, Manistee and Baldwin, has been providing title insurance and escrow closing services in West Central Michigan since 1996. "The merger will allow our office to achieve operating efficiencies and technology advancements that our agency alone would not have been able to implement for several more years. Best of all, we will be able to offer our customers and clients new products and services that Lighthouse currently provides," says Richard A. Randall, President and owner of Lakeshore Land and Title, Inc.

When Lakeshore Land and Title was founded eight years ago there were only a few local title agencies, but since then large regional agencies and even a national title company have opened offices in the market. Richard Randall, who is also a local real estate attorney, cited Lighthouse Title’s West Michigan headquarters as a key factor in the merger agreement. "Expansion into additional West Michigan communities was important in serving many of our customers with ties in multiple markets. Depth was important to our ability to remain competitive."

"Lighthouse Title will continue to operate the Ludington, Manistee and Baldwin offices as Lakeshore Land and Title. This will allow Lakeshore Land and Title to maintain its identity and continue its tradition of providing personalized customer service to local individuals, families and businesses," said Wuerfel.