1st Metropolitan Introduces the American Dream Award; Company Acknowledges Originators for Helping Enrich the Lives of Individuals Though Homeownership.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- 1st Metropolitan Mortgage, a leading mortgage broker and a division of Empire Equity Group, Inc., has developed the American Dream Award to acknowledge loan originators with leading first-time home mortgage originations. Synonymous with the goals of government-sponsored enterprises and Congress, 1st Metropolitan aims to help American families obtain homeownership and stabilize communities.

"The American Dream Award is designed to recognize originators who understand the importance of helping individuals realize the dream of owning their own home," said Daniel H. Jacobs, CEO of 1st Metropolitan. "As loan originators, we offer all kinds of loans to consumers; helping lower interest rates, consolidate debt to simplify their financial lives and avoid bankruptcy, but we believe that helping people gain homeowner status is the greatest good we are doing.

"Securing home ownership helps people gain a solid financial footing and best positions Americans for long-term financial success. 1st Metropolitan is a proud conduit of this gratifying experience."

The first American Dream Awards were presented during 1st Metropolitan's annual convention this year in Atlanta. Qualifying representatives funded at least $10 million in purchase loans, and at least two-thirds of their business from purchase mortgages. This year's recipients were Ken Harmon of Illinois, Anthony Vignalli of New Jersey, Patrick Kennedy of Florida, Maureen Mackey of California, James Stojack of Florida, Julie Hoang of Maryland, Brian Smith of North Carolina, Mark Lawless of New Jersey and Randall Brown of South Carolina.

To encourage further growth in the first-time homebuyers market, the company will continue to recognize its originators with the American Dream awards at its annual convention held each spring.

1st Metropolitan, one of the top 10 mortgage brokers in the country, is committed to recognizing the individual in the mortgage process. While 67 percent of the U. S. population of 296 million people own homes, that still leaves a significant number of families that are not homeowners.

"There is a large percentage of families that do not have a backyard for their kids to run and play," Jacobs said. "We are committed to helping families not only have a place to create memories but to establish roots in communities while building equity for themselves and their families. Increasing home ownership will help stabilize and nourish communities around the country."

About 1st Metropolitan Mortgage

1st Metropolitan Mortgage, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and a division of Empire Equity Group since 2002, is a national mortgage brokerage, offering products from such lenders as Countrywide Home Mortgage, Chase Mortgage and Washington Mutual, a member of 1st Metropolitan's Preferred Lenders Program. The company is licensed in 48 states with approximately 250 branches nationwide. Leveraging the 22 years of experience of its parent company, 1st Metropolitan has an aggressive business development strategy. 1st Metropolitan's strategic theme for 2005 is setting the PACE (Partnership to Achieve Customer-Focused Excellence).

For more information, visit www.1stmetro.com.

About Empire Equity Group, Inc.

Empire Equity Group has been in business since 1983 focusing heavily in the Northeastern United States. Since the acquisition of 1st Metropolitan, Empire has established development programs for branch managers, additional infrastructure to meet the needs of branches and installed the latest technology, such as an expanded intranet site and an innovative online loan origination system. For more information, call 704.552.0123.