FIRST METROPOLITAN MORTGAGE, A DIVISION OF EMPIRE EQUITY GROUP WELCOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTOR & FORMER EQUITY RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Washington DC, Thursday July 1, 2006 -1st Metropolitan Mortgage, a division of Empire Equity Group, is pleased to announce that Dev Hillman has joined its staff as a Mortgage Consultant in its Washington DC branch. The branch is located in the Foundry Building in Georgetown.

As a loan officer, Dev will specialize in real estate loans’ including refinances, new subdivisions, long term funding for multi-family housing and commercial buildings.

Dev’s sales experience, drive for results, and enthusiasm is a great addition to the team and will assist 1st Metropolitan in growing its retail mortgage business.

Prior to joining 1st Metropolitan Mortgage, Dev worked as a real estate investor with Marathon Asset Management tracking down foreclosures, and distressed properties. And before that Dev was an equity research assistant with The Washington Service-Brick Securities firm.

Outside of 1st Metropolitan Mortgage, Dev has been a mentor with the Robotics team at McKinley Tech High School, a content manager with the DC Sports Combine and a liaison with Banking on our Future and YoungBiz; which both teach financial literacy to underprivileged inner city youth.

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, is licensed in 49 states with approximately 250 branches nationwide. Leveraging the 23 years of experience of its parent company, Metro Branches have the economies of scale to offer not only the a broad range of loan products through its 150 lenders, but also the newest and most innovative loan products geared toward true financing solutions customized to each borrower's individual needs.

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 or visit the 1st Metropolitan Mortgage website at www.1stmetro.net.