Denver, Colorado, February 24, 2010

The Granite Companies (Granite), announced the launch of a new division, Granite Excell Management (GEM), to meet the changing consulting and contracts needs of the commercial construction lending industry.

As the newest member of the Granite family of companies, GEM was formed to manage, administer and develop new core business opportunities in public and private commercial construction lending markets. With projected growth expected to increase in 2010 and beyond, GEM will be positioned to provide consulting and other professional services to lenders under the Granite umbrella. Granite's analysis of market trends, platforms and adapted business models will enable GEM to meet market demands in the dynamic and ever changing construction lending landscape.

Granite is strategizing for the changes lying ahead and welcomes the opportunity of developing new priorities, standards and technology for its innovative risk mitigation products and services. These new strategies will broaden Granite's reach, and incorporate new initiatives imperative for sustainability and ongoing success. GEM will expand Granite's updated business model through new and established relationships with industry contacts in the coming years.

"Granite has always been a company that has adapted and grown through change. Consistent hard work and dedication will keep Granite the industry leader in construction risk mitigation," says William Cobb, President and Co-Founder of The Granite Companies.

GEM is the newest addition to the respected and nationally-recognized Granite Companies, which includes Granite Loan Management (GLM), Granite Commercial Management (GCM), and Granite Construction Inspections (GCI). The Granite family of companies are turn key out-source providers for the construction lending industry offering construction risk mitigation services to lenders nationwide for residential and commercial properties. GCM and GLM offer a full suite of risk mitigation services, including construction REO and workout services, property condition assessment reports, contractor acceptance, project review and recommendation, fund control, draw review and disbursement, property inspections performed by a national network of qualified inspectors and statutory compliance for mechanics' lien laws. GCI offers residential and commercial property inspection services including construction draw, status/audit, damage assessment, tenant improvement, acquisition and development, MOD drop, clear-lot, title endorsements, easement/ALTA, pre-start analysis, forensic and track/production development.

"It is this ability to adapt and the ingenuity and progressive thinking of our employees that has found us not only still in business but continuing to deliver quality products to our clients," said Penny Roach, Executive Vice President, Director - Sales & Business Administration.

In preparing for the year ahead, Granite will host the national construction lending conference with a focus on the commercial lending sector. The Strategies for Success in Construction Lending (SSCL) Commercial Seminar will take place March 3-4, 2010 at The Ritz-Carlton, Denver. Keynote Speaker, Mayor John Hickenlooper of The City of Denver, was named by Time Magazine as one of the top five big-city mayors in America for his innovative approaches to sustainability, transit, arts and culture, ending homelessness, economic development, regionalism and hosting the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Commercial real estate and construction lending industry topics featured at the event will include FDIC Partnership Transactions, Construction REO & Workouts, Economic Update and Forecast, SBA Compliance and Product Development, and Commercial Construction Lending Best Practices. To register for the event, visit www.SSCLSeminar.com.

For more information on GCM's commercial construction lending risk management services, including property condition assessment reports and funds administration, visit www.granitecm.com, call 866.710.4099 or send an email to sales@granitecm.com.

To learn more about GLM's residential construction lending risk management services, including fund control and risk management, visit www.graniteloan.com, call 888.456.4888 or email sales@graniteloan.com.

For more information about GCI, visit www.gcinspects.com or send an email to sales@gcinspects.com. To become a GCI inspector, contact the recruiting department at 866.380.9728 or email inspectorinfo@gcinspects.com.

Granite distributes the quarterly Construction Lending News, a free E-newsletter on the construction lending industry. To sign up for periodic construction lending updates, visit www.constructionlendingnews.com.

###